Return of the Legendary Runesmith

The moment the referee dropped his hand, Tyler charged like a bull let loose.

His mace ripped through the air, wind swirling and howling around it. He spun and slammed it down toward Altia.

"And Tyler wastes no time! He's going in with the full force of wind!" the commentator shouted.

CLANG!

Altia blocked, but the blow sent her sliding back. Sparks flew. The crowd gasped.

"Whoa!"

"She stopped that?"

"Barely!"

But Tyler didn't slow down.

Swing after swing, wind trailing behind every strike—wild, fast, and brutal.

Altia struggled. Her arms shook with each block. She barely dodged a downward slam that cracked the ground beside her.

"Look at that pressure! Altia can't even breathe right now!"

"Tyler's not holding back at all—he wants to end this early!"

In the stands, the Blackthorn students were already cheering.

"Crush her, Tyler!"

"Send her flying!"

Altia tried to jab with her spear, but the wind knocked it off-course. A gust hit her from the side—she stumbled.

"She's open!" someone shouted.

Tyler grinned and brought his mace around again.

Altia barely ducked.

Bruised, tired, and sweating—her flame hadn't even awakened yet.

Then she exhaled.

A calm breath in the storm.

She whispered, "Now."

Her spear lit up—flames bursting across its shaft with a whoosh! The air shimmered.

The crowd leaned forward.

"There it is! Flame ignition from Altia! She's finally fighting back!"

Tyler narrowed his eyes. "Took you long enough," he said—and lunged again.

Altia didn't dodge.

She stepped into the strike, twisted her body—and let the wind help her avoid it.

Then—she countered.

A flaming thrust shot forward like a cannon. Tyler raised his mace just in time, but the impact knocked him off his feet.

"SHE'S TURNING THE TIDE! WHAT A STRIKE!"

Altia didn't stop.

Her spear moved like lightning.

A spin. A swipe. A flame blast toward his left.

Tyler blocked again, but staggered.

"She's too fast—!"

The Runebound students finally found their voices.

"Go, Altia!"

"Burn him down!"

"She's not done yet!"

Tyler swung again to make space—but Altia jumped high, fire trailing behind her. She came down hard.

BOOM!

Cracks spread across the stage.

Tyler rolled away, coughing.

Altia was already in front of him. She spun, sweeping flames along the ground. Tyler tried to jump—but the fire kissed his legs.

"AARGHH!"

"TYLER'S IN TROUBLE! THE FLAMES HAVE FOUND THEIR MARK!"

Altia pressed her spear and blasted him point-blank with fire. The heat forced everyone in the front row to step back.

Tyler stumbled—burn marks across his clothes.

Altia rushed in one last time, her eyes blazing.

"Stop holding back!!" she roared—and drove the spear into his chestplate.

He flew across the stage—slammed into the far wall—then dropped to his knees.

The crowd fell silent.

"Is this the end?!" the commentator cried, voice shaking with disbelief.

Tyler's figure blurred—and vanished.

Altia's eyes widened. Her head shot up instinctively.

There he was—in the air above her, like a god descending, mace raised high.

His eyes were wild. No more mockery. No more control.

Just raw fury.

A howling storm erupted behind him. A vortex of wind tore through the arena. Cloaks flapped violently, banners ripped from the poles. Spectators grabbed the railings, hair and clothes whipping around.

The clouds above spun into a funnel, spiraling down as if the sky itself was being swallowed.

"W-What the hell is that?!"

"Hold onto something!"

"Is that even allowed?!"

"That's not just wind anymore—that's a category three hurricane!! How a second grader can conjure that?!" the commentator shouted.

Tyler's voice rang like thunder:

"TAKE THIS—HERCULES WRATH!!!"

He smashed the mace downward.

The whirlpool above collapsed. Wind lashed in every direction, screaming in agony as it spiraled toward the center of the ring—toward Altia.

Everything disappeared in a blinding explosion of dust and wind.

The arena trembled. The stone cracked beneath the force. Judges flinched. Some students near the front were knocked off their feet.

Altia—was nowhere to be seen.

"NO WAY SHE SURVIVED THAT!!"

"She's buried—!"

"Tyler's won! That's over!!"

"Sir…" Allen also got up in a panic. However, Adrian was unmoved.

He knew she could do it.

The storm howled louder. Wild, untamed, beastlike.

But then…

A strange heat began to rise.

The swirling wind that had once roared with chaos…started to flicker.

Orange. Red. Gold.

The whirlpool caught fire.

A streak of flame slithered through the air—twisting inside the wind, taming it, binding it.

The howling turned…beautiful.

Controlled. Rhythmical. Divine.

And then—from the center of that blazing spiral—she walked out.

Slowly. Powerfully.

Altia.

Her cloak burned away, revealing armor scorched with radiant flame. Her spear glowed like it was forged anew. Her hair, swept by fire and wind, danced like banners on a battlefield.

The fire and wind no longer fought. They danced together.

"She's…she's controlling the storm!?"

"She turned his own attack into her weapon!!"

"No—she became the center of it! THE EYE OF THE STORM!!"

Tyler's eyes were wide. His mouth hung open.

Altia's voice boomed—low, calm, commanding:

"You call that wrath?"

With a wave of her spear, the flaming vortex surged forward—but instead of destroying him, it bowed around her like a shield, like a crown.

Altia strode through the fire and stopped inches from Tyler, who couldn't move.

The wind around him died.

His mace dropped from trembling fingers.

He dropped to his knees, head lowered.

"I… surrender…"

Silence.

Then—

The arena exploded.

Cheers shook the skies.

People stood, mouths open, some screaming, some crying.

Even the commentator struggled to find words.

"ALTIA HAS ASCENDED! SHE'S NOT A STUDENT—SHE'S A WAR GODDESS IN HUMAN SKIN!!"

Altia heaved a sigh as she finally lowered her spear and allowed the flames to slowly dissipate

Turning over her shoulder she smiled at the Professor.

Adrian smiled in response before giving her a warm nod. As he thought she could do it.

Soon, Altia returned to the preparation room, and instantly, Aries tackled her in a hug.

"Damn, girl! You nailed it!" Aries was shaking in excitement.

What they witnessed just now was unforgettable.

She overwhelmed her opponent and brought them their first victory.

Altia shyly smiled and said, "I did what I could."

Adrian chuckled, "Your personality changes so drastically…well, you performed well."

Altia lowered her eyes and thanked him.

Not so long after, the staff member came to ask, "Who would be the next."

Allen glanced at Adrian before he received a nod from the man.

Turning towards the staff member, Allen said, "I am going in."

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A/N:- I hope the battle scene wasn't boring. If you are enjoying the story so far, drop a review. Thanks for reading.