Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest-Chapter 409 93.1 - Duels [3]

"Seraphina Frostborne and Irina Emberheart."

Possibly the two most known students of the academy when their names are called together.

The reason?

It is evident from their surnames.

Frostborne.

Emberheart.

Two legendary families who command the elements of ice and fire.

Eternal Rivalry, one might even say.

After all, they possess two opposite attributes.

Ice and fire have always been compared to each other, being used against nullifying each other. When there is ice, one always calls fire elemental, and when there is fire, one calls ice.

However, is it simply related to the elements?

Just because one possessed opposing attributes didn't mean that they would be required to be enemies.

And, well….The reason for their rivalry and hostility lay in….Slightly complex issues, let's say.

But at the end of the day, one thing was clear.

There, in the arena that would be housing the final day of the duels…Two heirs of these families stood face to face.

On one side, a girl with clear silver hair, an icy demeanor, and a cold, calculating gaze stood. Seraphina Frostborne. Her presence was regal and commanding, and each step she took exuded confidence and grace. She wore a special dress adorned with intricate silver ornaments and embroidery, reflecting the Frostborne family's traditional attire. The gown shimmered in the light, the fabric seemingly woven with threads of ice, creating a breathtaking effect. The dress was not merely decorative; it symbolized the legacy and honor of the Frostborne family, a reminder of their storied history and unyielding resolve.

It was completely breathtaking.

"Wow."

Even if her reputation as the first-ranked student had already spread to the academy, that didn't mean everyone knew about her beauty.

And certainly, they were not expecting to see such a scene.

It was as if they had come to a beauty festival.

Her icy blue eyes surveyed the arena with a calm, detached intensity, calculating every possible move and counter. There was precision in her every movement, a testament to years of rigorous training and discipline. She was a true embodiment of her family's legacy, a beacon of the Frostborne's enduring strength and elegance.

–SWOOSH! Suddenly, the wind moved, taking their gaze from her to the other side.

Opposite her stood Irina Emberheart, a striking contrast with her fiery red hair and hazel eyes that seemed to blaze with an inner fire. Irina's presence was equally commanding, her confidence radiating in waves. She wore a dress that was a testament to the Emberheart family's proud heritage. The gown was a rich, deep crimson adorned with gold embroidery that flickered like flames in the light. It was a traditional Emberheart dress designed to symbolize the fierce passion and strength that defined their lineage.

Irina's gaze locked onto Seraphina, her eyes alight with a blend of determination and arrogance. A confident, almost smug smile played on her lips, befitting her usual demeanor. She stood with a poised readiness, every muscle coiled and prepared for the imminent clash.

But, inwardly, her eyes were looking across the stage, her mind thinking.

'Indeed, as I thought. She did such a trick.'

It was a move expected from Seraphina Frostborne. This whole rivalry had made them understand each other more, and Irina was certainly aware of the fact that Seraphina liked to resort to psychological tactics before fighting.

Thus, she matched her advances. By doing that, she somehow got praise from that woman.

Even though she hated doing what she desired from her, Irina wasn't stupid enough not to discern the priorities.

The amphitheater was buzzing with excitement as the crowd took in the sight of Seraphina Frostborne and Irina Emberheart. The sheer elegance and contrasting fiery presence of the two combatants captivated everyone.

"Wow," someone whispered in awe. "Seraphina is stunning. I had heard about her beauty, but seeing her in person..."

"She looks like a queen made of ice," another person added, their voice filled with admiration. "That dress is incredible. It's like something out of a fairy tale."

Even the girls in the crowd couldn't help but acknowledge Seraphina's ethereal beauty. "She's so elegant. It's almost intimidating," one girl admitted, her eyes wide with admiration.

But just as the praise for Seraphina reached its peak, eyes turned towards the fiery presence on the other side of the arena.

"Don't forget about Irina," another voice chimed in. "She's just as stunning in her own way. Look at her, standing there with that confident smile."

"Yeah, if Seraphina is a cold, elegant queen, then Irina is like a warrior princess. She looks like she could take on the world alone."

"Her dress is amazing, too," someone else noted. "The way it flickers like flames... It's a perfect representation of the Emberheart family."

'As expected, our miss is definitely improving.'

In the crowd stood a woman looking at Irina. She had a slightly proud expression on her face. After all, she was like a mother to this girl.

As the two combatants stood facing each other, the announcer's voice boomed through the amphitheater. "Ladies and gentlemen, the final day of the duel period begins now! Our first duel features Seraphina Frostborne versus Irina Emberheart. Let the duel begin!"

The crowd erupted into applause and cheers, the excitement reaching a fever pitch. The significance of this duel was not lost on anyone present. It was more than just a fight; it was a clash of legacies, a battle between two of the academy's most formidable freshmen mages.

Seraphina's icy blue eyes met Irina's fiery gaze. There was no need for words; their determination and rivalry spoke volumes.

The announcer's voice rang out, breaking the tension. "Ladies and gentlemen, the duel between Seraphina Frostborne and Irina Emberheart is about to begin! Are both contestants ready?"

Seraphina and Irina nodded, their eyes never leaving each other. The air around them seemed to crackle with the intensity of their rivalry.

"Begin!"

CREAK! In an instant, the arena was transformed into a battlefield of elemental forces. Seraphina moved first, her hands weaving intricate patterns in the air as she summoned her ice magic.

「Frostborne Shards」

SWOOSH! A flurry of ice shards materialized around her, glinting in the light as they shot toward Irina with deadly precision.

An innate skill of the Frostborne Family that each heir was taught the moment they learned how to use their mana. Even if not for heirs, every mage under the Frostborne family would master this spell. Fast conjuring and least taxing on the mana circuits made this spell incredibly efficient.

SWIRL! 「Flame Barrier」

Irina responded with a wave of her hand, conjuring a wall of flames that incinerated the ice shards on contact.

The heat from her flames created a shimmering barrier, protecting her from Seraphina's initial assault.

The arena seemed to transform into a battlefield of ice and fire, the contrasting elements clashing in a mesmerizing display of power and skill. Seraphina's icy demeanor contrasted sharply with Irina's fiery presence, each movement precise and calculated.

–CREAK! Seraphina continued her assault, her icy blue eyes focused and unwavering. She conjured an array of ice constructs, sending them hurtling toward Irina in a relentless barrage.

「School of Frostborne. Glacial Constructs」

Ice spears, shards, and even frozen winds swirled around her, each attack meticulously controlled.

–SWOOSH! Irina, however, was not easily overwhelmed. She matched Seraphina's aggression with her own fiery resolve, summoning flames to counter every ice attack. The arena was filled with the sizzle and crackle of ice meeting fire, the air thick with steam and energy.

Seraphina's precision was remarkable. She conserved her mana with expert efficiency, never wasting an ounce of energy. Every ice shard, every gust of freezing wind was perfectly calculated to keep Irina on the defensive.

Whenever Irina tried to launch an attack of her own, Seraphina was ready with a counter, her ice magic smothering the flames before they could take hold.

"Tch."

Irina clicked her tongue as she couldn't help but feel frustrated. It was always like this when she went against this bitch.

There was something that made Seraphina different from other mages. As if she could foresee the future, she always efficiently handled the defense without leaving any opening.

But even to this day, she was never able to understand how she did it.

The crowd watched in awe as Seraphina maintained her aggressive onslaught, her control over her magic flawless.

'No matter what, I won't lose here.' Irina, though struggling to break through, was not deterred. She met each challenge with fiery determination, her flames roaring in defiance.

"Haha….."

Irina took a deep breath, her hazel eyes blazing with intensity. She knew she had to turn the tide of the battle. With a powerful sweep of her arm, she conjured a massive wave of fire, aiming to engulf Seraphina in a fiery inferno.

「School of Emberheart. Draining Wave」

Seraphina's response was swift. She conjured a barrier of ice, the freezing temperatures countering the heat of Irina's flames.

「School of Frostborne. Frozen Bastion」

The clash of elements created a stunning display, the ice barrier shimmering as it absorbed the fiery onslaught.

Even though the barrier melted at the end, the amount was so accurate that almost no ice was left.

"Grr….".

Irina gritted her teeth.

'I need to change it.'

She knew she needed to change her strategy.

'I will move fast.' She began to weave her flames with more finesse, focusing on precise, targeted strikes rather than overwhelming force.

She aimed for Seraphina's defenses, seeking out weak points and exploiting them with pinpoint accuracy.

Seraphina, however, anticipated each move. Her ice magic was like a dance, each motion fluid and graceful. She deflected Irina's attacks with ease, her icy constructs moving with a life of their own.

Whenever Irina attempted to gain ground, Seraphina countered with a flurry of ice shards, keeping her at bay.

*******

"She is not doing enough."

Irina was a strong student.

She was an excellent mage.

However, her opponent was strong as well.

'Seraphina.'

She had a special talent that was only mentioned in the game but not revealed. For the player who chose the Irina route and faced Seraphina, her patterns were a nightmare.

Since no matter what you do, her artificial intelligence is top-notch. She had almost the best input reading in the game.

Her patterns changed according to the movements you made, according to the spells you had chosen.

She was basically a cheat when it came to the mage one-on-ones. And, for the players who wanted to beat her, there was only one choice.

'Overpowering her with firepower.'

Irina was such a character. Rather than always thinking about the details, she innately controlled the fire. The fire was her servant, and it served her. That was it.

She would beat Seraphina by commanding the fire and using one of the strongest spells, just like Ethan did.

'But not the current one.' After all, she was bound to lose this fight from the start. This was not a changeable option in the game.

Since Irina doesn't have the power to empower Seraphina at this point in her life.

But does that mean she can't win?

'Show me if you really have changed.'

All the times we had spent together, after all those times, she became different.

She became someone who could apologize, who could listen to others, and who knew how to open herself up.

And most importantly.

She became someone who understood the importance of learning from everyone and that pride is useless if it is holding you back.

As I was thinking to myself, suddenly, I felt a presence beside me.

"What do you think?" A familiar voice that made me want to facepalm. However, her disguise was pretty good, so I held it back.

"Seraphina is pretty good, isn't she?" Lilia analyzed the fight, her eyes darting.

"She is."

"It seems Irina still can't beat her rival."

"I wouldn't be this sure."

"Hmm....Why? From how I see, Seraphina is never going to give Irina a chance."

Lilia's thoughts were correct. From how the fight was playing, it was evident that Irina wouldn't be able to overcome Seraphina.

"Wait and see."

"Haha....I can't wait to see."

With a smile, she turned to face the fight, and I did the same too.

And I slowly started understanding how Seraphina's special ability worked.