Mana Duel (Part 3)
Adrian stepped out of the crowd, while adjusting his black glasses, which for some reason he was still wearing. His opponent was a lean girl with tied-back black hair and a thin scar running across her cheek, giving her a hardened, battle-worn look.
Before entering the arena, Adrian said to Mira, “You sure you don’t want to get to the healer first? You look like someone already did wonders on you,” all the while having a lazy smirk dancing on his face.
There were a few giggles in the class, which were quickly hushed by the sharp glare of Reeves.
But it looked like Adrian had touched some nerves of Mira as her determined face had changed into an ugly, rotten one, and there was a fire burning in her eyes for revenge.
Professor Reeves handed them both mana swords as whispers spread among the students.
“Hey! Wanna make a bet? I place a million on A-1. Your turn.”
“Do I look stupid to you? The A-1 guy is an elite heir. He’s probably going to sweep the floor with her.”
“Tch. That’s why you’re never going to win big. People who bet on impossible odds are the only guys
who become billionaires.”
“No shit. Then you place on the B-7 girl, no?”
“Umm… I don’t have money. My courage is rich, though.”
Professor Reeves hearing rich kids’ hobby shook her head. Then, sighing, she finally shouted, “Begin!”
But unlike the previous fight, neither of them stepped forward. The arena fell into tense silence, with only the sound of someone chewing their nails out of boredom. Unlike her eyes, which begged to throw Adrian to the ground and beat him black and blue, Mira stood watching Adrian’s every move.
She knew there was probably a gap between them in power. There was a reason his rank was A-1 while hers was B-7. Add to that the fact that he was an elite guild heir.
She chewed her lower lip.
Seconds stretched as neither of them moved. Then the tense standoff was broken in an unexpected manner.
Adrian, adjusting his glasses, let out a lazy yawn with one hand in his pocket. The mana sword hilt? It was clattering on the ground.
Yes, Adrian had just dropped the mana sword hilt on the ground amidst a tense battle.
The crowd was confused. But more than them was Mira.
Adrian stretched his arms above his head lazily, then beckoned toward Mira with a smirk. "I'm getting tired just standing here. Come on already."
Hearing his arrogant words, students were baffled.
“Isn’t that too much…?”
“He’s probably showing off, but without a sword, I think Mira has too much of an advantage to lose now.”
“Hey! Brothda, are you still open for that million bet? Your speech touched my heart, showed me the way. I’m ready to bet my entire fortune.”
“Shut up!”
Mira’s eyes narrowed, but she still hesitated. What’s going on? Is this some kind of trap? What’s he playing at?
Adrian, still watching her, wore an expression that was almost comical, like he was barely holding back a laugh.
“Heh. Still not enough for you? Fine. I’ve got both hands in my pockets now. Good enough? Or do you want me to fold my eyes and bind my legs too?”
The audience—well, the students—erupted in laughter at their antics. Even Professor Reeves looked like she was barely holding back a smile, but quickly returned to her poker face when Professor Kane shot her a side glance, silently saying, It’s your student getting humiliated? Why are you laughing?
That had done the job as Mira was blushing getting humiliated. Then took a deep breath and lunged at fit of rage at the Adrian. One moment she was standing other she within striking range.
But unlike her body, she hadn't lost her composure—she was still thinking. Whatever he's going to do, I need to draw it out. I should go for a feint.
She shifted her weight to the left, blade angling as if to strike his side. But…
He's still not moving. Why? Maybe it's too fast for him to react. I need to press the advantage.
She pressed forward, turning the feint into a real attack.
But it happened in the blink of an eye—no, she didn't even blink. All she felt was a gust of wind before
Adrian vanished from in front of her. Then she heard a whisper close to her ear. "You're too slow."
Startled, she jumped back, goosebumps rolling across her entire body. Her heart was pounding like it was about to burst. She took a deep breath.
Adrian was standing where she had been just seconds ago, hands still in his pockets, that same lazy smirk on his face.
One question burned in her mind:
How?
The students were just as confused.
“What… what just happened?”
“Adrian was standing there one second, and the next he was behind her. How?”
“Did he use a skill?”
“Isn’t that cheating?”
“Referee— I mean, Professor—give him a red flag—no, get his ass back.”
Professor Kane glared at the last student who shrank back. He then coughed. “No. Its not usage of
skill. Its mana control. It works like this—”
He was abruptly cut off by Adrian’s dialogue. “Heh. This is the difference between me and you guys—see this.” He stretched his arm, and a thick blue layer of mana enveloped it.
“This is called Mana Reinforcement. You channel mana directly into your body to enhance your physical capabilities—speed, strength, reflexes beyond your limit. It’s the next level of mana control you guys are incapable of. In simple words, you guys aren’t a match for me.”
“So what is it are you going to give up? Or would you like to lick the dust on the floor?”
The commentor’s—I mean student whispered.
“Did… did he just say incapable?”
“He also said…we all aren’t in leagues of him.”
One curious student asked, “Professor, how much time would it take for me to learn Mana Enhancement?”
Professor Kane gave him a side-eye. “Minimum one year, if you’re talented.”
He pumped his fist like some Shonen protagonist. “Then I still have a chance to beat him.”
"My guy, you're C-rank at best. One year won't close that gap.”
Meanwhile, Mira still hadn’t spoken. Finally releasing a mouthful of breath, she opened her mouth.
“Who cares if you’re better than me or if you have an extra power-up? I’m still going to beat you.”
Adrian scratched his jaw, then shrugged. “Try me.”
What transpired next was a game of tag, where Mira jumped all over the place trying to hit Adrian, but with no success. After a few minutes, she was too tired to move, huffing and puffing.
Meanwhile, Adrian stood with his hands crossed. “That’s all the smoke you got?”
He moved forward and was suddenly in front of her, landing a few jabs to her face faster than a person could hiccup, all while nonchalantly fixing his hair. It was over.
Just as he had said, she was lying on the ground, practically licking the floor.
The professor calmly announced, “The winner is Adrian Vale.”
