[Elena PoV]
The Eagle Clan and the Griffon Clan stood before the entrance to the mining area. They stared at the tunnel opening, which wasn't particularly large. It was clear that they wouldn't all fit if they tried to enter simultaneously through this path.
"By my calculations, only four people can enter at once if we want to fight effectively in that corridor," Valeria said, analyzing the width and height of the tunnel.
"My magic... won't be effective in a cramped space..." I explained to them. I wouldn't be able to utilize my speed freely if there was no room to maneuver.
"Then, what should we do?" Geralt asked, looking for a decision. "According to the scouting team, there are only four entrances into the mine."
We then discussed the issue. In previous encounters, it was clear that Raul held the advantage in close-quarters combat, even against two of the strongest Knights in our year.
"He only held his own because I didn't use my signature technique!" Brian barked, refusing to accept that he had lost to Raul.
"It's useless, Brian. Ariel is still being held hostage," Valeria countered. "You won't be able to do anything until we rescue her."
It was true; Brian hadn't been able to finish Raul previously because he used Ariel as a shield. At least, that was the story I heard from Valeria.
"Cih, cowardly Noble!" Brian cursed, visibly annoyed.
The combined force of the Eagle and Griffon Clans was now around 50 people, after a total of twenty members were eliminated yesterday thanks to Raul's schemes. If we split up, each tunnel entrance would be entered by only 12–13 students.
"Do you think he's set traps for us in there?" Geralt asked, causing the surrounding members to look grim. Raul had already trapped us twice, resulting in dozens of eliminations. I suppose this is the terrifying side of him. He is even still hiding his Nature Mana abilities.
"In that case, how about I and a few of my Clan members go in first to check the state of the tunnel?" I offered to be the first one in.
Valeria nodded in agreement. She seemed to be waiting for me to say this, considering the Griffon Clan had already lost over 70 members since their confrontation with Raul began.
"Alright, it's decided. I'll take 10 of my members and enter this tunnel."
I and several members of my Clan stood directly before the corridor leading into the underground mine. The tunnel was only about 2.5 meters high and 5 meters long. As we ventured deeper, the light began to fade, narrowing our vision.
I noticed several wooden support beams for the tunnel were broken. What happened? Could it be because the place has been abandoned for so long? I looked closer to see what was going on.
"Hey Sarah, can you activate light magic?" I asked.
"Of course, President," Sarah replied, raising her index finger. "Light Haze."
A glow appeared on Sarah's finger, illuminating the entire tunnel. However, we immediately went on high alert. At the edge of our vision, a black-haired man stood there, motionless. His expressionless face and cold gaze were quite intimidating in such a confined space.
"You're quite brave to show yourself before me, Raul?" I said, giving him a challenging smile. "Are you setting another trap this time? Are you really that desperate to avoid fighting me?"
Hearing my provocation, Raul only replied with a confident smirk. "No, this time I'll stay and play with you, President."
His words made my heart beat faster. Could it be that he's finally getting serious? I'll find out for myself.
"Blitzkrieg!" I lunged straight at Raul, throwing a right punch.
Raul dodged by tilting his head. He countered with a right jab toward my head, which I evaded by leaning to the right.
"Hammer Krik!" I launched a lightning-coated uppercut aimed at Raul's chin.
But as usual, he could easily read my movements. I settled into my stance—this was one of Master Raymond's original combo techniques. Only a few have ever seen it, and it was perfect for a cramped space like this. Raul's eyes stayed focused on my feet; he seemed to recognize the first move. However, I doubted he could parry all of it.
"Tiger Hunt!"
I dashed forward and threw a right hook. Raul ducked to avoid it and stepped back. My foot swung toward his head, but he blocked it with his arm to absorb the impact.
Now.
"Eagle Rising!"
I began my combo: Straight Punch, Right Elbow, Lateral Flash, Uppercut, Cross Elbow, Left Hook, Knee Shoot. Out of the seven strikes I launched, not a single one landed cleanly on Raul. He parried and evaded them all with ease.
I started to wonder if Raul possessed a Codex that could see the future. If not, how could he possibly dodge and parry this entire combo?
I activated Temper and Blitz in both my hands and feet, attacking Raul again. But the man turned and fled.
"Don't turn your back on me, Raul!" I sped up to chase him, throwing a right hook.
He spun around and shifted his head, causing my fist to shatter a support beam. He grabbed my arm and pinned me against the tunnel wall. We were face-to-face.
"You picked a good place to fight," I taunted. "I can't use my signature magic that thrashed you before in a place like this."
"Well... it's just a coincidence, President," Raul said, raising his hand as if to punch my head.
"Magic Arrow!"
Raul released my hand and leaped back as a magic bolt streaked past my face, nearly hitting him.
"We'll fight together, President," Sarah said, preparing her magic again.
"I understand. You guys fire magic to cover me and restrict his movement!"
Sarah and four other mages at the back of the formation began chanting again. Blue magic arrows appeared in their palms. I reactivated my magic, coating my limbs in yellow lightning.
"Magic Arrow!"
The five Magic Arrows fired by Sarah and the others zipped past my head, flying toward the black-haired man. Raul's limbs glowed; he was dual-casting Temper and Accel simultaneously.
Since when could he do that? I didn't care and ran straight at him. Raul dodged three arrows and parried the remaining two. He then charged toward me at high speed.
We were face-to-face now. Raul looked like he was going for a right hook. Responding to the movement, I prepared a left punch to clash our strength. However, my head was suddenly hit by something.
My body slammed into the tunnel wall with force.
Ughhh... did he use a feint? He faked a hook, but the actual attack was a left kick to my head. My body hit the ground, and Raul kicked my heel hard, tripping me.
— Crack!
I saw Raul destroy a wooden support beam. I immediately felt a powerful vibration throughout the tunnel. Raul then hurried to make his escape.
"President! The tunnel is going to collapse!" Sarah warned.
I scrambled up, clutching my head. "Get out of here, now!"
Why would the tunnel collapse with only a few broken beams? I looked at Raul, who was still running to leave the area, and realized we had walked into his trap again.
"Almario del Relampago..."
I used my signature magic and accelerated to catch up with Raul. "I won't let you get away, Raul!"
We burst out of the tunnel and entered the inner mining area. However, just as I was right in front of him, Raul turned around. A Rune appeared around his left hand. He wore a triumphant smile.
What magic was he going to use?
It didn't matter; we would trade blows. The strongest one would stand!
"Dragon Fist!" My left fist was surged with yellow lightning that formed the shape of a dragon's head. Raul extended his left hand toward me.
— Bam!
My fist landed squarely on his left cheek.
"Reject Impact..."
The moment Raul uttered his spell, my body was pushed back with immense force. I saw Raul also get sent flying after being hit by my lightning fist.
— Crash!
My body slammed into the earthen wall with brutal impact. Every bone felt shattered after receiving Raul's attack. My vision began to blur... I tried to stand, but immediately collapsed.
My legs were weak... I tried to activate magic, but it failed completely.
Ughhh... I'm losing consciousness...
I hope the others made it out of that tunnel...
***
[3rd PoV]
Outside the tunnel, the remaining Eagle Clan and Griffon Clan members were waiting for word from Elena and the others. However, nearly half an hour had passed, and they had yet to emerge.
"What do you think is happening in there?" one of the Griffon Clan mages asked.
Just as the mage spoke, they heard a thunderous roar from inside the tunnel. Piles of earth burst out from the entrance, and the ground above began to sink as if a landslide were occurring.
"What's going on!?" Geralt shouted, shocked that the tunnel Elena and the others had entered was suddenly destroyed.
"No way... Elena and the others..." Valeria muttered, sounding resigned.
"Dammit... that cowardly Noble must have done something again!" Brian cursed.
The faces of the Griffon Clan members turned grim, while the Eagle Clan members looked on in terror, fearing for the lives of their comrades inside.