Master of Frost vs. The Undefeated — Round Three

"Wah, is the battle already nearing its end?" said Dean, pressing against the railing. "And we just got here."

Three teachers took their customary places on the balcony. Beside him were Asagiri and Elthea.

"Look," Dean nudged Asagiri's arm. "Your favorite is crushing it again. Shame, I really thought Salazar might be able to beat him."

Asagiri, a blue-haired man in his mid-forties, leaned on the railing.

"What do you think, Asagiri? That Supreme technique of Raigetsu's always had your attention."

Asagiri huffed.

"As expected, Raigetsu can handle even a monster like him. It's all about the Eternal Flame. I used to wonder about the true nature of that technique. But when he revealed it, everything clicked."

"That Salazar is my student," Elthea said with worry, seated in her chair. "He's got incredible potential. Don't let Raigetsu kill him!"

Elthea, the new teacher with shoulder-length pink hair, radiated an aura of kindness and innocence about her.

"Oh, come on now, no need to worry," Dean winked. "A young and beautiful lady like you shouldn't stress too much—aging comes fast that way. Enjoy the show. Fights like this don't come often. Don't blink, newbie."

"Nope! I can't look at this!" Elthea covered her trembling eyes.

Asagiri coughed lightly.

"Still, his mastery of Destruction is remarkable. Destruction, in essence, resembles Resonance Magic. You shape unique spells with pure thought, honing them to perfection. The difference is that Destruction spells require verbal casting."

"Ah yes," added Dean, snapping his fingers. "Except levitation, of course."

"Levitation still falls under that element's branch."

"So tell me, is it possible to recreate that Eternal Flame of Raigetsu's? I mean, it's supposed to be unique."

"It's not as simple as it looks. Raigetsu spent years mastering it. You know how long it usually takes to perfect just one Supreme technique. I'd wager he's a one-of-a-kind. He must've devoted at least ten years to it."

Dean leaned his cheek on his palm.

"Interesting stuff," he muttered. "A technique that works alongside Negation. He knew exactly what kind of spell he needed to create. I think we're witnessing the fight of one of the strongest mages in history."

Asagiri grew pensive. In his opinion, crafting something like Eternal Flame would take decades. So how in the world did Raigetsu accomplish this as a fourth-year academy student? 

On the other hand, Elthea silently prayed that her student wouldn't get into something fatal. Losing a battle was one thing. But if Salazar kept pushing past his limits like this…

…he might lose part of his mana capacity. Or even his power.

Such was the price of wielding magic and elements. One must always stay in control—especially when fighting someone so vastly superior.

Meanwhile, on the ring...

"Supreme Magicka: Blizzard Kingdom."

"Supreme Destruction: Dead Man's End!"

Salazar invoked the highest tier of Supreme technique. The kind that drains mana to the brink of death—but in exchange, it can bend even the structure of space itself.

On the opposite side of the ring—Raigetsu, emanating an overwhelming stream of mana.

Salazar was walking on thin ice. He was already exceeding his limits. Was he really ready to give everything—just for victory? Even his life?

What a fool.

In a flash, I remembered a lecture from Professor Dean. He'd drawn on the board with a crystal that emitted energy to write and sketch.

"Let's carve this into memory: Supreme techniques are divided into two types. The first—massive bursts of energy that annihilate or restore, depending on their nature. The second—those that alter the very space around the caster."

In short, both had just unleashed the second type. The hardest kind to master.

This wasn't just magic. With it, you could reshape the very battlefield and use it at will.

Raigetsu's technique, at a glance, might seem like a simple damage amplifier—a wave of plasma that spreads across the area.

Come on, Salazar… What have you got up your sleeve this time? I hope to hell you know what you're doing!

When Blizzard Kingdom activated, Salazar's body became encased in thick layers of ice, armor-like and regal—like the heroes.

Blizzards engulfed one half of the arena. Lava, born from plasma, devoured the other.

It was a clash of dominions — whose technique would consume the other. The ground beneath the arena melted in flame, then began to freeze from the edges.

Salazar raised his palm. Frost gushed from it, clashing against the enemy's fire.

And then—everyone noticed. Blizzard Kingdom was spreading further. Cold overtook flame. Lava began to crust and freeze in the wind.

Raigetsu gripped his other arm.

"Flame Ray!"

A blue firebeam blasted from his palm.

I could feel it — their mana pouring out like rivers. Salazar's energy was nearly gone… and yet he stood. How?

You damn idiot! You won't win by willpower alone! Use your mind—that's how you beat Amon! So why the hell are you fighting like a brute now?

Blizzard Kingdom had already consumed most of the arena. His technique dominated the field, smothering Raigetsu's flames.

"Negation!" Raigetsu raised both palms.

"Useless!" Salazar snapped. "Blizzard Kingdom reflects all techniques within its radius. This snowstorm…"

He clenched a fist, snow falling into his palm.

"...is the embodiment of my hatred for you. So die, you bastard!!"

In a single instant, Salazar raised his fingers—and snapped. His face twisted in fury, veins bulging on his forehead.

Damn it, don't you dare!

"Supreme Destruction!" screamed Salazar.

"Don't do it! No—!" I couldn't contain myself.

He didn't hear me.

"Hell's Embrace!!!"

And in that moment, Raigetsu understood—he couldn't stop this attack. Not even Negation could help. The arena was now fully under Salazar's blizzard domain.

Bloody fires burst behind Salazar, forming massive hands. They crashed down upon Raigetsu with such speed that the ring's barrier cracked.

The student council instantly jumped into action, reinforcing the barrier with their mana.

The audience barely registered how the frozen arena had become a hellish nightmare of crimson flame.

Salazar had realized something during the fight. Raigetsu had never once used high-level barriers capable of resisting Supreme-tier magic.

And after expending so much mana using Eternal Flame and Dead Man's End, Raigetsu was left exposed. Salazar chose the perfect moment.

He poured everything—200% of his energy—into Hell's Embrace. He didn't even try to suppress its destructive power.

Everyone knew—Raigetsu, caught in that blood-fire laser, couldn't possibly survive.

And when the flames died down and the smoke cleared...

Every jaw dropped.

Raigetsu stood, barely breathing. A magic barrier had formed around most of him. Only his back remained unguarded—and, as expected, it had burned down to raw muscle.

He lowered his arms. The barrier vanished. On his charred face—an obscene, crooked grin.

"W-what..." Salazar collapsed to his knees. "How... how did my spell not drain all your mana? That's impossible..."

His eyes trembled in disbelief as Raigetsu stepped toward him.

His body was a wreck of burns. The crowd gasped—how could he still walk?

But it all became clear as Raigetsu staggered. His legs buckled. His arms still reached for Salazar's throat.

"That bastard's still standing!" some shouted.

"Unbelievable…!" others whispered.

But one thing was certain.

Salazar had lost. He didn't even notice his own hands were drenched in blood. His muscles and tendons torn from overexertion.

This was the cost of recklessness.

In that moment, he saw me walking away from the crowd. He turned. Snipe Technique.

He was furious. In his mind, he kept asking where I was going. Had I already given up on him? Was he not even worth watching till the end?

And just like that—he lost sight of me.

I had shattered his self-worth.

"How dare you?!" he screamed, stepping toward me.

But little did he know—his legs no longer obeyed him. His bones trembled with weakness.

This wasn't fatigue anymore. Salazar had pushed too far. His soul was cracking with every heartbeat.

"Don't go! No, I can still fight! I can still win!!"

Desperate and limping, he reached Raigetsu and tried to strike. But his hands, fragile now, no longer carried their former strength.

Raigetsu, simply tired, dodged his sluggish punches with ease.

"No!!" Salazar cried in panic. "I'm still capable! I won't lose, not in this life! Never!!"

"Enough."

Raigetsu caught his fist.

His gaze no longer held anger. Nor triumph.

Only shame.