Triumph of Shadows

The clash between Aqua and Regis grew fiercer with every passing moment, the tension in the arena reaching a breaking point. No one among the audience could anticipate the outcome. The sparks from their blades continued to ignite the air, leaving trails of black and blue light in their wake. Aqua relentlessly increased the flow of mana into Darkness, amplifying the oppressive aura radiating from the blade. Regis, feeling the weight of the oppression, refused to falter and matched Aqua's intensity by channeling his own mana into his sword.

They clashed repeatedly at an unimaginable speed, their movements blurring as they struck and countered again and again. Aqua frowned slightly, his analytical mind realizing the stalemate was turning into a battle of attrition. No one would emerge victorious if this continued.

Regis, sensing the stalemate as well, abandoned defense entirely. His strikes grew ferocious, faster, and heavier, each attack carrying the full weight of his determination. Aqua, now under immense pressure, responded in kind. With mana surging through his body, he enveloped himself in its energy, his speed increasing dramatically. Every strike was aimed at Regis's vital points, a precision that kept the audience on edge.

The arena floor cracked beneath their feet as their power surged. Both fighters now consumed more mana as they covered their bodies with protective auras to counteract the battle of attrition. Aqua, while feeling the mounting pressure, maintained his signature calm expression, his resolve unwavering despite Regis's relentless offensive.

The crowd watched in stunned silence, their excitement palpable as the first-year prodigy stood his ground against the second-year's best student. Among them, Casial's enthusiasm was boundless, his eyes lit up with pride as he watched Aqua's overwhelming strength in action. Claire and Emilia, though less animated, couldn't help but marvel at the remarkable duel unfolding before them.

As their swords clashed, Aqua's sharp gaze caught a crucial flaw in Regis's strategy. Regis's lack of defense had created a blind spot—a fleeting yet exploitable weakness. Without hesitation, Aqua teleported using blink magic, a technique so swift it left the audience momentarily confused. In an instant, he appeared behind Regis, the ominous blade of Darkness pointed at the nape of Regis's neck. Aqua withdrew his mana from the sword immediately, ensuring no harm was done. His calm voice broke the silence. "You lost."

Regis froze, the cold edge of Darkness and its oppressive aura sending shivers down his spine. The older student struggled to process what had just happened, the realization dawning slowly as the audience erupted in murmurs and gasps.

The imperial family, along with the crowd, was left shell-shocked—not by Aqua's victory alone, but by his use of blink magic. A technique unique to Empress Venustusia, it was an ability thought to be exclusive to her genius.

Casial, almost bouncing with excitement, exclaimed, "Whoa! He knows your magic, Blink, Mother!" Venustusia herself raised a brow, her smile widening as she looked at Aqua with newfound curiosity. Claire, stunned into silence, glanced at her mother before turning her gaze back to Aqua, her admiration deepening.

The hall, still buzzing with the aftermath of the duel, felt charged with awe and anticipation, the echoes of Aqua's triumph lingering in the air.