Morning in the Eclipse Academy, the arena was alive before the match even started.
Banners of Eclipse rippled in the wind, sunlight cutting through the morning haze. Students crammed into the stands, shouting names, betting snacks, arguing who'd win.
"E-rank versus Rank One!"
"Who do you think will win?"
"Hyunwoo of course, no one has ever seen him at his full power."
The noise built like thunder.
Hyunwoo's footsteps echoed as he approached the center of the arena, hands still tucked in his pockets.
"Never thought it'd be you I'd face this late in the selection," he said, his tone casual, almost lazy. "You don't look like the type who enjoys attention."
Jiwoo met his gaze. "I don't."
Hyunwoo smirked. "Then you're in the wrong stage."
Jiwoo's grip on his sword tightened slightly, but his voice stayed even. "You don't look like you take things seriously."
"Why should I?" Hyunwoo tilted his head, eyes half-lidded. "So far, no one's made me."
Jiwoo looked out toward the roaring crowd, then back at him. "Then maybe it's time someone did."
A brief silence hung between them — the crowd noise fading into a low hum, tension coiling like a drawn bowstring.
Hyunwoo's smirk widened. "Good. Don't disappoint me."
Jiwoo nodded once. "Same to you."
Every camera drone locked onto them. Every instructor leaned forward.
***
Baek Gunho smirked. "Finally, something worth watching."
Soomin tapped her clipboard. "Don't jinx it."
Headmaster Kain said nothing, but his eyes didn't leave the arena.
The referee's flag shot up. "Han Jiwoo versus Kang Hyunwoo! Begin!"
A hum rolled through the ground as Hyunwoo moved first.
He raised a hand, and a ring of fire sigils bloomed around him—three, then five, each one spinning faster until the air itself seemed to tremble. The crowd gasped as the temperature spiked.
Jiwoo didn't move.
The flames exploded outward, streaks of gold and red cutting through the air like whips. Jiwoo dashed sideways, boots scraping across the cracked tiles. The first blast missed by inches, scorching the floor behind him.
He lunged forward through the smoke.
Hyunwoo flicked his fingers. A barrier of searing air rose before him, blocking the sword strike with a hiss.
"Too slow," Hyunwoo said lazily.
Jiwoo's reply was a short breath. He pivoted, striking low. The barrier shattered under the pressure wave, sparks scattering between them.
From the stands, Minjae leapt to his feet. "He broke a mana wall?!"
Rina grinned. "That's Jiwoo for you. He doesn't care what he's hitting, as long as it breaks."
Behind them, Han Jiwon crossed her legs, eyes locked on the arena.
"He's pushing too early," she muttered.
Minjae turned. "Wait—you're actually nervous?"
"I didn't say that," Jiwon said quickly, hiding a smile.
Down below, Hyunwoo spread his arms. Fire circled him like a living storm.
Each flame thread twisted into a sphere, then another. Within seconds, half a dozen orbs floated around him, humming with mana pressure.
He flicked his wrist—the first orb shot forward.
Jiwoo dove under it. The next followed, faster, louder. He slashed through the third, cutting the fireball clean in half before it detonated behind him.
"Not bad," Hyunwoo called. "But you're wasting movement."
Jiwoo didn't answer. He charged through the smoke again, blade cutting precise arcs that forced Hyunwoo to retreat.
Baek leaned forward in his seat. "He's forcing close-range on a mage. Smart."
Soomin frowned. "Or suicidal."
Another explosion swallowed the floor. Jiwoo skidded backward, coughing through the haze. The heat rolled over him like a wave.
Hyunwoo's eyes gleamed. "Still standing? You should feel honored. Not many last this long."
"I'm not planning to fall," Jiwoo said, steadying his stance.
"Oh?" Hyunwoo snapped his fingers. "Then don't blink."
The sigils flared again—double the size this time. The entire arena lit up crimson. The wind turned heavy, thick with heat and ozone.
Jiwoo squinted through the glare. Every breath felt like fire in his lungs.
Hyunwoo raised one hand skyward. "Ignition Field."
The crowd gasped as the flames curved into a massive dome. Everything inside shimmered orange and gold, the temperature climbing with every heartbeat.
"Holy crap—he turned the entire field into a furnace!"
"Is that even allowed?!"
"Only if someone doesn't die!"
"Is that the full power of Kang Hyunwoo?"
Even Jiwon's eyes widened slightly. "He's using advanced-level field magic inside a school duel… insane."
Rina frowned. "Can Jiwoo even fight in that?"
Jiwoo raised his sword, arm trembling. The steel glowed faint red from the heat.
He pushed forward through the fire, coat singed, sweat evaporating before it could fall.
Hyunwoo's grin widened. "Still coming?"
Jiwoo didn't answer. He moved—one clean step, then another—closing the distance.
Flames swirled around him, but something faintly darker slipped between them, cutting thin lines in the air.
Kain caught it first. "There. That resonance again."
Jiwoo's sword struck.
The flames parted. For a heartbeat, silence fell—just the echo of metal sliding through heat.
Hyunwoo's barrier cracked, fragments of light scattering. He stumbled back a step, eyes narrowing in surprise.
"What—was that?"
Jiwoo didn't reply. He stood breathing hard, blade faintly shimmering with a grayish hue.
Baek's grin widened. "Now it's getting fun."
Soomin shot him a look. "You call this fun?"
He shrugged. "Better than paperwork."
Hyunwoo steadied himself, dust curling around his feet. "You're full of surprises, Jiwoo."
"Still not taking me seriously?" Jiwoo asked, voice low.
Hyunwoo chuckled. "Not yet."
He flicked his wrist—flames erupted again, wilder this time, spiraling up like dragons ready to strike.
Jiwoo shifted into stance, knees bent, sword drawn back.
The air screamed as they clashed.
Fire collided with steel, light with shadow. Sparks rained down in a storm of gold and black.
Jiwoo spun, blade carving a crescent arc that sent a shockwave through the ring. Hyunwoo countered with a palm strike, the explosion throwing them both apart.
Both landed on opposite ends of the arena, smoke rising between them.
The crowd fell silent for the first time.
Jiwoo exhaled, sweat dripping from his chin. His sword shook faintly in his hand.
Across the field, Hyunwoo wiped blood from the corner of his mouth, grinning.
"Guess you're not boring after all," he said.
Jiwoo lifted his blade again. "Glad to keep you entertained."
Hyunwoo's grin widened into something fierce. "Then don't blink."
He raised both hands, fire gathering once more. Jiwoo braced himself.
A pulse of power rippled outward, bending the air. The arena lights flickered.
Baek leaned forward, eyes glinting. "This is it."
Soomin whispered, "They're about to tear the place apart."
Kain said quietly, "No. This is just the beginning."
Down below, Jiwoo steadied his breath. The world narrowed to one heartbeat. One step. One swing.
He moved.
Hyunwoo answered.
Their blades of flame and steel met mid-field—
and the world went white.