Magic Life in the Empire

By now maybe the whole academy heard about Leo's pledge to win.

Even when Cyril was hunting earlier, he could hear students discussing this.

When the spectators noticed his approach, they moved out of the way, giving him a much better view of the situation.

They had already begun the duel and were currently throwing spells back and forth. Both of them used the same fighting style, with one hand holding the sword and the other one used for casting.

In Cyril's opinion, Leo didn't have much chance to win.

While he knew a few good spells, he was clearly a newbie when it came to fighting. He always responded in a fluster whenever Cedric did anything at all.

It appeared like Leo understood that himself.

His face was becoming more and more frustrated, and his attacks became even less effective as a result.

At some point his feeling reached the boiling point.

He threw his sword away and started casting a different spell with both of his hands.

Cedric tried to reduce the distance between them, but he couldn't make it in time, and the spell was finished.

It sent out a wave made out of fire, covering half of the arena. Cyril was surprised Leo could learn something like this only in his first year. "Looks like there is some reason at least for his pride."

The flames looked impressive, and one could seemingly feel their heat all the way outside the arena.

Cedric didn't just give up upon seeing this and created a shield in front of him. After doing this, he started running into the wave to reach Leo.

Maybe the spell was not as potent as it looked, or maybe Cedric's shield was stronger than most, but he passed through the flames unharmed and stood in front of his opponent, sword in hand.

Sending such an attack did not come without consequences. Leo was not even capable of defending himself at the moment.

he was completely exhausted. All Cedric did was place a sword before his neck, and the judge announced the end of the duel.

With disbelief written all over his face, Leo stood there pale and unresponsive for some time before his expression became twisted in shame and anger.

"You mongrel! You won't be able to keep that smug look for long, I promise that!" Even Cyril thought he appeared quite ugly at the moment.

Leo started slowly stumbling away from the arena, snapping at anyone standing too close or offering to help.

"He is the same as usual; I hope he is actually planning to do something." Rhamn only wanted to see some entertainment.

Cyril didn't care too much about him right now; he was more concerned with how to get more points.

Cedric's score after this duel is 6... If I defeat someone else while he rests, it should be fine.

With another victory, Cyril will have 8 points, which means he will still be eligible to challenge Cedric.

Thinking it would be a nice way to spend time, Cyril began looking around for anyone suitable he could challenge.

He didn't search for long.

It turns out someone with 5 points was observing the same duel nearby, surrounded by followers.

He unhurriedly approached him. "Hello, Your Highness, how are your matches going?" It was the prince.

Upon noticing who was greeting him, Clayton Fairfax visibly tensed up. "Please, just call me Clayton."

He couldn't help but peek at Cyril's score above his head. "My duels have been going smoothly... so far."

"Would you care to discuss the duel earlier? I am sure your insights will help make it even more interesting." Quickly regaining his composure, the prince tried to negotiate with a smile.

His followers also chimed in, citing how impressed they were by Cyril's previous matches and how his words today may help a future emperor.

"A weak threat."

"I am sorry, Your Highness, but I would like to challenge you." Hearing these dreaded words, Clayton almost lost his smile.

Of course he couldn't do anything about it, and they occupied the now-empty arena.

So the crowd of spectators became a bit bigger than before.

People were always interested in the prince and seeing how he was dueling the second biggest threat in this building. The students became excited.

The prince, though, had a stiff smile on his face.

When he first came to this academy, one of the first things he did was have a duel with Cyril during combat training, and he still remembered how it went.

Soon the announcement to begin the match was made and he readied his rapier.

Even though he was confident in the results of this match, Clayton didn't want to lose too badly.

He had a reputation to uphold, so he gave it his all.

Given his range advantage, Cyril was the first to strike.

He didn't hold back at all when fighting the prince, and his attack carried great weight and speed.

Clayton knew it was pointless to try and block his spear with a rapier and tried his hardest to dodge to the side.

He escaped by the skin of his teeth and wanted to make a counterattack, but Cyril was even quicker than he remembered.

There was no time to breathe; a horizontal sweep was now coming at his head.

In his desperate attempts to evade, Clayton began to think that it was a mistake to approach Cyril in close combat.

His strength was not something a normal person could deal with.

The prince only managed to survive a few more attacks before he failed to dodge and was sent flying in a familiar manner.

After the judge declared Cyril's victory, numerous students went in to check on the prince and help him get up.

Cyril could hear some students saying how he was too ruthless and too disrespectful to the future ruler of the empire.

"Haha, you got even stronger than last time," he said, getting up from the wooden floor with a smile still on his face. "I admit defeat. It was a good duel." Clayton didn't seem to hold any grudge over this—at least none that Cyril could tell.

Hearing his words, the followers around him began praising him in whatever way they could.

"That was incredible, Clayton! You are the only one who fought Cyril fairly and managed to hold on for so long." For them, the only way to properly flatter the prince right now was to raise up Cyril even further.

"Yeah! When you have enough time to learn, I am sure you will defeat that monster in the future." Clayton was listening to all this with an unchanging expression, his thoughts a mystery.

"He must be feeling embarrassed inside; there's no way anyone could listen to all that flattery with a calm heart."

Not interested in staying any longer, Cyril moved on.

He was planning on going to the spectator stands to wait in ambush. He will have the duel he wanted today.

Back in his seat, Cyril now had the time to check up on how everyone else was doing.

Myra was still going from challenge to challenge.

Her score was 8 as well now. Soon there will be no one eligible left to fight her.

Both Rose and Edmund managed to score 5 points and were currently in another duel right now.

Out of curiosity, he also checked on his previous opponents.

Bonzo only had 4 points.

Part of it is because he only recovered not too long ago and didn't have the time to accumulate, and another part is that the news about his unusual strategy reached almost every student's ears.

Even after thoroughly searching, Cyril didn't manage to find Regina; it seems she was yet to recover.

That's unfortunate; she deserves a good placement. Cyril was impressed by her magic and even had some thoughts of asking her if she could teach him.

"What I am curious about is why none of them are in class I; both of them are stronger than the average student." At this moment Rhamn was sitting by his side.

There must be some reason; I am sure they will transfer at some point; it would be a waste otherwise. They spend this time together, discussing whatever comes to mind.

After a while he noticed Cedric got up from his seat; it seems like he didn't waste too much energy in that earlier duel.

Immediately, Cyril went after him, wary of his surroundings after having been interrupted twice before.

Thankfully this time he finally managed to reach him in peace.

Cedric noticed Cyril and stopped.

He wore a friendly smile as his black eyes gazed at his classmate.

Guessing the reason for his approach, he scratched his hair and asked without changing his expression, "You want to duel?"

Finding this conversation pleasantly straightforward, Cyril answered in a single word.

"Yes."