Chapter 59: The Fateful Duel
The days at the Academy passed by in a blur of lessons, spars, and occasional moments of leisure. As I walked through the grand stone halls, I couldn't help but feel the weight of expectations pressing down on me. I was the daughter of Gaia, the Goddess of Nature—ranked higher than any of the other royal children. Yet, despite my immense power and lineage, I often found myself at odds with the pressures of being in a place like this.
The students here were no slouches. Every one of them was an expert in their field, and though I didn't show it, I could sense the tension that hung in the air. But what I wasn't prepared for was the looming challenge that would shake me from my usual lazy daze.
It started on a day much like any other.
I had been wandering through the garden, pretending to be lost in my thoughts, when Lysandra found me. Her bright red hair flashed in the sunlight as she approached, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Aria!" she called out, waving her hand to get my attention.
I sighed, barely acknowledging her presence as I leaned against the trunk of an old oak tree. "What is it now, Lysandra?"
She came closer, her expression serious but playful. "A duel," she said simply.
"A duel?" I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. "You want to duel me?"
"Not just me," she grinned. "I'm going to call out Aldrin, too. I think it's time to see just how strong you really are. We've been waiting for you to show us what you're made of."
I couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped me. "You think a duel will convince me to 'show off'?"
Lysandra nodded, her face lighting up. "Maybe, but maybe not. I just think it'll be fun. And besides, it's not often that we get a chance to test ourselves against someone who's ranked higher than any of us."
The mention of my rank made my chest tighten. I had never cared much for titles, but there was no denying that my position at the Academy had its own pressures. To be the daughter of a Goddess—an EX-Rank being—meant that everyone expected me to be nothing short of perfect.
"I'm not in the mood for games," I replied flatly. "Besides, Aldrin's been acting like he owns this place. You want me to prove something, go find someone else."
But Lysandra's determination was infectious. "I'm not asking you to prove anything. I'm asking you to have some fun." She grinned, a playful glint in her eye. "Besides, a little friendly competition never hurt anyone."
I sighed, giving in with a reluctant shrug. "Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you."
---
The duel was set for that afternoon, in one of the Academy's vast combat arenas. The arena was an open-air coliseum, surrounded by stone walls and large marble pillars that towered above. Students gathered around the edges, whispering in hushed tones as they waited to see what would unfold. The air was thick with anticipation.
Aldrin stood on one side of the arena, his arms crossed and a confident smirk on his face. His golden armor shimmered in the sunlight, and his presence alone commanded respect. Beside him stood Lysandra, who looked eager and excited for the fight ahead.
I stood opposite them, my arms casually folded as I observed my opponents. My white robes swayed gently in the breeze, the golden accents on the edges gleaming as I waited for the signal to begin.
"Are you ready, Aria?" Aldrin called out, his voice teasing yet laced with a hint of challenge. "You look... unbothered."
"I'm always ready," I replied lazily, allowing the faintest trace of a smile to form on my lips. "This is nothing more than a minor inconvenience."
The crowd around us murmured, a mix of excitement and curiosity, as they waited to see how this duel would unfold.
The signal was given, and the battle began.
---
Lysandra was the first to strike, as expected. She summoned a burst of bright light from her palms, the magic crackling in the air as she aimed it at me. I barely moved, raising a hand lazily in front of me as I allowed my natural magic to flow.
In an instant, a shield of golden light materialized around me, absorbing the impact of her attack. Lysandra looked surprised, but she quickly regained her composure, rushing forward with a graceful leap as she slashed at me with a glowing blade conjured from light itself.
I stepped back, dodging with the same languid movements that defined my fighting style. Despite her speed and power, I wasn't even breaking a sweat. My eyes glinted with a quiet amusement.
"Not bad," I said, my voice calm and collected as I sidestepped another strike. "But you'll need more than that."
Lysandra's eyes sparkled with determination as she tried to adjust her strategy, hurling a series of magical bolts in my direction. I flicked my hand, effortlessly deflecting them with a wave of nature magic, causing vines to spring from the ground and entwine around her attacks, redirecting them harmlessly into the air.
"That's the thing about magic," I mused, my voice almost bored as I lazily wiped the air around me. "It's all about control."
Lysandra paused for a moment, clearly frustrated but still holding her ground. "You're not going to make this easy, are you?"
"No," I said simply, my golden eyes narrowing as I shifted my focus to Aldrin. "But I think it's time to end this."
Before they could react, I summoned my full power, letting the energy of the surrounding trees and the earth itself flow through me. The air grew thick with raw magic as I thrust my hands out, causing the ground beneath us to tremble.
Vines erupted from the soil, wrapping around Aldrin's legs and pulling him off balance. Lysandra, caught off guard, was momentarily distracted. With a fluid motion, I summoned a beam of light, striking the center of the arena. The magic pulsed through the space like a tidal wave, overwhelming the both of them for a brief, glorious moment.
The arena fell silent, and the duel came to an abrupt end.
---
Aldrin and Lysandra were left standing, dazed but unharmed, as the magic subsided. They were visibly out of breath, and their expressions shifted from surprise to respect.
"Well," Aldrin said, his voice low, "I think we've all learned something today."
Lysandra laughed, brushing herself off. "You're right. You're definitely more than just a lazy princess."
I smiled, but there was no arrogance in my expression—only quiet satisfaction. "I told you. I don't do 'games.'"
The crowd erupted into applause, though it was clear that many were still in awe of the power I had shown. But for me, this wasn't about impressing anyone. It was simply a reminder that, when I chose to, I could wield power far beyond most of them.
As I walked off the arena floor, I couldn't help but think about what had just transpired. The duel was over, but the game had only just begun.