"Haah... haah."

  Ion stopped while watching Cyril in front of him sweating heavily... Cyril had tried every move he could perform, yet not a single strike managed to reach Ion.

  His movements were like a machine; he blocked with the least possible energy and moved with the fewest possible motions. His strikes were always an inch away from him, while whenever Ion unched a counterattack, he never missed his target, even though Cyril could see Ion’s incoming blows. Yet all of that was futile.

  A growing frustration filled him, especially since he already had the advantage in terms of the density of his aura...

  Ion said zily,

  "What do you think about stopping here?"

  There were no signs of fatigue on him.

  One of the students muttered in a stunned voice,

  "What a monster."

  Especially since they already knew well how powerful Cyril Valerin was...

  That he ranked second in the css after Ren Evelyn.

  Cyril could only let his expression turn gloomy. Even if this fight continued until next week, he wouldn’t be able to touch even the edge of Ion’s clothes...

  He muttered under his breath, barely audible, as a final attempt to preserve his wounded pride:

  "If I used a little of my mana, you wouldn’t even st a single move."

  Ion suddenly said,

  "I don’t mind if you use mana. That would only make things more serious."

  Cyril’s eyes fshed with hidden joy when he heard Ion. He had barely opened his mouth before another voice suddenly interrupted them.

  "No, this is forbidden. Ion, despite his strength, is still just a first-year student... Cyril, how can you be so rude?"

  The voice belonged to Professor Ira as she walked toward them. Her tone was sharp toward Cyril; she hadn’t expected him to say something like that after losing.

  Cyril’s expression dimmed instantly, but he realized she was right. Even if he won, it wouldn’t be a glorious victory.

  But before he could speak to ease the situation in front of the professor, Ion suddenly spoke to her.

  "Please, Professor. This is an important opportunity for me. I’ve never fought someone who has received the Blessing of Heaven and Earth. I can’t waste this chance to get a general glimpse of their power."

  Ion’s tone was serious and sincere.

  Even Cyril himself, despite his anger toward Ion, admired that determination.

  The professor hesitated for a moment. This involved risks—if Ion suffered any serious injuries it could affect him, especially since he had a midterm exam coming up. It would negatively impact him... and she also didn’t want to be summoned by that old fossil and be scolded.

  Her hesitation sted only a few seconds, but when she saw Ion’s expectant eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse.

  "Fine... but Cyril, you must control yourself."

  She said this while turning to Cyril with a serious tone.

  Cyril nodded in agreement.

  Then she stepped aside and left the arena, which had been destroyed by their previous fight.

  Although she stood at the side, she quietly circuted her mana within her body, ready to intervene if the situation suddenly escated.

  Ion stood while watching Cyril, from whom a faint white glow had begun to emanate... He slightly sensed the pressure coming from Cyril, then muttered,

  "White rank... mid stage."

  Then a hint of seriousness appeared on his face as he adjusted his stance. He leaned slightly forward like a tiger preparing to pounce.

  Cyril suddenly said,

  "Get ready. I’m going to attack now."

  The students fell silent when they felt Cyril’s suffocating pressure bearing down on them slightly. They couldn’t even imagine the pressure currently locked onto Ion.

  Without realizing it, they had already taken half a step back.

  Cyril suddenly vanished.

  One of them shouted in astonishment,

  "Too fast!"

  Several times faster than Cyril’s previous speed.

  Then, in less than the blink of an eye, he appeared in front of Ion, his fist emitting a white glow as it headed straight toward Ion with a speed that warned of danger.

  Ion extended his hand, covered in a highly concentrated bluish-white aura, intercepting the path of Cyril’s fist.

  Soon Cyril’s fist connected with Ion’s palm.

  But the scene the spectators expected—where Ion would be sent flying away—did not happen.

  Instead, another sight appeared that made even Professor Ira narrow her eyes slightly.

  Cyril’s eyes widened in shock when he saw his fist stop in front of Ion’s palm.

  It barely pushed him a single step backward before coming to a complete stop.