After Virelle's class.
Enrico stared at Alenya with determination, while the girl began sweating under the pressure of his gaze. Around them, several students watched the situation with tense expressions, and some already had beads of sweat running down their foreheads.
"I really want to make this happen today."
"Isn't that too soon? Today is only the first day of classes."
"Sorry, but I couldn't hold myself back when I saw you."
Enrico's words only made the situation worse. Although the two were discussing the possibility of fighting for the ranking, the way he expressed himself made the conversation sound much stranger than it should have. The students who arrived after the challenge was issued were also confused when they noticed their classmates' expressions.
Kai, who was standing right behind him, looked around before approaching Valença.
"This is strange, don't you think?"
"Even if they're interpreting everything the wrong way, I'll be the next one to fight her."
Liam, who had just arrived with the others, heard the declaration and looked at Valença with concern.
"That's going too far."
However, when he noticed Valença's murderous glare, he decided not to continue. Looking behind her, he saw that the other girls seemed to agree with that decision. Caelan also showed a desire to intervene, but after exchanging a glance with Liam, he decided it was better to remain quiet.
'I feel sorry for Miss Alenya, but I'd rather stay alive.'
Enrico, oblivious to the silent discussion taking place among the spectators, turned his attention back to the girl in front of him.
"Accept the challenge, and I guarantee you'll have fun."
"All right, I understand! Just stop saying things like that, and let's get to the arena already!"
Realizing that practically every student around them was watching, Alenya blushed with embarrassment and hurried toward the arena. Enrico followed her without showing any concern.
Liam shook his head, feeling sorry for the girl.
"I think he won through sheer pressure."
"I hope she's okay."
Caelan also seemed concerned. However, as soon as they noticed the other students rushing to watch the fight, they decided to follow them.
After all, since classes had begun, few students from the first year's Top 10 had accepted public challenges. A battle involving someone ranked that highly would certainly attract everyone's attention.
Kai walked beside Valença, observing the commotion.
"Is that Klaus over there? He also seems interested in watching the fight, although he doesn't look very excited."
"Of course he's interested. If Enrico defeats Alenya, Klaus will be the next to receive a challenge. He probably wants to observe Enrico's abilities to find a weakness."
"Besides, Klaus had previously reached fourth place before being defeated by me. Now that he's among the participants in the qualifiers, he probably doesn't want to lose his ranking."
Elaris's voice came from behind the two.
The young woman walked quickly to catch up with the group, keeping her eyes on the arena. For her, the fight would also be a valuable opportunity to observe the two combatants. The more information she could gather about talented people like Enrico, the greater her chances of convincing them to help her reclaim her kingdom.
'Today, I'll convince Enrico to become my subordinate. That way, I'll be able to attract other talents to my side. Besides, I can help him with his fire cancer. I don't see how he could refuse an offer like that.'
Kai and Valença exchanged a glance and quickened their pace, overtaking Elaris. The fight was about to begin, and neither of them wanted to miss the start.
When they entered the arena, they found Enrico at one end and Alenya at the other.
"We made it in time."
"Yes, but we're in the last row."
Valença complained as she looked at the packed seats.
Elaris entered shortly after them and headed straight for the front rows, where the student council's vice president was controlling access to the best seats. Without wasting any time, she managed to secure a spot from which she could observe the entire arena.
In the center of the field, Professor Zenaria had already taken on the role of judge. Apparently, she had encountered the two students along the way and decided to supervise the fight personally.
After confirming that the participants were in position, Zenaria raised her hand.
"If you're ready, you may begin."
"Light Ray!"
Alenya attacked immediately, not wanting to give Enrico time to take the initiative. A beam of light shot toward him, but he shifted his body to the side, allowing the attack to pass close to his shoulder.
'Just as I thought. The fact that the magic is light-based doesn't mean it has extraordinary speed.'
[That's because it's still a Second Circle spell.]
Since Alenya needed to move her arms, cast the spell, and launch it, Enrico could anticipate her movements. The spell was still too simple to pose a serious threat to someone with his reaction speed.
'Well, that'll change when she reaches higher levels.'
As soon as his feet touched the ground, he propelled himself forward and disappeared from his original position. The next instant, he appeared behind the girl.
Alenya realized what was happening too late.
"That's on the same level as..."
Before she could finish the sentence, Enrico struck her shoulder and sent her flying to the side. The force of the blow was just as impressive as the speed with which he had approached her.
[Your physical capabilities are on the same level as those of Rank 1. In fact, your body is even superior to hers in some aspects, mainly because of the enhancement you received after sacrificing your circle.]
'Don't even remind me of that. I still feel pain because of that sacrifice... But it's good to know that I've physically surpassed the other students. I'm still below her, though.'
Victoria, Rank 1, represented the pinnacle of human potential within that generation. Both her magic and her physical capabilities were at the limit that someone of her circle could reach. Surpassing her would require much more than brute strength.
Even so, Enrico had already managed to bring his body close to that level.
'No. I need to make it even stronger.'
Alenya regained her balance and attacked again. This time, several blades of light shot toward Enrico, covering different angles to prevent him from escaping easily.
He moved between the attacks, dodging every blade without suffering a single injury.
When he sensed movement coming from the side, he turned his head and saw Alenya approaching with a light-coated kick. Enrico raised his hand and caught her leg before the blow could hit him. Then he twisted his body and threw her against the ground. The impact created cracks across the arena's surface.
Zenaria frowned as she observed the damage.
'As the judge, I'll have to repair all this later...'
Alenya quickly tried to get back up and threw a punch at Enrico. He dodged her fist, intercepted her arm, and countered with another strike. Although the girl managed to block the attack, its force dragged her several steps backward.
Enrico carefully observed her stance.
'Those movements... They're the Combat Saint's. It seems she awakened it ahead of time.'
[Who in this academy isn't awakening something ahead of time?]
'You're right.'
The ability Enrico was referring to was related to the Combat Saint. Alenya was the chosen saint of this generation, whose unique ability manifested through the holy sword. Inside that weapon were the essences of previous saints, who had sacrificed their lives to increase its power.
Alenya was supposed to awaken this ability at some point in the future, but events seemed to be unfolding ahead of schedule.
'Of course, if I weren't here, perhaps everything would happen at the right time.'
[How confident of you.]
Enrico ignored the comment and began concentrating his magic throughout his body. He decided to end the fight before Alenya had time to adapt to his movements.
The girl barely had time to notice the change when a fire clone began forming behind her.
'I'm not going to give her time to counterattack.'
Enrico appeared behind Alenya. When she sensed his presence, she looked over her shoulder and saw several fists approaching rapidly.
If those blows hit her, she would suffer considerable injuries.
With no other choice, Alenya raised both hands and closed her eyes.
"I surrender!"
Enrico immediately stopped his attack, and Zenaria raised her hand, officially ending the fight.
"Enrico wins!"
Alenya sat on the ground and took a deep breath, trying to catch her breath. She didn't want to lose her position in the ranking, but she knew she couldn't continue without taking an unnecessary risk.
In truth, she no longer wanted to face Danyana, and the situation had become even more complicated because the Church seemed interested in Enrico for reasons she didn't understand. Refusing that challenge hadn't been a simple option either.
While the students discussed the victory, Enrico turned his attention to the stands.
"All right, let's move on to the next one. You up there! Your name is Klaus, the Rank 5, right? I'd like to challenge you to a fight."
Klaus, who had watched the entire fight in silence, kept his eyes fixed on Enrico. His expression was serious, but he didn't seem surprised by the challenge.
After a few seconds, he stood up and nodded, accepting the request.
Zenaria sighed and returned to the center of the arena.
However, before she could start the fight, Klaus spoke.
"I surrender. You can have my rank."
Enrico blinked once but answered without hesitation.
"I gladly accept. Thank you."
Klaus nodded.
"I'm the one who should thank you."
Silence fell over the arena.
The students looked at one another, trying to understand what had just happened. Some stood with their mouths open, while others looked from Klaus to Enrico, waiting for one of them to explain the unexpected decision.
After all, Klaus didn't seem like someone who would give up his position so easily. And to make the situation even stranger, Enrico showed no surprise whatsoever. His face remained neutral, as if he had already known this would happen.