Arata's Perspective

The morning sun cast a warm glow as we woke from our sleep, each of us following through our habitual morning routines like. Our actions were now as if preprogrammed into our being, each action seamlessly blending into the next. Conversations flowed, clothing changed, and the hunger for breakfast beckoned.

With a meal consumed, we headed to our first class of the day. As Ari, Asmodeus, Nia, and I stepped into the combat arena, we noticed Professor Amber, her usually composed demeanor now seemed a little more excited than usual.

"Morning! Morning! Take a seat class!" Professor Amber hollered enthusiastically. Her vibrant energy filled the room as students trickled in, and she welcomed each one of them with a wide smile.

It didn't take long for every single student to settle down, each one of us curious as to what had our usual professional, calm, and collected teacher bouncing with excitement. Over the past three years, I've rarely seen her acting like this, unless she happens to be in a good mood.

"Now, as you all may or may not know... the Outland Tournament is coming up!" she announced, her eyes sweeping across the students, looking for a reaction. That's when her eyes settled on the area where I was sitting and with a narrowed gaze said, "So we can't be slacking off."

Her words rang in my ears with a certain firmness that made me startle back an inch. Not just me, but Asmodeus and Ari had the same reaction, all three of us wearing an expression as if we'd been caught red-handed.

It was true that we three in particular, hardly trained or did anything beyond the bare minimum class requirements. Professor Amber already knew about Asmodeus's abilities since he participated in last year's tournament, but he still slacked off with Ari and me.

"We have three weeks to prepare. During that time I want all of you, no exceptions, to train for at least the duration of two periods." Again, Miss Amber's words seemed to be directed at Ari, Asmodeus, and me.

The three of us cast uncertain glances at each other and knew we had to comply.

"I know you all have your own little friend groups so learn from each other. I'll be walking around keeping an eye out, giving pointers, and even pitting a few students against each other from time to time. Once it's time you guys go out there, outperform Frostbane and Osmon's students, and make me look good!" she spoke, that last part sounding somewhat like a cheer.

Oh, right, the tournament is not just between students, it extends to the teachers as well. The instructor with the most placed students is praised as the most accomplished mentor. The previous year, this Frostbane professor had the most students placing in the top spots, followed by Miss Amber, and finally Professor Osmon. However, I've heard a rumor or two about Frostbane's ways.

"Some of you had the opportunity to participate before and show off what you're made of. But for those few first-timers..." Professor Amber continued, a certain fiery glint shining in her eyes. "I'll have to see what you're made of myself."

Before my brain had the time to make sense of her words, Miss Amber snapped her head my way, a creepy smirk plain on her face. "Arata!" she called, her sudden actions sending a small chill down my spine. "Come on down, you're going first."

I hesitated for a second before standing up from my chair, my posture stiff from being put on the spot. As I made my way down, all eyes fell on me, making me feel even more uncomfortable.

"Yay! Arata! Woohoo!" Ari exclaimed, cheering for me with the loud clapping of his hands. However, apart from a select few, the other surrounding students didn't share his enthusiasm so ultimately he and the few others quieted down.

With an innocent smile, Miss Amber stood on the opposing side of me, her posture straight and confident. On my side, with my serious expression and slightly hunched posture, I was awkwardly standing around waiting for instructions or at least that's how I felt.

Almost all professors wear neat attires like suits to make them look professional. Miss Amber wore an oversized white long-sleeved buttoned-up shirt with a black waist belt. Below that, she wore a simple skirt with a dark, almost see-through material for leg coverage.

She had long, dark braids that were neatly tied back at both sides of her head, with her bangs elegantly split in two, coming down to frame her face, just barely brushing past her jaw. Her large eyes, their color a warm, rich brown, settled on me, making me slightly nervous.

"Arata!" she called, her arms lifting high above her head in a stretch. Letting out a breath, she reached for her sword and removed it from its sheath. Her sword was long and double-edged, the guard and pommel were reddish-brown, while the grip was dark in color. "Ready yourself!"

Hearing her words, my fingers curled around the dark hold of my weapon. Slowly, I unsheath the sword, revealing a dark double-edged blade that contrasted sharply with the silver-colored guard and pommel adorned with intricate golden designs. Looking at my sword as a whole I still thought that it was a bit too fancy for my taste.

Straightening my back, I gripped my sword with both hands and lowered my posture, my legs spread and feet firmly planted on the ground. Seeing this, Miss Amber's smile grew as she lowered herself into a stance similar to mine.

Suddenly, something about the air she gave off changed. Her smile disappeared and her gaze narrowed with intensity. Her knees bent slightly, a small detail only a few with trained eyes would be able to notice.

She's coming.

Circling mana through my system, I localized a large portion down to my legs and kicked off the ground. On the opposite side, Miss Amber too had lunged forward almost at the same time I did. Both of us were charging toward each other like opposing forces on the brink of collision, each step echoing a countdown to an inevitable clash.

A clash of swords, battling for dominance, is what everyone expected. With my control over gravity, I can win any battle of strength. However, a battle of strength is not something I like to do unless the need calls for it.

As we both were about to collide, Miss Amber swung her sword but I made no move to do the same. Instead, I ducked underneath her swing, and thanks to the speed I was moving at, I found myself behind her. Immediately, I stomped my feet against the ground, and with a muffled screech, I used all that momentum and spun around. At the same time, I swung my blade toward Miss Amber who was in a bad position.

When faced with an opponent of equal or greater strength, it's reasonable to assume they've encountered comparable combat situations. So, despite her current disadvantage, I expect that she will find a way to get around this attack through her own experiences, and that she did.

Repeating the same move as me, she hit the brakes, ramming her feet against the ground, and spun around. Using the momentum from her previous swing, her blade met mine with the resounding sound of metal clashing against itself. Just like that, we locked swords. I wanted to avoid a clash of swords, yet here I am.

Letting out a breath, I disregarded the battle for dominance by maneuvering my blade in a way that caused her weapon to scrape against the flat of my own. With the strength she put behind her previous attack, she stumbled a step forward. While I made my way past her, I kicked back with my leg, hitting the place behind Mis Amber's knee and causing her to drop down to one leg.

Raising my blade, I wasted little time before taking a powerful swing. Miss Amber, being on the receiving end of my attack, was in a bad position and had little time to react. With one quick motion, Miss Amber stabbed the tip of her sword down into the dirt floor and gripped it tightly.

Her actions caused her weapon to be in the way of my swing. With an echoing ring filling the air, my swing hit her defense. The force pushed her backward, causing her to slide several feet along the floor before regaining her footing and taking a few steps away from me.

Audible gasps from the crowd of students filled the air. After a brief pause in her movements, a smile spread across Miss Amber's face and she again got into a battle position. Her gaze narrowed with a certain intensity, causing a shiver to run down my spine and immediately I raised my blade, readying myself for battle.

Without a word, she disappeared in a blur of movement. My eyes widened as I then captured her figure mere inches before me, her blade already poised for a swing. Immediately, my figure grew stiff as her sword collided with mine. However, I couldn't draw upon much strength to defend myself so I got pushed back, and was barely able to keep myself from falling.

She was holding back. Looking up, I noticed Miss Amber didn't make another move. She only gave me a certain stare as if telling me to step up my game. If she's that fast then...

Letting out a breath, I channeled my mana, guiding its flow across my back to activate the dormant runes. A reverberating hum resonated through my internal body, sending subtle vibrations through my bones. My feeling for mana skyrocketed, unfolding a heightened awareness within me, and allowing me to sense mana down to such a detailed level.

Gripping my sword tightly in my hands, I lowered myself into a fighting stance and stared firmly ahead toward my opponent, my gaze signaling my readiness to engage.