The Adventurer's Guild arena pulsed with the raw energy of battle, its scorched earth and cracked stone bearing the scars of countless duels. The stands buzzed with the chatter and cheers of adventurers, their eyes fixed on the battlefield where Takeshi's fight had just concluded. In the stands, Haruto leaned forward, his brow furrowed as he turned to Renjiro. "Why did you warn Takeshi like that during his match?"
Renjiro's silver-and-white hair glinted as he leaned back, his voice calm but authoritative. "Lightning's a fast element. With the ground from Takeshi's water and earth spell, it only boosts speed if someone uses lightning wisely. Malric's experienced—he knew exactly how to exploit it."
Selena's eyes widened, her voice curious. "How do you know so much?"
Renjiro smirked, turning to her with a teasing grin. "Don't call yourself a mage if you miss details like that. Honestly, I don't get why people call you a prodigy." His laughter rang out, light but pointed.
Selena's cheeks puffed out, and she ruffled Renjiro's hair hard, her voice playful but firm. "Not everyone knows everything, my little brother."
Renjiro winced, swatting her hand away. "Ow, that hurts!"
Reina, her expression softening, spoke up. "We should check on Takeshi's injuries."
Renjiro nodded, glancing at Selena. "You go, Selena. You're done with your evaluation."
Selena sighed but agreed. "Fine. You all stay—your matches are still coming up." She turned, her silver hair catching the torchlight as she headed toward the medical room, leaving the group to focus on the arena.
Haruto's gaze lingered on the battlefield, his voice thoughtful. "I didn't expect Takeshi to use a sword."
Renjiro shrugged, his tone matter-of-fact. "Neither did I. Most mages don't bother with swords, but some do. It gives an edge—the more you train, the stronger you get."
Before they could continue, Lilith's voice boomed from the arena. "Next candidate: Reina!"
Reina froze, her eyes wide with shock and nerves. Her hands trembled, her mind a whirlwind of doubt and confusion. She didn't know what to do, her heart pounding like a drum.
Haruto stepped closer, his smile warm and encouraging. "Reina, you can do it," he said, his voice steady despite the tension between them.
Reina's face flushed a deep red, her words stumbling. "Fi… fi…" Her voice caught in her throat, her embarrassment overwhelming.
Haruto tilted his head, confused. "What are you saying?"
Reina pushed him back, her voice sharp but flustered. "Let me focus for the battle!" She turned and hurried to the arena, her cheeks still burning.
Renjiro sidled up to Haruto, clutching his head dramatically. "I still can't believe you kissed her."
Haruto's fist connected with Renjiro's jaw, sending him sprawling. "Shut up!" Haruto muttered to himself, his face red. "I'm an idiot."
The arena's display flickered, showing Reina's stats: Core level: Initiate Core. Elemental affinities: Earth, Water. Divine energy level: 5000. Rank: D+. Her opponent was Lilith, the guild evaluator, whose presence alone made Reina's nerves spike. She shifted uncomfortably, her hands clenching.
Haruto, unable to hold back, shouted from the stands. "You can do it, Reina!" His cheers echoed, drawing eyes from the crowd.
Renjiro, rubbing his jaw, grinned. "Cheering for your future wife, huh?"
Haruto's foot connected with Renjiro's shin. "Shut up, bastard!"
Himari watched them, shaking her head. "Those two will never change."
Reina took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus as the referee's whistle signaled the match's start.
Lilith moved first, her wand raised as she chanted. "Ice Spikes!" A barrage of jagged icicles surged toward Reina, their tips glinting with lethal intent.
Reina reacted swiftly, her voice steady. "Earth Wall!" A massive stone barrier rose from the ground, blocking most of the spikes. But some pierced through, their sharp edges grazing Reina as she leaped back, narrowly escaping.
Lilith's next spell was already forming, her wand glowing. "Grand Ice Spears!" Massive spears of ice materialized, their size dwarfing the previous attack. They shattered Reina's earth wall with a thunderous crack, hurtling toward her at terrifying speed.
Reina summoned a shimmering barrier, her voice trembling. "Water Shield!" She hoped it would hold, but the spears' power was overwhelming, cracks spiderwebbing across her defense. In a flash of inspiration, she chanted, "Sand Veil!" She enveloped herself in a swirling cocoon of sand, sinking underground as the spears slammed into the arena wall, their impact shaking the ground.
From beneath, Reina struck back. "Earth Spikes!" Jagged stone pillars erupted toward Lilith, aiming to catch her off guard. But Lilith's barrier flared, deflecting the attack with ease, her experience predicting Reina's move.
Reina emerged from the ground, her breath heavy but her resolve unbroken. She chanted swiftly, "Water Shot!" A high-pressure jet of water blasted toward Lilith, its speed rivaling an arrow.
Lilith's wand flicked, her voice calm. "Frost Bind!" The water froze midair, crystallizing into a glittering sculpture. In the same motion, she froze Reina's legs, encasing them in ice. "Match over!" the referee declared.
Reina's heart sank, disappointment flooding her. I'm useless, she thought, her shoulders slumping. Lilith approached, her tone firm but not unkind. "Your attacks were predictable and weak, Reina. You need more training. Based on your stats and battle sense, I'm giving you an E+ rank. Work hard, and you can become strong."
Reina nodded silently, her eyes downcast as she walked back to the stands. Haruto met her gaze, his voice warm. "It was a good fight, Reina. You've improved a lot."
Renjiro clapped her shoulder, his tone encouraging. "Don't overthink it. This is the beginning, not the end."
Reina's voice was quiet but determined. "I'll definitely become stronger. I'll train harder."
Lilith's voice cut through the arena. "Next candidate: Yuki!"
Yuki stood, her eyes bright with a mix of excitement and nerves. "I'm excited, but a little nervous," she admitted. "I hope I can win."
Haruto smiled. "I hope you win, too."
Yuki strode to the arena's center, her stats flashing on the display: Core level: Ember Core. Elemental affinities: Fire, Water, Wind. Divine energy level: 9200. Rank: C+. Her opponent, a swordsman named Cecil, stepped forward, his lean frame exuding quiet confidence. He introduced himself with a nod. "I'm Cecil. Let's begin the evaluation."
The referee signaled the start, and both combatants unsheathed their swords, their blades gleaming under the torchlight. With a shared glance, they dashed toward each other, their swords crossing in a ringing clash that echoed through the arena.