My Family in the Novel?

Chapter 42: Joint Combat Exams 9

Throughout the many years of the academy's history, Cleave Hall had always been the venue for the joint combat exams, making it one of the three most prominent buildings in the school's student district.

At its core lay a beautifully designed Coliseum arena specifically dedicated for the upcoming exams.

The spectator seats were meticulously crafted, both comfortable and intricately designed, providing an atmosphere so welcoming that one might inadvertently doze off in the cozy chairs.

The floors and walls were polished to perfection, gleaming brightly in the well-lit environment.

It was only natural for a tournament ground meant for nobility to exude dignity and pride in every corner. As I settled into one of the spectator seats, I couldn't help but notice the delicate defensive magic placed around all the seats.

This enchantment served as a protective barrier in case the arena's protective shield were to break, safeguarding the audience from potential collateral damage.

Even though the school claimed that everyone was equal within its halls, they couldn't afford the consequences of students from prestigious noble families getting hurt in an accident.

Not to mention, the academy hosted royalty from various countries across the continent.

As I took my seat and settled in, I focused my attention on the ongoing combat practices in the center of the colosseum.

The highlight of the moment was the practice fight between Alex and Tristan. Sparks flew as their blades clashed with one another.

Despite the fact that they were merely warming up for their upcoming matches, the intensity and determination with which the two dueled made it appear as though the actual duel had already begun.

The audience was captivated, and most eyes were fixated on them as they engaged in this fiery spar prior to the senior students' arrival.

I couldn't help but wonder about the opponent Tristan would face now that William was no longer in the competition.

While I had already ensured that there were no direct ties between William's sudden disappearance and myself, having manipulated the principal with the assistance of my sister, a nagging part of me couldn't help but feel that I should have been more thorough in handling the situation. Even though there was no concrete evidence connecting me to the incident, the thought still lingered.

Another pressing concern was the unintended consequence of William's demise. This unexpected turn of events had disrupted the established narrative of the story.

Now, I found myself venturing into an uncharted future where my knowledge of the original novel's events would become increasingly irrelevant.

The certainty I once had was slipping away, and I was stepping into a future fraught with uncertainty.

The atmosphere in the colosseum grew as the second-year students made their entrance, and their anticipation was palpable.

They gathered around the center arena, eyes fixed on the upcoming talent that would soon join their ranks. It was evident that these first-year students possessed a special quality, which had already set them apart from their predecessors.

Among them, the sword master's disciple Tristan, Illusionist Bella, and Spirit Princess Louise, shone like constellations in the night sky. Their skills were so extraordinary that it was rumored that they had surpassed even some of the academy's own professors.

This exceptional batch of first-year students meant that the usually overwhelming victories of the second-year students in their combat exams were now questionable. The competitive spirit was alive, and everyone's focus was on the impending battles.

As the crowd's attention remained fixed on the intense fight between Tristan and Alex, their match reached its climax.

The clash of blades, the speed of their movements, and the sheer intensity of their duel was nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Finally, Tristan executed a powerful slash that sent Alex hurtling through the arena walls. With his dark blue hair tousled from the impact, Tristan approached his defeated opponent.

As everyone's focus remained on the intense fight below, Tristan and Alex's clash reached its peak.

A resounding "Bang!" echoed through the arena as Tristan delivered the final blow, sending Alex hurtling through the walls. His dark blue hair ruffled in the aftermath of the powerful strike.

"Thanks for the experience, but couldn't you have gone a bit easier on me? I have an upcoming fight, you know," Alex quipped with a grin as he accepted Tristan's hand to help him up from the wall.

Tristan chuckled. "Would you have preferred that?"

"Haha, definitely not!" Alex responded enthusiastically.

The battle unfolded in a flash, with Quinton making the first move. He cast a low-tier spell "Rock Shot" sending small to medium-sized rocks hurtling toward Aria.

However, Aria proved to be swift and nimble, immediately reacting by deploying her defensive magic to form an impervious barrier, effectively blocking all of Quinton's incoming attacks.

But Aria's strategy wasn't solely focused on defense. With remarkable agility, she invoked "Gale Winds" a low-tier spell that wrapped winds around her body, propelling her with incredible speed in a singular direction. In the blink of an eye, she closed the distance between herself and Quinton.

As she reached him, Aria astounded the crowd by adopting a more physical combat style, akin to that of a swordsman, even though she was primarily known as a mage. With swift and precise movements, she conjured a mid-tier spell "Water Blade."

The audience was taken aback, as they hadn't anticipated Aria adopting such a combat approach. However, while Quinton appeared slightly surprised by her unconventional fighting style, he was far from daunted.

As Aria surged forward with astonishing speed, ready to strike at Quinton with her water sword, the ground quaked beneath them.

In an instant, a wall of earth materialized right in front of her, a formidable mid-level spell, cast by Quinton without any need for chants or incantations.

Aria collided with the earth wall at high speed, but she managed to employ her defensive magic just in time to prevent herself from being injured.

Regaining her footing and attempting to reposition herself, Aria found Quinton already preparing for his next move. The ground rumbled once more, causing Aria to lose her balance. Suddenly, an enormous boulder hurtled toward her with astonishing speed. Without a clear plan, she channeled all her magical power to cast a high-tier defensive spell.

Boom!!

A thunderous explosion rocked the arena as the boulder collided with Aria's protective barrier. Electricity crackled and surged as the two powerful magics clashed against each other.

Despite her determination, the pressure from the colossal boulder weighed down upon Aria's barrier. Cracks began to form, and her defenses slowly crumbled under the overwhelming force.

Faced with the impending loss and not wishing to risk her safety any further, Aria made a swift decision. She declared her surrender.

"I surrender"

However, her declaration was met with an unexpected twist. Just as she acknowledged her defeat, three stone spears were launched toward her.

Aria watched in shock as Quinton, without hesitation, fired three mid-tier spells in her direction. In her vulnerable state, with her barrier compromised by the giant boulder above her, those stone spears threatening to pierce through her defenses would allow the boulder to crush her.

As Aria closed her eyes in anticipation of the impending disaster, the enormous boulder and the three stone spears hurtling toward her were obliterated to pieces, turning into molten rocks.

Before her stood Alex Darja, his entire body enveloped in a fiery aura that emitted an intense and heavy pressure, leaving the arena quaking under the sheer power he exuded.

Without holding back, he released his destructive aura, a display that sent shockwaves throughout the arena.

"What do you think you're doing senior?!" In a tone filled with anger and a touch of madness, Alex directed his question at Quinton, his fiery red eyes piercing through him.

The intensity of his animosity had reached its zenith, and Quinton was forced to take a few steps back, fully grasping the direness of the situation. The crowd, too, erupted into a whirlwind of conversations in response to the unexpected events, while the professors and medical staff hastened to intervene.

Seeking forgiveness, Quinton offered his apologies, "Please forgive me"

"It seems I got caught up in the heat of the moment and didn't even realize what I was doing" acknowledging that he had acted recklessly in the heat of the moment, causing an out-of-control situation.

He then turned his attention to Aria.

"I'm truly sorry" he said expressing his deep regret and bowing his head, his voice reflecting his remorse.

Just when it seemed the situation might defuse, an unexpected twist transpired.

"Ahhh!!"

Quinton let out a piercing scream of agony as he looked to his right, discovering that his arm had vanished, turned to ashes by Alex's scorching flames. In disbelief and terror, he watched as Alex slowly approached, his vengeful intent palpable. Quinton crumpled to the ground in pain.

"Did you just smile, BASTARD!?" Alex's words echoed through the arena, his fury evident to everyone present.