The arena had never been this lively on the first day of school. Students were practically climbing onto the spectator stands just to watch. Moments ago they had witnessed the impossible. A Grey Stone user defeating Rex Titan, one of the strongest Physical Stone students. Now something even more unbelievable was about to happen.
Lyra Windvale had stepped forward.
The academy's Wind Elemental genius.
And she wanted to fight Dominic.
Dominic stood in the center of the arena with his hands in his pockets.
Across from him, Lyra gently brushed her silver hair behind her ear. The air around her moved as if it were alive. Soft breezes danced around her body. But Dominic could feel something dangerous hiding within that calm wind.
He sighed.
"Why does everyone want to fight me today?"
Lyra tilted her head slightly.
"Because you're suspicious."
"That's not a good reason."
"It is."
Dominic rubbed his face.
This girl is going to be trouble.
Instructor Varel Draken stood at the edge of the arena watching carefully.
Something about Dominic didn't make sense.
A Grey Stone user should not possess such strength.
"Begin."
The instructor lowered his hand.
The fight started.
Lyra didn't rush forward like Rex.
Instead, she calmly raised her hand.
The wind around her suddenly accelerated.
Skill: Wind Step
'WHOOSH'
Her body disappeared.
Students gasped.
"She's fast!"
In an instant she appeared behind Dominic.
A blade of compressed air formed in her hand.
Skill: Wind Blade
She swung.
'SHIIING~'
Dominic barely leaned forward.
The blade sliced through the air just behind his back.
A deep mark appeared on the arena wall.
Dominic slowly turned his head.
"…You tried to cut me."
Lyra blinked.
"You dodged."
Dominic shrugged.
"I'm flexible."
Inside his mind he screamed.
'THAT WAS WAY TOO CLOSE!!'
Lyra jumped back lightly.
Her green eyes narrowed.
"You're definitely not normal."
Dominic laughed awkwardly.
"Everyone says that."
Wind began swirling faster around her body.
Her Elemental Stone glowed brightly.
"Let's test something."
She raised both hands.
The wind gathered violently.
Leaves from nearby trees were sucked into the arena.
Dust began spinning.
Students backed away.
Instructor Varel watched silently.
Skill: Wind Storm
A small tornado formed in front of Lyra.
Dominic stared at it.
"…Okay."
"That looks illegal."
The tornado shot forward like a spinning spear.
The arena floor cracked as it approached.
Students shouted in shock.
"That move can crush someone!"
Dominic took a deep breath.
Inside his soul…
The Cosmic Stone pulsed slowly.
Gravity around him bent slightly.
Just a little.
Enough.
The tornado suddenly slowed.
Just slightly.
But enough to change its direction.
It swerved past Dominic.
CRASH
The wind storm slammed into the arena wall instead.
Dust exploded everywhere.
Lyra's eyes widened slightly.
"…Gravity?"
Dominic froze.
"…What?"
"You changed the trajectory."
Dominic waved his hands quickly.
"No no no."
"I just leaned."
She stared at him silently.
The wind around her became even stronger.
Dominic sighed.
This girl is too smart.
"Alright."
"If you want to fight…"
He stretched his arms lazily.
"Let's make it interesting."
Students leaned forward again.
Lyra smiled faintly.
"Good."
Wind gathered around her feet.
Skill: Gale Dash
She shot forward like a bullet.
Dominic stepped forward too.
But his movement looked casual.
Almost lazy.
Yet his body moved unbelievably fast.
The ground beneath him slightly distorted.
Inside his soul—
The Cosmic Stone released a tiny wave of gravity.
Skill: Gravity Step
Dominic suddenly appeared beside Lyra.
She blinked in surprise.
"Fast."
Dominic grinned.
"Thanks."
He lightly tapped her shoulder.
Not a punch.
Just a tap.
But the moment his hand touched her—
A burst of gravity pushed outward.
'BOOM'
Lyra slid backward across the arena floor.
Her boots left long marks in the stone.
She stopped herself using a burst of wind.
The crowd went silent again.
Lyra looked at Dominic with shining eyes.
"…You're interesting."
Dominic scratched his head.
"Thank you?"
Wind slowly calmed around her.
She stepped forward again.
"This fight isn't about winning anymore."
Dominic blinked.
"Then what is it about?"
Lyra smiled slightly.
"I want to know what you really are."
Dominic felt cold sweat. 'Damm it, that's why my mother always told me that a woman equals to pandora box...Don't ever open it!!'
This girl is terrifying.
Instructor Varel suddenly stepped into the arena.
"That's enough."
The two stopped immediately.
Students groaned in disappointment.
"Aww!"
"We wanted to see more!"
Varel looked at Dominic carefully.
Then at Lyra.
"Both of you."
"Yes instructor."
"You pass the combat evaluation."
The crowd murmured.
Lyra nodded calmly.
Dominic raised his hand lazily.
"Nice."
Varel's eyes remained on Dominic.
"You."
"Yes?"
"Report to my office after class."
Dominic froze.
"…Why?"
"Because Grey Stone users don't flick Physical Stone warriors across arenas."
The students laughed loudly again.
Dominic sighed dramatically.
Great.
I survived death.
But now I might die in the teacher's office.
As students began leaving the arena, Lyra walked beside Dominic.
Wind gently played with her silver hair.
"You're hiding something."
Dominic looked at the sky.
"Everyone is hiding something."
Lyra smiled.
"I'll figure it out eventually."
Dominic groaned.
"Please don't."
She laughed softly and walked away.
Dominic watched her leave.
Then he muttered quietly.
"…First day of school."
"And I already made enemies."
He paused.
"…And maybe a future problem."
Inside his soul, the Cosmic Stone pulsed again.
Very faintly.
But the power sleeping inside it…
Was beginning to wake up.