Duel (2)

One hour later.

Art had returned to his room to change in combat attire. Clad entirely in black, he was wearing form fitting pants and tall combat boots that outlined the seductive lines of his straight and slender legs. Above this, he wore a tight long sleeve shirt that highlighted the contours of his defined abs and pecs. Completing his outfit was black combat cloak clasped around his nape that billowed out behind him, lines of light blue runes flashing along its edges, and a pair of long black gloves covering his slender hands.

Somehow, as he walked towards the arena where the arena where the duel would be held, he exuded both a sense of imperious dominance and seductive appeal. Even though his clothing revealed practically no skin apart from his neck and face, the tight fit of his clothes around his chest, hips and legs would cause the most cold blooded man or woman to salivate. However, the terrifying mana presence and cold aura radiating from his body would similarly intimidate the most fearless of warriors. Coupled together, he presented an unmatched, irresistible temptation that caused the hearts of viewers to palpitate with a desire to subdue this powerfully seductive form beneath them.

Waiting outside the arena was Soran. Having heard the announcement by the headmaster, Soran had rushed to find Art at the administrative office, hoping to convince Art to call of the duel or let him fight in his place, only to find that he had already left. Not knowing where Art stayed on the campus, he decided to wait outside the entrance to the arena for Art to arrive.

Originally intending to directly kidnap Art if necessary to keep him safe, the words Soran had prepared to speak somehow escaped him as he took in Art's magnificent form as it approached.

"Art..."

Not giving Soran a chance to try and talk him out of it, Art immediately responded with a warm smile.

"Soran. Please don't worry. Trust me when I say I can handle someone like Flint without any risk."

"..."

Soran could feel the confidence radiating from the man in front of him, but still remained unsure of what to do as he blocked the entrance to the arena.

Seeing this, Art gave another smile and allowed a portion of his mana to leak out of his body. A crushing pressure immediately enveloped the area as frost began to appear on the grass the just a moment ago shone a bright green under the sun.

Soren's mouth dropped open. He knew Art was powerful - he had easily dealt with Kane before after all. But the mana that was now radiating out from Art... This amount of mana could only come from someone in the later levels of the grandame stage.

'Even I'm only at the middle grandmage stage...' thought Soran.

"Sigh... Fine. But be careful. Flint is no pushover. Your cultivation should be higher than his - he should be in the initial grandmage stage. However, his family is renowned for producing some of the most powerful fire mages. Members of the main family have a at least a high-tier fire bloodline of some sort. He likely has learned a number of forbidden spells from his elders. Flint is also known to have trained his close combat skills to a high level."

"Again... don't worry. I have complete confidence in this match."

Although Soran just looked at him with concerned eyes in response, he did finally step aside and allow Art to enter the arena.

The arena the headmaster selected to host the duel was in fact the main arena of Silver Dragon Academy. As classes hadn't started yet, students had very little to do. Predictably, hearing the announcement for the duel between the first and second year reps made by the headmaster himself, masses of students from every grade had rushed to the arena to see the show. The headmaster had no choice but to move the venue to the main arena that was normally used for exhibition matches between teachers or tournaments with other schools.

The arena was built in an almost colosseum like style, however with a clearly modern flair. There was a raised central stage, with a flat area around it with seating for participating teams. A translucent barrier surrounded the stage to protect the audience. Rising up around the stage

were circular rows of seats in almost thirty rings, each packed full of roaring students students.

The arena was covered by a dome like roof, from which hung down four broad screen televisions that would display the fight in real time from different angles. The fervor of the crowd reached a peak when they showed a close up of the riveting form of Art as he approached the stage. Soran took a spot in the seats that would normally be reserved for Art's teammates.

Art and Flint simultaneously ascended the stage, facing off against each other from opposite sides of the center ring. The stage was made of the characteristic white marble of Silver Dragon Academy, with a light blue ring about 15 meters in diameter in the center.

With a flash, the headmaster appeared in the middle of the stage, a circular current of air sweeping out from his body. He began to speak excitedly, for whatever unknown reason trying to rouse the crowd even further.

"Welcome everyone! This exhibition match, or should I say grudge match, will be a one on one duel between Flint Daymore, the undisputed rank one of the second year students, renowned as the Scorching Fire Titan's incarnation, and the mysterious Art, president of the freshman and the king of ice and snow!"

His voice taking on a more solemn tone, he continued.

"Of course, this is only a duel. Killing is not permitted, and students should not aim to cripple or maim one another. Clear violations of either of these rules will be met with proportionate punishment...."

The tone of his voice once again rose.

"Without further ado, let the match begin!"