Chapter 84: Second Apprentice Duel
"Indeed, Professor Grace can be quite terrifying when she's angry."
As one of the brightest talents in Turin City, Grace Eva had always adhered to her own set of principles and untouchable boundaries.
Punctuality was one of them.
If any apprentice dared to be late to her class, having all their usual grades deducted would be considered the lightest punishment.
"Janna, can you just fly me over there?"
"Hmm—well, I can, but do you know how to cast the Featherlight Spell?"
"Of course I do!"
Softly chanting, Vivian cast a Featherlight Spell on herself.
With a light tap of her toes, she effortlessly performed the challenging move of lifting her body using just her tiptoes.
"Everchanging Form—"
Seeing that Vivian had completed her spell, a pair of emerald butterfly wings slowly unfolded from Janna's back.
In an instant, accompanied by the rapid fluttering of her wings, Janna grasped Vivian's hands and easily ascended into the air, swiftly flying toward the dueling training ground.
"We're here."
Having mastered butterfly-wing flight, Janna's speed was comparable to the lazy rooks on campus.
It didn't take long before the two landed on the outer edge of the dueling training ground.
"? We're actually the first ones here today."
Looking at the spacious training ground, roughly the size of half a football field, Vivian canceled her spell and couldn't help but stretch her neck, glancing around.
"Janna, do you think there will be a reward for the winner of today's apprentice duel?"
"There should be."
Grace Eva was particularly enthusiastic about encouraging everyone to challenge and compete with each other.
So, in every wizard dueling class, she would set up a temporary prize to motivate everyone to give it their all.
"Good morning, Miss Janna!"
Before long, more and more apprentices arrived at the dueling training ground. As the crowd grew, more people gathered around Janna.
Soon, various enthusiastic greetings echoed around her.
Vivian, who had long grown accustomed to this, could filter out these "white noise" greetings on the spot without even furrowing her brow.
"Professor Grace is here!"
No one knew who shouted, but the previously noisy dueling training ground instantly fell silent.
At the same time, Grace Eva, flapping her large black bat wings, landed precisely on the ground under everyone's gaze.
"Good morning, apprentices. It seems you've all arrived quite early."
"Good morning, Professor Eva—"
Seeing the apprentices who had arrived on time at the dueling training ground, a satisfied smile appeared on Grace Eva's stern face.
"A wizard's life involves a significant amount of exploration—exploring ruins, secret realms, other-dimensional worlds, and even alien civilizations. In this process, combat is a situation that almost all of you will face. Only by possessing the ability to respond to battles in various scenarios at any time can you be considered a truly qualified wizard..."
"Therefore, today's class will be an outdoor simulated combat training. Still in pairs, and the winner will continue to receive a free question opportunity."
Hearing Grace Eva's words, Janna couldn't help but recall the free question opportunity she earned during the last outdoor class.
"If I win this time, I can use these two question opportunities to ask Professor Grace about two of the recent questions I've accumulated."
Especially those related to laws or transfiguration.
"Is there anyone who wants to go first?"
"Professor, I'd like to challenge Janna to an apprentice duel!"
As soon as Grace Eva finished speaking, Bell Moonshadow, who had been ready for this, was the first to raise her hand, her eyes burning with unhidden fighting spirit.
"Janna, what about you? Do you accept her challenge?"
Seeing Grace Eva's inquiring gaze and the surrounding apprentices' focused attention, Janna nodded without hesitation, calmly meeting Bell Moonshadow's slightly provocative eyes.
"It would be my honor."
The two exchanged another glance and then, in perfect sync, walked onto the dueling training ground.
"The dueling arena will change randomly during the fight. All wizard spells are allowed, but the use of wizard tools, including wands, is prohibited. Understood?"
"Understood."
Apprentice duels test strength, not wealth.
The purpose of the duel is for Grace Eva to provide on-site demonstrations for teaching.
Therefore, to ensure fairness throughout the duel, unarmed combat has always been a basic requirement in the Defense Against Dark Magic class.
"I hope you've improved since last time. Otherwise, if I win too easily, I'll regret choosing you as my opponent."
Familiar confidence, similar harsh words.
Seeing Bell Moonshadow's confident demeanor, Janna didn't retort but simply smiled and nodded.
"I hope I can meet your expectations."
Ding—【Today's Quest: Complete a wizard duel and achieve victory;
Quest Reward: 100 Talent EXP, 500 Skill EXP, and a random reward.】
Seeing the information on the Quest Panel, Janna's expression became more serious.
"Shadow Stealth!"
Shrouded in darkness, she transformed into a shadow.
As Bell Moonshadow merged into the shadows, a layer of emerald protective barrier quickly formed around Janna through her swift casting.
"Clang clang clang clang—"
As expected, the moment the Blossom Guardian Barrier enveloped Janna, a series of metallic clashing sounds echoed densely outside the barrier.
As the attacks intensified, the emerald shield rippled like water.
"By my will, I command you—"
"Silence!"
Before Janna could finish her Contract Summoning incantation, a suffocating sensation, as if her throat were being choked, abruptly interrupted her spell.
"It's a curse—"
"Clang clang clang clang!"
Another series of metallic clashes followed.
As Bell Moonshadow's attack frequency increased, the Blossom Guardian Barrier shook more violently.
"Is this your confidence?"
Although she didn't know when the opponent cast the Silence Curse, such a tactic wasn't enough to unsettle Janna.
"Snap—"
Just as Bell Moonshadow prepared to deliver the final blow to the nearly shattered protective barrier, a sharp pain, as if her soul were being lashed, suddenly halted her offensive.
"By my will, I command you, summon—the Celestial Finch!"