The battlefield settled into silence once more.
A gentle breeze swept across the barren plain, carrying away the last traces of dust left behind by Dova's battle. The members of the Black Sun Syndicate shifted their attention as Tina stepped forward, her calm expression carrying both confidence and anticipation.
She stopped several meters in front of Var and bowed her head slightly.
"Please enlighten me, Instructor Var."
Var gave a small nod.
"Come."
Without another word Tina dashed forward.
Her speed tore across the battlefield as a gentle greenish-blue glow enveloped both of her hands.
Var calmly summoned his staff.
Golden light spiraled around it. Then he pointed it toward Tina.
A blazing beam of fire erupted from its tip.
Boom!
The enormous pillar of flames carved a trench through the earth that stretched for miles, melting everything in its path.
Tina instantly shifted to the left. She narrowly avoided the attack before accelerating toward Var once again.
Without changing his expression Var raised his staff. A shimmering barrier materialized around him.
Tina didn't slow down. She raised her right palm.
The moment it touched the barrier her hand passed straight through it.
Var's golden eyes brightened.
"Soul magic?"
A smile appeared on his face.
"Impressive. You're the natural enemy of both the divine and the demonic."
He lightly jumped backward.
Creating more distance. Tina clasped her palms together.
"Soul Sword."
She slowly pulled her hands apart.
Between them, a sword of pure greenish-blue soul energy took shape.
It possessed no physical form. Only color. Only soul.
The blade hummed softly as it solidified within her grasp.
Without hesitation She rushed toward Var again.
Her sword flashed through the air.
Slash after slash.
Each attack flowed smoothly into the next.
Var moved calmly. He dodged those he could. Blocked those he couldn't.
The two of them crossed the barren landscape in a blur, their movements sending shockwaves across the empty plain as the ground continuously fractured beneath them.
Tina suddenly lowered her stance.
Her Soul Sword swept toward Var's feet.
Var jumped. His body rose gracefully into the air.
In that instant Tina hurled the Soul Sword toward him.
The glowing blade shot upward like a streak of light.
Then she disappeared.
A heartbeat later She appeared directly behind Var.
Her right palm was already reaching toward his back while the Soul Sword raced toward him from the front.
A perfect pincer attack. Var smiled.
At the very last moment he vanished.
The Soul Sword passed harmlessly through empty space.
Var reappeared behind Tina.
Before she could react he kicked her gently toward the ground.
Boom!
Tina landed on the earth, sending dust billowing into the air.
She remained there for a moment before rubbing the back of her head.
"Oww."
Var slowly descended and landed lightly upon the ground.
A warm smile rested on his face.
"You did good. You have a natural affinity for Soul Power because of your Soul Magic."
He nodded approvingly.
"And you have excellent adaptation and battle IQ."
Tina stood and smiled.
"Thanks, Instructor."
She looked thoughtfully at her own hands.
"But I feel like I'm still not using my full Soul Power."
She frowned slightly.
"I still don't know how to use my Soul Structure."
Var smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry. You will realize it in time. You will know before you ascend."
The uncertainty on Tina's face gradually disappeared.
She smiled brightly.
"Thanks, Instructor Var."
Var nodded.
"You're welcome."
Tina happily returned to the others.
As she reached the group Alucard stepped forward.
"I'll go next."
He raised his hand.
Tina laughed and gave him a high five before stepping aside.
Nearby Rein glanced toward Kaelus.
"Yo, Kaelus."
Kaelus looked over.
"What?"
Rein grinned.
"You wanna make a bet with me?"
Kaelus folded his arms.
A mischievous smile spread across his face.
"What's the reward?"
Rein shrugged.
"Some of my food."
Kaelus answered without a second of hesitation.
"Deal."
Rein pointed toward Alucard.
"I bet he'll last twenty minutes."
Kaelus smirked.
"I'll bet twenty-five minutes."
Ahead of them, Alucard slowly turned around.
His eye twitched.
"I'm going to learn…stop betting on me."
Kaelus laughed.
"You'd better last twenty-five minutes or longer."
He pointed accusingly.
"If you don't, give up before twenty minutes."
Rein immediately protested.
"Oi! That's not fair!"
Alucard pinched the bridge of his nose, visibly irritated as the others struggled to hide their amusement.
Shaking his head, he walked toward the center of the battlefield.
He stopped several meters in front of Var.
Then bowed respectfully.
"Please enlighten me, Instructor Var."
The moment he finished speaking—
His body began to transform.
Both hands shifted into the powerful forelimbs of a higher beast.
White fur spread over them.
Razor-sharp claws extended from his fingers.
His crimson eyes narrowed into predatory slits.
A powerful beastly aura quietly spread across the battlefield.
Var smiled.
"Begin."
The ground cracked violently beneath Alucard's feet as he launched himself toward the Magic Swordsman at terrifying speed.