I kicked off the ground, dashing toward her in a straight line.

My grip tightened around the sword, ice mana surging through my veins.

Alaine’s reaction was instant—she jumped backward, her feet barely touching the ground before another gust of wind sent her further away.

『 Wind Series: Gale Step! (✦ 5th-level Spell ✦) 』

She was fast.

Every time I closed in, she pushed herself further back with bursts of wind, keeping just out of my reach.

But that was fine.

I slashed the air—

『 Ice Series: Frost Crash! (✦ 6th-level Spell ✦) 』

CRACK—!

A massive surge of ice exploded forward in a sweeping wave, crashing toward her like a frozen tidal wave. The ground beneath it froze solid, spreading outward at insane speed.

Alaine’s eyes narrowed.

TWANG!

She fired another arrow—

『 Wind Series: Piercing Tempest! (✦ 6th-level Spell ✦) 』

The arrow struck the ice wave—

BOOM!

A violent gust tore through the frozen mass, shattering chunks of ice and sending them flying. But my attack had already done its job—

The ground was frozen.

Alaine’s footing faltered the moment she landed.

I was already moving.

I lunged forward, my sword slashing low toward her legs.

She twisted, barely avoiding the blade by a hair—

WHOOSH!

She tried to jump back again—

But her feet slipped on the frozen ground.

Her balance was off.

I saw her eyes widen in that split-second mistake—

I took full advantage of it.

I surged forward, using the ice beneath my feet to slide in smoothly—

SWISH!

I swung my sword upward in a sharp, clean arc.

She had no choice but to block—

CLANG!

Her bow barely intercepted my blade, the force pushing her back. She landed in a crouch, breath slightly heavier.

For the first time, she wasn’t able to keep her distance.

“Looks like running won’t work anymore,” I said, twirling my sword lightly.

Alaine let out a small chuckle, standing back up.

“Then I guess I’ll just have to stop running.”

She grabbed another arrow, this one pulsing with spirit magic.

I readied my stance.

Twang!

She loosed the arrow—

『 Spirit Series: Phantom Shot! (✦ 6th-level Spell ✦) 』

The arrow vanished mid-air.

My eyes narrowed.

Not good.

I pivoted, my instincts screaming at me—

SWISH!

The arrow reappeared at my blind spot, aiming straight for my ribs.

I reacted instantly.

『 Shield Series: Winter’s Barrier! (✦ 6th-level Spell ✦) 』

CRACK!

A thick layer of ice erupted around me, forming a shield-shaped barrier just in time.

The arrow slammed into it, sending a web of cracks across the surface before shattering into nothing.

No time to relax.

I kicked off the frozen ground, closing the gap between us again.

Alaine jumped backward, but her footing was still unstable on the ice.

I took full advantage of it.

『 Ice Series: Frost Chains! (✦ 5th-level Spell ✦) 』

SHING!

Thick chains of ice shot out from the frozen ground, lashing toward her ankles.

She flipped backward, barely dodging—

But I wasn’t done.

『 Ice Series: Frost Crash! (✦ 6th-level Spell ✦) 』

Another wave of ice surged forward, the sheer cold filling the air.

Alaine twisted mid-air, her bow glowing with wind magic.

『 Wind Series: Gale Shot! (✦ 5th-level Spell ✦) 』

BOOM!

She fired an arrow straight downward, the force blasting her upward like a gust-propelled jump. She barely escaped the ice wave, landing smoothly a few meters away.

I exhaled, mist forming from the cold surrounding us.

“You’re really not making this easy, huh?” I muttered.

Alaine smirked, nocking another arrow.

“Wasn’t planning to.”

I shifted my stance, gripping my training sword tightly.

The temperature around me dropped even further.

Fine. If she wanted to keep her distance…

I’d force her into close combat.

『 Ice Series: Glacial Dash! (✦ 5th-level Spell ✦) 』

CRACK—!

The ice beneath me exploded, sending me forward in a blur of frozen mist—

I was already in front of her before she could even react.

I swung my sword—

Alaine’s eyes widened as she barely raised her bow to block—

CLANG!

The impact sent her sliding backward, her feet scraping against the ice.

Alaine gritted her teeth, barely keeping her balance on the ice.

I wasn’t going to let up.

FWIP!

I lunged forward again, my sword slicing through the cold air.

She twisted her body just in time, dodging to the side, but I was already adjusting my grip—

I brought my sword around for a horizontal slash, aiming for her ribs.

CLANG!

She blocked with her bow, the impact making her arms tremble.

But she didn’t just defend.

A burst of wind magic exploded from beneath her boots—

『 Wind Series: Wind Step! (✦ 4th-level Spell ✦) 』

WHOOSH!

She vanished from my sight, reappearing behind me in an instant.

I turned—

TWANG!

An arrow was already flying toward me.

Too close to dodge.

I raised my arm—

THUD!

The blunt training arrow slammed into my shoulder, drawing out blood.

“Ugh!”

I hissed at the impact, but I didn’t stop moving.

Instead of stepping back, I pushed forward.

I spun, using the momentum to bring my sword down in a heavy vertical strike.

Alaine jumped back—

『 Ice Series: Frost Chains! (✦ 5th-level Spell ✦) 』

SHING!

The moment her foot touched the ground, chains of ice erupted around her ankles.

Her eyes widened.

Got her.

I swung—

But at the last second—

『 Spirit Series: Mirage Step! (✦ 6th-level Spell ✦) 』

Alaine’s body flickered, and my sword sliced through nothing but air.

She had left an afterimage in her place.

“Seriously?”

I muttered, already turning to find her—

THWIP!

Another arrow was flying toward my head.

I ducked just in time, the arrow barely grazing my hair.

Enough of this.

I slammed my foot into the ice, gathering a surge of mana.

『 Ice Series: Frost Crash! (✦ 6th-level Spell ✦) 』

The entire arena shook as a massive wave of ice exploded forward, sweeping across the ground in an unstoppable surge.

Alaine had nowhere to run.

She raised her bow, wind swirling violently around it—

『 Wind Series: Tempest Barrier! (✦ 6th-level Spell ✦) 』

Fucking hell…

How many spells had she learn in such a short time?!

WHOOOOM!

A fierce whirlwind erupted around her, clashing against my ice wave.

For a second, both forces pushed against each other, the ice cracking, the wind roaring—

Then—

BOOM!

The collision blasted us both backward.

I dug my feet into the frozen ground, barely managing to stay standing.

Alaine, however, had been forced into the air by the explosion.

Her eyes widened as she realized—

She had no foothold.

I wasn’t about to waste this chance.

I dashed forward.

Alaine twisted midair, already preparing another spell, but she wasn’t fast enough.

I swung my sword—

THWACK!

Alaine barely managed to raise her bow in time to block my strike, the impact sending a sharp vibration through her arms.

She gritted her teeth, struggling to stay balanced midair.

She tried to summon wind beneath her feet—

『 Wind Series: Wind Step! (✦ 4th-level Spell ✦) 』

But I wasn’t going to let her recover.

I twisted my grip, bringing my sword down again in a brutal diagonal slash.

CLANG!

She deflected it, but her body was pushed back—off balance, vulnerable.

I stepped forward.

『 Ice Series: Frost Spikes! (✦ 3rd-level Spell ✦) 』

CRACK!

Jagged ice spears erupted from the ground below, shooting toward her.

She spun midair, using a burst of wind magic to shift her position—

But I was already in front of her.

I slashed.

She barely managed to block with her bow again, but—

CRACK!

Her fingers slipped.

Her weapon flew from her hands, clattering against the icy floor.

Her eyes widened in shock.

Too late.

I was already moving.

I slammed my foot into the ice and lunged forward, closing the distance instantly.

Alaine raised her arms in a last-ditch effort to defend herself, but I was faster.

I grabbed her wrist and twisted it behind her back, pulling her against me.

She gasped, her body tensing.

I lifted my sword, pressing the blunt edge lightly against her throat—

A clear checkmate.

Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she stared up at me, her lips slightly parted, her face flushed from the intense battle.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

The air was heavy.

Our breaths mingled.

Then—

Before she could react, before even I could second-guess it—

I leaned in.

“Mhm!”

And kissed her.

Her entire body stiffened.

Her breath caught in her throat.

But she didn’t pull away.

Instead, she melted into it, her fingers gripping the fabric of my shirt as if holding onto something fragile.

The cold air around us no longer mattered.

The battle didn’t matter.

It was just us.

After what felt like an eternity—but was probably just a few seconds—I pulled back slightly, my forehead resting against hers.

Her disguised brown eyes stared into mine, dazed, unsure.

“Guess I win.”

Alaine blinked.

Once. Twice.

Then her face exploded into a deep shade of red.

“W-What—”

She tried to say something, but her voice cracked.

Her hands, still gripping my shirt, twitched slightly.

For someone who was always quite calm and composed, this was the first time I had ever seen her so… nervous?

She looked very cute.

I chuckled, stepping back and letting go of her wrist.

“That was unfair,” she muttered, looking away.

I shrugged, flipping the training sword in my grip before resting it on my shoulder.

“All’s fair in love and war.”

She puffed out her cheeks in frustration, her ears still burning.

For a second, it looked like she wanted to say something more, but instead, she let out a sigh and rubbed her temples before leaking out a small smile.

“Come on.”

I said, offering her a hand.

“Let’s head out now.”

She hesitated for a moment before taking it.

Her fingers were warm against mine.

And as we walked out of the training arena, I could feel her occasionally stealing glances at me, lips pressed together as if she was still processing what had just happened.

Walking hand in hand, we made our way back to the dormitory.

The halls were quiet, the afternoon light casting long shadows on the walls. Alaine still wasn’t saying much, her fingers fidgeting slightly at her sides.

Every now and then, she’d glance at me, then quickly look away when I noticed.

Why was she so embarrassed?

I wasn’t entirely sure.

After all, we’ve kissed multiple times; however, never did she act like this.

When we reached the dorm and stepped inside, the sound of laughter filled the air.

“Take this!”

A pillow soared across the room.

POOF!

It smacked right into Chaerin’s face, making her stumble back.

“Gah—Lumi, you little—!”

Chaerin grabbed a pillow of her own and launched it at Lumi, who ducked just in time. The pillow crashed into the couch instead, sending a small puff of feathers into the air.

Lumi cackled, her green slimy hair bouncing as she jumped onto the couch to grab another pillow.

“You missed! Try again!”

Chaerin grinned, her black eyes gleaming slightly.

“Oh, I will.”

They were completely lost in their little war, not even noticing Alaine and me standing in the doorway.

“…Do we stop them?” Alaine asked, crossing her arms.

I leaned against the doorframe, watching as Lumi used the couch as cover while Chaerin tried to ambush her from the side.

“Nah, let’s see who wins.”

Alaine sighed but didn’t argue.

WHAM!

Lumi managed to hit Chaerin in the stomach, making her gasp dramatically and fall to her knees.

“No… I’ve been defeated…” she whispered, hand over her heart.

Lumi stood over her, raising a pillow high like a sword.

“Any last words?”

Chaerin looked up, her eyes shining mischievously.

“Yeah.”

She suddenly lunged, tackling Lumi to the floor.

Both of them crashed onto the carpet, laughing as they wrestled for control over the pillows.

I shook my head, chuckling.

“Idiots.”

That’s when they finally noticed us.

Chaerin spoke as soon as she spotted us.

“Oh, you guys are back!”

Lumi, still pinned under Chaerin, blinked before grinning.

“Had a good date?”

Alaine froze beside me.

I could feel her staring at me, waiting for me to respond.

I shrugged.

“Depends. Does beating someone up count as a date?”

Chaerin whistled.

“Oof. Alaine, he’s calling you weak.”

Hearing her words, a vein popped in Alaine’s forehead slightly as she glared at Chaerin. Her look made Chaerin instantly back off.

Lumi giggled, still lying on the floor.

“Anyway, are you guys hungry? I was just thinking about ordering some food.” I spoke, bringing my phone out.

“Papa, I want pizza!”

Chaerin beamed cheerfully, looking at me with shining eyes.

I looked towards the others.

Lumi sat up, clapping her hands.

“Mhm!”

Alaine only nodded slightly.

“Pizza it is.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep