“Ludwig, are you going up?” Olim called out, his voice carrying across the arena as he stood from his seat among the other teachers. The crowd turned their attention to Ludwig, their murmurs growing louder as they waited for his response.
“I’ll be swapping out for now,” Ludwig said, shaking his head. He leaned back in his seat, his skeletal frame relaxed but his eyes sharp as he watched the arena.
Kaela, who had been sitting quietly behind him, jumped up from her seat with a determined look on her face. Her battle ax gleamed in the sunlight as she walked confidently into the arena, her boots clicking against the stone floor. The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement palpable as they anticipated her performance.
Students around Ludwig began murmuring among themselves, their voices a mix of curiosity and confusion. “Why the sudden change?” one student asked, his tone laced with skepticism.
“Looks like you listened to what the teachers told you about yesterday,” Hoyo said, leaning closer to Ludwig. His face still looked puffy from the uncomfortable night, but his grin was as wide as ever.
“Yeah,” Ludwig replied, his voice calm. “Also, I didn’t want to let Kaela sit here the whole time. She gets grumpier the longer she’s ignored.”
Kassandra chuckled softly, her eyes fixed on Kaela as she stepped into the arena. “You think she can hold her own like you did?” she asked, her tone curious.
“I don’t know,” Ludwig admitted, his gaze shifting to the second-year students seated across the arena. “The guys I fought yesterday were all first years—nothing too difficult to handle. They’re arrogant, that’s for sure, and their skills don’t match the length of their tongues. As for the second years… I’m not sure. Most of them are crazies. Have you seen that guy over there with the big sword?” Ludwig pointed at Haku, who sat with his arms crossed, his expression calm but intense. “He’s a monster.”
“Then this should be a good few matches to watch,” Hoyo said, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
“Yeah,” Ludwig agreed, leaning back in his seat. “Let’s sit back, relax, and watch. I want to see the level I’m up against.”
Kaela stood in the center of the arena, her battle ax resting on her shoulder as she waited for the selection to choose her opponent. The crowd buzzed with excitement as a few students stepped up to the boxes to challenge her. Soon, one of them was chosen at random, and the match began.
The battles that followed were a clear display of the difference in power between most second years and Kaela. While Ludwig had struggled against one or two students, taking at least a minute or two to secure a victory, Kaela ended her opponents in less than ten seconds. Her movements were brutal and efficient, her ax cutting through defenses with ease. Those who relied on magic found themselves at a severe disadvantage, unable to cast their spells before Kaela closed the distance and overwhelmed them.
There were a few moments where Kaela was put on the back foot. Some students managed to apply debilitating effects on her at the start of the match, using spells or techniques to slow her down or disrupt her rhythm. But none of them could follow up on their initial advantage. Kaela’s relentless aggression and sheer physical power quickly turned the tide, leaving her opponents either defeated, kicked out of the arena, or forced to surrender.
As the matches continued, Kaela’s breathing became more ragged, her movements slightly slower but no less precise. The toll of consecutive battles was beginning to show, but she refused to back down. Just as she finished another match, Haku stepped up to the voting box, his presence immediately drawing the crowd’s attention.
Two more students fought Kaela before Haku got his chance, and the moment his name was called, Kaela raised her hand. “I’m swapping out,” she announced, her voice firm despite her exhaustion.
“I guess it’s my turn now,” Ludwig said, standing up from his seat. He stretched his skeletal frame, the chain attached to his arm clinking softly as he made his way to the arena.
“Good luck,” Kaela said as she walked past him, her ax resting on her shoulder. Her face was flushed, and her breathing was heavy, but there was a satisfied glint in her eyes. She was a great fighter, Ludwig had to admit, if not for his own incredible stamina, he wouldn’t have managed to fight as long as she did.
“We have a swap!” Olim called, his voice booming across the arena. “Ludwig, you should know that you can only swap out after three rounds. Now, let the match begin! A first year against a second year!” Olim’s enthusiasm was infectious, and the crowd erupted into cheers as Ludwig and Haku stepped into the arena.
Haku drew his heavy sword, the blade gleaming in the sunlight as he held it effortlessly with one hand. His calm demeanor contrasted sharply with the intensity in his eyes. “You’re finally here,” he said, his voice steady but filled with anticipation.
“Yeah,” Ludwig replied, his scythe in one hand and the chain in the other. He unlatched the chain, letting it drop to the ground with a soft clink, the other end still attached to his left arm. “I heard you wanted to fight me. I wasn’t about to say no to a challenge.”
“Though you just received that weapon, I won’t be going easy on you,” Haku said, his tone serious but not unkind.
“Please don’t,” Ludwig replied, a faint smile tugging at his skeletal lips. “I haven’t had the chance to actually use this weapon properly.”
“THEN LET THE MATCH BEGIN!” Olim shouted, his voice echoing through the arena.
The moment the call was given, the two combatants charged at each other, their movements a blur of speed and precision. Haku’s heavy sword swung in a wide arc, the sheer force of the blow creating a gust of wind that Ludwig felt even before the blade reached him. Ludwig ducked under the swing, his chain whipping out like a serpent as he countered with a strike of his own.
The two fighters grinned at each other, their expressions a mix of excitement and determination. This was more than just a match—it was a test of skill, strength, and strategy. And neither of them was willing to back down.