The distant clamor of clashing steel interrupted our conversation. “What’s happening over there?” I asked, my eyes fixed on the source of the noise.

Hans glanced toward the source. “Looks like a duel,” he said. “Wanna check it out?”

We made our way toward an open-air training arena, where a crowd had already gathered. In the center of the sparring area, two third-year swordplay students were locked in a battle of swords. Their blades flashed in the sunlight, moving with astonishing speed, far faster than I thought possible.

Concerned, I turned to Hans. “Are they crazy? No armor? That’s risky.”

Hans threw me an easy smile. “It’s fine. The arena’s enchanted. If things go south, they’ll be teleported out of harm’s way. And we’ve got healers standing by.” He nodded toward a couple of arcane students off to the side, ready for anything.

That reassured me, though I still watched the duel with my lips tightly pursed. Then, something caught my eye. When the two combatants’ blades clashed, sparks flew, and their swords glowed with a strange bluish light.

“What’s with the sparks?” I asked Hans, confused this time around.

“Those are manifestations from their aura blades,” he explained. “The bluish shade means they’ve infused their mana into the weapons, increasing their strength and durability.” He took a deep breath before adding, “Mastering the aura blade demands intense training and dedication. An opponent without one will face an enormous challenge.”

His words hit me hard. My master had always drilled into me the disadvantage of relying on aura during battle. “But won’t using that much mana tire them out fast?” I voiced my thoughts.

Hans gave me an understanding grin. “Depends on their mana pool. Some people are born with more, but there are ways to boost it.”

I shot him an unconvinced look. “Like what?”

Hans gestured toward one of the duelists, Cassiel Boldcraft. “Check out his left hand.”

I followed his finger and noticed Cassiel wearing three rings that were glowing faintly. “You mean the rings?”

Hans nodded. “Yep. Those are Manacrux. They store extra mana and can boost your reserves. You can also find them as bracelets, necklaces, and other trinkets. They run out eventually, but you can recharge them at an Arcane Shop. Our academy even has a department dedicated to making and studying them.”

I couldn’t help the silent “wow” that formed in my mind. The power and possibilities of the Manacrux were mind-boggling. But when Hans mentioned their price, it almost made me choke.

“How much do those things cost?” I inquired.

“A single Manacrux costs around two platinum, equivalent to two thousand gold coins,” Hans said with a smirk. “And recharging it at an Arcane Shop costs fifty gold coins. It’s a significant investment, but the advantages are worth it. Plus, a Manacrux is unique to its wearer, so stealing Cassiel’s rings would be pointless.”

I marveled at owning something so powerful. Just the idea of getting my hands on those rings was enough to send my thoughts spiraling into dangerous territory. The Boldcraft family was loaded. Imagine the wealth, the security that came with owning something like that.

I shook my head, pushing the desire from my mind, and turned back to the duel. “Well, the other duelist, without Manacrux, is in for a tough time against Cassiel,” I said.

“You mean Victhor?” Hans raised an eyebrow. “You need not worry about him,” he emphasized the word ‘worry.’ “Besides, he’s a legend in our academy.”

“Worry? Legend?” I repeated the words in my mind, feeling a bit clueless. I turned to Hans, urging him to elaborate.

“Like Cassiel, Victhor hails from a noble family in Nova Aeria,” Hans explained. “At just eighteen years old, he holds the prestigious position of an honorary student and commands the top position in the academy. His mastery in both swordsmanship and magic is unmatched.” He paused, his eyes glinting with respect. “Many say Victhor is the most gifted student our academy has seen in the last two decades. It’s all thanks to his abundant mana reserves from birth.”

So, yeah. No pressure. Victhor sounded like an absolute powerhouse. And as I watched him move, I could see it. The guy was tall, with dark hair and an almost otherworldly handsomeness. His sword didn’t just cut through the air; it glided. Cassiel, on the other hand, was struggling to keep up. His movements were stiff, his strikes slower and less fluid.

As the duel progressed, it became even more obvious who was winning. Victhor’s moves were smooth and precise; he was a true master of his craft. Cassiel was visibly struggling. The difference in skill was undeniable.

Part of me couldn’t help but wonder. If I faced Victhor in battle, could I take him down? Maybe, if I used the Elemental Seven… But could even that help me defeat his aura blade and raw talent?

The thought stayed with me as Victhor paused the fight.

“Hey Cass,” he called out, his voice calm but decisive, “you’ll never get better if you keep relying on those Manacrux.”

Cassiel, a bastion of stubbornness, offered a dismissive scoff in reply. “With these rings, I’ll have what it takes to defeat you.”

Victhor chuckled lightly at the mere statement, playfully hinting at the profound depths of his yet-to-be-disclosed strength. With a confident shift in stance, he wove an enchantment that hummed with magic before cleaving his sword through the air in a singular, flowing motion. Three brilliant streaks of bluish mana surged forth, racing toward Cassiel with lethal speed.

In a desperate attempt, Cassiel raised his aura blade to fend off the attack. He deflected one of the mana streams, but the other two struck him squarely, propelling him backward a few yards and leaving him bruised. The crowd, which had been cheering for both, went silent, waiting to see what would happen next.

“I didn’t know… you knew Magic Blade,” Cassiel gasped, struggling to rise but collapsing back to the floor.

Victhor’s face displayed a modest smile as he replied, “About that—” but before he could finish, the crowd erupted into applause, drowning out the rest of his words.

I shifted my gaze back to Hans, eager to ask him about Victhor’s ultimate technique. But the stunned expression on his face immediately silenced me. Once he’d gathered himself, he spoke.

“Arianna… Victhor has mastered Magic Blade,” Hans said, his voice filled with reverence. “He can channel his aura through his sword and release it as arcane energy. It’s not just swordplay anymore.”

My gasp escaped involuntarily. “Really?”

Hans nodded. “Indeed. The academy will probably announce it soon, naming him a Magic Swordsman. It’s been years since a student achieved such a feat.”

I watched Victhor now, surrounded by students offering their congratulations. Part of me was impressed, but another part wondered if he could go even further. Could Victhor reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship and become an Elemental Swordmaster like the headmaster? And what type of elemental essence would he wield?

As if fate itself had decided to play a hand in this moment, our eyes met unexpectedly. Surprise flashed across Victhor’s face. He quickly excused himself from the crowd and made his way toward us.

My heartbeat quickened as Victhor approached. The light from the hot sun illuminated him, casting a halo around his imposing figure and enhancing his already striking appearance. “Hello, I’m Victhor Highcraft,” he said, extending his hand. “Are you a first-year cadet?”

“Y—Yes, I am,” I stammered, suddenly aware of how flushed my face had become. Quickly, I turned to Lina and Hans. “This is Lina Ownrey, and this is Hans,” I introduced them before offering my own name.

Victhor’s smile faltered at the mention of my name, but he quickly recovered his composure. From the corner of my eye, I noticed Hans had lowered his head, offering what seemed like a silent show of respect. Was it for Victhor’s status as the academy’s top student? Either that, or it was probably due to Victhor’s noble background.

“I’m always eager to meet new students,” Victhor continued, his voice inviting. “Maybe we could grab lunch sometime? I’d love to share some advice and experiences.”

I nearly choked on my words. “Uh, sure. That would be great.”

Victhor’s smile grew wider, clearly pleased. “I’ll find you when you’re free,” he assured me before waving and returning to the arena, where the crowd unceasingly offered their compliments to him.

As we turned to leave, Lina leaned in close, ensuring Hans wouldn’t overhear. Her grin was sly. “Nice job, Arianna. You just scored a lunch date with the most handsome and charming guy on campus, and it’s only day two.”

“It’s not a date,” I protested, though my flushed face gave me away. “He just wants to talk about school stuff.”

Lina wasn’t convinced. We both burst into laughter, and the teasing helped me relax, pushing aside my growing doubts.

As we walked away, I couldn’t resist stealing a glance back at the arena. Victhor was still surrounded by students, but now his gaze was locked onto our group. Something had shifted. His once amiable and lively expression had transformed into a focused gaze aimed solely at me. I wasn’t sure what to make of it. Why was he staring at me like that? A thousand questions popped into my mind, but I kept walking, trying to push down the unease spreading through me.