Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1230: The Duel of Famous Students

Sora found himself frozen in shock the instant he comprehended that this was truly unfolding.

He was already familiar with Rice, having always strived to become strong enough to overcome him... Not to demonstrate that Vale had chosen the incorrect apprentice, but rather to bring honor to his own master!

Moreover, Rice was gaining renown... He was the individual whose presence already overshadowed practice bouts, the whispered follower of Shane, no less.

His pulse raced wildly, yet Chad’s declaration allowed no space for doubt.

"You must emerge victorious," Chad insisted once more.

"Should you prevail, I'll bestow upon you a superior draconic relic. A armament crafted from dragon scales and infused with dragon’s breath, a tool befitting your essence. Should you fall short, it won't spell doom. You'll push your training further, enduring more, until you ascend once again. But defeat brings no prizes."

Sora gripped his hands tightly, his Draconic Aura subtly emanating around him. The allure of such a relic was immense, but even greater was the burden of Chad’s directive. He lowered his head in respect...

"I'll give everything I have, Master," he declared resolutely. "I won't squander the blood and essence you've bestowed upon me."

Chad grinned, confident in his choice of a promising pupil.

"Excellent. Keep in mind, you'll gradually transform into a Half-Dragon Arcanist, surpassing all others. Simply demonstrate you're worthy of these transformations."

***

In another part of the academy, Rice positioned himself opposite Denise in a serene room. The parchments she'd provided him months earlier were spread out on the desk, their illustrations firmly imprinted in his mind.

At that moment, Rice’s weakened form still throbbed from his recent drills when Denise summoned him. Nevertheless, his gaze burned with resolve.

Upon learning he had to clash with Sora, he experienced no anxiety whatsoever.

Denise observed him intently for an extended pause before she began.

"You've performed admirably, Rice. Vale committed these resources to my care, and you've proven reliable. Your reflexes remain keen as always... In truth, keener than many fighters double your years. Yet, as you're aware, raw reflexes won't suffice against Chad’s protégé."

Rice’s jaw set firmly. "Sora."

Though the majority of his peers remained unaware, he understood that Sora was under the tutelage of a Dragon Immortal!

Indeed, even if Sora couldn't yet display overt Draconic Powers, it would undoubtedly accelerate his progress.

Sora had to be nearing the rank of a First-Class Arcanist, empowered by Dragon’s Blood and Essence!

"Precisely," Denise affirmed. "We mustn't disregard him, given his dragon blood lineage. His presence isn't commonplace. But neither are you. Vale recognizes your promise. Don't view yourself as inferior. See yourself as exacting. Make every blow decisive. Ensure every action holds purpose, and if you battle without mental collapse, victory is yours."

Rice inclined his head gradually while balling his hand into a fist.

"I've faced underestimation my entire life. Now, I'll reveal my true power."

Denise’s mouth hinted at a subtle smile.

"Well said. Bear in mind, you're supported. You've earned Vale’s favor. Engage as though it's the grand Competition already..."

It wasn't long until the duel day dawned.

The academy’s vast coliseum brimmed with pupils, instructors, and even everyday Arcanists eager to witness student skirmishes.

That said, prior to Sora and Rice’s confrontation, a different contest was in progress.

Two seniors from the fourth year in Dark Arts, specializing in Necromancy, squared off on one of the platforms, drawing substantial interest.

Evidently, they'd just concluded hurling hexes and countering enchantments to nullify each other's weakening incantations.

Next, they called forth undead beings, and chaos erupted! From Skeleton Knights to Mummies, Wraiths, and Zombies!

Yet they were evenly poised! They even triggered Corpse Explosion simultaneously, harming themselves in the process.

With both sides diminished, one hoisted his staff, invoking a Skeleton Mage.

The entity emerged from the earth, its bones rattling ominously... Then, hollow eye sockets ignited with azure flames. It elevated its bony limbs and commenced weaving spells of ice and darkness.

The rival necromancer's Dark Energy was nearly depleted... Even so, his energy signaled unyielding resolve!

Using his remaining Dark Energy, he conjured five ghouls! These were grotesque fiends with decaying skin and talons oozing poison. They lunged ahead, betting the Mage's sluggishness would let them close the gap.

The Skeleton Mage held firm, intoning in an archaic mystical tongue...

Before long, surges of shadowy force burst from its grasp, impaling the ghouls sequentially!

The coliseum trembled amid the fierce exchange... The ghouls clawed at skeletal frames as the mage demolished them with arcane bursts!

For an instant, the ghouls' multitude appeared poised to overrun.

However, the Skeleton Mage’s safeguards and offensive might proved superior. It encased two ghouls in ice, pulverized a third with a torrent of shadow flames, and ultimately loosed a barrage of bone fragments that skewered the final pair.

It proved a captivating showdown. The spectators erupted in applause as the solitary Skeleton Mage triumphed over the five ghouls!

Nonetheless, the victor stood determined, though it soon dissolved into powder. The summoner who had called it inclined his head to acknowledge the onlookers, while his foe dropped to his knees in surrender.

"Fine battle! We'll clash anew next occasion!"

Shortly after, pupils from Elemental Arts on the Battle Arena Committee surged in to mend the platform.

Fires were doused, fissures mended, and quickly, the platform gleamed anew.

Then, a further Committee member serving as Arbiter announced the upcoming bout.

"Upcoming clash: Rice from Combat Arts against Sora from Combat Arts!"

The audience roared with excitement, even if most were clueless about the combatants.

They simply relished witnessing another skirmish and expanding their knowledge. Yet, once the pair emerged, recognition dawned.

This stemmed from their first-year attire, revealing them as national team members!

Everyone recalled the Competition limited entrants to 15 and under, with the academy opting to field novices aged 12 or 13. As the event neared, increasing numbers of first-years flocked here to hone their abilities...

"Will they join the competition?"

"Likely... Both appear formidable."

"Indeed... Rumor has it Rice is Vale's personal disciple."

"Sora's probably just a sparring ally."

"They seem so young... Is dispatching 12-year-old Arcanists truly wise? Rival schools will field 15-year-olds... or those nearing 16 shortly."

"No issue... It's the Academy's bold statement to global Arcane institutions... Immortal Vale is proclaiming freshmen suffice to conquer the realm."

"Hahaha! That's brilliant!"

Before long, Sora advanced into the coliseum, his heart thumping fiercely, though his stride stayed resolute.

He barely registered the spectators' noise now.

Even so, his Draconic Aura seeped out momentarily...

After drawing a steady breath, he recalled Chad’s encouragement, the relic's pledge, the mandate to triumph.

He refused to falter here from mere jitters!

"I'll claim victory!"

Opposite him, Rice approached with composed poise.

His slender build looked mismatched in the expansive coliseum, yet his stare stayed locked.

Neither bore arms, relying solely on their essence and deeply etched methods.

The duo confronted one another, and abruptly, the throng hushed.

The Arbiter verified their preparedness...

Still, he restated the duel guidelines to prevent severe harm... Once they assented, the Arbiter lifted his arm. "Begin!"

As his words ended, energies ignited without delay.

Sora’s Draconic Aura erupted around him...

His demeanor crushed down on the coliseum like an impending tempest.

Rice’s energy contrasted sharply... It came across as honed and restrained.

Then, astonishing the viewers, they both assumed Iron Guard Form!

This was the core Spell and Technique of Combat Arts at the Academy!

Their postures held steadfast. That said, while Sora sought to amplify his Aura, Rice aimed to channel Sora’s Aura's pressure elsewhere!

Rice realized a direct assault would spell quick defeat against a form enhanced by draconic heritage. It was utterly lopsided, for even with his own Body Tempering Technique fortifying his frame, Dragon’s blood proved overwhelmingly potent.

Sora recognized this too, so once he'd adjusted to Rice’s Combat Aura, he surged ahead with a punch brimming with Draconic Aura!

This served to gauge Rice’s counter!

As anticipated, Rice evaded without parrying, employing Swift Step to sidestep and retaliate with Spirit Strike targeting Sora’s side.

Bam!

The strike connected precisely. However, Sora’s aura fully neutralized the force, rendering him unscathed!

The onlookers inhaled sharply as Sora smirked subtly. "Not bad."