Chapter 25: The Light Mana Clash
The stadium's floating screens flickered with the results of the latest matches, their glowing runes casting light over the students below.
FIRE DIVISION – MATCH 3
Winner: Eira Flameheart– Victory by Instant Suppression
WATER DIVISION – MATCH 4
Winner: Mike Serge – Victory by Mana Overwhelm
The early winners of the Fire and Water categories had sent a wave of murmurs through the observation decks. Both matches ended too fast for anyone to analyze them clearly.
"I didn't even get to sit down," one upperclassman muttered.
"Mike Serge… the guy with the Crystalline Mana Heart?" a first-year asked.
"Yeah. Hidden Water Branch. His opponent couldn't touch him."
"And that girl, Eira and her flame looked… alive."
Up on the observation platform, Eira Windveil walked with quiet poise back to the student waiting area, her red-tinged coat fluttering with residual heat. Her golden irises, a side-effect of her Anima Flare, had dimmed slightly.
Mike Serge stood nearby, arms folded. His uniform barely had a wrinkle. A faint, almost invisible sheen still clung to his boots residue from his water compression aura.
Jek was the first to speak. "Okay. What was that, guys?"
Mike glanced at him. "What do you mean?"
Eira gave a sideways smirk. "If he's talking about how fast we won, blame our opponents."
"They were swept!" Jek exclaimed, throwing up his arms. "I didn't even finish blinking. You—" he pointed at Eira, "—burned through the whole stage. And you—" he pointed at Mike, "—stood still and made your opponent kneel."
"Not my fault he couldn't break through my barrier," Mike replied calmly.
"Or that she couldn't handle Phoenix Flame Bind," Eira added with a shrug.
Auline Darnell, sitting quietly on the bench nearby, exhaled. "You two made it look so easy…"
"You nervous?" Mike asked her.
"I'd be lying if I said no," Auline admitted, brushing her silver-blonde hair behind her ear. "I'm not like you guys. Moon Mana Heart isn't made for duels. I'm all suppression and field control."
Eira reached over and gave her arm a gentle squeeze. "You'll do fine. Just don't try to win with brute force."
"She can't," Jek muttered. "Her mana's more like a lullaby than a war drum."
Auline chuckled despite the nerves tightening in her stomach. "That's the nicest insult I've ever gotten."
Suddenly, a new notification lit up in front of them.
⚔️ LIGHT DIVISION – MATCH 2
Auline Darnell vs. Rhen Velhart
Her name shone brightly, and so did her opponent's.
Mike's brow furrowed. "Velhart… isn't that the battle-type Light user?"
"Yeah," Eira confirmed. "He's known for Radiant Pulse and spear-type manifestations."
Auline stood. "Great. I get a Light user with all the flash and firepower. Moonlight, don't fail me now."
They watched as she stepped onto the floating platform, white mana gathering beneath her feet.
Light Versus Moon
The Light Division platform shimmered like a pool of sunrise. Auline took her place on one side, her fingers adjusting the cuff of her robe, lined with silver thread.
Across from her stood Rhen Velhart, posture upright, expression calm. His uniform bore the insignia of the Battle Curriculum Division a student trained in direct light-channeling combat.
His stats had been discussed in hushed voices during training: Flash Rend, Radiant Shift, and Spear of Dawn all offensive, all light-speed.
Auline didn't show it, but her hands were slightly clammy.
"You should yield," Rhen said suddenly, his voice composed. "Moon Mana Hearts aren't made for battle."
"Neither are swords made for sewing," she replied. "But here we are."
[Duel Start!]
Rhen charged first—no chants, no hesitation.
"Radiant Spear: First Arc!"
A gleaming spear of light hurled toward Auline. She twirled sideways—
"Moonstep Mirage!"
Her body blurred, creating two phantom afterimages. The spear pierced one, sending a flash across the field.
But Rhen had already followed up.
"Flash Rend!"
A curved blade of light sliced horizontally. Auline ducked, the edge of it grazing her shoulder.
"His movement… it's perfect," she thought.
She backpedaled, planting her feet.
"Moon Sigil: Binding Circle!"
A soft glyph formed beneath Rhen, slowing his feet by a hair. It wasn't much but it bought her time.
She spun, unleashing Radiant Thread, tiny arcs of silver weaving across the stage like invisible lines.
Rhen paused.
"You're trying to control the field."
"That's what the moon does," she said softly. "Pulls the tide without needing to touch the water."
He dashed again brilliant steps cutting across the field.
"Radiant Shift!"
He blinked mid-motion, appearing behind her in a shimmer of gold.
Auline turned fast, narrowly blocking with a lunar veil.
Still, the edge of the strike knocked her down.
The crowd murmured.
"She's in trouble."
"Too slow."
Eira stood, gripping the rail. "Come on, Auline…"
Mike's eyes never left the match.
Auline stood shakily. Her mana was draining fast. Moonlight wasn't built for high-speed combat. It was meant to layer, to outlast.
She pressed her palm to the ground.
"Lunacrest Bloom!"
A new symbol formed, triple-layered, glowing pale silver. Rhen moved but now his steps staggered.
Auline moved her fingers—like a conductor.
The threads responded.
From the edges of the bloom, dozens of moonlit strands rose and twisted.
"Echo Net—Constrict!"
Rhen sliced through several threads—only to step into one anchored by sigils.
His mana trembled.
"Disruption…"
Auline stepped forward, chest heaving. "Your power's impressive… but the moon doesn't fight back. It just waits…"
But even as she spoke, she staggered.
Her vision blurred. Her mana was close to zero.
Rhen's aura surged again.
"Radiant Spear – Final Arc!"
The entire field lit with a blinding wave.
Auline's threads burned away. Her shield shimmered—
Then shattered.
The impact threw her to the side, her shoulder hitting the barrier wall.
She slid down, barely catching herself on one knee.
[Match Status: Unstable]
[Mana Consumption Critical]
[Awaiting Decision…]
She tried to push herself back up… but her hands trembled.
"Moonlight… don't go out yet…"
Rhen took a step forward. "You're finished."
Auline's eyes stayed fierce.
Even if her body failed, she wouldn't yield.