After the history class, the first-year students went for another lecture before returning to the training ground again.
This time the training ground was a little different because Professor Liam removed some of the training dummies and placed two big Arena stages in the middle.
When the students arrived, Professor Liam cleared his throat loudly. He was wearing a white shirt with golden patterns. His hair was properly slid back and he looked very neat and tidy.
The first-year students looked at him and the two stages with complicated expressions.
Under their gaze, Liam took out a chair from his storage ring and sat down with a paper and a pen.
"Kids, The Arena stages are ready and I am your referee. Now you can challenge the top ten students!"
There was excitement in his voice as he called the top ten students names.
"1_Kyle
2_Alec
3_Lara
4_Carcel
5_Mia
6_Jake
7_Luna
8_Lily
9_Jessica
10_Nike, step forward."
The top students looked at each other and stepped out from the crowd.
Liam pointed at them with a smile.
"Students, these ten individuals are your target for the next two months! So who wants to challenge them today!"
His loud voice resounded inside everyone's ears.
"Even though you can fight each of them only once I believe in you all! These two stages will stay in this place for 2 months! So step forward and show your resolve! Crush the top students and snatch their spots!"
He stopped his speech and looked at the top students who were staring at him with strange expressions. Even the other first-year students looked at him with unknown expressions. Some of them were even sweating.
"Huh? Is there anyone who would like to challenge the top students today? We have to start your training sessions afterward so hurry up."
"I know you can challenge them tomorrow or the day after tomorrow but isn't it better to do it today? What if they become stronger tomorrow!"
He asked again but not a single student stepped forward. They didn't even budge from their places.
Alec looked at the Professor who seemed to be too excited, unlike the students.
He turned his head backward and looked at his classmates. Even after a few minutes, no one stepped forward. Everyone seemed to be thinking very deeply, contemplating if they should challenge the top ten students or not.
Alec sighed and moved closer to Kyle who was standing a little further away from him. He tapped his shoulder, making the latter look back at him with a hmm.
"Hey, I don't think anyone wants to fight with us now. How about a friendly 1vs1 between you and me? I have been wanting to fight you for a while but because we were too busy with classes and training I didn't ask you."
Kyle raised his brow. He thought for a while. Alec was stronger than him and he knew he couldn't defeat him. Not now, when his rank was still stuck at (D)-Rank because of some unknown reasons but a friendly match wouldn't do him any harm.
"Alright."
He nodded. A satisfied smile appeared on Alec's face as he raised his hand and looked at the Professor.
"Professor, can the top ten students spar with each other?"
His question instantly gathered the attention of everyone. Even Carcel and Nine looked at him with surprise.
Professor Liam raised his brow when he heard Alec. He thought for a while and nodded with a grin.
"Alright, the top students can fight with each other but their ranking won't change even if they lose to each other because they already possess a spot in the tournament."
"Their match can be the opening battle. I hope after seeing their friendly fight all the other students would get some motivation and would be ready to step forward for a challenge!"
He spoke loudly and clapped his hands before looking at Alec.
"The two who want to fight step on one of the stage."
Alec looked at Kyle and both of them instantly climbed the stage.
'Bia go stay with Mia for a while. I want to test my strength.'
Bia grumbled a little. She wanted to fight together but did what he asked and started flying toward Mia.
-'Next time we will fight together.'
'Alright.'
Mia was surprised when Bia suddenly landed on her shoulder but she started caressing her small head with a smile.
Liam side glanced at Bia and waved his hand. A transparent shield appeared around the stage where Kyle and Alec were standing.
He dragged his chair and sat in front of the other students while pointing at Alec and Kyle.
"Look closely. You can learn from them. Also, try to find their weakness. When it's your turn to challenge them use those weaknesses against them!"
He said with a serious expression, making Kyle and Alec almost trip on the stage.
The students nodded and looked at the duo with serious expressions, ready to find their every weakness!
"Alright! Start fighting when you are ready."
On the stage,
Kyle looked at Alec. Within a few seconds, both of them stood opposite each other and took out their swords.
The atmosphere crackles with anticipation as Kyle and Alec face off, their eyes locked in a fierce gaze. The previous jokes and harmonious atmosphere was nowhere to be found, both of them knew their opponent wanted a serious fight.
Kyle was the first who channel his mana summoning two thunder arrows and hurdling them toward Alec with lightning-fast speed.
He also activated the skill 'Swift step' and dashed forward with high speed.
The students around them gasped because Kyle's speed was very fast.
Not one to back down, Alec instantly dodged the arrows and after seeing Kyle coming at him at full speed, he tapped his foot lightly on the stage with a smirk.
'Earth quakes.'
Kyle stopped as the ground beneath him rumbled ominously and he stumbled a little as he raised his head, only to see Alec's incoming sword.
