The next day, the atmosphere at Asteria Academy felt different. The results of the entrance exam had not yet been officially announced, but students were already talking about the test throughout the corridors. Some compared their scores, others exaggerated their performances, while a few preferred to avoid the subject entirely. Kael, however, paid almost no attention to it. Sitting at the back of the classroom, he calmly read a book about the advanced structure of spells. The morning light streamed through the tall windows and illuminated the open pages in front of him. Beside him, Noah watched the students gradually enter the classroom. “You know everyone's talking about you, right?” Kael didn't even look up. “I know.” “And it still doesn't bother you?” “No.” Noah rested his chin in his hand. “Even after yesterday?” Kael turned a page. “If they want to talk, let them.” Noah smiled. “I suppose that's better than chasing them around and asking them to stop.” Kael finally looked up. “That would be a waste of time.” “That's why you're weird.” “You tell me that often.” “Because you constantly give me reasons to.” A chair was pulled out behind them. Lysandra had just taken a seat nearby. “Have you two already started?” Noah looked at her. “Started what?” “Arguing.” “We're not arguing. We're having a very intellectual conversation.” Kael closed his book. “He's lying.” Lysandra gave a small smile. “I'm starting to understand how you two work.” Noah placed a hand over his heart. “I'm glad you already appreciate us.” “I didn't say that.” “I'll take that as a yes.” Kael shook his head slightly. Before the conversation could continue, the classroom door opened. The professor entered. The talking stopped almost immediately. --- The day's lesson focused on the fundamentals of magical combat. Professor Edran wrote several words on the board before turning toward the students. “Many of you probably think that a good fighter is simply someone who possesses a large amount of mana or an especially powerful aura.” He paused. “That's wrong.” Several students raised their heads. “Power only has value if you know when and how to use it. A poorly chosen spell can be more dangerous to the person casting it than to their opponent.” Kael listened carefully. The professor continued explaining for several minutes before asking a question. “Can anyone give me an example of poor mana usage in combat?” A hand went up. Lysandra answered: “Using an attack that is far too powerful in a confined space. Even if it hits the opponent, the damage caused around them can make the situation more difficult to control.” “Correct.” The professor looked across the classroom. “And another?” Kael raised his eyes slightly from his notebook. “Using mana only to increase the power of an attack without considering its consumption.” Professor Edran nodded. “Very good. If your opponent understands your rhythm, having a large mana reserve won't necessarily save you.” Adrian, sitting several rows away, spoke up. “But if the difference in power is large enough, strategy doesn't change much.” Several students turned toward him. The professor crossed his arms. “That's an interesting statement.” Adrian looked at Kael. “Some fighters rely heavily on their ability to analyze others. But against someone with greater power, that isn't always enough.” Kael immediately understood what he was getting at. He slowly closed his notebook. “It's possible.” Adrian seemed surprised that he had answered. “You agree?” “I'm saying it's possible.” “Then you admit there's a difference between us.” Kael looked at him calmly. “I never said otherwise.” Several whispers spread through the classroom. Adrian stood up. “Then prove it.” The professor sighed. “Adrian.” “I'm simply asking for a practice duel.” Kael watched Adrian for a few seconds. He had no particular reason to accept. And yet, he understood something. Adrian wasn't simply trying to provoke him anymore. He genuinely wanted to know which of them was stronger. Kael stood. “Alright.” Noah immediately turned his head. “Seriously?” Kael looked at him. “What?” “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.” Lysandra watched Kael carefully. She didn't seem worried. Only curious. The professor finally agreed. “Very well. After class. Secondary arena.” Adrian smiled. “Perfect.” --- A few hours later, the secondary arena was already filled with students. Practice duels between new students were usually popular, but this one had attracted far more people than expected. After the entrance exam, everyone wanted to see what Kael Veyron was actually capable of. Kael entered the arena without paying attention to the stares. Adrian was already waiting on the other side. Professor Edran positioned himself between them. “Simple rules. No lethal attacks, no spells deliberately aimed at dangerous areas, and you stop immediately when I tell you to.” Both nodded. Noah sat in the stands with Lysandra. “I have a feeling this is going to be interesting.” Lysandra watched Kael. “Do you think he'll win?” Noah shrugged. “Kael?” “Yes.” “I don't know.” Lysandra turned slightly toward him. “You don't know?” Noah smiled. “I've known Kael for a long time. But I've never seen Adrian fight seriously.” Lysandra turned her attention back toward the arena. “Then we'll see.” Below them, the professor raised his hand. “Begin.” Adrian attacked immediately. A wave of mana gathered around his arm before transforming into a blade of fire. Kael narrowly dodged. The attack struck the ground and sent sparks flying. Adrian followed without giving him time to recover. A second attack. Then a third. Kael moved backward while studying his movements. Adrian was fast. Faster than Kael had expected. And more importantly, unlike what Kael had assumed, he wasn't wasting his mana. He had learned from his mistakes. Kael blocked another attack with his aura, but the force pushed him back several meters. The students began whispering. Adrian smiled. “You thought I was just going to rush at you without thinking?” Kael straightened. “No.” “Then why are you backing away?” “Because I'm observing.” Adrian frowned. “Again?” Kael didn't answer. He had noticed something. Every time Adrian launched a powerful attack, his right shoulder moved slightly before his mana concentrated. A nearly invisible movement. But a repetitive one. Kael waited. Adrian attacked again. This time, Kael dodged before the blade of fire had even fully formed. Adrian passed beside him. Kael pivoted and struck. Adrian blocked the attack, but was forced backward. A murmur spread through the stands. Noah smiled. “There.” Lysandra looked at him. “You knew he was going to do that?” “No.” “Then why are you smiling?” “Because I know that expression.” “What expression?” “The one he makes when he's just figured something out.” In the arena, Adrian attacked again. But this time, Kael anticipated every movement. He wasn't trying to directly match Adrian's power. He avoided his attacks, reduced his angles, and waited for the right moment. Then he struck. Adrian blocked. Kael immediately changed direction. A second strike. Then a third. Adrian managed to block the first two, but the third hit his shoulder and forced him backward. He gritted his teeth. “You're analyzing my movements.” “Yes.” “Since the beginning?” “Almost.” Adrian smiled despite himself. “Then I'll stop letting you read them.” His aura suddenly exploded outward. A dark red energy surrounded his entire body. Kael's eyes narrowed slightly. Adrian disappeared from his field of vision. Kael turned around. Too late. The attack passed close to his shoulder. Kael stepped back, feeling a slight burning sensation through his uniform. Adrian followed up. This time, Kael could no longer simply wait. He concentrated his aura in his legs and moved quickly to the side. The two fighters crossed paths. For a second, neither moved. Then Kael slightly turned his head. A small tear had appeared in his uniform. Adrian had managed to hit him. Noah straightened in the stands. “Oh.” Lysandra watched Kael carefully. He looked at the tear. Then at Adrian. And for the first time since the beginning of the duel, a faint smile appeared on his face. “Finally.” Adrian frowned. “What?” Kael raised his eyes. “Now it's interesting.” Professor Edran watched the two students. He understood that the duel had changed. This was no longer simply an exchange between two talented students. They were genuinely testing each other now. Kael took his stance. Adrian did the same. Then they rushed toward each other. Their attacks collided several times, Kael's aura meeting Adrian's in a series of rapid movements. Neither wanted to give up ground. But just as Kael was about to land his next strike, he felt something. A familiar sensation. That strange pressure in his chest. His mana faltered for a fraction of a second. Kael froze. Adrian immediately took advantage. “Veyron!” Kael looked up. The attack was coming. He raised his arm to block. The impact forced him backward. The professor immediately intervened. “Stop!” Both students froze. Silence fell over the arena. Adrian was breathing heavily. Kael, however, was staring at his hand. That sensation… It had returned. But this time, it hadn't completely disappeared. It remained there. Like a silent presence beneath his skin. “That is enough for today,” the professor declared. Adrian looked at Kael. After a few seconds, he extended his hand. “You're stronger than I thought.” Kael looked at his hand before shaking it. “So are you.” Adrian gave a faint smile. “Next time, I'll win.” Kael simply answered: “Maybe.” From the stands, Noah burst out laughing. “He really just said ‘maybe’!” Lysandra smiled. “I think that's his way of accepting the challenge.” Kael looked up at them. “Are you talking about me again?” Noah immediately answered: “Always.” --- As the students began leaving the arena, Darian Valcroix was still watching Kael from the other side of the room. He had seen the moment when Kael's mana faltered. And this time, he had no doubt. It wasn't an ordinary weakness. Something was developing. Something Kael himself still didn't understand. Darian turned toward the door. Someone had to be informed. But before he could leave, a figure was already standing in the corridor. A man dressed in a long dark cloak. Darian stopped. The man spoke only one sentence: “Did he use his power?” Darian remained silent for a few seconds. Then answered: “Yes.” “We don't have much time left, then.” The figure disappeared down the corridor. Darian clenched his teeth. This time, they wouldn't simply watch Kael. They were going to act.

The Duel