Short Spar

Kael's breath hitched.

"Shit. Shit. I didn't mean to say that," he muttered under his breath, already regretting the challenge.

But just then, like an answer from the abyss, a glowing notification materialized in his vision.

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[SYSTEM MISSION: ACTIVE]

Title: Duel of Titans

Objective: Defeat or force a tie with Jin Eldraven.

Reward: Ability to perceive and understand Mana Composition visualize and analyze the elemental, structural, and flow properties of mana in environments and living beings.

Kael's pupils dilated.

> Mana Composition? I'd be able to see the type, density, and quality of any core? I could analyze spells, anticipate attacks, maybe even copy and mutate them like I did with Cynthia's skill…

He clenched his fists.

> I can't turn down something like that.

Across from him, Jin was adjusting the cuffs of his jacket, sword already resting lazily at his hip.

"What am I thinking…" Jin said, his voice low and sharp, "fighting an injured, barely-standing weakling like you?"

Kael forced a confident grin. "My rib injury was healed… by the Saintess. Third-year. You might've heard of her golden hair, golden eyes, soft voice."

Jin rolled his eyes.

"Besides," Kael added, raising a hand, "I'm going to give you a disadvantage. You get to use only one core against me."

Jin's brow twitched. "What?"

Kael pointed lazily. "You heard me. Pick a core. That's your handicap. Fire, wind, gravity whatever."

Jin scoffed. "Are you dumb? Fire is the most destructive of the elements."

Kael smirked, unsheathing his sword slowly. "I know. That's why I want you to use it. I'm not planning to lose anyway."

Jin narrowed his cold blue eyes and stepped back, the temperature around him already beginning to shift. He extended his hand, the igniting flare of crimson-red mana flaring like a solar flare from his palm.

"Fine," Jin said. "Fire it is."

Kael's shadow rippled under his feet. His blood boiled. His silver hair flowed around him like silk threads in the rising heat, his crimson eyes narrowing in focus. He raised his blade and channeled his mana until it rippled across his back in jagged black waves.

"Elira," Kael called out sideways.

Elira, who had returned to her usual cold, unreadable demeanor, looked over.

"If the battle gets too destructive… stop it."

She blinked once… then nodded.

> She actually listened… Kael thought, surprised but only for a moment.

A sudden surge of heat roared across the room. Before Kael could react.

A full-sized fire dragon made of condensed mana erupted from Jin's outstretched hand, rushing forward at blinding speed.

"SHIT!" Kael cursed, barely leaping backward, his boots skidding against the floor as the dragon's fiery maw chased him down.

He raised his blade and slashed, releasing a wave of Shadow Mana in a wide arc Shadow Arts Form 2: Crescent Fold but the flames ate through the shadows like dry leaves.

The fire dragon burst against the wall behind Kael, vaporizing part of the reinforced obsidian, the force of it pushing Kael to the ground.

Smoke curled off his jacket. His sword trembled in his hand.

Jin hadn't even moved yet.

> He's built different. Kael thought. But…

A sharp twist of his core.

Power of Wind: Activate.

His speed jumped. Shadows coiled at his feet as he rushed in.

Jin, finally moving, ducked under Kael's slash, twisted, and brought his flaming blade up in a scything motion that nearly burned Kael's neck off if Kael hadn't spun sideways and delivered a reverse crescent of shadow across Jin's chest.

Jin blocked with the flat of his blade, sparks flying as steel met darkness.

They began trading blows each one faster, sharper, more dangerous.

BOOM—CRACK—CLANG—SWOOSH!

Flames and shadows painted the walls in chaotic patterns as Jin's fire-enhanced strikes slammed against Kael's shadow-enhanced counters. At one point, Kael ducked a flame explosion only to roll forward and deliver a kick to Jin's ribs, which the older boy barely deflected with an armored mana shield.

Kael activated Battle Perception, letting him read the twitch of Jin's muscles a fraction of a second before he attacked. It let him survive but just barely.

Jin, meanwhile, fought like a storm contained in flesh precision, grace, and utter destruction.

Another blow came. Kael parried barely.

But his arms were burning from the inside. His stamina was draining too fast.

> Damn it, I need to end this soon or he's going to outlast me!

Kael raised two fingers, shadows condensing into a sharp point.

Shadow Arts Form 3: Monarch Slash

Jin raised his hand.

Flame Core Overload: Phoenix Riposte

Both attacks clashed in a titanic burst of light and pressure, knocking them both back.

Their feet skidded.

Their auras flared.

Then, in the same instant… both moved.

One final blur of movement no time to think, just instinct. Shadows surged behind Kael. Flames exploded behind Jin.

And.

CLANG.

Kael's sword was at Jin's neck.

Jin's flaming blade hovered just a breath away from Kael's throat.

Neither moved.

Silence.

Even Elira was speechless, staring with wide, crimson eyes.

Kael was panting, body trembling, sweat pouring down his face. Jin… looked calm, but there was a bead of sweat trailing from his temple.

Both of them slowly stepped back and lowered their weapons.

Kael grinned, exhausted. "Looks like a tie."

Jin exhaled once. "Tch. For now."

At that moment, a golden system screen popped up before Kael.

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[MISSION COMPLETE]

Result: Tie Achieved

Reward Unlocked: Mana Composition

You can now perceive the elemental, flow, and core structure of ambient and personal mana.

Use this power to analyze, counter, and eventually create new techniques from observation.

---

Kael smirked, but deep down, he was beyond exhausted.

Totally worth it.