The orientation had barely ended when the tension in the air turned sharp.
From the audience, a haughty voice rang out."That's it? Just words from someone picked by the gods?"A boy with silver-blonde hair and an ornate navy cloak stood up from his seat, eyes gleaming with arrogance.
Alric Vortane, heir to House Vortane—one of the three great noble houses of the eastern dominion—stepped forward. At his side stood another equally well-dressed boy, taller, leaner, with crimson eyes that burned with contempt.
Drevan Hollowthorn, son of the famed duelist general of the west.
They both began descending the steps of the auditorium toward the stage.
Argentia narrowed her eyes. "Sit down," she ordered, her voice laced with warning.
But Alric smirked and ignored her. "You talk a big game, Wildheart. Why not show us why the goddess wasted her blessing on you?"
Drevan added, "Let's see if you can actually cast more than one spell."
The crowd erupted in gasps, whispers spreading like wildfire.
Headmaster Riena's expression turned frosty. "This is neither the time nor the place—"
But Sam raised a hand. "It's fine."
Riena's eyes flickered. "Samuel—"
"I'll take them on," he said calmly. "Both of them. One at a time."
The auditorium went still.
Argentia looked at him with a hint of surprise. "You sure?"
Sam nodded. "They want proof. Let them have it."
A short while later – Mystoria Academy's Arcane Dueling Stadium
The enormous circular arena hummed with magic as enchantments activated. Protective barriers shimmered into existence, sealing the battle space from harm. Students flooded the stands, buzzing with excitement.
Sam stepped into the ring, rolling his shoulders. He wore the same uniform but now had a focus in his eyes that cut through the noise.
First Match: Alric Vortane
Alric raised his hand, summoning elegant threads of wind and silver lightning that crackled around his wrist.
"You're out of your depth," he sneered.
Sam responded only by raising his own hand.
"Water Bullet."
A sphere of compressed water materialized and launched forward like a cannon.
Alric smirked, dodging it with a sidestep. "Basic magic? Cute—"
"Water Bullet. Water Bullet. Water Bullet."
Three more fired in succession—one at his chest, another at his feet, the third angled from the side. Alric dodged two, but the third clipped his shoulder, knocking him slightly off balance.
Before he could recover—
Sam was already there.
Dashing forward with swift footwork and low-center movement, he slid beneath a retaliatory bolt of wind and struck Alric square in the stomach with a spinning kick.
BAM!
Alric was knocked off his feet, landing hard against the barrier.
"Winner: Samuel Wildheart!" the referee called.
The audience roared.
Second Match: Drevan Hollowthorn
Drevan was silent. He drew two short mana-forged blades and crouched low.
Sam muttered again, "Water Bullet."
Drevan darted forward, slashing through the first two bullets with his blades.
But Sam didn't stop.
He kept firing water bullet after water bullet—not to damage, but to manipulate Drevan's movement. Every time Drevan dodged, Sam closed the gap.
The crowd gasped as Sam suddenly vaulted forward, using one of his own water bullets like a burst of propulsion.
He appeared right in front of Drevan.
Palm strike. Elbow to the ribs. Sweep kick.
Drevan hit the ground hard, dazed and winded.
"Match over! Samuel Wildheart wins again!"
Aftermath
The stadium exploded in cheers. Even students who had doubted him before now watched in stunned admiration.
Samuel stood in the center of the ring, expression steady, not arrogant—just resolute.
Up in the VIP gallery, Riena and Argentia watched silently.
"He didn't even use advanced magic," Argentia whispered. "Just speed… and precision."
Riena gave a small, unreadable smile. "He's efficient. He understands combat. And he knows how to turn doubt into advantage."
Meanwhile, down below, students crowded around, some trying to speak to Sam, others simply staring in awe.
The name Samuel Wildheart had spread across Mystoria Academy.
And this time… it wasn't because of a goddess.
It was because of him.