The way to the Winter Garden was bustling with students and instructors eager to witness the faction duel as it was the day of the duel.

The Basil faction had ensured maximum attention, with everyone murmuring, gossiping, and whispering.

The gates of the Winter Garden were already open as the Basil faction entered first.

Oasis, Master Renald, and the other disciples were waiting at the entrance to the main hall as their guests arrived.

"Greetings, Master Basil and your disciples," Master Renald politely welcomed them along with his disciples.

"This way, we have prepared some refreshments for you and your disciples," Master Renald added, pointing toward the dining hall.

"No, Renald, we are not here for that. Let's get straight to business," Master Basil rudely replied.

The Basil faction took their seats on one side of the training ground in the Winter Garden.

Despite being shown respect, they seated themselves arrogantly with their ten disciples.

Master Renald and his disciples sat on the opposite side.

"Hey, Instructor Mori, start this already!" Master Basil called out.

Instructor Mori, one of the academy's instructors, had been called to mediate the faction duel between the Basil and Renald factions.

Just as Master Basil was speaking, a large crowd of students and instructors arrived at the garden.

Students and instructors from various factions of first-year practical students, along with second-year practical students and a few third-year practical students, were present.

Among the crowd were Zane, Mira, Amilia, Amiliana, and Agni, still in their theory classes.

The people supporting the Basil faction stood on their side, while the few supporting the Renald faction stood on their side.

The Renald faction consisted of only four disciples and Master Renald, so most people there were anticipating congratulating the Basil faction even before the duel.

As everyone settled, the last to enter the garden were Zion Bluemoon, Magnolia Riverwind, and Juzo Shadowfen.

These students were in different factions but were all elite disciples and among the top of the academy as fourth-year practical students.

Without hesitation, Zion went to the side of the Renald faction, Juzo went to the Basil faction, and Magnolia sat at the entrance, choosing no side.

Everyone's eyes were on them as they made their entrances.

"Oi, Big Brother Zion," Zane called out as he saw his brother.

"Yo," Zion replied as he sat.

"Destroy them, junior brother," Zion spoke to Oasis.

Oasis nodded in agreement.

On the Basil faction's side, Master Basil greeted Juzo with respect.

"Greetings, Young Master Juzo."

It was evident that their relationship was beyond that of instructor and student.

"What are we waiting for? Let's get this over with," Master Basil impatiently said to Instructor Mori.

"Welcome everyone to the faction duel between the Basil faction of second-year practical students with ten disciples and the elite Renald faction of first- year practical students with four disciples," Mori announced, holding a parchment.

"As per the agreement between the masters of both factions, the winner gets the belongings of the losers and the losing faction becomes subjugated by the winner faction," he continued.

"In agreement to this, I call both masters forth," he said, holding out a scroll.

Master Renald and Master Basil ascended to the training grounds where Instructor Mori was standing.

"Both of you, put a drop of blood on this scroll," Instructor Mori instructed.

As they put their drops of blood on the scroll, they both agreed to the terms and rules of the faction duel.

"The duel will follow the rules of a faction duel."

"Since it is ten disciples against four disciples, the duel will conclude when one side can no longer fight and all participating members have been defeated," he explained.

"Meaning as long as a disciple is winning, they can continue fighting until they see fit," he announced.

"With that said, let the duel begin!" he roared.

The crowd started buzzing and whispering.

"The Renald faction won't win."

"They are just first-year students despite being elites."

"It would have been better if the ten disciples were also first years."

A disciple from the Basil faction ascended the stage, and from the Renald faction, Tatsuo stepped forward.

"From the Basil faction, Harald Mozel, and from the Renald faction, Tatsuo Vulcan," Mori announced.

"Die, junior! Earth Magic: Earth Bullets!" Harald shouted as he unleashed his first attack.

Earth bullets flew toward Tatsuo with incredible speed and power.

Just before impact, Tatsuo unsheathed his sword.

"Scorching Crescent Blade First Form: Flame Arc!" Tatsuo shouted.

With a swift and precise movement, Tatsuo cut through the earth bullets with his Scorching Crescent Blade.

Although he couldn't unleash flames, as he wasn't yet at the level where he could manifest mana on weapons, his skill was evident.

The crowd watched in awe as Tatsuo skillfully countered Harald's attack, the tension rising with each passing moment.

Harald, seeing his initial attack fail, smirked.

"Is that all you've got, junior? Let's see how long you can keep this up!" he taunted, launching another volley of bullets.

Tatsuo quickly dodged using Blazing Mirage Step, leaving afterimages in his wake.

He countered with a sweeping motion of his blade.

"Scorching Crescent Blade Second Form: Inferno Sweep!" he yelled, sending a wave of energy.

Harald deflected the attack with a stone shield.

"You call that an attack? Pathetic!" he jeered, charging at Tatsuo with his fists encased in rock.

The force of his blows was immense, pushing Tatsuo on the defensive.

"Scorching Crescent Blade Third Form: Blazing Vortex!" Tatsuo shouted, spinning his blade in a circular motion, creating a vortex of energy that pushed Harald back momentarily.

"You're just delaying the inevitable, weakling!" Harald sneered, breaking through the vortex and closing the distance.

Tatsuo was forced to dodge again, using Blazing Mirage Step to evade Harald's relentless assaults.

Despite his agility and skill, he struggled to connect.

"Scorching Crescent Blade Fourth Form: Fiery Thrust!" Tatsuo attempted, thrusting his blade forward with precision and power.

The attack connected, but Harald's stone armor absorbed most of the impact.

"Nice try, but it's not enough!" Harald laughed, grabbing Tatsuo's blade with his stone-covered hand and delivering a powerful punch to Tatsuo's midsection, sending him staggering backward.

"Is this the best the Renald faction has to offer? Pathetic!" Harald continued to insult Tatsuo, his voice dripping with contempt.

Tatsuo gritted his teeth, determination burning in his eyes.

He steadied himself, preparing for another assault. But Harald was relentless, pressing his advantage.

With a powerful blow, Harald struck Tatsuo on the head with his stone-covered fist.

Tatsuo's vision blurred, and he crumpled to the ground, unconscious.