Charles' defeat caused an uproar among the watching students. According to the entrance exam rankings, their difference was only one rank. However, Charles was easily defeated by Irene without Noa's help, as Noa was only watching their match.

  They might have accepted Charles's loss after a fierce match, with both of them injured and exhausted. But in reality, Irene managed to defeat Charles without any injuries or fatigue. Opinions were divided; some thought Charles wasn't serious because he was fighting a woman, and others thought Charles was easily defeated because he was fighting Irene, who used Charles's weak elemental magic. But some felt that the reason Charles was defeated so easily was because Irene had gotten stronger than before.

  This opinion was the most correct. Of course, this was thanks to the routine training she did every morning with Rid, Leandra, and Lily. Meanwhile, Charles and Lotta, who had ice cuts attached to their bodies, were immediately taken to the treatment room in the central building. Because it was impossible for them to just be left aside without treatment after having ice cuts attached to their bodies. And this also ended the exam on the third day.

  -

  The next day.

  "This is the final day of the second day of the exam. So far, many teams in this class have lost, and only three teams remain undefeated: Ray & Leandra, Noa & Irene, and Rid & Julie. These three teams have the opportunity to earn a total of 3,000 points at the end of this exam if they win their matches on this final day. Then, let's begin the drawing. Team representatives, please come forward," said Mr. Alan.

  I asked Julie to return to draw her lottery number. All the team representatives gathered and took the slips from the container. Afterward, they opened the slips and showed their numbers. Julie got number 10, so I looked for the same number as Julie. I found it on the slip Irene was holding, which meant I would be facing them in the final match on this final day. Knowing Irene and I would be competing made the other students excited.

  "Do you think Rid will give up because he's up against his girlfriend?"

  "I don't think so. I don't think Rid is that kind of person, and even more so because the Ice Princess wouldn't give up just because she's up against Rid."

  "Since Rid is ranked first, I support Rid's victory,"

  "Me too, especially since Rid hasn't lost yet."

  "No matter who you support, this match will definitely be exciting, especially since their team hasn't lost yet. The result of this match will prevent one of them from getting a full score on this exam. And what makes it even more exciting is that this match will be the final match for this second exam," said the students, chatting among themselves.

  -

  Several matches on the final day have already been played. Chloe & Mauro, Enzo & Lucy, and Lily & Kotaro have all won their final exams. Leandra and Ray also secured wins on the final day, earning them a full score on this second exam for securing all their wins. And finally, the final match for this second exam began.

  "Please step forward, Noa, Irene, Rid, and Julie," said Mr. Alan.

  The four of us moved toward the center of the training ground.

  "I didn't expect to compete in this exam, Irene," I said.

  "Yes, you're right. This time I'll fight seriously," Irene said.

  "Good, I hope you don't give up in the match like you usually do during our sparring," I said.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  "Don't forget about me, Rid. This time I—no, we will defeat you," Noa said.

  "I look forward to it," I said.

  "Are you four ready?" asked Mr. Alan.

  "Ready," all four of us said.

  "Then, the match begins!" said Mr. Alan.

  "Julie, stay behind me. I'll fight them both at once and protect you. You attack them from behind me," I said.

  "Okay," Julie said.

  Noa and Irene immediately advanced toward me, but they weren't targeting me, but Julie.

  ~Wind Thrust~

  ~Glacier Thrust~

  They both launched long-range thrusting attacks aimed at Julie. However, I managed to block both attacks by positioning myself in their path. I slashed both attacks with my sword, and both were instantly destroyed.

  "I thought they would attack me first, but it seems they want to defeat Julie first and then focus on me," I thought.

  After their long-range attacks failed, they both decided to attack at close range. Noa approached me first and attacked with his ?wind spear. I managed to block the wind spear attack. While I was blocking the wind spear, Irene moved past me and intended to attack Julie. However, I quickly knocked Noa aside and approached Julie to protect her.

  ~San Lucia Art : Freezing Air Slash~

  Irene intended to defeat Julie immediately with her ultimate technique, but I quickly stood between them, preparing to block her ultimate technique.

  ~Flame Sword Art : Great Flame Slash~

  Our two attacks collided, creating a powerful impact. The impact caused my flame sword to freeze, and Irene's ice rapier to melt. While Irene and I were exchanging blows, Noa quickly approached Julie and intended to attack her. However, Julie quickly fired an electric arrow at Noa.

  "How can she fire her arrow so fast?" Noa thought, shocked.

  ~Electric Shock Arrows~

  The arrow struck Noa squarely, as he didn't have time to dodge or block it. The attack left him electrocuted and immobilized for a moment.

  "I can't defeat you, but at least I can help Rid defeat you. You must think I'm a burden because I'm always protected by Rid. But that's part of Rid's plan. If you think I'm a burden, you'll be careless when you attack me," Julie said.

  Noa remained silent and unable to speak after being hit by the arrow.

  "So this was all your plan, Rid," Irene said as we continued to exchange blows.

  "I don't know," I said.

  I immediately strengthened my attack and sent Irene flying backward in the exchange. After that, I headed straight for the immobilized Noa, hoping to defeat him ?immediately. I transformed my sword into a water sword to enhance my attack, as Noa's body was currently electrified by Julie's arrow. I nearly approached Noa and prepared to launch an attack.

  ~Water Sword Art : Great Water Slash~

  My slash almost hit Noa, but...

  Irene suddenly appeared in front of me.

  ~Freezing Air Slash~

  Our attacks clashed again, but this time the sword I was holding froze quickly because it was made of water, which freezes easily. I quickly retreated from the exchange of blows before my sword froze completely. Then, I transformed my sword back into a fire sword to melt some of the ice that was freezing it.

  Meanwhile, Julie attempted to shoot an arrow at Irene, but Irene easily blocked it. Irene was now near the immobile Noa, and Irene showed no signs of attacking. She seemed to want to guard Noa until he could move again. Soon, Noa was able to move again.

  "I can finally move again. That arrow of his was really troublesome. It seems we underestimated her," Noa said.

  "You're right, I didn't expect this to be Rid's plan," Irene said.

  "So, what do we do? Are we going to keep attacking his partner?" Noa asked.

  "No, we're not going to use that plan anymore," Irene said.

  "So? By the way, you can use area magic, right? Why not just use it to defeat them both?" Noa asked.

  "I guess you don't know that Rid taught me that area magic. If I use area magic, Rid can easily take mine and make it his own. That's why I don't want to use it. Right now, we should be thankful that Rid didn't choose to use that magic, even though he could have used it at any time," Irene said.

  "So, do you have a plan?" Noa asked.

  "I'll fight Rid one-on-one. You just focus on fighting his partner and don't let your guard down," Irene said.

  "Okay, since I know his attacks, I won't let my guard down this time," Noa said.

  Then they both prepared to attack.

  ~San Lucia Art : Snow Blade Dance Technique~

  Irene conjured several ice rapiers around her and prepared to attack me with them.

  Then they both advanced toward their respective opponents. Irene approached me and attacked with her ice rapier, but I blocked it with my sword.

  "You decided to use that technique, Irene. You've used it so many times during our sparring," I said.

  "This time it's different, Rid. I'm going to be serious in this match," Irene said.

  "Then, let me show you something," I said.

  As the rapiers surrounding Irene attempted to attack me, they were blocked by the other ice rapiers. Irene was shocked.

  "That technique !?" Irene said, shocked.

  "You're right, this is the technique you're using now. Do you think you're the only one who can use that technique?" I asked.

  -To be continued