NEXT MORNING AT 8:00AM

LIGHT'S POV:

Reaching the training area, I see Corey and Theoder standing in front of each other.

I look around to see Chase and Stephan standing and observing them.

I turn back to the fight,

'[Absolute Concentration: Mana Circuit: God's Eyes]' I channel mana into my eyes.

-Time slows-

0.1s

Corey channels mana in his fists, creating gauntlets of water, covering his fists. He also creates 8 football sized floating spheres around him.

0.2s

He dashes forward, creating his clone while doing so.

Hiding himself in an illusion he commands his clone to attack Theoder.

0.3s

He fires the water spheres at Theoder and circle around him.

0.4s

Before the spheres can touch Theoder, he smashes all of them with his fist in an instant.

0.5s

Theoder then kicks Corey's clone destroying it, creating a splash.

He smiles as the clone dissipates.

0.4s

Corey runs toward Theoder to hit him, also creating a sphere behind Theoder.

0.5s

As Corey reaches closer, Theoder prepares for a kick. But before he can kick, the water sphere hits his head.

0.6s

Theodor kicks Corey on his chest pushing him away.

1s

Corey falls back but then slowly stands up.

"Haah...I won," He says with difficulty as he stands up.

"Yeah," said Theoder a bit surprised but still smiling at Corey.

Corey smiles in return.

Glancing at Corey, even though he is smiling, to me he looks hurt and scared.

Everyone starts clapping making Corey flustered as he looks down with his smile getting deeper.

'Now, he is smiling for real.' I also smile as I look at him.

COREY'S POV:

'He is a monster,' I think as I look at Theoder, smiling outside and shuddering inside.

'I couldn't even see him properly attacking my spheres, if I had been a bit late, it would be already over' I recall back the fight which sends a chill down my spine.

Then I look at Chase.

'I wonder how Chase would fare.'

He looks like he is in a daze.

'Normally, he would have jumped to talk to me. I wonder what happened?'

Everyone is clapping for me.

'This is embarresing',' I mutter as I lower my head.

But...

It's exciting...to grow stronger and to be able to do all that.

'Will Chase be able to do that someday?'

I start pondering as I move outside the arena.

'I should watch Samantha properly in the next match to gain some insight.'

'I will not fall behind Chase.'

Father has a small smile on his face.

I smile at him in return.

'I wonder how mother is doing right now'

Mother has not returned for a while, huh.

As I walk outside, Light comes in my vision.

He is smiling...like always.

'He should work hard too and start making himself worthy of Eros' name'

I wonder why he doesn't talk to us all that much. Even if we try, he usually stays silent.

'Why is he so boring?'

'And why does he always reads books and practices magic even though he had never once succeeded?'

Well, not that it matters much to me.

It's not like I will have to see his face after I enter the Royal Academy.

I reach at the edge of the training area and stand beside Chase.

"You did great, full marks from me," Theoder says with an observing gaze.

I smile in return. My hands are trembling slightly and my chest is still hurting.

"Now then, Chase, looks like it is our turn now. Do your best,"Samantha says as she looks at Chase with a smile.

I might be dreaming cause I think I saw Chase shuddering for a second there.

Samantha and Chase walk to the centre of the training area.

'Chase is a lot quieter today. Is he nervous? Naah... I don't think so. I don't remember I have ever seen him nervous. It's probably something else.'

They take their postions.

"Start," says Theoder.