First Battle

Ernst Institute's elite tournament officially began. The seats surrounding the enormous central arena were packed with students and instructors, and the atmosphere was electric.

Lin Qin's number was near the front of the lineup, so his turn came quickly in the first round. His opponent was Dell, a fourth-level Fire Element mage in his fifth year, who was fairly well-known around the Institute.

The two stepped onto the arena. Dell looked at Lin Qin, whose expression was calm, and sensed the Battle Qi of a sixth-level warrior radiating from him. He didn't dare let his guard down. In a fight between a mage and a warrior, distance was key.

The referee announced the start.

Dell immediately retreated as he began chanting rapidly. A scorching fireball gathered at the tip of his staff. He planned to use the Fireball Technique to keep Lin Qin at bay and stop him from closing in.

Lin Qin moved. He didn't burst into a full sprint, but advanced with steady steps, his eyes fixed on Dell.

"Whoosh!" The fireball came hurtling toward him.

Lin Qin neither dodged nor flinched. Just as the fireball was about to hit him, the ground beneath his feet trembled slightly, and a perfectly curved earth wall shot up, precisely blocking the fireball's path.

"Boom!" The fireball exploded. The earth wall shuddered, its surface scorched black, but it remained intact.

Dell's expression shifted. What incredible casting speed! He immediately prepared his next spell.

But Lin Qin had already used the opportunity to cut the distance in half. He still didn't rush forward, keeping his pace steady and putting immense psychological pressure on Dell.

Dell finished chanting and swung his staff. A scorching Fire Wave Technique swept across a wide, fan-shaped area in front of him, leaving little room to dodge.

Lin Qin stopped and planted his greatsword in the ground before him, resting both hands on its hilt. His mental energy stirred, drawing the Earth Battle Qi within him into resonance with the earth element around him.

"Vmmmm—"

A curved stone wall, far thicker and wider than an ordinary Earth Wall Technique, surged from the ground, shielding him completely like a great shield. The fire wave crashed against it, flames surging, but couldn't pass through at all.

"Is that... an improved Earth Wall Technique? What an incredible defense!" an observant student in the stands cried out.

Sweat appeared on Dell's forehead. Two spells in a row had been easily blocked, and he had already expended a considerable amount of magic power, while his opponent still seemed completely at ease.

He gritted his teeth, preparing to cast a more powerful single-target attack spell: Flame Slash.

Just then, Lin Qin moved. He drew his greatsword and pushed off hard, his figure blurring in an instant as he raced low to the ground like a hunting leopard. His speed surged! His steady pace earlier had only been meant to lull his opponent into a false sense of security.

"So fast!" Dell's pupils contracted. His chant was interrupted, and he hurriedly cast an instant Fire Ring Technique to try to force Lin Qin back.

A scorching ring of fire expanded outward from Dell. Lin Qin didn't retreat. Instead, he charged forward, dense ocher Battle Qi shimmering along his greatsword as he brought it down in a simple, direct vertical slash!

"Schhhk!"

The greatsword, imbued with sixth-level Battle Qi, cleaved a gap through the ring of fire! Lin Qin rushed through and closed in on Dell in an instant, stopping the tip of his blade at Dell's throat.

The entire exchange took no more than a few breaths.

Dell stood frozen, his face deathly pale and cold sweat running down his forehead. He had lost, without a shred of doubt.

"Lin Qin wins!" the referee announced loudly.

The stands fell silent for a moment, then filled with murmurs. He had won far too easily! Dell hadn't even managed to make Lin Qin show his full strength. Lin Qin's timing, his control of distance, and his fast, sturdy defensive magic had all left a deep impression on the crowd.

Lin Qin sheathed his sword, nodded to Dell, and walked off the arena.

Aileen was waiting for him below, a smile on her face. "That was a great win."

"His opponent wasn't strong," Lin Qin said honestly. An opponent at this level wasn't even as dangerous as some of the threats he'd faced in the Magic Beast Mountain Range.

He looked toward the other arenas, his gaze passing over several figures with powerful auras, including Linley, who was on another arena, effortlessly toying with his opponent using Wind Element magic.