Across the academy, holographic screens glowed to life. Students paused mid-meal, mid-conversation, mid-spell rehearsal—eyes locked onto the unfolding duel.
No one looked away.
This was the first official battle of the year.
Professor Spark strode between Max and Victoria, electricity crackling at her heels.
"For those watching," she announced, theatrically bowing, "here are today's rules."
She motioned toward Victoria, whose expression remained coldly unreadable.
"Victoria requested a duel—to the death."
The crowd erupted in gasps, cheers, disbelief.
Max raised a hand weakly.
"Yeah. No. Declining that. Firm no. Hard pass."
Spark rolled her eyes, amused.
"What a shame. Very dramatic option wasted."
She clapped, resetting her tone to formal.
"Fine. Non-lethal duel. Victory when one fighter is unconscious, surrenders, or I interfere. Winner receives magic points, enough to live comfortably for a week or two."
Her smile sharpened.
"Loser loses points. Possibly falls into the negatives."
Cold murmurs rippled through the audience.
Spark continued, voice lilting like a warning disguised as a lullaby.
"If you fall below zero, life becomes… unpleasant. Empty rooms, restricted food, limited spell access."
A lazy shrug.
"But, hey. Great incentive to win."
Max forced a breath.
"Question."
Spark raised one brow.
"…Can someone, hypothetically, avoid duels completely?"
For the briefest second, Victoria's eyes flickered with fury before returning to calm indifference.
"Yes," Spark said. "You may pay points to cancel a duel and become temporarily immune."
She lifted her hands dramatically toward the aerial screens.
"But remember this academy rewards courage and contribution. Hide too long, and you starve… literally."
Before Max could respond Spark launched herself upward, electricity exploding beneath her feet.
BANG—BANG—KRRRAK!
Lightning crashed down between the two fighters, blinding white and ear-splittingly loud. The stadium erupted in cheers.
When the light faded
Spark was gone.
Max squinted upward.
Show-off.
A sharp pain shot through his gut like a hammer wrapped in fire had struck him. Air fled his lungs.
Max staggered backward, coughing only to see a shadow blur in front of him.
A fist.
Victoria's.
He bent backward instinctively.
Her punch cut the air where his head had been.
Before Max could process the dodge, his feet vanished beneath him.
Her kick swept his legs effortlessly, sending him crashing onto his back.
Victoria loomed over him, expression calm. Almost bored.
"What's wrong?" she asked sweetly. "You didn't recognize the start signal?"
She lunged.
Punches blurred—fast, precise, merciless. The ground cracked under missed blows as Max rolled desperately, dirt scraping his arms.
"STOP MOVING!"
Her knuckles slammed into the earth where his face had been a heartbeat earlier, leaving a crater.
Max scrambled away, chest heaving. His spell flickered to life.
Scan flooded his vision with warnings.
[Target Analysis: UNSUITABLE MATCH]
Combat Ability: Far exceeds yours
Mana: High
Control: High
Intent: Hostile
Projected outcome: Severe injury
Then, a final message appeared—highlighted in red.
[Recommendation: RUN]
Max stared at the word.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
Victoria stood slowly, dust falling from her knuckles.
She smiled polite, controlled, terrifying.
"Don't worry," she murmured. "I'll make this quick."
Around the stadium, students whispered not about the duel…
…but about her.
"She's actually serious."
"First fight of the year and she wants blood."
"That strength… does she already have a Tier?"
"Poor guy. He's dead."
Max exhaled shakily.
This wasn't a schoolyard fight.
This was execution.
And if he wanted to leave the field alive
he needed to stop running from spells…
and start using whatever he had at his disposal.
His mana stirred.
Victoria lowered her stance.
The duel wasn't beginning.
It had already begun.
And Max?
Was badly losing.