Nero turned his blade toward the sky.
Fire burst from its edge.
A blazing arc rose through the rain, splitting the dark cloud and illuminating the forest.
BOOM!
The explosion scattered the storm's lower layers, sending steam rolling through the clearing.
The Water mage immediately tried to gather the scattered moisture.
Nero was already moving.
Lightning carried him across the battlefield.
He appeared before the Water mage, who hastily raised a shield of compressed water.
Nero's sword struck.
The shield burst apart.
Before the mage could recover, Nero swept his free hand forward.
A burst of fire engulfed the ground beneath the cadet, forcing him backward and disrupting his balance.
Nero followed with a lightning-charged strike.
The mage's bracelet flashed.
**Eliminated.**
Four down.
The Wind mage froze.
For a moment, the entire forest seemed to fall silent around him.
His companion was gone.
Three knights were gone.
Their carefully arranged ambush had collapsed.
