The first member of the team that Jester quickly eliminated was the healer so that this team wouldn't last long, but to his surprise, they were doing well — the reason being that three of them were Third Circle, each one among the three strongest students of the Valtara continent.
'No doubt Valtara sent its three strongest in the same team to have a chance to go far in the competition.'
They were smart to do that, since separating those three would basically be declaring defeat. Still, they seemed to dislike each other, unable to work together.
'Good thing I took out that Second Circle healer — she seemed to be the one holding them together somehow.'
"Arthur Klein, fall back and attack from a distance."
"Got it."
The boy named Arthur Klein had red hair and used an interesting magic called mechanical magic, something unique.
'Even with that magic, he's still Second Circle.'
The person who gave the order seemed to be from the same territory as him — a girl named Erika Von Stahlheim, the top rank of her academy. Silver hair, blue eyes, neatly kept clothes. Like her, the other two best were also rank ones of their academies.
'She's fighting well against Ti, even though he's holding back.'
"Irritating girl, I'm going to kill you."
"Don't talk to me in that tone, you filthy thing."
She said that because Ti was using dark magic, which seemed to deeply irritate her — even her face showed pure disgust when looking at him.
"Calm down, Eri. We already have Ethan pissed because his girlfriend got eliminated; having you like that too will be bad."
"I don't care."
Five meters from Erika was a dark-skinned girl with glowing tribal tattoos that shone every time she used her white spirit magic, which attacked a hooded boy. Her name was Chinwe Okonkwo, also rank one of her academy.
"I don't like this conversation... first of all, I'm not angry, and second, she's not my—"
'Not yet, at least.'
It had started raining recently, so the sound of the light rain mixed with thunder, which allowed the last rank one from another academy — Ethan Graves, a boy with messy blond hair and a serious expression — to use his lightning magic more effectively, even though he was the most damaged, having defeated his opponent.
'I'd better eliminate their leader now.'
"Hey, you two handle things here. I'll take care of what seems to be their leader."
"Why does it have to be you— and there he goes."
"He must be angry since it was their leader who eliminated Mina."
Ethan Graves wiped the blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, his gaze sharp as a blade. His bluish lightning aura crackled around his body, illuminating the darkness as he stared directly at his opponent.
"Your ambush was pretty good."
Jester, with a smile that didn't seem human, spun a black staff between his fingers. The pale glow in his eyes showed absolute control of the situation — and an unsettling confidence.
"Thanks for the compliment. You fight well... for someone who still believes in flags and continental glory."
Jester's voice dragged mockingly, irritating Ethan, who spat blood on the ground. This guy clearly knew something about him, so Ethan decided to respond with something that reflected who he truly was.
"You talk too much for someone who's about to fall. My lightning will carve this forest with the name of my territory."
The air trembled. Ethan dashed — and the ground exploded. The mage flashed like a living arrow, the sound of thunder echoing behind him.
"Lightning Dash!"
Jester raised his staff and drew a dark red magic circle. Translucent bones emerged from the ground like spears, intercepting the attack. Ethan dodged, the lightning around his body distorting his trajectory. The impact made the ground shake. A flash tore through the darkness — trunks split, leaves burned, and the sound of metal clashing with bone echoed.
Ethan landed with a spin, kinetic energy sparking in his legs.
"Tsk... that summoning magic of yours is disgusting. Looks like something from the dead."
"It's merely... evolution. You, on the other hand, seem to be just noise and pride."
It seemed the acidic words wouldn't stop between them, but what truly irritated Ethan was Jester's constant smile and hidden look. Lightning gathered in Ethan's palm, pulsing like a heart as he took his stance.
"Pride is what made my parents and my people stand tall. What do you have? A poisonous tongue and graveyard tricks?"
"Perhaps. But when used well, maybe I can even kill gods."
The ground split apart. Ethan twisted his body and threw a lightning-charged punch — the air around exploded. The impact created a shockwave that swept dozens of meters, tearing trees and opening a crater.
"Kinetic Burst!"
Jester was hurled against a tree trunk, his staff cracking upon impact. He slowly got up, coughing, the smile still lingering.
"Ah... now I see. You really believe brute force wins everything, don't you, little patriot?"
"Not little — big enough to bury you right here!"
He couldn't hide that he felt a certain rage over his companion's elimination, even behind that serious gaze. Ethan leapt again, his body enveloped in a whirlwind of electricity. The ground burned beneath his feet, the air vibrated — and the lightning condensed into a spear.
"Lightning Spear – Heaven Splitter!"
The strike ripped through the air. The flash turned night into day for an instant. The sound of thunder echoed across the valley of that forest. When the light faded, Jester was kneeling, his left arm wounded, smoke rising from his flesh. The forest around had vanished — only ashes and charred tree remains were left. Yet, Jester still smiled.
"Still standing? Guess I'm facing a cockroach."
Jester raised his gaze. For a second, his expression shifted — the smile disappeared, and something gleamed in his eyes.
"You're strong, Ethan Graves. But the power you hide inside is... impure and chaotic. Wouldn't it be nice to interest me — and evolve?"
Ethan narrowed his eyes in suspicion at his words, but dismissed it. After all, everyone sought evolution in some form. Still, now he had the idea that this guy seemed to want something beyond a simple fight.