Rather than began with magic, Finn charged Greg, engaging in well-trained martial arts. Not that the aggression deterred the young man. He actually knew how to fight, grew up dealing with bullies and even drunk peers. He also absorbed Goodman’s lessons quickly, adapting them into his own fighting abilities, mentally adjusting them to fit his style.

He blocked all of Finn’s attacks, stepped into his guard, and with a forward punch, followed by a well-executed palm thrust, he sent the long-nosed boy back a bit. Noticing a warning look from Professor Luya, Greg decided to actually use his staff.

Finn was luckily equipped with a wand, allowing him better mobility. Greg mentally noted that actual staff training would help supplement and downright eliminate most of the weaknesses.

[Greg activated Electric Ball.]

Unsurprisingly, Finn dodged, and the two young men returned to the fray. It was there Greg noticed too late that the other man didn’t actually exclude magic from his combat. He charged it this entire time.

“Checkmate,” Finn said, aiming his wand.

The years of street fighting experienced kicked into Greg’s psyche. While he respected Finn’s ability to fight, he wasn’t about to go down like a bitch in front of the entire school. Not when he would’ve easily won if the school allowed the young man to play dirty.

He delivered a sudden uppercut to the other man, something not exactly taught by Goodman. As Finn flew, timed seemed to slow as a prompt flashed him a reminder.

[Battle lust’s increased damage output.]

[Finn’s HP dropped from 100% to 91%]

[Finn was inflicted with stun.]

The stun status effect emerged the moment the other boy hit the ground. However, Greg knew he had to fire off one spell to make sure the professors didn’t credit the entirety of the fight to that one surprise uppercut. Also, he wasn’t sure what spell Finn had in mind, but if it was some kind of tiered thing, Greg would surely be screwed. Fortunately, the cooldown for the electric ball wore off.

Thrusting the staff forward, he cast the spell.

[Greg activated Electric Ball.]

Finn was just getting to his feet, shaking off the attack, when the electric ball greeted him. This time when he flew, Professor Luya stepped into the ring.

“Match over! Greg takes the win.”

As Greg walked away, he turned back to see the professors examining Finn, like they did Gretta, and then giving him the okay to return to the student circle moments later.

“Not bad,” Ena said. “Your style was interesting.”

“Where did you learn to fight like that?” Gretta asked. Before Greg could answer, Professor Luya announced the next fighters.

“I say a few more demonstrations and then the lucky…unlucky winner will face Goodman in attempt for extra credit and potentially your first rank,” Luya said. “I’m only choosing someone with great potential, so give it your all. Now, Ena and Barnabas, you are the lucky pair. Come duel.”

A tall, muscular man with short dark brown hair, dark tan skin, and pointy ears entered the ring, his orange-yellow eyes seemingly bored. Girls behind him cheered his name. Greg wondered how someone could be lucky enough to win the birth lottery of being handsome, popular, and have a cool name.

As much as Greg wanted to hate him, the young man couldn’t deny the intimidating factor. So why did the professor pair the puny Ena with someone who could use her like a toothpick.

“Uhh, Luya,” Goodman said. “I’m supposed to be the harsh one. But good Venus, this isn’t worth the dean’s wrath. You just suck at card games.”

The dark elf woman glared at him. “First of all, I do not. Second…” She addressed the students. “Your opponents could be anyone, anything. Monsters in dungeon dives could be giants. Many sizes, many variations of muscle. You should always be prepared, even on your first day of a practical session.”

To Ena’s credit, she looked quite calm. But the more Greg observed her opponent, the more he believed Goodman of all people had a point. Luya clearly had a grudge against the dean and arranged this match to take out her frustrations.

“Barnabas may be the embodiment of magic and Ki control, but that’s nothing to be fearful of,” Luya said. “If you’re not his opponent, learn from him. Just don’t underestimate Ena here just because she’s smaller.”

The dark elf began to make her way out of the ring. “She may surprise even you, Goodman. Also, cultivation is another lesson we shall get into after the fights. It’s important for both your magic use and martial arts.”

Goodman shook his head before giving Ena a look that appeared to be a mix of pity and disgust.

“Well, it’s not like I had much confidence of you making it to the final round anyway,” the wolfman said. “But that’s why I’m here. To train all little meats.” He held up his hand, interrupting whatever was about to come out of Ena’s mouth. “Just try not to kill him, little meat, okay? I want to be the one to—I mean, we’re all on the same team.”

Greg’s eyes widened like dinner plates. Following his example were the other students, even Barnabas. Hiroshi snorted, his air of confidence making Greg want to just chop his throat.

Barnabas erupted into laughter. “Stone’s mercy, you really are the funniest professor here.”

Goodman shot him a skeptical look. “Little meat. You know what, start the match.”

Ena and Barnabas bowed to each other before starting.

However, neither opponent moved right away, both armed with staves. Barnabas seemed smug, but slightly cautious. Ena was another story, however.

The petite young woman’s eyes slipped into an unsettling calm, perhaps a river of ice.

“Kill her!” a girl built like She-hulk yelled to Barnabas. One of his fangirls of course.

Barnabas didn’t so much as give her a glance his focus on Ena. Then he smirked.

“You’re quite pretty for a twig, so I’ll take it easy on you. Then to make it up to you, dinner, on me. Now…let’s see how you handle this.”

He thrusted his staff forward and a dim reddish aura materialized around his body as if he was a source of radiation.

[Barnabas activated Fire Cannon.]

His attack did indeed go off like a staff shaped cannon, launching a bowling ball-sized fireball toward Ena.

Greg flinched, internally bracing for impact. His so-called protector was surely toast.

What he didn’t expect was for her to smack the fireball to the side, using her staff. The entire room fell into silence. Greg noticed Hiroshi going from bored to somewhat interested.

“Popularity, riches, and girls won’t help you win in a fight,” Ena said softly. “I don’t take kindly to you staring at me as if I’m going to end up in your pathetic group of oglers.”

She took aim with her staff, still using just one hand. “Should I show you the difference between us?”