As the students began filing out of the hall, guided by the second-year students toward their dormitories, Rai’s mind wandered. Amidst the rush of new faces and the bustling chatter, one thought persisted in his mind. Where is she?

His eyes scanned the room, searching for the fiery red of her hair or the glimmer of those beautiful, burning eyes. His heart raced a little faster as he pushed through the crowd, not entirely sure why the thought of Rose Scarlett lingered so strongly in his mind.

And then, at last, he found her.

She wasn’t among the crowd of students heading toward the doors. No, she was perched higher—on a private balcony overlooking the hall. The way she sat, poised and detached from the chaos below, was exactly what Rai had imagined. Of course she would be there, he thought to himself. She is the daughter of the current Elemental Magistrate, after all. Above all of this.

He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her. The sunlight caught her fiery red hair, casting a halo around her, and for a moment, the bustling world around him seemed to fall silent. His thoughts filled with memories of their brief encounter earlier. His mind raced, reminding him of how boldly he’d declared she would be his wife when he became the Elmag. Did she remember? He wondered.

Rose, seemingly aware of his gaze, looked up from her position on the balcony. Their eyes met, and in that moment, Rai could’ve sworn time had slowed. But in the next instant, she quickly averted her gaze, her cheeks flushing a deep red. Rai’s warm smile only grew wider as he waved at her, his expression bright and playful.

Rose’s reaction, however, was immediate. Her face, already flushed with color, turned even redder as she hastily turned her back on him. With a sharp, dismissive flick of her hair, she walked away, her steps quick and purposeful. Yet, despite her attempt to ignore him, Rai couldn’t help but notice the lingering hint of embarrassment on her face.

The image of Rose, flustered yet strangely intrigued, stayed with Rai as he continued to watch her retreat. It was just the beginning of their interaction, but in Rai’s mind, it was already a victory. She’ll remember me now, he thought with a sense of pride.

And with that, Rai’s thoughts shifted back to the journey ahead. The road to becoming the Elmag was still long, but in this moment, he couldn’t help but feel a spark of excitement, knowing that his path would be filled with far more than just challenges.

Rai was about to leave the hall, his mind still buzzing with thoughts of Rose, when suddenly, a sharp shove from behind sent him crashing to the floor. He groaned as he hit the cold stone, his hands instinctively reaching for the ground to push himself up. The sound of footsteps echoed around him as he struggled to rise.

He looked up and saw the source of the disturbance: a group of four students, all standing tall and intimidating around him. They were blocking his way, their faces twisted with malice. Rai’s eyes narrowed, already knowing that trouble had found him again.

The leader of the group, a tall boy with spiky white hair, stepped forward. His eyes, marked with the wind symbol—a pair of wings—glowed faintly, indicating his affiliation with the Mach clan, a branch of the Wind Clan known for its unrivaled speed. He was Baruss Bromach, the next heir to the Mach clan, and as the rumors went, one of the strongest of the first-year students. His eyes gleamed with arrogance as he looked down at Rai.

"I can’t believe someone like you is attending the same academy as I am," Baruss sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. The entire hall fell silent, the tension in the air palpable. Students gathered around the scene, eyes wide with curiosity, while some of them, including Rose from the balcony above, watched the unfolding drama with rapt attention.

Baruss’ three lackeys flanked him, forming a circle around Rai, trapping him in place. “Every second you stay here, the more shame you bring to this academy,” Baruss continued, stepping closer, his expensive clothes rustling with each move. He wore them like a crown, a clear display of his noble status. “I’d say it’s best you just leave and save yourself the embarrassment."

The room held its collective breath. Everyone knew Baruss was a powerhouse—rumors swirled that his skills were on par with Rose herself. It seemed like an undeniable fact that Rai stood no chance against someone of his caliber.

But Rai didn’t flinch. Despite the looming threat, he stood tall, his eyes filled with unwavering determination. He wasn’t about to let these miscreants get the best of him.

With slow, deliberate movements, Rai stood up. His expression was calm, but his eyes burned with purpose. “You,” he pointed a finger at Baruss, his voice steady but loud enough to command attention, “whatever your name is—if you’re so hung up on me bringing shame, why don’t we duel?”

A stunned silence followed. Rai’s words hung in the air, but not in the way he’d hoped. Instead of the shock of awe, the room was filled with the sounds of crickets. Students exchanged puzzled glances, some even stifling disappointed sighs. The problem? Rai had pointed at the wrong person. Baruss wasn’t the one he’d meant to challenge.

Rai’s face immediately morphed into one of embarrassment, realizing his mistake. The silence stretched, and then, Baruss erupted in laughter, the sound loud and mocking. “You can’t even figure out who I am, and you want to challenge me?” Baruss sneered, thoroughly amused. “Fine. I’ll humor you. Let’s fight.” He spread his arms wide, inviting the duel he was sure would be a one-sided affair.

The crowd, initially stunned, now shifted in anticipation. Even Rose’s attention sharpened as she leaned forward slightly from her perch, intrigued by the unfolding spectacle.

Rai, unfazed by the ridicule, shifted his stance. His confidence was back in full force. He wasn’t done yet.

With vigor, Rai raised his finger again, this time pointing directly at Baruss. “Actually,” he said, his voice carrying across the room, “I’m glad you’re not scared. Let’s make it more interesting. Why don’t we have a Magistrate Duel?”

The room went dead silent. A Magistrate Duel? The words hung in the air like a bomb ready to explode. The concept of a Magistrate Duel was something reserved for only the most skilled combatants—those capable of wielding power that could shake the very foundations of the academy. It was an ultimate challenge, a fight where the stakes were high and the victor’s power was undeniable.

The concept of a Magistrate Duel was something that carried immense weight in the world of magic. It was a challenge meant for only the most skilled, those whose power was strong enough to shake the very foundation of the academy itself. To issue such a duel was to risk everything, and only those with the highest authority would be allowed to witness and oversee the fight. It was more than just a test of strength—it was an exhibition of sheer will, a contest where the winner's power was undeniable, and their place in the world solidified.

The rules of a Magistrate Duel were clear, but strict:

1. Both parties must bet something of great value—something they would lose if they were to lose the duel. This wasn’t just about pride or reputation; the stakes had to be something meaningful, something that would serve as a constant reminder of the outcome. For Rai, this was perhaps the most difficult part to comprehend, as he had nothing tangible to bet. But as the duel continued to form in his mind, he was willing to sacrifice anything necessary to prove himself.
2. Magic could be used without restraint, allowing the duelists to tap into every ounce of power they possessed. The only restriction was a simple one: no one could kill. The fight could be brutal, destructive, and even deadly in its consequences, but it had to end with both participants alive. The risk of life-altering injury was high, but it was still a duel fought in the name of proving one’s power, not extinguishing it.
3. The highest authority was to oversee the duel—someone who had the power to enforce the rules and ensure that the duel was conducted fairly. The Elemental Magistrate was the one who had the final say in such matters. They would watch over the duel, ensuring that no cheating or dishonorable actions took place. The presence of the Magistrate also lent the duel a kind of legitimacy—it would not be considered valid unless the Elemental Magistrate personally oversaw it.

Because of these stringent rules, a Magistrate Duel was no small matter. It wasn’t something one could casually request; it was a decision made by the highest powers in the world of magic. In fact, the duel had to be approved by the masters of the Four Head Clans—the most powerful figures in the world of magic. To get such approval was no easy feat, and only those who had the influence, power, or reputation to back up such a challenge could even hope to engage in one.