Rio quietly glanced at the two cadets standing below him within the arena.
One was the bearer of three different affinities.
Fire. Light. Wind.
Samuel Crimson.
A genius blessed beyond reason.
And beyond even that—
he possessed a system capable of analyzing combat itself.
Meanwhile—
the other side possessed only a single affinity.
Wind.
No legendary blessing.
No monstrous inheritance.
Only raw talent sharpened endlessly through effort.
Darius Whitemere.
One wielded a spear.
One wielded a rapier.
If Rio had to predict the outcome logically—
Samuel should undoubtedly win.
The difference in power was simply too large.
Samuel already stood frighteningly close to A-Rank.
Meanwhile Darius was barely around B-.
Yet—
Rio's crimson eyes quietly narrowed while observing the white-haired boy below.
…Is there still a chance?
Then—
the battle began.
"BEGIN!"
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
Samuel moved first.
The arena exploded beneath his feet as crimson flames erupted violently around his spear.
The crowd instantly roared.
"SAMUEL!"
"DESTROY HIM!"
His body transformed into a crimson streak tearing across the battlefield.
Fast.
Overwhelmingly fast.
The flaming spear descended toward Darius instantly.
CLANG!!!
Darius barely blocked in time.
Shockwaves exploded across the arena while flames scattered violently around them.
Yet before Darius could even stabilize—
Samuel attacked again.
And again.
And again.
The spear became relentless.
Every strike carried terrifying destructive force behind it.
BOOM!
CLANG!
BOOOOOOM!
Stone shattered apart beneath their feet continuously.
Darius' rapier moved gracefully—
precise and elegant like flowing wind.
Yet despite perfectly redirecting Samuel's attacks repeatedly—
he couldn't find an opening.
Because Samuel simply gave him none.
The red-haired prodigy fought almost flawlessly.
Meanwhile—
inside Samuel's mind—
a translucent screen flickered repeatedly.
[Opponent Combat Style Analyzed]
[Adaptive Prediction Increasing]
[Wind Affinity Confirmed]
[Combat Pattern Learning…]
Samuel's grin widened slightly.
The longer the battle continued—
the more dangerous he became.
SHING!
Darius suddenly accelerated sideways.
Wind exploded beneath his feet while his rapier flashed toward Samuel's throat with deadly precision.
Samuel calmly tilted his head.
The silver blade narrowly missed.
Then—
his spear instantly retaliated.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
Flames erupted violently across the battlefield.
Darius was forced backward again.
The audience watched breathlessly.
Because despite Darius' incredible skill—
Samuel was still dominating the pace of battle completely.
Even Rio clicked his tongue quietly.
That system of his is honestly ridiculous.
Then—
the atmosphere suddenly shifted.
Darius exhaled slowly.
The wind around the arena began quieting unnaturally.
Samuel narrowed his eyes faintly.
Meanwhile—
Darius slowly raised his rapier vertically before his face.
His blue eyes calmly closed.
Then—
he quietly spoke.
"Whitemere Technique."
SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING—
The air screamed.
Compressed wind mana spiraled violently around Darius' rapier until the surrounding atmosphere itself began trembling.
Tiny invisible cuts appeared across the arena floor around him.
The elegant flowing wind from before disappeared completely.
What remained—
was killing intent refined into perfection.
Even Samuel's system immediately flashed warnings.
[Unknown Sword Art Detected]
[Threat Level Rising]
[Prediction Instability Detected]
Darius slowly opened his eyes.
Then—
he vanished.
No explosion.
No warning.
He simply disappeared.
Samuel's instincts screamed instantly.
CLANG!!!
The spear barely blocked the rapier appearing directly before his neck.
Shockwaves exploded violently.
Fast.
Far too fast.
For the first time since the battle began—
Samuel's expression changed slightly.
SHING! SHING! SHING!
Darius attacked relentlessly now.
Silver streaks erupted throughout the battlefield while compressed wind currents exploded from every thrust.
His movements had become terrifyingly sharp.
Every attack aimed perfectly for vital points.
Samuel was instantly forced backward.
The crowd widened their eyes.
Because Darius had completely changed the flow of battle.
Then—
SHING—
A silver flash crossed the arena.
Silence.
Blood slowly dripped down Samuel's cheek.
The crowd froze.
…Blood?
Samuel Crimson—
was bleeding?
Several students immediately stood up from their seats.
"He injured Samuel?!"
"That's impossible—"
Even the higher years narrowed their expressions now.
Meanwhile—
Rio quietly sighed while resting his chin against his hand.
…Only if they knew.
That expression on Samuel's face.
That widening grin.
Those glowing golden eyes.
He wasn't angry.
Wasn't frustrated.
No—
Samuel Crimson had become excited.
Battle hungry.
The moment Darius finally managed to wound him—
the monster hiding beneath Samuel's calm exterior had fully awakened.
Below the arena—
Samuel slowly touched the blood running across his cheek.
Then—
he laughed.
A low dangerous laugh filled with excitement.
"…Amazing."
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
An overwhelming surge of mana erupted from his body instantly.
Golden light exploded outward.
Flames spiraled violently toward the sky.
The entire stadium trembled.
Several cadets instinctively paled.
Because Samuel Crimson—
was finally no longer holding back.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
Golden flames exploded outward from Samuel's body violently.
The entire arena trembled beneath the pressure radiating from him.
Light and fire intertwined beautifully around his spear—
forming something far more terrifying than ordinary flames.
A blazing golden inferno.
Then—
wind erupted beneath Samuel's feet.
FWOOOOOOOSH—
His figure vanished instantly.
Darius' blue eyes widened.
Fast—!
No—
this speed was completely different from before.
Samuel had begun utilizing all three affinities simultaneously.
Fire for destruction.
Light for enhancement.
Wind for acceleration.
The combination was absurd.
The battlefield exploded apart as Samuel appeared directly before Darius almost instantaneously.
CLANG!!!!!
The rapier barely blocked the spear in time.
A violent shockwave erupted throughout the arena.
Darius was blasted backward instantly.
Before he could even stabilize—
Samuel was already behind him.
SHING—
The golden spear sliced downward violently.
Darius barely twisted sideways.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
The attack split apart the arena floor completely.
Several students instinctively stood up in shock.
Because Samuel's speed had become overwhelming.
No—
inhuman.
Darius immediately attempted to counterattack.
His rapier flashed toward Samuel's shoulder with terrifying precision.
Yet—
Samuel simply leaned slightly aside.
The blade narrowly missed.
Then—
his fist coated in light slammed directly into Darius' stomach.
BAAAAAAAAAAM!!!
Darius coughed violently as his body was sent flying across the battlefield.
The crowd erupted.
Samuel didn't even let him fall properly.
Wind exploded behind him once more.
He appeared above Darius instantly.
The golden spear descended like divine punishment itself.
"Solar Break."
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
Golden flames swallowed the battlefield completely.
The arena barriers trembled violently from the impact.
Several students stared speechlessly.
Because this battle had completely surpassed the level of ordinary first years.
Even the higher years watched with serious expressions now.
Meanwhile—
inside the flames—
Darius slowly stood up.
Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth.
His breathing had become heavier.
Yet—
his blue eyes remained unwavering.
Rio's crimson gaze narrowed slightly.
…He's still standing?
Honestly—
that alone was monstrous.
Because Samuel right now—
felt terrifyingly close to an actual A-Rank hunter.
Samuel slowly walked forward through the ruined battlefield.
Golden flames spiraled around his body while shattered stone cracked beneath each step.
Meanwhile—
Darius struggled just to remain standing.
His breathing had become painfully uneven now.
Blood stained his uniform completely while one arm trembled from repeatedly blocking Samuel's monstrous attacks.
Yet despite that—
he still raised his rapier once more.
The crowd had gone completely silent.
Because everyone watching could now see the truth clearly.
The gap between them was overwhelming.
SHING—
Darius suddenly accelerated forward again.
Wind mana erupted around his body as his rapier flashed toward Samuel's neck with everything he had left.
Fast.
Precise.
Desperate.
Yet Samuel merely tilted his head slightly.
The blade missed by inches.
Then—
BAAAAAAAAAAM!!!
Samuel's fist coated in light slammed directly into Darius' stomach.
Darius' body folded instantly as blood escaped his mouth.
Before he could even recover—
Samuel's spear crashed directly into him afterward.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
Darius was sent skidding violently across the battlefield.
Stone shattered beneath him.
Several students visibly flinched.
Yet somehow—
Darius still forced himself back up again.
Samuel quietly stared at him beneath the golden flames.
At first—
his eyes had held excitement.
Interest.
Battle hunger.
But now—
that feeling slowly began fading.
Because Darius was no longer able to keep up.
The white-haired boy's movements had slowed noticeably.
His attacks lacked the sharpness from earlier.
Even holding the rapier now seemed difficult.
Samuel slowly exhaled afterward.
"…So this is your limit."
Darius said nothing.
His trembling fingers simply tightened around the rapier again.
That made Samuel narrow his glowing golden eyes slightly.
Honestly—
that stubbornness was the only thing still impressive now.
Then—
Samuel raised his spear once more.
Light.
Wind.
And fire spiraled around the weapon simultaneously.
The pressure radiating from him intensified sharply.
Even Rio's crimson eyes narrowed slightly from above.
Because he understood.
Samuel was preparing to end the battle.
Samuel instead slowly lowered his spear.
CLANG.
The crimson weapon pierced into the shattered arena floor beside him.
That single action made several students widen their eyes.
He was no longer even going to use his weapon.
Golden light still danced around Samuel's body as he calmly walked toward Darius using only his fists now.
Meanwhile—
Darius could barely even stand properly anymore.
His white hair had been completely stained crimson.
Blood dripped down his face onto the ruined battlefield beneath him.
Yet—
he still held onto the rapier.
Still stood.
No—
he refused to fall.
Samuel appeared before him instantly.
BAAAAAAAAAAM!!!
A fist coated in light slammed directly into Darius' ribs.
A sickening shockwave erupted across the arena.
Darius staggered violently—
yet somehow remained standing.
Another punch.
Then another.
Then another.
Each strike carried monstrous force behind it.
The crowd watched in complete silence.
Because at this point—
Samuel wasn't even using techniques anymore.
He was simply overpowering him completely.
Yet despite every blow—
Darius never fell.
Not once.
Samuel's glowing golden crimson eyes slowly narrowed afterward.
"…Haah."
For the first time—
genuine annoyance appeared on his face.
"…You're way too stubborn."
Darius' body trembled violently while blood continuously dripped onto the arena floor.
Yet those sharp blue eyes still stared directly at Samuel.
Unbroken.
Samuel sighed before slowly cracking his knuckles.
"…Fine."
"…I'll finish this."
Then—
something changed.
Darius suddenly smiled.
No—
he laughed.
A quiet laugh escaped from the bloodied white-haired boy standing in the center of the destroyed battlefield.
And somehow—
that laugh made the atmosphere feel far heavier than before.
Samuel's expression suddenly changed.
Inside his mind—
warning screens exploded endlessly.
[WARNING]
[WARNING]
[Extreme Mana Compression Detected]
[Unknown Technique Detected]
[Danger Level Rising]
Samuel's golden eyes widened faintly.
His gaze locked onto the white-haired boy standing before him.
No—
barely standing.
Darius' body trembled violently.
Blood continuously dripped onto the shattered arena floor beneath him.
His breathing had completely fallen apart.
By all logic—
he should have already collapsed long ago.
Yet somehow—
he still stood.
Then—
slowly—
Darius raised his rapier once more.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
The wind around the arena began spiraling unnaturally toward him.
Not violently.
Silently.
Like the world itself had begun holding its breath.
Samuel froze completely.
Because for the first time since the battle began—
his instincts screamed genuine danger.
Meanwhile—
high above the arena—
Aurelia Lioren's void-like eyes narrowed slightly.
Beside her—
Vice Headmaster Mitch Rozenberg slowly widened his eyes.
Then—
a grin appeared on his face.
"…To think."
"…He actually passed it down to his son."
Aurelia glanced at him briefly.
"You know that technique?"
Mitch folded his arms while staring down at Darius silently.
"…His father."
A small nostalgic smile appeared on the large man's face.
"…was my greatest rival."
The atmosphere around him shifted slightly afterward.
"Back during our academy days…"
"…that bastard was a complete monster with the rapier."
His gaze remained fixed on Darius.
"…Before he died."
Down below—
wind mana continued gathering around Darius' rapier with terrifying density.
The blade itself began trembling violently.
Tiny invisible cuts suddenly spread across the battlefield around him.
Samuel's system warnings intensified repeatedly.
[Threat Level Rising]
[Prediction Failure]
[Unable To Analyze Technique]
For the first time—
Samuel Crimson stopped smiling entirely.
Then—
Darius slowly lifted his head.
Blood ran down his face.
Yet those sharp blue eyes remained unwavering.
And quietly—
he spoke.
"Whitemere Final Technique: Final Sonata"
The moment Darius spoke—
the wind around the entire arena suddenly fell silent.
Not calm.
Oppressive.
Like the atmosphere itself had frozen.
Blood continuously dripped from Darius' body onto the shattered battlefield beneath him.
His trembling fingers tightened around the rapier one final time.
Then—
he vanished.
SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING—
A silver streak flashed across the battlefield instantly.
Fast.
Far too fast.
Samuel's instincts screamed violently.
His eyes widened as he forcefully twisted sideways at the very last second—
SHING.
The slash grazed across his cheek.
Blood flowed out instantly.
Then—
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
A deafening impact exploded behind him.
The entire stadium shook violently.
Every single gaze instantly turned toward the massive SS-Rank barrier surrounding the arena.
And froze.
A gigantic slash had been carved directly across its surface.
Silence.
Complete silence overtook the stadium.
Several students stood up instantly.
Others simply stared with widened eyes unable to process what they had just witnessed.
Even the higher years narrowed their expressions seriously now.
Because everyone understood exactly what those barriers represented.
SS-Rank durability.
A wall capable of enduring attacks from high-ranking hunters.
Yet now—
a visible slash stretched across it.
Meanwhile—
Samuel Crimson remained completely still.
The blood flowing from his cheek slowly dripped downward.
But his golden crimson eyes no longer held confidence.
Only shock.
Because he understood something no one else did in that moment.
The instant he had lowered his guard.
The instant he stopped taking Darius seriously—
he had nearly lost.
That attack—
would have ended the battle if it landed cleanly.
Far across the ruined battlefield—
Darius' rapier slipped from his trembling fingers afterward.
CLANG.
Then—
his body finally collapsed onto the shattered arena floor.
Completely unconscious.
And for the very first time since the battle began—
Samuel Crimson's expression darkened completely.
WINNER— SAMUEL CRIMSON