As the relentless fusion of ice, wind, earth, fire, and water bore down on her, Celestine gritted her teeth, her body tense and desperate for any opportunity to defend. She raised her scepter with fierce determination, summoning all her ager strength to form a barrier around herself, layering shields of fire and earth to soften Morris's relentless assault. She refused to back down, her eyes blazing with defiance as she poured everything she had into her defenses.
"Ok, ti to end this charade"
Morris watched her with a faint glint of amusent, a hint of respect at her tenacity. Yet, her struggle only seed to reaffirm the cold ssage he'd already delivered: she wasn't his match. But eventually, he beca bored of the duel which led to him raising his hand, and then channeled a golden aura, weaving a new elent into his control: light. The fusion of elents crackled with renewed vigor, illuminating the platform in an intense radiance as beams of pure light lanced through the multicolored storm, piercing Celestine's defenses one after another.
"He has even mastered light!?" Kaelen exclaid with a dumbfounded look on his face, this ti Ethan said almost exact sa words Morris said while he was in a duel.
"At this point it will basically be impossible to spar with him even if we band together"
'I can't believe you actually let such words co out of your mouth' Kaelen thought with a strange look on his face.
As for the crowd, they obviously gasped, Sylvester's jaw tightening as he, too, realized the sheer complexity of Morris's control. Up in the clouds, Vice Chancellor Reeves and the Pillars sat in stunned silence, awestruck at Morris's flawless command. Light, a rare and powerful elent, was said to be one of the hardest to wield in harmony with others. And here, Morris wielded it with an almost terrifying ease, amplifying the onslaught bearing down on Celestine.
Celestine stumbled, her shields crumbling as Morris's fusion spell broke through, her final defenses shattering like glass. The light seared across the platform, illuminating the stunned faces of the onlookers, while Celestine herself struggled to stay on her feet. Morris's calm, unwavering gaze remained locked on her, as though silently underscoring his ssage once again.
"Rember this mont," he said softly, his voice carrying across the silent platform. "This is the strength you dared to challenge."
"I refuse to yield!"
But Celestine struggled to rise, defiance etched into her expression as she tried to gather her strength and stand tall. Her hand clutched her scepter tightly, determination blazing in her eyes as she prepared to cast another spell, unwilling to yield. But before she could even raise the scepter, Morris raised his own hand, his fingers weaving through the air with precision, locking her within a tight, pulsating barrier of condensed mana that coiled around her like unbreakable chains.
With an air of calm authority, Morris spoke, his tone low and unyielding. "You have three seconds to surrender," he announced, his voice carrying a chill that matched the ice at his command. "After that, we do this the hard way."
Celestine's face tightened, her stubbornness flaring as she braced herself against the barrier. She could feel the density of his mana pressing in, making it nearly impossible to move without it tightening further. As much as she wanted to resist, the power within his trap was overwhelming. Just as he began to count—"Three..."—the energy thickened, the pressure nearly suffocating her resolve.
By the ti he reached "Two," Celestine's spirit wavered. The aura surrounding her was unlike anything she had ever faced, and despite her earlier confidence, the realization of her limits hit her hard. Swallowing her pride, she forced the words from her mouth. "I... surrender," she said, her voice barely above a whisper but audible enough for everyone watching.
Morris released the trap imdiately, the mana dissipating around her like mist in the morning sun. He gave a faint nod, acknowledging her choice with a cold yet final look. "Perhaps next ti, you'll think twice before challenging soone out of your league." Without another word, he turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing across the platform as the crowd watched in stunned silence.
"Winner, Morris Grey!!"
As Sylvester's voice rang out across the arena, announcing Morris's victory with a hint of finality, the audience erupted into applause and murmurs of awe. Morris strode back to his spot amongst the top-ranked students, his movents controlled and poised, exuding an air of effortless confidence. Every step he took was a reminder of his prowess, and those around him looked on with newfound respect—and a touch of fear.
'Seems like Morris is changing slowly' Kaelen thought as he closely observed Morris as he went back to his spot. But in the next mont, he felt a pat on his right shoulder which led him look that way. As soon as he did, he saw that it was Eldric who patted him.
"You noticed it too right?" Eldric imdiately asked as soon as Kaelen put his gaze on him. It seems like Kaelen understood the question as he replied "Yeah, seems like we both have keen observatory skills huh?"
anwhile, Callista descended the platform slowly, her once fiery determination reduced to a broken spirit. Her shoulders slumped as she walked, her eyes fixed on the ground. Each step seed heavier than the last, her pride shattered by the duel's outco. Though she had been bold, daring, and unyielding, Morris's overwhelming skill had shown her the unforgiving gap between them.
Up in the clouds, Vice Chancellor Reeves and the other pillars watched her retreat with quiet sympathy. Despite their hardened hearts from years of guiding and witnessing countless duels, Callista's defeat tugged at them. She had shown spirit and dedication, but sotis even the most determined couldn't surpass the strength of their opponents.
"She tried her best," muttered General Cao, his voice soft, tinged with respect. "But so lessons are learned only through hardship."
The Vice Chancellor nodded, his gaze steady as he watched her disappear into the crowd. "Life has its own harsh truths," he said solemnly, "and those who understand that early may one day rise above their defeat."
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