The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist novel Chapter 78

Chapter 78: Chapter 78 : The first years vs the second year prodigies(2)

The atmosphere inside Zenith Academy’s grand training grounds throbbed with energy—excitement, anxiety, admiration, and latent tension weaving through every breath of the crowd.

Ethan’s duel had been a spectacle, a testament to power, training, and skill from both sides.

Now, it was time for the second fight:

Alden vs. Caspian

Alden stepped forward onto the platform, chest heaving with adrenaline, sword ready to strike.

The duel began in silence.

Then fire roared to life as Alden activated his fire resonance. He knew he couldn’t take this fight lightly—he was up against an Expert-rank, while he was only Advanced (Low).

Alden surged forward, sword raised high, aura blazing like the heart of the sun.

『 Sovereign Blade – First Form! ✦ Radiant Dusk ✦ 』

Golden flames erupted in an arcing wave, searing the air as they rushed across the platform like a living inferno. The fire bathed the arena in orange light, surging toward Caspian like divine judgment.

The crowd leaned forward, breath caught.

But Caspian remained unmoved—calm and still, like the ocean awaiting a storm.

He lifted his blade with one hand, voice barely above a whisper.

"Aegis Tide Dominion."

From beneath him, a translucent tidal barrier surged upward. A massive curtain of water intercepted the golden blaze. Steam hissed as flame met water, billowing into the air in shimmering mist. The two forces clashed, but the water held.

Alden didn’t stop.

『 Second Form! ✦ Moonlight Pierce ✦ 』

His stance shifted, eyes gleaming with focused fury. He lunged—a brilliant thrust surrounded by fiery aura, drilling forward with explosive power.

Caspian answered with a ripple of his blade—water surged like a serpent, weaving around the strike, redirecting the momentum. The flame hissed, scattering.

『 Third Form! ✦ Stellar Waltz ✦ 』

Alden’s sword danced. He spun with elegance and rage, blades of fire twirling outward in burning arcs.

The temperature in the arena spiked. Sparks flew with every movement as his blade carved circular trails of heat, pressing against Caspian’s space with rhythmic fury.

But Caspian flowed like a current, dodging and parrying. Each wave of his mana rose in fluid response, softening Alden’s strikes without meeting them head-on.

The crowd watched, entranced—a blazing tempest vs. a calm sea.

Sweat dripped from Alden’s brow. His mana was burning fast.

He roared.

『 Sovereign Blade – Fourth Form! ✦ Emberfall Requiem ✦ 』

Flames exploded beneath him, launching him into the air in a cyclone of fire. His sword ignited like a falling star. With a furious spin, he came crashing down toward Caspian.

BOOM!!

A massive explosion burst outward as Alden’s blade struck the arena. Flames surged in a dome, the ground cracked, and the shockwave sent dust and debris flying.

The crowd gasped.

Smoke billowed.

Silence.

Then... through the haze... Caspian stood.

A dome of glistening water surrounded him—drenched, but unharmed.

His sword pointed toward the ground, eyes calm. The Expert (Mid)-rank senior had endured it all.

Alden staggered. His breaths were ragged. The fire around him flickered—unstable. He summoned another burst of flame, tried to lift his sword again—but it trembled in his grip.

His knees hit the stone.

The fire went out.

The difference in rank had caught up.

Caspian sheathed his sword slowly, respectfully.

Alden let out a hoarse breath, jaw tight, pride still smoldering.

"So that’s... the weight of an Expert rank." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

He stared at his trembling hands.

"I’ll remember this... Caspian. It won’t be like this next time."

Caspian gave a slight nod.

"Then I’ll be waiting at the peak."

The crowd erupted in applause—not for victory, but for a battle of conviction and flame.

Alden had lost—but no one doubted the fire would rise again.

---

Alistar watched the arena below, steam still rising from Alden’s final clash.

"Your brother was impressive," he said, voice thoughtful.

Alicia smirked, arms crossed.

"I know."

She looked down proudly.

"He’s always been like that. No matter how badly he gets beaten, he stands back up."

Alistar glanced at her.

"Stubborn?"

"No," Alicia replied, eyes gleaming.

"Crestvale."

---

Next was another interesting duel.

Seraphina Starlight vs. Ophelia Sinclair

The duel began.

The arena pulsed with silence.

Seraphina stepped in, frost curling at her heels, cloak trailing like drifting snow. She raised her hand, water and ice answering her call—elegant, fluid, and precise.

"Glacial Waltz."

A swirl of snow and spears of ice danced into the air. Frost coated the platform—beautiful and deadly.

Then came the storm.

Ophelia Sinclair, clad in flowing black trimmed with violet, landed softly across from her. Wind whipped around her, crackling with lightning. Her aura was heavy—an Expert rank’s pressure undeniable.

"Charming entrance," Ophelia said with a smirk.

"Trying to impress my Ethan, I assume?"

Seraphina’s gaze didn’t waver.

"This isn’t about him."

Ophelia tilted her head mockingly.

"Of course it is. Everything is. You just don’t know how far below me you are—on every level."

She raised her hand.

"Thunder Vault."

A violet bolt split the sky and smashed into Seraphina’s frost barrier, cracking it instantly. Seraphina skidded back, breath catching. Even with her finesse, the raw pressure of Expert-rank spells tore through her defenses.

She pushed forward, casting "Aqua Lance"—blades of compressed water shot through the air.

Ophelia scoffed.

"You think that’ll touch me?"

"Gale Scatter!"

Wind roared to life, shredding the lances into mist. Sparks danced in the air as Ophelia’s mana flared.

Seraphina gritted her teeth. She could feel it—her mana draining faster than expected. Maintaining control, resisting pressure, holding her own—it all bled energy.

"Ice Fang Rise!"

Jagged spikes erupted beneath Ophelia’s feet.

Ophelia stepped aside, barely a flicker of effort.

"Nice trick. But this is a real spell."

She raised her palm.

"Stormlash Spiral!"

A column of lightning and air mana burst forward in a spiral, tearing across the arena. Seraphina dove sideways, one sleeve singed, lips parting with a sharp exhale.

She was an Advanced-rank mage. Skilled. Intelligent. Controlled.

But against an Expert, every move felt like a mountain.

Still, she stood. Snow gathered around her once more. With nothing else working, she decided to use her strongest spell.

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