Asher woke up the next day and went to class.

Professor Elisa appeared in the classroom, took attendance, and then announced, "There will be a sparring class today. You are only allowed to use magic—no weapons are permitted. Your opponents will be selected based on the same strength level as yours."

But then she stopped, moved her gaze toward Asher, and said in a serious tone, "And you will be fighting a 2nd-year student for this year’s sparring match."

Asher replied calmly, "This is unfair. Why would I have to fight a 2nd-year student? Those 2nd-years are probably at least Peak Gold Rank by now, while I am only Gold Rank. Do you have a grudge against me or something?"

Professor Elisa ignored the last part of Asher’s claim and replied, "The academy has decided to make an exception for you because your combat ability is already far beyond that of a normal 1st-year student. Fighting someone from your own year would no longer be beneficial for your growth."

Asher replied without much interest, "So I am basically being punished for being talented."

Professor Elisa answered calmly, "You can think whatever you want. The decision has already been made."

Professor Elisa then said, "The sparring match will begin in thirty minutes. Until then, everyone should head toward the training arena."

After saying that, she left the classroom.

The classroom immediately became noisy after Professor Elisa left.

One student said, "A 1st-year fighting a 2nd-year? Has something like this ever happened before?"

Another student replied, "Never. At least not that I know of."

Adam’s expression immediately stiffened after hearing that.

He quickly said, " Do not make it sound so weird. I am just excited to see you lose for once."

Asher replied calmly, "That still sounds strange."

Adam immediately defended himself, "I only meant that this arrogant idiot finally has a chance of getting humbled."

Asher glanced at him and said, "Unfortunately for you, your dream will most likely remain a dream."

Adam clicked his tongue and said, "Your confidence is seriously irritating sometime"

Asher simply replied, "If this were a spar with weapons, then things might have been different. But when it comes to using only spells, there is no student who can compare to me in that area."

Noah and Adam looked at each other for a second and sighed. They knew he was telling the truth because it was almost impossible to beat this guy in mana control. With his spell combinations, he was nearly untouchable.

Aria then asked, "What if weapons were allowed and this was a real battle instead of a spar? Would you lose then?"

Asher looked at her and said, "Nah, I’d still win."

Adam immediately said, "Can you stop saying things that make you sound like the final boss of the world?"

Asher looked at Adam and thought, "How does he know?, At the rate things are going, I will most likely end up becoming one."

After that, all four of them headed toward the arena.

When they arrived, many 2nd-year students were already present there.

Asher looked at them and said, "Do they not have classes or something else to do?"

Adam glanced at the crowd and replied, "A special match between a 1st-year and a 2nd-year is obviously going to attract attention."

Noah then added, "Especially when the 1st-year involved is you."

Then Professor Elisa appeared and started calling the names of various students for sparring matches.

The 1st-year students fought against each other until one of them was defeated.

After everyone’s matches were completed, Professor Elisa called for Asher.

The atmosphere around the arena immediately changed the moment Asher’s name was called.

Everyone looked at Asher as he walked toward the arena.

Professor Elisa looked toward the opposite side of the arena and said, "Kael Valtier, step forward."

A tall young man calmly walked into the arena without showing much emotion.

The moment the 2nd-year students saw him, many of them reacted with surprise.

"They actually sent Kael?"

"Looks like the academy is taking this seriously."

"Kael is one of the strongest students among the 2nd-years."

Kael stopped a few meters away from him and quietly observed him for a moment.

Then he said, "I have heard many rumors about you."

Asher did reply and just looked at him.

Professor Elisa stepped between them and said, "This match will follow the standard sparring rules. No lethal spells, and intentionally causing permanent injuries is prohibited."

Kael nooded.

Asher also nodded.

Professor Elisa then said"Begin".

Without wasting a second, Kael fired a fire arrow at extremely high speed.

Asher looked at the incoming fire arrow with indifference, summoned his mana blade, and vanished from his position.

The next moment, he appeared right in front of Kael, and with a mana blade in his hand, he slashed at him.

However, Kael, having a higher mana capacity and greater speed than Asher, easily dodged the attack without much effort.

Kael tried to make some distance between them, but as soon as he created some distance between them Asher vanished again and appeared beside him to attack him,but Kael again dodged.

Kael looked at Asher and said, "You are really an annoying opponent."

Asher did not reply, his focus fully fixed on Kael.

Without giving him any break, Asher suddenly appeared behind him again.

Kael released flames like a wave around his body in response.

Asher did not advance and instead retreated to avoid the fire.

Kael looked at Asher, then focused and fired fire spears and arrows toward him.

However, they were of no use, as they could not even land a hit.

But Kael never intended to hit him.

He only wanted Asher to deplete his mana reserves so that he would no longer be able to use spatial magic.

Asher, understanding this, stopped using spatial magic.

He simply advanced toward Kael without teleporting, knowing that surprise attacks would not affect him.

Kael kept his distance between them, knowing it would be dangerous to let him get too close.