Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy

Chapter 1232: The Duel

In the stage, as soon as Rice changed his stance, his aura condensed, and his stance became even more solid…

Then, he raised his hand, channeling into Piercing Echo, a Combat Spell designed to strike through defenses by vibrating aura into the opponentʼs core.

It was something he had barely learned after being taught by Denise for a long time…

As a matter of fact, he had only tried using this against Arthur, one of Deniseʼs Magic Automatons. Arthur had become his training partner over the past few months, and without his presence, Rice knew that he wouldnʼt be able to use this ability…

ʼI will show it to you, Teacher Denise… I will win this!ʼ

Bam!

His palm thrust forward with his aura rippling like a shockwave.

Sora braced, his physique absorbing the impact, his aura flaring to shield him.

The blow staggered him, but he held firm… Thanks to his Dragon Blood, his muscles tightened, his bones hardened, and weakened the damage in his internal organs.

Then, he roared, his voice infused with soul power, shaking the ground.

Rice was shocked as his stance wavered for a moment under the weight of the roar. But he recovered quickly, with his aura sliding back into control.

The Arbiter watched closely as the crowd roared louder with each exchange.

ʼThis is getting more intense than I thought.ʼ The Arbiter couldnʼt help but feel worried that he might not be fast enough to save anyone if it gets dangerous.

He then looked around, and thankfully, a few professors had already started getting closer just in case they had to intervene.

”Beat him, Sora! You can do it!”

”Make it more entertaining! Go use your Soul Energy!”

”Right, no one should surrender! Fight until one of you gets knocked out!”

”Do not lose, muscular boy!”

”Beat that tiny classmate of yours!”

The crowd cheered for different reasons. Some just wanted to watch a fight, while others were rooting for someone to win the match.

However, the two couldnʼt hear either of those. They were focused on their duel!

Sora pressed forward again, his fists blazing, his physique carrying him with relentless force.

Rice met his attacks head-on as he focused on counters. As time passed, his movements became sharper and more efficient.

His stamina consumption was getting lower and lower.

From the othersʼ point of view, the duel felt like it had become a dance.

Soraʼs raw power was hammering forward while Riceʼs refined technique guides it aside. Each clash shook the arena and it made the crowd go crazy…

They liked such fights between Martial Artists!

Still, they were too young…

Soraʼs breath came heavier as the battle continued.

He had trained for this, endured Chadʼs brutal sparring, absorbed dragon blood through fever and fire, but fighting against Rice was not easy, considering how refined his techniques were.

Riceʼs eyes, on the other hand, burned with focus. He knew very well that if he failed to calculate some of Soraʼs moves, he would be in trouble. Soraʼs strength could surely fold him if he gets hit cleanly.

ʼI can win this!ʼ

He had been underestimated all his life, his frail body was always mocked, and his strength was also doubted… But his instincts were sharp now, his aura had become one with him as he could control it so easily.

Furthermore, his techniques could now be considered flawless at his current age.

”Haa!” Rice shouted as he blocked another attack.

The crowd roared louder, as they were all unable to tell who would win in this match…

Sora lunged again, his fist was empowered with Dragonʼs Drive.

Rice then turned, as he used his Redirecting Spiral. He had almost failed as he felt really tired now, but he still succeeded!

The impact cracked the floor, but neither hesitated.

The duel raged on, and it seemed that no one was gaining the upper hand!

***

In the meantime, the two friends above the platform, watching the duel started their bet!

Denise ignored the jab, her eyes returning to the duel. ”Look at them. I think Rice is about to finish this…”

Chad laughed and shook his head. ”You mean Soraʼs about to end this? Do you want to bet?”

Denise tilted her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

”A harmless wager, then. If Rice wins, Iʼll give him a runic pendant with Temporal Power... It came from a Time Manipulator, but aside from that, it also stabilizes aura flow and prevents overexertion. For someone with his body, it could mean survival in the real competition.”

Chad grinned. ”I like that! And if Sora wins, Iʼll hand him a draconic gauntlet Iʼve kept hidden. Forged from tempered scales, it channels aura through the fists. Perfect for a boy who insists on breaking walls instead of walking around them.”

Denise chuckled softly. ”So, a pendant for accuracy, a gauntlet for recklessness. Fitting gifts.”

Chad leaned closer… ”Itʼs not about winning or losing, is it? Itʼs about showing them we believe in their growth.”

Denise nodded. ”Well, I guess youʼre scared to lose. But letʼs just say itʼs exactly like that.ʼ

Before Chad could reply, the air shimmered beside them. A ripple of shadow and light condensed into a figure cloaked in faint mist.

Neither the crowd nor the Arbiter noticed, but Chad and Denise immediately recognized the presence.

Valeʼs Avatar had arrived.

”Still making wagers, I see,” the Avatar said with a chuckle. ”You two never change.”

Despite being an Avatar, he still had Valeʼs soul, so the two didnʼt treat him like a stranger.

Chad smirked. ”Weʼre just keeping things interesting. Besides, Sora fights harder when he knows whatʼs at stake. So I plan to tell him this through telepathy, is that alright?”

Denise inclined her head respectfully. ”And Rice fights harder when he knows he is seen. He has always been underestimated. This duel is his chance to prove otherwise.”

Valeʼs Avatar turned its gaze toward the arena, where the two boys clashed again…

”Alright… Letʼs see how the battle will change if they learned that there are some stakes on the line.”