The Clash of Fire and Ice.

The arena buzzed with anticipation as Min-Soo and Deokan signed the lethal duel agreement. The crowd, a mix of applicants and seasoned academy students, watched with mixed emotions.

Some were eager to witness a battle without restraints, while others murmured about how reckless their decision was.

"Don't they know they're putting their lives at risk just for a combat test?"

"The academy won't be held responsible if one of them dies!"

Seated among the spectators, Rin didn't seem concerned about the opinions flying around. He simply leaned back in his seat, a wide grin stretching across his face.

"Fire boy, let's see what you're made of. Don't disappoint me."

Ji-Hyun, sitting beside him, raised a brow at his excitement. "So you actually support this? Your friend is about to fight the princess with no constraints, and you think that's a good idea?"

Rin chuckled, his voice calm and confident. "Why wouldn't I? A fight with no restraints—that's what makes it interesting."

Ji-Hyun studied him for a moment before nodding in agreement. There was something thrilling about watching two powerful fighters go all out.

---

On the arena floor, Min-Soo stretched his arms, rolled his shoulders, and cracked his knuckles, his grin never fading.

Across from him, Princess Deokan stood still, composed, as a blue, icy aura radiated around her. Her piercing gaze was meant to intimidate, but Min-Soo remained unfazed.

"You should conserve your mana," he teased, his voice playful. "Showing off like this will just be a waste—you might need it later."

Her eyes narrowed, her cold expression sharpening. She said nothing, but the intensity in her gaze was enough to make the air feel heavier.

The referee stepped forward, raising a hand to silence the murmuring crowd. His voice rang out with authority.

"Fighters, if either of you is down and unable to move, or if you are severely injured, the fight will be stopped immediately."

Both Min-Soo and Deokan nodded, already eager to begin.

The referee's arm rose high into the air. "Are you ready?"

With a final nod, both fighters signaled their agreement.

For a moment, the entire arena fell silent. The tension was suffocating.

Then—

"Begin!"

With a sharp motion, the referee swung his arm down, and the battle erupted.

---

The commentator's voice boomed through the sound system, animated with excitement.

"And the battle between the rivals begins!"

Min-Soo smirked, flicking his wrist. Instantly, roaring fire condensed into a solid form, shaping into a blazing sword in his grip. The Flame Blade pulsed with raw heat, its edges flickering like ripples on water. He pointed it toward Deokan.

"It's time to take your words back," he declared.

Deokan's lips curled into a small smirk. "Make me."

Without hesitation, Min-Soo made the first move. With each step, his feet ignited, leaving a trail of embers as he activated Emberstep. His speed surged, his movements becoming a blur.

Spectators gasped in amazement.

"He's so fast—I can barely see him!"

Yet, Deokan remained unfazed. At the last second, just before Min-Soo reached her, she sidestepped with graceful precision, causing him to stumble slightly off balance.

Raising her hand, the air crackled with bitter cold. Ice Dagger Barrage—countless daggers of ice materialized above Min-Soo, each razor-sharp and glistening. With a mere flick of her fingers, the frozen projectiles shot forward, whistling through the air like a lethal storm.

Min-Soo reacted instantly. With a sharp exhale, he unleashed Inferno Veil—a swirling barrier of fire erupted around him, melting the incoming ice projectiles before they could reach him. Steam hissed into the air as ice and fire clashed.

"Tch!" Deokan clenched her teeth in frustration. "He blocked it."

As the remnants of her attack evaporated, Min-Soo dismissed his Inferno Veil and surged forward, using Emberstep to close the distance between them. His Flame Blade reformed in his grip, and he swung it toward Deokan in a wide arc.

But before his attack could land, Deokan slammed her hands against the ground. A surge of glacial energy burst forth, and in an instant, a towering Ice Wall erupted between them, stopping his strike.

Min-Soo clicked his tongue in irritation. Retracting his Flame Blade, he extended his palm forward. The air around him grew heavy with heat as a single spark flickered to life in his hand. It pulsed, expanding outward, tongues of fire curling around it, feeding its growth.

The swirling mass of flames crackled and roared, condensing into a dense, searing sphere—the Fireball.

With a swift motion, he hurled the fiery orb toward Deokan's Ice Wall.

BOOM!

The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the arena. The ice groaned, fractures spreading across its crystalline surface. Steam billowed out as fire and ice fought for dominance, until—

CRACK!

The Ice Wall shattered, reduced to mist and melting shards. But as the steam cleared, Min-Soo's eyes widened in surprise.

Before him stood not one, but multiple copies of Deokan, all rushing toward him in unison. Each one radiated the same icy aura, moving with identical precision.

From his elevated seat, the academy's director watched in shock. His mouth fell open slightly as he whispered, "She's created clones… The Ice Princess' true power is astonishing."

Min-Soo tried to retreat, but the clones closed in from all sides. Ice daggers formed in their hands, glinting with lethal intent.

With no time to think, Min-Soo was forced to defend—but which Deokan was the real one?

The battle had only just begun.