The moment my sword **collided** with her rapier, the entire arena **shook.**

  The clash of **fire and ice** sent a shockwave that blasted away the surrounding students.

  The ice beneath Elaine **shattered.**

  She staggered back.

  Her breath was heavy. She was getting tired.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  A thin trickle of **blood** ran down her lip.

  I knew it, this was going to be last strike for us both.

  Here it goes...

  The entire academy went **silent.**

  Then—

  **THUD.**

  Elaine’s rapier fell to the ground.

  She **exhaled**, then smiled.

  **"I surrender."**

  The instructor raised his hand.

  **"Winner – Lucian von Kaiser!"**

  The crowd **exploded.**

  **"He won?!"**

  **"Lucian actually beat Elaine?!"**

  **"This guy… he’s a monster!"**

  Elaine wiped the blood from her lip and chuckled.

  **"That was fun."**

  Then, to everyone’s shock—

  She extended her **hand** toward me.

  **"Let’s fight again sometime, Lucian."**

  I blinked.

  Then, grinning, I shook her hand.

  **"Yeah. Let’s."**

  I had just **defeated another one of the strongest Prodigies.**

  And now?

  I had her **attention.**

  ---