Chapter 19: The Fire Element Duel

"New student, could you introduce yourself?" Miss Monroe’s voice was as melodious as a lark. When she saw that Rollin had found his seat, she smiled and asked.

"Seriously? This class still requires introductions? There wasn't such a procedure in the Department of Lightning or the Department of Darkness," Rollin wondered inwardly. Nonetheless, he said aloud, "Hello everyone, my name is Rollin, from Bosang Town in the Europa Empire."

Hearing such a brief introduction, Miss Monroe couldn't help but ask, "Rollin, what level is your affinity with the fire element?"

"Um, teacher, my fire element affinity is... superior." Rollin hesitated for a moment before truthfully revealing his enhanced elemental affinity. Even if he hid it now, the academy would conduct a comprehensive evaluation of students at the end of the year, and by then, the truth would come out anyway. It was better to be straightforward.

When he first enrolled, his fire element affinity was at the high level, but now it had become superior—a fact so extraordinary that if anyone probed further, he'd have to blame it on faulty equipment, whether or not they believed him.

Miss Monroe looked at the slender, black-haired boy with surprise. "Rollin, if your fire element affinity is superior, why haven’t you attended a single fire magic class all these months?"

At these words, the whole class turned to look at this peculiar newcomer, curious to hear how he would answer such a pointed question.

Rollin rubbed his nose and braced himself. "Miss Monroe, I was focusing on studying other branches of magic, and for now, I simply didn’t have time to attend fire magic classes."

A commotion instantly broke out in the classroom.

Miss Monroe frowned. "Rollin, even if you don’t intend to specialize in fire magic, you should at least attend one or two fire magic classes a month. Or do you really think fire magic is so useless?"

Hearing the faint irritation in her voice, Rollin forced a bitter smile. Just as he was about to explain, a scornful voice rang out, "Miss Monroe, maybe his fire element affinity isn't superior at all. Perhaps he's just saying that to get your attention!"

"Rollin, is that as our fire class president, Tracy, says?" Miss Monroe’s expression darkened. She detested nothing more than students who played tricks or faked their abilities just to get closer to her. Not long ago, a student had tried to sneak into her class by disguising light magic as fire magic, but she had exposed and severely reprimanded him.

Seeing Rollin hesitate, many assumed Tracy was telling the truth, and their gazes turned even more disdainful.

The classroom fell silent, and all eyes focused on the newcomer in the back row. If it turned out Rollin was faking, he’d hardly have the face to remain.

Under the weight of so many stares, Rollin suddenly chuckled softly. "Teacher, may I absorb and refine some fire element on the spot? With your discerning eye, you should be able to judge whether my fire element affinity is truly superior."

Besides using a magic crystal ball, another way to measure someone's elemental affinity was by observing the speed at which they absorbed and refined the element in question. Since finding a crystal ball would be troublesome, Rollin chose the latter.

Miss Monroe nodded. "Very well. You and our fire class president, Tracy, will have a sparring match—using only fire magic, of course. I should be able to judge after watching for a moment."

Combat best demonstrated a mage’s control over elemental absorption and refinement; it was far more direct than ordinary practice.

"Rollin, I’ve been wanting to spar with you for a long time!" Tracy’s eyes lit up as he stood and strode toward the classroom door.

At once, many students from the fire class followed. They were always eager for excitement, and since the teacher herself suggested the match, they had no scruples about heading outside.

"Only fire magic? I only know Fireball... I just wanted a quiet lesson, yet now it’s become such a mess." Rollin shook his head and left under Miss Monroe’s scrutinizing gaze.

In truth, Miss Monroe’s suggestion served two purposes: to see what Rollin was really capable of, and if Tracy was right—that Rollin’s claimed affinity was a ruse for attention—she had no qualms letting Tracy teach him a lesson, which would also serve as a warning to others not to make trouble in her class.

Outside, a crowd of boys who had no idea what was happening saw the fire students and Miss Monroe all heading toward an open area near the classroom and followed eagerly—they seldom had the chance to observe Miss Monroe up close.

"Hey, what are you guys up to?" Fatty Marley squeezed next to Rollin and asked curiously.

Rollin recounted the incident, attributing his former high-level affinity at enrollment to a faulty test device. Marley took no notice of that and was more concerned about the sparring with Tracy.

"Rollin, that guy has been at odds with us since the start of the term. Remember at the canteen entrance? His fireball nearly put me in the hospital. Make sure you put him in his place!"

"Marley, Miss Monroe insists we use only fire magic, and I’m not exactly proficient in that branch. I’ll just have to play it by ear," Rollin replied helplessly.

Fatty nodded in resignation.

Now, Rollin and Tracy stood in the center of the open ground, surrounded by a ring of students. Miss Monroe gave the signal to begin.

Tracy stepped back two paces, putting distance between himself and Rollin, and quickly began chanting. A fireball the size of a human head shot toward his opponent.

Rollin was not to be outdone. He cast a fireball as well, though his was two or three sizes smaller than Tracy's. Though they both cast Fireball, the disparity in force was obvious—Tracy’s was more ferocious and domineering.

In the crowd, Fatty Marley muttered, "Their fireballs are several times bigger than before in the canteen. But Rollin’s seems weaker. I hope he doesn’t get the worst of it."

Bang! The two fireballs collided. Contrary to expectations, Tracy’s more imposing fireball didn’t simply overpower the other. Instead, the two clashed for a moment before exploding simultaneously, with no clear victor.

Watching with elegance from the side, Miss Monroe noticed that though Rollin’s fireball was smaller, it was more condensed. Tracy’s had gathered more fire element but was less refined, so the match ended in a draw.

Tracy was greatly astonished. He had been confident his fireball would win, but unexpectedly, Rollin’s seemingly weaker fireball managed to hold its ground.

"Hmph, kid, let me show you what real fire magic can do!" Tracy sneered, moving his lips as he began another incantation.

The temperature in the arena suddenly rose. A net of blazing fire surged toward Rollin, both hotter and faster than the fireball before.

First-tier Fire Magic—Fire Net! Among first-tier spells, this was considered quite advanced.

Bang! Rollin launched a fireball at the fire net, but this time, his attack was utterly outmatched. As soon as the fireball touched the net, it was dispersed, and the net continued to bear down on Rollin.

"Hmph, let’s see you block this!" Tracy watched Rollin’s predicament with a mocking smile.

"Rollin!" Fatty Marley’s heart leapt into his throat.

"This boy truly has a superior fire affinity, and he’s a promising talent," Miss Monroe thought, having sensed the surging fire element around Rollin. "But he probably can’t handle Fire Net. I’d better step in—wouldn’t do to let him get hurt."

Just as Miss Monroe was about to intervene, she was startled to find a powerful surge of fire element around Rollin. Suddenly, he hurled a fireball at the net, then a second, then a third.

The three fireballs shot out in quick succession, crashing into the descending net. A thunderous explosion, several times louder than before, erupted, and a wave of heat swept outward, causing the onlookers to cry out in astonishment.