The clash of spells subsided, leaving the four young Arcanists breathing heavily as their Mystic States were also cancelled at the same time…

Ardan stepped forward, with his aura pressing down to silence the crowd. He raised his hand firmly.

"You heard me right… The duel is over."

Hans and Tim looked a bit frustrated, while Cassian and Selene straightened, waiting for the verdict.

Ardan's eyes swept across all four of them.

"I've confirmed it. Your Arcane Protections are broken. Any further spells could cause real injuries, and the Academy's clinic isn't open yet since classes haven't started. If you continue, you'll risk damage that cannot be treated immediately. I won't allow that."

The crowd murmured, realizing why Ardan didn't want to continue further…

"This match is a draw," Ardan declared. "Both sides showed skill, but neither can continue safely. Accept the result."

As he said this, he also knew to himself that he was lying… However, if any of the sides loses, the prestige of their supporters would take a hit, and he didn't want to be the one to be involved with that matter.

The four students exchanged reluctant glances. None of them wanted to yield, but with the Spirit Beast still watching from the edge of the arena, none dared to act recklessly.

They weren't sure how it would react after all.

As a matter of fact, the Frostborne Vulpestra's presence made all of the students' arrogance fade… They knew to themselves that if not for her presence here, they would even start betting on that duel.

Hans clicked his tongue but lowered his hands and accepted the matter.

Tim also sighed as his pride was wounded... He really believed that he could win against the two… Cassian and Selene, on the other hand, just nodded quietly.

The duel ended just like that.

***

Unbeknownst to the crowd, a figure had been watching from the shadows of the practice ground's upper terrace.

It was Professor Anya Hao, one of the instructors of the Mystic Arts Curriculum… had arrived midway through the commotion. She had not intervened, choosing instead to observe.

She actually followed the exchanges carefully. Cassian's precise control of Spirit Veil, Selene's layered Resonant Pulse, Hans's aggression with Piercing Ray, and Tim's endurance in his Mystic State.

When Ardan declared the draw, Anya couldn't help but smile…

She knew very well that Cassian and Selene had actually won that battle…

Nonetheless, she found those two students really talented with the way they were able to control their spells.

"Interesting… very interesting."

She couldn't help but feel excited since they would be her students really soon…

"First‑years, and already capable of pushing their foundational spells beyond the norm. The Church's disciples show remarkable harmony, while the Order's disciples demonstrate raw aggression. Both sides… promising in their own way."

Her gaze lingered on Cassian and Selene. "Especially those two. Their control and synergy are rare among first‑years. They didn't just rely on spells… they improvised, and held their ground against superior Mystic States."

Anya Hao turned away, as she recalled her mission as a professor as well.

"Vale will want to hear about this. If the Academy is to shape the future, disciples like them must be guided properly. Perhaps… they should be suggested to him directly."

She heard about Vale's plan to accept disciples and professors like them could recommend one or two… With that in consideration, she planned to watch those two even more… Perhaps, after four or five months of class…

They're my fifth and sixth student in my list then…" Anya muttered as she listed the two…

The silver fox, Frostborne Vulpestra, flicked her tails as if in agreement… She seemed to be quite satisfied with the battle just now for some reason.

Professor Anya Hao's smile deepened.

"I guess she's sensing something more I couldn't? Yes… These children will make the Academy lively."

Although she had no idea what the Spirit Beast noticed, she could also tell that those two were actually talented.

***

Professor Anya Hao returned to her office after leaving the practice grounds…

The sight of those first-year students clashing with such conviction reminded her of her own youth. It was the days of the Twelve Academy Competition, when she had stood among the brightest of her generation.

Back then, she was also a young Mystic Arts Practitioner, full of ambition and fire. Vale had been there too, though he competed in a different competition.

They had not crossed blades, but she remembered his presence clearly. He was able to break several records… Furthermore, he was already carrying the aura of someone destined for greatness.

Of course, she had made her own mark in that competition, enough that Vale remembered her years later when he founded the Arcane Academy.

His invitation to join as a professor had been both an honor and a challenge she could not refuse.

Now, seated at her desk, she began preparing her materials for the coming semester.

On the table lay a stack of documents… Many of them were diagrams of energy flows, and notes on the delicate balance between spirit, mind, and environment.

She carefully arranged them as she refined her lesson plan.

She was actually the instructor of the Mystic Harmonization Class. It was all about training to stabilize Mystic Arts and prevent backlash.

She wrote down examples of exercises… like the breathing techniques to align spirit energy, meditation patterns to steady the mind, and controlled spellcasting drills designed to prevent instability.

She even prepared a few case studies from her own experience, intending to show her students how harmonization could turn a fragile spell into a foundation of strength.

As she worked, she sensed someone outside…

Then came a knock at her door.

She rose, smoothing her robes, and opened it… Then, her eyes widened.

On the floor before her lay a snake, looking up at her with beady eyes…

"Huh?" Anya was confused as she saw the small snake outside. However, after a few moments, she quickly realized that it wasn't normal...

"A Spirit Beast? Who are you?"

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