The entire arena fell silent for a moment.
Everyone expected immediate explosions and a rain of spells.
Yet, none of the normal students attacked.
Theo frowned, confused.
’What are they doing?’
The fireballs, wind blades, and water spears simply floated beside their owners, having long grown to their full size.
Theo’s eyes swept through the encirclement.
’Are they trying to wait for close range or something?’ he thought.
A small smile appeared on his face.
They’d probably seen his Lightning Step often enough to know simple Bronze Core spells wouldn’t hit him.
’Fine,’ he thought. ’If you won’t come to me...’
His smile slowly turned into a grin.
’I’ll come to you!’
THUD!
He kicked off the ground with all his strength.
His target was an average young man with two fire lances formed by his side.
But after only a few yards, a loud shout echoed out behind him.
’’HEY!’’
Theo’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Without even turning around completely, he stepped sideways.
His trident swung backward, a faint layer of water surrounding it.
BANG!
A crescent-shaped wind spell fractured into countless fragments.
Only then did Theo glance over his shoulder.
’So that’s your plan.’
Before he had the chance to think further, another spell shot toward him from the same direction.
Theo twirled his trident in front of him.
A stream of water swirled toward the incoming earth spikes.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
Each spike was swallowed by the tiny stream and completely pulverized.
’If I head to my target, the ones in the back get to attack freely,’ he thought. ’All while my target gets to keep his spells for close range.’
It was clear that this group had worked together before.
But it didn’t matter anymore.
He slammed the butt of his trident into the ground.
A round ball of lightning appeared above his palm right away.
’Let’s see how you defend without spells!’
CRACKLE!
The ball of lightning shot forward, instantly locking onto the wind element user.
A wind shield immediately appeared.
CRAAACK!
’’Shit!’’ someone shouted.
The lightning ball pierced straight through the shield.
It continued and struck the wind user straight in the chest.
Before the others could even react, it leapt to the nearby water mage.
BOOM!
Both students convulsed violently before faint barriers enveloped their bodies.
The lightning didn’t stop there.
It tore off the water student and raced toward the earth student beside them.
His pupils shrank immediately.
"Stone Wall!"
A thick slab of rock erupted from the ground just before the lightning arrived.
CRAAACK!
The bolt smashed into it, disintegrating a fist-sized hole through the wall.
Finally, it dissipated completely.
The earth student’s face paled slightly.
’’He’s using Chain Lightning!’’ he shouted. ’’Scatter even further!"
But as he turned to look at his companions...
None were standing anymore.
A bright yellow flash rushed toward him not even a second later.
BOOM!
A thick gray barrier popped up in front of him, blocking the lightning bolt.
’’You’re out,’’ a judge said behind him.
The student’s mouth opened slightly.
But no sound came out.
He glanced around the arena, finding medical teams already carrying out all five of his comrades.
Swallowing hard, he stood up and followed after the judge.
Meanwhile, Theo let out a small breath.
’I used one Bronze spell and three basic spells,’ he thought. ’Let’s see if I can cut that down further.’
Before he got any time to plan, the announcer’s voice rang out excitedly.
’’A lightning-fast first round!" he shouted. ’’But I might have forgotten to mention something...’’
The gate slowly rumbled open again.
Theo’s gaze snapped toward it immediately.
’’From now on... there will be absolutely no breaks or countdowns for Theo Lane!’’
A new team of six students rushed in, spells already forming above them.
Theo’s eyes widened slightly.
’The what now?’
He immediately lowered himself into a proper stance.
This group of students didn’t play it as safe as the others.
They rushed forward with all their might, firing off several spells one after another.
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
Three large fireballs shot through the air.
A second later, three small wind beams followed.
The moment the wind spells met the fire spells, they combined into a massive swirling fire beam.
Lightning crackled underneath Theo’s feet.
ZAP!
In an instant, he disappeared from his spot.
BOOOOOOM!
The massive pillar of fire slammed into the arena floor, blasting molten stone and flames in every direction.
Each of the students slid to a halt.
’’Where’d he go?!’’
’’There!’’
One of them pointed into the distance.
Theo reappeared several yards away from the explosion.
’’Prepare another round!’’
Just then, a ball of lightning formed in Theo’s hand.
’’SCATTER!’’ one shouted, running away instantly.
The others hesitated for a moment too long.
CRACKLE!
The lightning ball shot forward.
It closed the distance within seconds.
A few tried to raise their weapons and block... but it wasn’t enough.
BOOM!
The lightning struck the first student.
As he started convulsing on the ground, the lightning ball split off, heading for the next student.
One by one, the students collapsed.
Another student at the back tried to run away, even using his wind element to speed up.
But a small lightning bolt caught up to him in an instant.
THUD!
It slammed into his back, sending him tumbling through the arena.
BAM!
The student slammed into the wall.
At the same time, the student who had run away first raised both hands into the air.
’’I surrender!’’ he shouted, his face pale.
Theo stopped in his tracks.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
’’Smart.’’
SHING!
The judges didn’t waste a second.
All six students began floating before rapidly being taken to the sidelines.
The announcer couldn’t help but laugh.
"And just like that... the second group has fallen as well!"
RUMBLE!!!
The gates slid open again.
Theo’s expression shifted slightly as he readied himself.
’I don’t like this feeling,’ he thought, letting out a calm breath. ’It’s like I’m back in Santa Barbara again.’
He lowered his body slightly.
’But what can I do about it?’
Without hesitating, he kicked off the ground toward the next group.