Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons-Chapter 269: Combat Class (2)

"Too slow," Ash taunted.

Sarah didn't waste energy responding. Instead, she countered with a lightning strike that forked unpredictably. Ash barely avoided it, genuine surprise flashing across his face.

"Not bad for an A-Class," he admitted.

The pace quickened. Fire and lightning clashed in spectacular bursts across the arena. Sarah held her own better than anyone expected, but still, it wasn't enough.

"She's doing well," Elara murmured beside Arthur.

Arthur nodded. "Better than expected."

Ash feinted left, then attacked right, catching Sarah off guard. A wave of crimson flame washed over her, drawing gasps from the onlookers.

When the fire cleared, Sarah stood within a broken water dome. She was hurt, although not critically.

Sarah didn't reply, already launching her counter-attack. Lightning arced from her fingertips, branching and rebounding off the arena walls in unpredictable patterns.

One bolt caught Ash's shoulder, making him frown.

"That's enough playing around. It's time to show that an A-Class will never match an S-Class." Ash's voice turned cold,

The match escalated. Ash dropped his casual demeanor, focusing fully on his opponent. His next attack came with frightening intensity.

Sarah's eyes widened as the dark flames approached. She threw everything into her defense, electricity forming a hemisphere around her.

The collision lit up the arena like a miniature sun.

Sarah's eyes widened as the dark flames approached. She threw everything into her defense, electricity forming a hemisphere around her, blue-white energy crackling desperately against the encroaching fire.

The collision lit up the arena like a miniature sun. Students shielded their eyes, the magical feedback sending waves of heat across the entire space.

When vision cleared, Sarah lay motionless on the floor, uniform charred, angry red burns marking her exposed skin. Unconscious.

"That's enough!" Vallen called, stepping forward with surprising speed. "Victory to Ashencroft."

She signaled sharply to the healer standing at the side, who rushed forward without hesitation. Green healing magic flowed from his hands as he knelt beside Sarah's prone form.

"Drink," the healer ordered, tipping a shimmering blue potion between Sarah's lips once she regained minimal consciousness. She swallowed reflexively, coughing as the powerful magic entered her system.

Two assistants came with a stretcher, carefully lifting Sarah and carrying her toward the infirmary. The mood in the arena had shifted dramatically—excited anticipation replaced by sombre reality.

Everyone watching had their own expressions at the scene. Elara and Arthur frowned as they watched Sarah being taken away. Other A-Class students looked worried, seeing one of their best so easily dispatched. The other S-Class students remained impassive, as if this outcome were merely expected.

Arthur and Ash exchanged glances as the Ashencroft heir returned to his earlier position, his hands in his pockets, completely unconcerned.

"Next match," Vallen announced, her voice cutting through the uncomfortable silence.

"Elara vs Henry Stones."

Upon reaching the designated spot, he executed a perfect aristocratic bow.

"Your Highness," he said to Elara.

Elara smiled in return, "Shall we begin?"

He nodded.

"Begin!" Vallen started the fight.

The fight started with a flurry of magic from both sides. Henry proved surprisingly competent, his earth magic solid and well-executed. Elara clearly could have disposed of him easily—Arthur could see it in her controlled movements—but she chose to match his pace, letting the bout extend longer than necessary.

Only when Henry began to tire did she increase her tempo, finally overwhelming his defences with a series of elegant, precisely targeted spells.

"Match!" Vallen called out as Henry's knee hit the ground. "Victory to Elara Ashborne."

Henry rose, brushing dust from his uniform before bowing once more. "Thank you, Your Highness."

"Don't worry, we are classmates now." She offered him a dazzling smile.

The next few matches were more balanced, with S-Class students being matched with each other. Each bout showcased impressive magical techniques and combat styles, drawing appreciative comments from Magistra Vallen.

Arthur was the last to be matched, and he was paired with Liora Gilderhaven, also a descendant of one of the four elite families.

Arthur felt a bad feeling from the girl. It wasn't because she was stronger than him, or that she was overwhelming him. No, it was more of a hunch. He didn't know why, but he could tell that she was holding back in the fight.

The reason he was able to tell was because of his Space talent. Due to his Space talent and his enhanced senses, Arthur's observation was very accurate. He could perceive the subtle shifts in her mana flow, the controlled way she limited her movements.

Their exchange of magic was impressive nonetheless.

Five minutes of intense combat passed, with Arthur landing the final blow, earning him the win. Arthur did not summon anyone during that time, mainly because there was no need to. His physical power and skills were enough to outmatch her apparent level.

"Enough!" Vallen finally called. "Victory to Azarel."

As they disengaged, Liora's eyes met his for a brief moment, and she smiled. The expression transformed her serious face into something mesmerising.

The smile she let out reminded him of the same smile Seraphina Gilderhaven gave him when she appeared during his guild manifestation. Seductive, almost hypnotic in nature—a family trait, perhaps.

"Well fought," she said, her voice carrying an unusual musical quality. "You're full of surprises, Azarel."

Arthur maintained his composure, though inwardly he was making connections rapidly. The similarity between Liora and Seraphina was striking now that he focused on it. Not just physical traits, but mannerisms, the particular cadence of speech.

"You as well," he replied neutrally. "Interesting techniques."

Her silver-flecked eyes studied him with unnerving precision. "We should train together sometime. Outside of class."

Before Arthur could respond, she turned away.

As they returned to their positions, Arthur couldn't shake the feeling that Liora Gilderhaven was someone to watch carefully.

The class concluded with Vallen offering brief assessments of each student's performance and areas for improvement.

"We should check on Sarah," Elara said.

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Arthur nodded, as he had planned to do that. Together they headed toward the infirmary,