Chapter 26: The Light Mana Clash 2
Auline's hands trembled as she gripped the platform's surface, breath ragged, silver-blue strands of her Moonlight mana flickering like a dying flame. Her opponent, Rhen Velhart, stood tall a few meters away, golden aura radiating heat and pressure. The echo of his last attack still pulsed across the air.
Her vision blurred.
[Warning: Mana Capacity Below 4%]
[Moonlight Mana Heart in Overdraw State]
The Lunacrest Bloom had faded. Her illusions were burned. Her threads were torn. But Auline refused to fall.
I'm not done yet. I can't be.
From the viewing stands, murmurs rippled through the students and faculty.
"She's down. She should surrender."
"She put up a good fight for a support type."
"But she almost had him… if only she had one more trick…"
Eira stood, fists clenched. "Come on, Auline…"
Mike narrowed his eyes. "There's something about to happen."
Rhen advanced slowly, hand raised, forming another Radiant Spear.
"Yield," he said firmly. "This match is decided."
Auline didn't move.
Her eyes, however, burned with defiance.
And then—it came.
[Your comprehension has reached a new threshold.]
[Moonlight Resonance: 92%]
New Skill Comprehended: Moon Battle Stance
Description: Converts defensive moonlight into balanced offense and reactive shields. While active, grants enhanced perception and fluid countering abilities for 30 seconds. Cost: Variable based on user's reserve.
A pulse spread from her chest.
Soft.
But deep.
The air grew still.
A glowing crescent formed behind Auline as she stood.
Straight.
Balanced.
Centered.
The audience gasped.
"Wait… what's that?"
"Something just awakened—her aura's changing!"
"Is that… an offensive stance from a Moon Mana Heart?!"
"She's supposed to be a support!"
Rhen hesitated.
Auline opened her eyes. They gleamed with moon-silver light.
"I won't yield," she said softly. "Because the moon never turns away from the night."
With that, she raised her right hand—no threads, no glyphs. Just her stance. Calm. Open.
[Moon Battle Stance Activated]
Rhen threw his spear.
She stepped forward—half a pivot—and the light spear passed by her shoulder like a breeze.
A ripple of moonlight deflected it harmlessly.
The shift was subtle, but undeniable.
Her aura no longer wavered.
It danced.
"Flash Rend!" Rhen shouted, leaping forward, blade arcing toward her side.
Auline stepped into him.
Her hand rose.
Tap.
She struck his wrist with a crescent palm—redirecting his slash downward.
Then with her other hand, she drew a thin blade of moonlight—not sharp, not deadly, but precise.
It scraped across his side, bursting with soft force.
Rhen staggered.
The audience erupted.
"She's fighting toe-to-toe!"
"That movement… she's reading him."
"It's like watching water flow into light!"
Rhen growled, backing up. His aura flared with frustration.
"You changed your core. What did you do?"
"Nothing," Auline replied. "I just stopped running."
She moved forward, steps flowing.
Each time Rhen struck, she absorbed it—not by blocking, but by redirecting.
Pivot. Flow. Strike.
His Radiant Shift blinked him to her side—she spun on her heel, her moonlight catching the trailing edge of his spell, dampening it.
Rhen formed Twin Lances of Dawn.
He hurled both.
Auline's hands swept outward.
Two shields formed at an angle—crescent-shaped.
Ping! Ping!
Both lances ricocheted away.
Then she surged forward—not fast, but in rhythm.
Moonlight Blade – Crescent Cut!
A half-moon slash hit Rhen across the chest. He flew backward, crashing against the barrier wall.
Silence.
The arena held its breath.
[Match Status: Critical Balance Achieved]
[Opponent Health: Low]
[Final Exchange Pending…]
Rhen stood, coughing.
His golden aura cracked slightly, leaking light from his right side.
"You… made me bleed?" he said, incredulous.
"I told you," Auline said gently, "the moon can fight."
Rhen summoned the last of his strength.
"Radiant Core Release: Flare Bind!"
Light erupted around him, spears of gold shooting in every direction.
Auline inhaled.
Her stance shifted.
Calm. Collected.
"Moon Battle Stance – Reflection Dance!"
The floor beneath her lit up with three layers of crescents.
Each strike that came near—was intercepted.
Not through force—but through rhythm.
Not by matching his power.
But by responding to it.
Golden light clashed against silver arcs, each repelled just before reaching her.
Finally, she stepped forward.
"Lunacrest – Falling Veil."
A dome of moonlight descended silently.
When it landed—Rhen was inside.
Frozen.
His mana severed.
[Victory Condition Met]
[Winner: Auline Darnell – Light Division Match 2]
The stadium fell into stunned silence.
Then—
Applause.
Then cheers.
"Did she just—"
"She turned the entire match around!"
"That stance… wasn't in the skill database!"
"She created that herself!"
Mike smiled, arms crossed. "Told you."
Jek whistled. "That was… beautiful."
Eira exhaled, hand over her heart. "That's Auline for you."
Auline dropped to her knees as the stance faded.
The moonlight withdrew gently.
She was exhausted.
But not broken.
Medical staff rushed forward, but she raised a hand.
"I'm… okay."
Her eyes glanced to the stands, and she found Mike, Eira, and Jek watching with quiet pride.
She smiled.
"I did it."
Later, Backstage
Auline sat on a bench with a cup of water, her hands still trembling from overuse of mana.
Mike approached first.
"You broke the whole place," he said with a small grin. "Subtle."
"Moonlight doesn't need to be loud to be strong."
Eira knelt beside her, checking the bandage on Auline's arm. "That final stance… where did it come from?"
"I didn't plan it," Auline admitted. "It just… happened. When everything else ran out, something clicked."
Jek nodded. "So your Moonlight finally bit back."
Auline laughed. "Only a little."
Above them, members of the Elder Circle observed from the private tower.
One old woman murmured, "Moon Battle Stance… to awaken a reflexive art mid-fight…"
Another elder nodded. "Rare comprehension. That girl deserves an invitation."
And far beyond them—deep beneath the capital—a pair of red eyes in a crystalline pool stirred.