Looking at the young beauty in front of him, Arlo couldn't help but feel conflicted.

Auburn hair, green eyes, pale skin, overall she was beautiful.

They grew up together when they were small. If someone asked who his best friend was, he wouldn't hesitate before answering his mom.

Yet the closest he had as a friend was the girl in front of him, but for some reason three years ago, she started growing distant. Moreover, at this point, they barely even talked.

….

As much as Ari wanted to send these kids off, she couldn't neglect her duty as a teacher. Thus, she brought them to the massive grassy field at the back of the training center.

Besides the students were excited to see this fight happen. After all, both students in topic were the strongest in the class.

Honestly, she was a bit excited as well.

….

[Tina's POV]

"You should give up."

I couldn't help but give my advice.

Previously, even though I was an early-level beginner mage, Arlo could still match me equally in a fight even though he hadn't even awakened.

This was truly astounding, as I am a genius in my own right. I could face off against mid-level beginner mages even when I was an early-level beginner mage.

But what about now?

With my current cultivation, I am sure that I could defeat most late beginner mages.

So how could he keep up with me?

However, seeing the other party didn't even reply, I got a bit displeased.

Therefore, I decided to show him the gap between our current selves.

I decided to start slowly, so I released my cultivation fully, letting my aura wash over him.

However, he didn't seem affected in the least.

A bit annoyed by his reaction, I subconsciously released my innate trait, which is actually the strongest move in my arsenal.

I erected a gravity domain 50m around with me as the center. In this domain, the power of gravity could be multiplied.

However, since I just awakened not long ago, increasing gravity by three times is my current limit.

At present, gravity is multiplied by a factor of two. Still, that is more than enough to oppress most late beginner mages.

Yet...

Why wouldn't he fall?

I looked at his trembling figure; long golden hair that fell past his shoulders, silver eyes that sparkled brightly like stars, and fair skin that looked so breathtaking that it looked like an immortal drawn out from a painting. His posture showed he could fall at any moment, yet seeing him grit his teeth through it by coating his body with 'Ki', a power that the unawakened train in to cover their weakness, my eyes couldn't help but redden.

I just want to stay by your side. However, even though the adults seemed to want to keep this information a secret, I still learned it. That you are an unprecedented genius, one never seen before. How could I stay beside such a great person?

When I learned you would awaken late because of something sealed in you, I saw hope. Hope to show my worth to you in your moment of weakness.

But...

Why do you resist me so?

Shoo!

My eyes widened when I felt the surrounding Ki surge around him. He now seemed able to stand the pressure albeit barely.

Humph.

'NOT THIS TIME!' I roared in my mind.

I immediately concentrated most of the pressure on where he stood. However, before my attack even arrived...

*Whoosh*

He disappeared from my view, and my heart skipped a beat.

"What?"

*****

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