Chapter 23: A Tough Nut to Crack

Although Mr. Harvey hadn’t spoken with Rowland for quite some time, that didn’t mean he wasn’t paying attention to him. On the contrary, as soon as the eight dueling arenas began their matches, he didn’t rush to watch his own students from the Dark Arts department; instead, he watched Rowland’s bout with unwavering focus. He never voiced it, but a knot lingered in his heart—he was determined to see what kind of person this young man, who had refused him, had become after a year of training.

When he saw Rowland display “Lightning Speed” and “Thunderbolt Technique,” Harvey couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. The boy truly possessed remarkable talent in the realm of lightning; both spells were cast with precision and skill. No wonder Rowland had chosen the Lightning Arts as his primary discipline.

But something was amiss. Harvey’s gaze sharpened as he looked down at the feet of Rowland’s opponent, Terry.

At that moment, Terry finally realized that a tiny, almost invisible strand of black thread had somehow wrapped itself between his feet. While running, the tug of those threads had dramatically slowed him down. Instinctively, he yanked hard, only then managing to snap the tenacious strands. He tumbled to the ground, barely dodging the bolt of lightning streaking toward his head.

Yet as he tried to rise, he suddenly sensed a powerful surge of magical energy above him.

“I concede!” Terry declared without hesitation. Less than half a foot above his head, an even thicker bolt of lightning hung ominously. He had no doubt that any sudden movement would unleash its fury upon him. At such close range, escape was impossible; if struck, he’d be bedridden for days. Knowing this, he wisely surrendered.

Mr. Harvey squinted at Rowland, murmuring to himself, “I never expected this boy’s Dark Arts—Slowing Spell—to be executed so seamlessly. Clearly, he’s put considerable effort into mastering the Dark Arts as well.”

As Terry’s words faded, the judge below the platform announced loudly, “Match on Arena Three: Rowland wins!”

“Whew...” Seeing Rowland finally dispel the thick bolt of lightning above his head, Terry exhaled in relief, stood up, wiped his sweat, greeted Rowland, and then left the arena with his head bowed.

Rowland had noticed from the start that his opponent was a Wind Arts mage renowned for speed. If he tried to match speed for speed, victory would be difficult, since Lightning and Wind are both closely matched in agility. So, instead, he chose the Dark Arts’ basic spell—Slowing Spell—to curb Terry’s prideful speed, then used Thunderbolt Technique for the attack. The strategy worked flawlessly, granting Rowland an easy victory in his first match.

“Brother Rowland, have some water!” As Rowland returned to the Fire Arts team, Karina offered him a cup of clear water.

“Thank you!” Rowland took the cup, drank, and smiled at Karina with a nod.

Muller and Bill gazed at him enviously. “Fourth, you’re really living the good life—beautiful girls bringing you water!”

“Hey, is there any water for me? I just competed too!” Gabbaz arrived, still a bit disheveled. He had been knocked off the platform by a spell during his bout, losing his chance to advance to the top eight.

Karina rolled her eyes at him. “Hmph, there’s water over there—get it yourself!”

“Come on, that’s such a difference in treatment!” Gabbaz lamented sadly.

“Fourth won so easily; at this rate, he’ll reach the semifinals without a hitch. I’m just waiting to collect those thousand gold coins from the bet, hahaha!” Muller deliberately raised his voice so Valen at the back of the team could hear.

“Hmph, it was only the easiest first round. What’s there to brag about? He might get knocked out next!” Terry grumbled darkly.

Muller and his friends ignored him, instead chatting and joking with Rowland.

At the front of the group, Monroe, the Fire Arts instructor, nodded toward Rowland in congratulations. Her heart brimmed with joy: Rowland had won his first match without using any Fire Arts, which meant he held those spells in high regard—perhaps saving them as his trump card.

After a full two hours of rest, the second round was about to begin.

Only eight contestants remained for the second round. Pairings were simple: the winner of Arena One faced the winner of Arena Two, Arena Three’s winner faced Arena Four’s winner, and so on.

Now, only the first four platforms were used for the matches.

On Arena Two, Rowland faced his second opponent: Nade from the Earth Arts class, a sturdy youth.

After exchanging names, the two began their duel.

Suddenly, gasps erupted from the audience. On the first three platforms, battles had just begun, but Arena Four had already decided a winner—a tall, curly-haired youth strode proudly off the stage. The crowd stared in astonishment at the boy who had finished his fight in mere seconds, discussing him in excited whispers.

On Arena Two, Rowland could only smile wryly. His opponent was wrapped in a thick earth-yellow protective barrier. He had already unleashed two Thunderbolt Techniques, but neither had pierced the shield. Earth Arts were indeed famed for their defensive prowess!

Lightning Arts had “Lightning Speed” to enhance movement, Wind Arts had “Quickstep” to boost speed, and Earth Arts, of course, had “Earthen Shield” to strengthen defense.

Nade seemed to have anticipated Rowland’s inability to break his barrier with lightning spells. After casting Earthen Shield, he didn’t worry about defense any further, but continued chanting, preparing a powerful attack against Rowland.

“Zzz!” Rowland unleashed another Thunderbolt Technique—this time a much thicker bolt struck Nade’s shield overhead. The earth-yellow glow flickered, absorbing the force of the strike, and the lightning rapidly dispersed along the shield’s surface into the ground.

Once more, the Thunderbolt failed. Rowland considered alternative strategies, but suddenly sensed imminent danger. “Not good!” He quickly used Lightning Speed to dart aside.

“Boom!” Where Rowland had just stood, a sharp earthen spike—glowing with yellow light—burst from the ground, stabbing upward fiercely. The Earth Arts’ basic spell—Earth Spike!

Rowland inhaled sharply. Had he not dodged in time, he’d have no doubt a bloody hole would now mar his body!

“Too bad—almost got him!” Nade thought to himself. With Earthen Shield and the surprise of Earth Spike, he had easily beaten his first opponent. But this time, he faced a lightning mage with extraordinary speed who managed to escape. Still, he felt confident; with his shield, he was already unassailable.

Though Rowland had evaded Earth Spike, he still found no way through Nade’s shield. Yet after a while longer, Rowland’s eyes suddenly brightened as he stared at the barrier—he had thought of a solution.

He quickly recited a spell, and a blazing fireball shot toward Nade.

Below the platform, Harvey frowned. “Judging by the fireball, this boy has invested significant effort in his Fire Arts. No wonder he only attends one or two classes in the Dark Arts each month! But his affinity for Fire is only above average; training in it will waste much time and slow his progress in the other two disciplines.”

Onstage, Nade sneered as Rowland cast Fireball. “This spell isn’t nearly as powerful as Thunderbolt. Does he really think it’ll break my shield? Ridiculous...”

But before he could finish his thought, a second fireball appeared in front of Rowland, then a third, each following the first in quick succession, all hurtling toward him!

“Hmph, does he think a few extra fireballs can break my Earthen Shield? He truly underestimates the defensive power of Earth Arts!”

Suddenly, a brilliant earth-yellow light flared around Nade, doubling the thickness of his shield.

After casting the three Fireballs, Rowland dashed at lightning speed to another side of the platform. While running, he continued to move his lips, chanting quietly.

“Zzz!” A fiercely burning net of fire materialized out of thin air. To Nade’s surprise, the net didn’t envelop him, but instead barreled toward the three incoming fireballs, colliding with them head-on! Nade had no idea what Rowland’s dazzling sequence of spells was meant to accomplish.

Below, Monroe, poised and elegant, suddenly saw a flicker of excitement in her eyes. “Could it be—could Rowland be about to use that move?”