Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1233: Succeed

Upon the stage, the intense duel pressed forward, with neither of the boys ready to give in.

Though they were utterly drained, their auras fading away, fierce resolve still flickered in their gazes.

Yet, abruptly, the voices of their mentors echoed within the minds of both boys.

Chad’s words arrived in Sora’s thoughts first.

Naturally, Sora realized he absolutely couldn’t afford defeat at this moment!

Sora’s pulse raced even faster. The encouragement from his master sparked a blazing passion within him.

Simultaneously, Denise’s steady voice slipped into Rice’s consciousness.

Rice’s gaze grew keener.

Now pushed to their very edges, both boys surged ahead with fresh vigor! Their stares clashed without mercy, neither conceding an inch, their breathing heavy yet their spirits unyielding.

Bam!

Once more, fists and palms smashed together, their auras erupting wildly like they’d been fueled by some potent elixir. In truth, it was pure willpower that drove them onward.

The pair kept clashing relentlessly, their auras scattering wildly over the platform, and the atmosphere itself quivered from the force of their confrontation.

The audience thundered with excitement as the battle hit its climax! Clearly, they were thrilled by this epic showdown!

Sora’s Dragon’s Drive clashed against Rice’s Piercing Echo.

Boom!

A massive burst of aura rocked the arena, sending clouds of dust into the air, while the ground splintered even further...

For an instant, quiet descended. The entire crowd held their breaths, eager to discover which fighter would emerge triumphant.

Soon after, the boys staggered backward, their legs giving way, perspiration streaming down their faces, their forms shaking from sheer fatigue.

And in unison, they crumpled onto the stage, their auras guttering out like fading embers.

A draw.

Thud! Thud!

The spectators exploded in uproar, some shouting in delight, others murmuring in disbelief, struggling to accept that no one had claimed victory. To the onlookers, this wasn’t merely a skirmish—it was the birth of an unforgettable tale right before them.

The crowd fell into wild disarray.

"What?! Both of them dropped!"

"It’s a tie!"

"No way... I figured Sora would take it!"

"Rice turned it all back! He nearly had the win!"

"They’re beasts! Freshmen shouldn’t possess such power!"

***

Far overhead, Chad and Denise shared surprised glances. Silence hung between them briefly. Then Chad let out a hearty laugh... Such an outcome was beyond anyone’s expectations!

"Well, Denise, it seems our wager ends in a stalemate. No pendant, no gauntlet changes hands..."

Denise gave a gentle laugh, tilting her head. "You’re right... but observe them. They battled as though their very existence hung in the balance. They’ve gained far more than mere cheers. Wager or not, I’ll still present the pendant. He’s earned it fully."

Chad smiled broadly. "Alright then... I’ll offer the gauntlet as a simple gift regardless. Consider it a prize for their unbreakable resolve. The bet was enjoyable, but the real aim was to drive them past their boundaries."

In fact, he intended to bestow gifts not only on his own disciple but also on the other three combat arts participants, which included Tracy receiving a gauntlet from him as well.

Denise agreed with a nod. "Precisely..."

The pair shared a laugh, their sounds barely audible amid the din from below.

***

Off to the side, Tracy had observed the whole confrontation. Her hands balled into tight fists, her heart thumping wildly.

She’d always recognized Rice’s prowess, and she’d guessed that Sora’s rigorous training with Chad provided him an advantage. Witnessing their ferocious exchange, with their mentors urging them mentally, caused a pang in her chest.

She’d been selected for the team, of course. She’d gotten supplies, elixirs, and practice aids. Yet she lacked Chad’s harsh drills or Denise’s precise instruction. She hadn’t received whispers of motivation from Immortals in her thoughts.

Temporarily, uncertainty crept in. Was she truly capable of fighting alongside them in the tournament? Could she hold her own against either one?

But then, she breathed out deeply, recalling how Vale’s Avatar had praised her abilities.

Her chin set firmly.

The audience’s shouts rang out around her, yet Tracy’s focus stayed on her collapsed comrades on the stage. Pressure weighed on her, but so did a fierce drive to triumph together with these remarkable peers.

***

With the duel resolved, Vale’s Avatar faced Chad and Denise.

"They performed admirably. Each one. This wasn’t a contest for dominance, but for advancement. And they’ve advanced impressively."

Chad agreed with a nod. "They’ll be prepared for the tournament."

Denise offered a subtle smile. "Indeed. Tracy, even from the sidelines, picked up valuable lessons today."

Vale’s Avatar’s eyes narrowed keenly. "Excellent. Since shortly, they’ll require more than raw power alone."

"In any case... Chad, Denise... a gathering approaches. With the other Immortals. It’s crucial."

Chad arched an eyebrow. "A gathering? What’s going on?"

Vale’s Avatar’s tone dropped lower...

"It concerns the task I assigned to the Time Manipulators."

Denise’s eyes expanded a touch. "The Time Manipulators... you’re saying they’ve discovered something?"

Vale’s Avatar confirmed with a nod. "Affirmative. The assignment I gave them has yielded promising outcomes. This might alter our entire situation... We need to convene, deliberate, and ready ourselves..."

Chad’s face turned grave, and he inclined his head.

"We’ll attend then. Let us know the timing."

Denise dipped her head. "We’ll come prepared."

Vale’s Avatar glanced back at the arena, where Rice and Sora remained out cold, then addressed the pair once more...

"In a matter of days... They’re continuing to evaluate this new domain. Still, early examinations indicate it’s inferior to our present realm."

Chad nodded solemnly upon hearing this. It appeared their opportunity to enter another domain was drawing near...