The moment he caught the spear, Klein stepped in and drove it forward again, slamming the tip into her barrier before she could fully stabilize her stance.
Clang-!
The impact rippled through the construct, and a visible distortion spread across its surface as her arm trembled slightly from the force, her heel sliding back against the dirt as she tried to anchor herself.
"...Tch!"
Her breathing sharpened as she pushed more mana into the barrier, reinforcing it just in time.
Because the next strike came immediately.
His movements flowed one into the next, and the spear twisted in his grip before striking again from a slightly different angle.
At the same time, the green panther spirit lunged from her side.
Its claws cut through the air as it aimed for her flank, forcing her to shift her attention just enough to keep it from breaking through her defense entirely.
Her eyes flickered between the two and jumped back, creating a distance.
Looking at him, the woman’s gaze condensed "Ah, you are that first year in the duel the other day."
The green panther spirit circled to his side, its presence still pressuring her.
The woman clicked her tongue softly before reaching behind her back and pulling out a staff as mana began to gather.
"Figures," she muttered. "Of course I’d get someone troublesome."
She lifted the staff slightly, and several magic circles formed in front of her as mana condensed rapidly into shape before releasing in a burst of energy that split into multiple lances, each one streaking toward him at high speed.
*sleesh* *sleesh* *sleesh*
His body shifted to the side as the first lance passed by his shoulder, close enough to brush against his clothes, while the second came straight at him.
The spear moved in a tight arc, knocking the attack aside just enough to change its trajectory before it exploded behind him.
*thoom*
The panther intercepted the third one mid-air, its body phasing slightly as the attack dispersed against it.
He closed the distance again, and the woman’s eyes narrowed as she saw him pushing forward instead of retreating.
"...So you’re that type."
Her staff struck the ground lightly, and another circle formed beneath his feet as roots burst upward in an attempt to bind him in place.
But Klein reacted instantly and pressed his foot down as mana surged through his body, snapping the forming restraints before they could fully take hold.
She stepped back again, increasing the distance as her staff moved in a smooth arc, gathering more mana this time.
*SWOOSH* With a flick of her wrist, she released a wide blade of compressed wind that tore through the forest, slicing through branches as it rushed toward him.
Klein drove his spear forward at an angle, splitting the attack just enough to let it pass along his side as he pushed through it and closed the gap once more.
The moment he entered her range, his grip shifted and he swung the spear toward her in a clean arc.
Her eyes widened as she reacted on instinct and raised her staff to create a barrier in front of her just in time.
*CLANG*
The spear struck the barrier head-on, and instead of stopping, the force behind it shattered through the barrier.
Cracks spread across its surface before it broke apart completely under the impact.
*crack*
The remaining force slammed into her, sending her body flying sideways as she lost her footing, crashing hard into a nearby tree with a heavy thud.
*THUD*
The bark splintered on impact.
"Ugh-" Her breath hitched as the air was knocked out of her lungs and her body slumped slightly against the trunk as fragments of her broken barrier faded into particles of mana around her.
Leaning on the trunk, the woman glanced at Klein "Rules are that we shouldn’t use our full power, so I will stop the fight here. You pass."
She reached up, slipping the golden band from her wrist before tossing it toward him.
Klein caught it easily and gave a nod "Thank you."
The woman smiled faintly "Not bad for a first year."
---
Klein dashed through the forest looking for any sign of movement or hidden presence around him.
’I can sense students collecting marbles in here and some are even fighting amongst themselves for marble,’ he thought, his gaze narrowing slightly as he adjusted his direction, moving deeper into the forest.
The green panther spirit kept pace beside him as it moved in near silence, acting as a scout.
---
Meanwhile, in another part of the forest.
A burly second-year stood in the middle of a small clearing with his fist still extended from the punch he had just thrown, while a first-year lay on the ground a few feet away, clutching his stomach as he struggled to breathe.
Around him, a small group of first-years stood frozen as they looked at the scene in front of them, and none of them dared to step forward immediately.
The second-year rolled his shoulder casually, "Just a little brawl and you guys already lost?" he said in a mocking tone as he looked at their shaken expressions.
One of the first-years tightened his grip on his weapon, clearly wanting to step in but hesitated.
While another young man glanced at the fallen student, then back at the second-year, unsure of what to do next.
The burly man chuckled softly, then reached up and tapped the golden band wrapped around his wrist.
"If you want this..." he said, lifting his hand slightly, "...you’re going to have to fight for it."
He shifted his stance a little and planted his feet more firmly.
"Come on," he uttered, curling his fingers slightly in a taunting gesture. "All of you at once. Let’s see if first-years have any backbone this year."
"Can I have a fight with you, Senior?"
Hearing a voice, Truff turned around and looked at Klein walking toward them with a spear in his hand.
"Sure," Truff replied without hesitation, his tone carrying a hint of interest now as he sized him up.
The first-year students were taken aback, quickly recognizing him and whispering among themselves.
"Klein... Faress?"
"I am in his fan club group."
"I mean, he was so cool during the duel."
Klein stopped a few steps away, then planted his spear into the ground beside him and the shaft sank slightly into the soil as he let go of it.
"I don’t think it’s good to use a weapon against someone who’s unarmed."
The surrounding first-years exchanged quick glances in surprise, though none of them quite understood why he would give up his weapon so easily.
Truff raised an eyebrow, then let out a short chuckle as he cracked his knuckles.
"Like a warrior, I see."
The other first-years instinctively stepped back, creating space as they realized what was about to happen.
Truff rolled his shoulders before stepping in as he brought his guard up slightly, though his expression still carried a faint grin.
"Alright then. Let’s see what you’ve got."
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