The sun that had brightly illuminated the arena suddenly vanished without a trace.
The audience erupted into confusion at the sudden darkness.
“What… what is this?”
“Is it the Imperial Princess’s magic?”
“No, I think I’ve seen something similar before…”
While the spectators murmured amongst themselves, the mages seated in the stands to witness Lux’s magic began exchanging opinions.
“This… isn’t magic. The flow of mana feels different.”
“Has there ever been a spell that forces nightfall?”
“Well, if it were True Blood Vampire lineage, it might be possible.”
“It’s definitely not Her Highness the Princess’ magic, though.”
“So does that mean it was done by Selene House’s young lady…?”
“There’s no way…?!”
Realizing who was behind this phenomenon, the mages fell into another kind of confusion.
Is it even possible for a swordsman to pull off something like this?
Swordsmen control themselves; mages control phenomena.
If it’s possible for a swordsman, then there’s only one explanation:
The symbol of mastery—Divine Power.
“Divine Power, you say…”
“I’ve never heard of Divine Power capable of altering the environment like this.”
“But we’re seeing it with our own eyes, aren’t we!”
“And now, rumors that Selene House’s young lady has become a Master…?!”
Amidst the mage’s bewilderment, a single beam of light rose above the arena.
The audience followed it instinctively, their gazes drawn to Ariana standing quietly with her eyes closed, bathed in soft moonlight.
Someone whispered involuntarily, struck by an indescribable beauty.
“A goddess…?”
Though blasphemous, no one could object—it was the only word that fit.
***
“Hmph…”
Ariana exhaled a cold breath.
The darkened arena or the moonlight enveloping her body held little importance.
She had more pressing matters to focus on.
“So this is how Amy felt…”
An overwhelming surge of ‘power’ coursed through her veins, making it hard to stay grounded.
A sensation where she felt capable of anything.
Even Allen might be within reach now.
It felt as if she’d become invincible.
Unconsciously, Ariana’s lips curled into her usual mischievous smile—but even that seemed mystical under the glowing moonlight.
Lux tensed, sensing something unusual about Ariana.
It wasn’t due to any lack of spirit.
‘Amy trained endlessly to extend the duration of her Divine Eye.’
Lux had already deduced this must be the Family Skill of the Selene House.
Why it awakened now remained unclear, but using it for the first time likely meant it wouldn’t last long.
He knew this would come down to timing.
And frankly, he’d almost prefer if she stayed still.
Then Ariana turned to Lux and asked casually,
“Why so quiet? Not planning to attack?”
She hadn’t been idle either.
Being unfamiliar with the newfound power, she’d spent the time gauging her enhanced physical abilities, which were at least twice as strong as usual.
Lux realized his assumptions were wrong from her expression alone—but his face betrayed no hint of doubt.
“Come on, then. We don’t have all day, do we?”
Instead, he waved teasingly, prompting Ariana to smirk and take slow steps forward.
“Alright… let’s go.”
No sooner had the words left her mouth than Ariana moved faster than the blink of an eye, closing the distance between them instantly.
Reacting reflexively, Lux summoned the Angelic Weapon just in time to realize…
‘I can’t block this!’
Ariana’s previously faint sword aura now blazed brightly under the moonlight.
The moment her blade collided with Lux’s angelic weapon…
“!”
In an instant, the angel’s arm disappeared as if it were never there.
***
“Woah.”
Gasps of awe filled the air as Ariana cleanly severed the angelic arm.
Just moments ago, she had been struggling against Lux, yet now she’d successfully turned the tables.
Her radiant moonlit blade wasn’t just a mere sword aura anymore—it was clearly something greater:
The unmistakable mark of mastery—Aura.
“Does Professor Allen know what technique this is?”
Cain asked hesitantly, visibly shaken by how quickly Ariana had ascended to Mastery.
“I’ve never seen Ariana like this before. Never.”
I shrugged, though I had my suspicions.
Her current state reminded me of my ultimate technique, Blood Demon Form.
Clearly, some special skill that temporarily amplifies her potential.
And its origin could only be one thing.
“Likely the Family Skill of the Selene House.”
“Family Skill… Yes, that must be it.”
Cain sighed wistfully.
Watching a student surpass him must be bittersweet, especially since Ariana had briefly touched the threshold of Mastery while Cain himself still lingered at Expert level.
Perhaps even jealousy crept into his heart, unnoticed.
“Hmph… Seems I still have far to go. And here I am, unable to congratulate her properly, instead feeling envious of her growth.”
Cain shook his head, taking a deep breath as if steadying himself.
I admired his ability to recognize and reflect on his shortcomings in such a short span.
Maybe his mental discipline rivals that of true Masters?
“As I said before, once the Olympiad concludes, let’s spar. And I’ll see what I can do about getting you accepted into the Golden Way Zodiacs.”
“Yes, yes…?!”
Cain’s voice shot up in surprise.
I grinned softly.
“That’s what connections are for. As the esteemed head professor of this prestigious academy, shouldn’t I help foster your growth? After all, the academy’s reputation depends on it. Eventually, I’ll leave Minerva anyway.”
Once you commit yourself, Minerva becomes your alma mater.
Its progress benefits everyone involved.
“You mean… surely not?”
Angela’s eyes sparkled with hopeful anticipation, shared by the other magic department professors.
Hmm, hadn’t thought that far ahead—but why not?
“I’ll try mentioning it to the Infantry Palace too. Though they’re always busy, we’ll see how it goes. Oh, and Duke Helios might be worth asking as well.”
Given how fond he is of me, it’s worth a shot.
“The Tower Master will teach me… Magic…!”
So overwhelmed with emotion, Angela fainted right there.
“Ah, Professor Angela!”
“Snap out of it!”
As the other professors scrambled around the unconscious Angela, I quietly gazed back toward the arena.
The conclusion was nearing.
“Who will win, I wonder?”
***
KWAANG-!
“Guh…!”
Under the heavy impact, Lux hastily activated Blink.
Another portion of the angelic form disintegrated under Ariana’s relentless assault.
Regenerating it consumed vast amounts of mana, taxing his spiritual power despite its seemingly infinite nature.
[Is a mage’s spiritual power truly infinite?]
Allen’s sharp voice echoed in Lux’s mind, grounding him during this critical moment.
“…I won’t lose.”
[Stellar Magic: Stella Lumen]
BOOM!
Panting heavily, Lux managed to halt Ariana’s charge.
“Haa… Haa…”
From the settling dust cloud emerged Ariana, taunting him.
“Tired already? Your attacks aren’t as strong as before.”
Ariana herself wasn’t unscathed.
The moonlight surrounding her had dimmed significantly.
Despite her best efforts to hide it, her breathing grew increasingly labored.
“And yours isn’t either.”
“Should I be surprised? It’s obvious you’re trying to suppress your breathing.”
Both combatants had reached their limits.
They understood the end was near.
“…”
“…”
Words became unnecessary.
Lux and Ariana silently prepared their final strikes.
[Stellar Magic: Angelus Judicium]
[Moonlight Swordplay: Total Eclipse]
Blinding light clashed as the radiant starlight met the shimmering moonlight.
!!!
An unprecedented flash of light engulfed the entire arena, rising high above the capital of the Sirius Empire, Milein.
As the light faded and the dust settled…
The devastated arena revealed itself.
“…”
After a brief silence, the recovering audience noticed something crucial:
Ariana’s sword resting gently against Lux’s throat.
Devoid of Aura or even a trace of sword energy, her blade appeared disappointingly plain compared to the spectacle they’d witnessed.
Yet the crowd understood.
Ariana had defeated the princess.
WAAAH…?
Before the audience could cheer—
“Tch. I lost.”
With a relieved smile, Ariana collapsed.
“…”
Struggling to announce the victor, the commentator paused, then shouted dramatically.
“Lux Stella Sirius!!! The Empire’s precious jade leaf advances to the semifinals after an intense battle!!!”
WAH WAH WAH!!!
Only after the official announcement did the cheers erupt from the stands.
“…Good job.”
Exhausted, Lux smiled faintly at the fallen Ariana.
[Olympiad Quarterfinals: Lux Stella Sirius vs Ariana Selene]
Winner: Lux Stella Sirius
