The battle arena stood empty.
The lingering elemental energies had yet to dissipate.
Ice crystals filled the air, spreading in every direction on the wind and sending a chill through all the watching wizards.
Especially Wade and the others at the edge of the arena.
An even deeper chill gripped their hearts.
They watched the lake in the arena. Ian had dealt with Una's strongest attack in the most effortless way imaginable.
Then he had struck back at Una.
"This doesn't look good."
Wade looked at Anthony, the head of the Resources Department beside him. Anthony's lips were pressed tight, the shock in his eyes impossible to hide.
Even though the battle had only just begun.
That scene still sent a chill through him, because he was wondering whether he could have done something like that so easily.
Could he?
It seemed he could not.
Anthony had a realistic assessment of his own abilities.
Damian also straightened, his eyes widening slightly.
He had considered that Ian might be powerful.
But he had never expected him to be this powerful.
"We may have made the wrong decision this time." Damian pressed his slightly dry lips together.
He took a deep breath.
"Ian!"
Kieran's gaze swept past the throng of wizards to Ian, who stood brimming with confidence beneath the sunlit ice crystals.
This was his student.
"My junior."
Cerys froze. Could Ian already fight the deans of the four academies at this level?
"Ian..."
Green Wing looked at Ian. Even with Ian simply standing there, he could feel an immense pressure.
As they were now.
They were no longer on the same level at all.
"Hah, hah, hah!"
Darwin breathed deeply.
His earlier worry eased. He had originally feared Ian would take too severe a beating, but now it seemed...
*He