Elysia stood firm, her sword still on her hand holding tightly, the last traces of mana fading from it's edge.
Her breathing was heavy, shoulders rising and falling with exhaustion, yet her eyes remained sharp, focused.
Both were tired.
Across from her, Edwin Leonhart—the undefeated prodigy, the ranked 1st of Arcadia—was on one knee, gripping his sword.
The silence in the arena was deafening.
Then—
"Wait… what?"
"Elysia… won?!"
"No way—Edwin lost?"
Gasps rippled through the crowd like thunder.
Students stood from their seats, craning their necks in disbelief.
Some rubbed their eyes. Others simply froze, as though their minds couldn't comprehend what they'd just witnessed.
"That's not possible…"
"I thought Edwin never lost a single match."
"But now… he's on the ground?"
"This match was supposed to be predictable. Edwin was the favorite to win. He has never been defeated before in a duel."
…
Professor Sylvia watched everything with a knowing smile.
She had already found out that Elysia has been leading Edwin on for some time and she thought that Elysia was planning something.
Although she didn't expect that the moment Elysia showed her hand, she would defeat Edwin who is said to be a prodigy unlike anyone else.
(Looks like the prodigy has met his match!)
"She was amazing…"
Cecelia whispered from the front row, eyes wide.
Kael stood rooted to the ground, unable to move with his eyes widened.
The world felt distant. His vision had narrowed to Elysia—standing victorious—and Edwin, defeated.
(This can't be real… Edwin lost?)
He had read this part of the novel countless times. Their duel always ended the same way—Edwin wins every time.
Elysia was supposed to give it her all and still fall short against the OP MC.
That was how it was written. That was the way it was meant to be.
But now… Elysia stood tall, her blade still gleaming, while Edwin—the strongest protagonist of this story—was kneeling in defeat.
Kael's breath hitched. It was fast, uneven, as though he'd been running for miles.
She's not following the script… She's stronger than before. Is the future changing?.
Is it because of me?
But I didn't even do anything yet.
What about the rest of the story?
He clenched his fists.
He had thought that by relying on MC, the world would get saved and he just need to hold on until then.
But with Elysia's victory which was not supposed to happen, he became uncertain about it.
Would everything really fall as it is in the novel or would it change like the result of their battle?
This change wasn't too big to cause any other changes but it made him realize that perhaps not everything would go as the novel.
However, it is well recurring stuff in the novel that Edwin doesn't lose and cements his position as the strongest hero among their party.
Yet he lost in their first duel?
Kael Ashford didn't know whether he could now trust his information in the novel.
On the other hand, Elysia, who was defeated, looked bewildered.
It was to be expected as he was someone who has never had a good opponent and never lost to another person.
He expected the same when the fighting started and felt that Elysia would be an easy opponent like others.
However, at the last second when victory seemed to be in his grasp, he was completely outplayed.
He realized after that, this whole time he was being played in the hands of Elysia.
Her openings were fake in order to lure him in and when he finally did, he had been caught in her traps.
One critical mistake and he was soundly defeated.
It took him a while to admit and realize that he has indeed been defeated.
Not by some Professional heroes or stronger adults but by someone of his age.
One might think that his pride was wounded or his ego was hurt, but it wasn't the case for Edwin.
Rather he felt excitement for the first time ever!
Professor Sylvia finally stepped forward on the field, her boots echoing as she crossed the field between the two fighters.
The tension broke slightly as everyone turned to her.
She stood between Edwin and Elysia, eyes sweeping across the entire arena.
"That will conclude the match."
Her voice was firm and clear.
"The winner—Elysia von Arctria!"
Clap! Clap!
Applause filled the Training Ground. Whether it was Elysia or Edwin, both showed why they were the Top students of the class and their battle wasn't short of being legendary.
After a few seconds, Sylvia raised a hand, calling for silence.
"Did you watch their fight?"
Everybody nodded.
"Although two of them are just first-year students, I would say that their strength is almost on par with even the Third-years."
Sylvia complimented.
"There were mistakes here and there but we can also address them later. You two can return to your seat."
Edwin rose to his feet, still smiling faintly despite his loss.
"Until now I haven't lost to anyone. You are the first one!"
Edwin said to Elysia.
There wasn't any hate or anger, just respect and acknowledgement.
Elysia nodded back nonchalantly.
Though her mind wasn't as calm as her outside demeanor.
(Haha… Serves you right! Who told you to underestimate me? Now you know how it feels to lose to someone. )
Professor Sylvia then proceeded to talk about some of the mistakes that two of them made though it was more like how much Edwin underestimated Elysia and how Elysia took advantage of that.
After that, the students were then allowed to practice on their own with their weapons with Sylvia instructing them.
"You were amazing out there!"
Cecilia complimented with genuine admiration.
"Stronger than I've ever seen you!"
Elysia wiped the sweat from her brow and gave a small smile.
"I had to be!"
Elysia replied which Cecilia didn't really understand.
"You've changed. You're more focused. Determined!"
Elysia didn't answer. Her gaze turned skyward for a moment, as if searching for something in the stars.
Then she said softly, "This time… I'm not letting history repeat itself!"