"Hah... Hah"
Ion stopped and watched as Cyril stood before him, panting and gasping heavily... Cyril had tried every move he could, but not a single strike had managed to reach Ion.
His movements were like a machine—deflecting with minimal energy and moving with the fewest motions possible. His strikes always landed an inch away from him, while Ion, when launching a counterattack, never missed his target. Even though Cyril could see Ion's incoming strikes, it was all in vain.
He felt increasing frustration, especially since he already had the advantage in terms of his own aura density...
"Shall we stop here?" Ion said lazily. There were no signs of fatigue on him.
"Wh-what a monster," one of the students muttered in awe.
Especially since they already knew how powerful Cyril Valerin was... He was ranked second in the class after Rin Evelyn.
Cyril could only change his expression to one of gloom. Even if this fight continued for the next week, he wouldn't even be able to touch the edges of Ion's clothes...
He muttered under his breath, barely audible, as a final attempt to preserve his wounded pride: "If I used even a little of my mana, you wouldn't be able to withstand a single move."
Ion suddenly said, "I don't mind if you use mana. It just makes things more serious."
Cyril's eyes lit up with hidden joy when he heard Ion. He barely opened his mouth before another voice suddenly interrupted them.
"No, that's forbidden. Ion, despite his strength, is just a first-year student... Cyril, how could you be so rude?"
It was Professor Ellara's voice as she walked before them. Her tone was sharp toward Cyril; she hadn't expected him to say this after his loss.
Cyril's expression suddenly dimmed, but he realized she was right. Even if he won, it wouldn't be a glorious victory...
But before he could speak to ease the situation in front of the professor, Ion suddenly spoke to the professor.
"Please, Professor, this is truly an important opportunity for me. I've never fought someone who has received the blessing of heaven and earth. I can't waste this chance to see a glimpse of their power." Ion's tone was serious and sincere.
Even Cyril himself, despite his anger at Ion, was impressed by this determination.
The professor hesitated for a moment, as this involved risks. If he was injured by any serious wounds that affected him—especially since Ion had a midterm exam—it would negatively impact him... She also didn't want to be called by that old fossil and scolded.
She continued to hesitate for a few seconds, but when she saw Ion's expectant eyes, she couldn't bring herself to refuse.
"Alright... but Cyril, you must restrain yourself," she said this while turning to Cyril with a serious tone.
Cyril nodded in agreement...
Then she stepped aside and left the arena, which had been destroyed by their previous fight.
Although she stood aside, she quietly circulated her mana within her body, preparing to intervene if the situation suddenly escalated.
Ion stood and watched Cyril, who began emitting a faint white glow... He sensed the pressure emanating from Cyril slightly, then muttered:
"White rank, mid-rank."
Then a serious expression formed on his face, and he adjusted his stance, leaning slightly forward like a tiger preparing to pounce...
Cyril suddenly said, "Get ready, I'm attacking now."
The students fell silent when they felt Cyril's suffocating pressure on them. They couldn't imagine the pressure concentrated on Ion now.
Unbeknownst to them, they had already retreated half a step back.
Cyril suddenly disappeared.
"So fast!" one of them exclaimed in surprise.
Multiples of Cyril's previous speed.
Then, in less than the blink of an eye, he appeared in front of Ion, his fist emitting a white glow heading directly toward Ion at a speed that boded ill.
Ion extended his hand, covered by an intensely concentrated bluish-white aura, to intercept Cyril's fist.
Cyril's fist quickly connected with Ion's palm.
But the scene the spectators expected—where Ion would be thrown far away—did not appear.
Instead, another scene made even Professor Ellara narrow her eyes slightly, though she wasn't truly surprised.
Cyril's eyes widened in surprise when he saw his fist stop in front of Ion's palm.
It pushed him back barely a step before stopping completely.
"Quite a strong punch. Now we can call this a fight," Ion smiled as he moved his wrist right and left.
Ion circulated his aura and attacked with force as well, not holding back. But this time, Cyril blocked it easily, and it posed no problem for him like before.
Before Cyril could rejoice and vent some of his previous grievances, a kick enhanced with aura arrived quickly toward his left side. He hastily shifted his body position slightly to barely avoid the kick, then kicked his leg to propel himself backward and give himself a small breather. Then he lunged with force toward Ion, who was already launching toward him. Their fists collided with each other, causing the ground beneath them to crack and the air around them to screech.
The force of the impact made both of them retreat, then they lunged again without giving the other any chance to rest.