Arthur collapsed unconscious after the end of the battle.
— Take him to the infirmary immediately. — ordered Moriyama, visibly concerned.
He was rushed away, with Mia following close behind.
— {Will he recover in time? Tomorrow he'll face Kidero, but he's badly injured...} — Mia thought, heart pounding.
At the infirmary, the nurse attempted multiple healing spells — but something strange happened: every spell was repelled the moment it was cast.
— Impossible... I can't heal this boy. — she said, frustrated.— I only managed to apply a mana-infused bandage, but I suspect it won't help either.
— It's alright... I believe he'll be fine. — said Mia softly.
— {Arthur can't lose this battle… I have to help him somehow.} — she thought, gently holding his left hand and trying to transfer her own mana.
Meanwhile, in the headmistress's office, Moriyama voiced her deep concerns.
— How can these children have such power and magical maturity? This has never happened with previous classes. Explain this, Headmistress. — demanded Moriyama.
— You shouldn't be meddling with these matters. But to avoid escalation... I'll explain. — replied the headmistress coldly.
— Then say it already.
— As you know, many of these students are the children of dukes. Their parents demand rapid progress and results. That's why we embedded a magical barrier within the Academy to temporarily boost students' physical and magical abilities.
— You know how dangerous that is. Their bodies are still developing. Forcing magic beyond their limits could kill them. — Moriyama warned.
— Yes, but it was a joint decision between the Dukes and the King. War is approaching, and he needs strong mages and soldiers. Also… Kidero is the brother of Dirfazia's greatest warrior. His family demands he follow the same path.
— So the match between Arthur and Kidero...
— Yes. Another temporary barrier will be deployed in the arena tomorrow.
— They'll end up killing each other. Are you truly going to allow this? — Moriyama asked, horrified.
— Yes. Now, leave my office.
Moriyama walked out, deeply shaken.
— {What happened to the headmistress? She wasn't like this...}— {I just hope these kids don't push past their limits. They could destroy their bodies, their minds… their lives.}
She remembered a soldier who, believing himself the strongest in the kingdom, pushed his magic too far. His own mana consumed him, and he disintegrated.
There are two ways magic can overtake a person:
Through emotional impulse, when intense feelings trigger power beyond the body's capacity. Cracks begin to form — and if the casting continues, the body breaks and vanishes into dust.
Through conscious control, when the user knowingly forces mana beyond safe thresholds. The damage leaves scars behind, always on the brink of rupture if the limit is tested again.
Back at the infirmary, Mia made one final attempt to heal Arthur.
— {I'm not great at healing… but I have to try.}
— Gentle Breeze.
A soft breeze with a sweet fragrance swept across the room. Arthur's wounds began to regenerate slowly — until his eyes opened.
— What... happened? — he asked groggily.
— You collapsed in the arena. They brought you here. But now you seem a lot better. — said Mia with relief.
The nurse returned, stunned.
— H-how is this possible? I predicted he'd be unconscious for at least two days. Was it you, Mia?
— Yes. — she replied.
— This class is extraordinary… Still, Arthur, I recommend you rest and skip tomorrow's match.
— Sorry, but that's not an option. I'm going to fight.
— I figured you'd say that. In that case, take care of yourself. Good luck.
Arthur smiled, walking out with renewed determination. Mia accompanied him.
— Arthur… you're not planning to train right now, are you? — she asked.
— Are you reading minds now? — he teased.
— Of course not, silly! Hahaha.
— You should rest. But… good luck with training and tomorrow's fight.
— See you tomorrow.
— 'Til tomorrow. — said Mia as she walked away.
Arthur headed to the gravity chamber, determined to activate level 7. But something caught his eye — a hand-shaped symbol on the wall.
— {What's this? A magic sensor?}
He placed his hand on it. The device unlocked automatically — Arthur's magic disabled the protective barrier.
Inside hovered a black orb, resembling a living gemstone.
— {What will happen if I touch it?}
Arthur reached out and saw a button. He pressed it.
All condensed gravitational magic exploded outward, shaking the chamber violently.The door remained sealed — the room was built to withstand magical impact.
Half of Arthur's hair turned crimson red. Without realizing it, he began training compulsively until he collapsed.
The next morning, Arthur woke up. He vaguely recalled the explosion — but felt no pain. In fact, he felt stronger than ever.
He remembered the orb was destroyed.
— {They'll find out... I could get expelled.}
He searched the chamber and discovered a hidden compartment beneath the base — inside were several spare black orbs.
— Whew... I'll just replace it, close the system, and head to the arena. It's time to face Kidero.