"Is that... Sharkai Bai?!"

Zhiminghan, seated outside the arena, spotted Sharkai Bai stepping onto the field.

She hadn’t expected him to be so bold. Hands clasped at her chest, she stared intently at Bai, worry tightening her throat.

The two apprentices who’d been chatting near Sharkai Bai earlier now stood frozen. Their jaws dropped so low they nearly dislocated, shock silencing them completely as he swaggered in and issued his challenge.

Inside the arena, Fuxifa swept a disdainful glance over Sharkai Bai. The boy stood before him and Wilkor in a D-rank magic uniform. "Good," Fuxifa sneered. "Let’s see if you can survive a single strike from me."

Just an ordinary apprentice with zero magical aura—Fuxifa didn’t even blink. He flicked his wrist lazily. A massive black curtain surged toward Sharkai Bai.

*(Is this Sharkai Bai? Could it be Enchantment magic?)*

Wilkor stayed rooted in place. He sensed a faintly different aura from Bai now—and those purple pupils. He’d watch first. See how this boy handled Fuxifa’s attack.

The black curtain rushed at him. Sharkai Bai clenched his right fist and punched straight through it.

No tricks. No flourishes. Just raw force slamming into the darkness.

"What? Impossible!" Fuxifa gasped, disbelief twisting his face.

Before the dueling ground, Cecilia Xuelian sat quietly beside Sharkai Manwei. She smiled. "Your grandson is impressive."

Sharkai Manwei could only force a stiff grin. His mind was blank with shock.

The entire academy erupted.

Sharkai Bai’s punch had shattered the black curtain into nothing.

Unbelievable!

Even Fuxifa reeled in confusion. Could S-rank student council president Elucia have deflected his magic like this?

"What power does this apprentice truly hold..."

Above the arena, Elucia’s gaze sharpened. She focused on the white-haired boy who couldn’t cast a single spell.

First, he’d one-shot an A-rank mage. Then, he’d punched a hole through binding magic barehanded. Now, he’d shattered Fuxifa’s attack with one blow. Even she couldn’t fathom how.

Only Sharkai Bai knew. His "One Hit Kill" ability no longer targeted just flesh.

He lunged at the stunned Fuxifa. Fist rocketing toward the man’s face.

"Hmph. Can *you* survive my strike, oh mighty A-rank mage?"

Fuxifa snapped awake only when the knuckles pressed against his skin. Too late. Agony exploded. Humiliation burned. He’d been one-shot.

*(I... lost!... One-shot?)*

Fuxifa’s mind went dark as he flew backward.

Boom!

He crashed outside the arena, tumbling over a dozen times before stopping. Elucia barked orders for healing mages to staunch his bleeding.

"Not bad spirit, Sharkai Bai," Wilkor called out, eyes alight with excitement. That punch felt far stronger than the last one he’d taken.

"Your turn. You’re Wilkor, right?" Sharkai Bai’s voice cut off. He was already dashing toward Wilkor. "I’ll take the No.3 title."

Another punch. Raw power tearing through the air.

"Heavenly Explosion: Devour!" Black aura erupted from Wilkor, swallowing him whole.

One Hit Kill collided with the swirling darkness.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!"

A blinding flash swallowed both fighters. Dust choked the arena.

*(Bai... are you okay...?)* Zhiminghan’s eyes stayed locked on the field.

Thick dust still swirled, hiding everything.

"Is this really a mage duel...?" Ozbel muttered, staring blankly. Mages were supposed to be elegant. This shattered his entire image.

"Not bad. You actually took my punch head-on."

"Cough, cough. Don’t joke. My bones are about to snap."

The dust cleared. Sharkai Bai and Wilkor stood meters apart. Wilkor’s uniform hung in tatters. Blood streaked his skin.

"Taking your full-power punch is no joke, you monster!"

"Full power? Ridiculous."

Wilkor grinned wildly despite swaying on his feet. "My Berserk Mode’s over. You win."

Purple faded from Sharkai Bai’s eyes, replaced by dull black. Exhaustion crashed over him. Wounds flared with doubled pain. He staggered toward the exit, steps unsteady.

The moment Sharkai Bai stepped out of the arena, Wilkor collapsed.

"Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Cheers exploded across Celestial Carving Academy’s grounds. That white-haired boy was terrifyingly strong. His brutal style left the apprentices breathless.

"Phew. Thank goodness—it’s over!" Zhiminghan exhaled, relief washing over her.

"Carry the vice president down," Elucia ordered her council members. Wilkor’s defeat had stunned her. Technically, challenger Sharkai Bai lost—he hadn’t beaten both opponents. But she’d never expected the No.3 to fall so fast.

The cheers honored more than the duel. They honored Sharkai Bai and Wilkor for delivering it.

Ranked 3150th, challenging the 15th and 3rd—he hadn’t claimed the title, but his strength was undeniable.

Dean Dishi watched Sharkai Bai’s retreating back. "What a shame. If he’d faced only Fuxifa, the 15th rank would be his. Two-on-one? Fail to beat both, and it counts as loss."

Cecilia Xuelian’s eyes darted after her fiancé’s duel. She was scheming something.

*(As expected... has it been too long since I used it?)*

Under the tree-lined path back to the dorms, Sharkai Bai leaned against a trunk. Exhaustion and pain overwhelmed him. He slid down, unconscious beneath the shade.

Magic splits into elements: the five natural ones, plus rare anomalous types. Human mages categorize it into schools—Release, Absorption, Summoning, Combat, Enchantment. Exceptional apprentices master multiple schools. Student council president Elucia commands Release, Absorption, and Summoning—a testament to her freakish talent. Vice president Wilkor dominates the Combat school, demanding both magical prowess and a rugged physique. At Celestial Engraved Magic Academy, A-rank peak apprentices all wield multiple schools. These geniuses make the academy legendary across Aire Continent.