The Boy Who Walks Beyond The End-Chapter 77: One-on-One, One Too Many

The arena thundered with applause as the Academy's 1v1 Duel Trials began. It wasn't just a Exam—it was a spectacle. Students faced off, class against class, ego against ego. And somewhere in the crowd, someone yelled:

> "I'm here for the drama and the explosions!"

Spoiler: They got both.

---

Match One: Sylvia (Verdant) vs Fiora (Aetherion)

Sylvia stood like an ice-sculpted warrior, her sword trailing frost on the ground.

Fiora grinned, electricity buzzing in her palms like caged thunder. "Don't freeze up."

Sylvia didn't respond. Just vanished.

CRACK. Electro clashed against ice. A flurry of snow met a bolt of raw magic. The arena floor split under the elemental fury. But Sylvia remained calm—cold, cutting.

One graceful spin. Slice. Her blade tapped Fiora's shoulder—light enough not to harm, but precise enough to declare victory.

Fiora blinked. "...Well, that was humbling."

Sylvia simply nodded and walked off, a cat somehow Following behind her again. (Don't ask. It's Kleez's fault.)

---

Match Two: Arisella (Royal) vs Kyrien (Unknown Shadow)

Whispers filled the stands. A duel of wind and shadows.

Arisella launched forward, her wind cape billowing. "Wind Sphere!"

Kyrien's eyes glowed violet. "Shadow Field."

The light dimmed. Shadows swallowed the air. But Arisella spun in midair, riding a vortex upward. With a flick of her wrist, a razor wind dispersed the shadows.

A blade of air skimmed past Kyrien's cheek.

He smiled. "Next time."

Arisella smirked. "If there is one."

she Won.

---

Match Three: Elvren (Royal) vs Veyra (Verdant)

Fire met animated snow.

Elvren summoned a phoenix from his palm. It circled him protectively, burning away Veyra's animated sculptures. But Veyra kept summoning more—snow wolves, ice serpents, even a snow samurai.

Still, fire surged.

Elvren's flames roared, sending Veyra skidding back.

She chuckled. "I hate how pretty your magic is."

He bowed. "It is rather photogenic."

He won by a fiery margin.

---

Match Four: Lyra (Royal) vs Cael Driftmoor (Verdant)

Cael strutted into the arena, flipping his scythe like he was auditioning for a villainous stage play.

"Prepare to lose, bluebird," he smirked.

Lyra stepped forward, calm and composed. Her icy blue eyes shimmered—not just with magic, but intent.

[System: [Zen's Heart Rate: 122 BPM. Diagnosis: 'Loverboy Mode Activated']]

Her staff materialized in a soft flash—silver and elegant, with glowing runes pulsing with static energy.

Cael lunged. His scythe sliced the air with a crackling arc—

A radiant barrier flashed into place, stopping the blade an inch from her face. Light rippled from the impact. She winced, the force rattling through her body.

A shallow gash formed on her arm.

Cael smirked. "Already bleeding? Not looking good, Dear."

Lyra didn't answer.

Her palm shimmered gold. Healing light coursed up her arm, knitting the wound closed as if it had never been there.

She raised her staff.

"Resonant Surge."

A bolt of lightning exploded from the runes, slamming into Cael's chest. He staggered, steam rising from his coat.

He growled and charged again—but Lyra sidestepped, another barrier snapping into place behind her like a mirror of glass.

He slammed into it full-force.

"Pulse Lance."

A flash of silver-blue light tore from her staff, sending him flying backward.

He groaned, barely conscious. "I saw ANGEL."

Lyra walked to the center of the arena, voice cool. "That was restraint."

[System: [Zen Jealousy Spike Detected. Suggestion: Glare at Cael.]]

Zen: (Already glaring.)

The judge raised a flag.

"Winner: Lyra Caelivara!"

---

Match FIVE: Zen (Aetherion) vs Kleez (Verdant)

The crowd hushed. A clash of chaos and calm.

Zen walked into the arena, black coat swaying, his hand resting lightly on his sword. Silent confidence.

Kleez bounced in behind him—wearing mismatched boots, a headband made from toast, and holding what looked like... a carrot?

[System: [Duel Commencing]]

Kleez winked. "Let's not fight. Let's emotionally connect... with explosions."

Zen narrowed his eyes. "...Do you even have a strategy?"

Kleez pointed at the sky. "Yes. Step one: confusion. Step two: BLAMMO."

He threw something.

Zen dodged easily. It exploded into glitter. And smoke. And a chicken.

[System: ...Why is there always poultry?]

Zen finally moved.

A single dash—Skystep Cleave.

Kleez flipped backwards—tripped over a smoke cat. "HA! You missed!"

Updat𝓮d fr𝙤m ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com.

BOOM.

His own bomb rolled back toward him. It exploded, launching him into the air, spinning like a fireworks pinwheel.

He landed upside down, hair fried, dazed smile.

[System: Opponent Defeated. Technically.]

Zen sheathed his sword without ever actually striking. He walked past Kleez.

Kleez, from the ground, grinned. "We should rematch sometime! Preferably without me blowing up!"

Zen sighed.

Lyra laughed from the stands. "That's the third time this week."

Zen scowled. "It's Monday."

[System: [Achievement Unlocked: Jealousy Level 7 – "Boyfriend-ish Instincts Stirring"]]