Performing eight steps in a row, including one of the Devil's Sword formations, the attack was beyond anything a stage 2 Pagna warrior should have been able to produce.
Raze was in the center, stood in a crater of the mess he had created. His hand was shaking, his muscles felt like they were tearing apart.
At that moment, he was extremely focused, carefully controlling the Qi, remembering the formations and the instructions in the book to the last letter.
With circle formations and spells, he needed to do the same thing. Remember the shape, the runes, and place the image in his head. Then use the right amount of mana to produce the spell.
What he had accomplished as a 9-star mage was being transferred over to him using Qi in his skills, which was why he could create textbook copies of what he had learned.
Looking around, he was trying to see where Ricktor was. He could see that he had flown to the edge of the arena; it didn't look like he was getting up any time soon.
Looking at the sword, Raze could see there were some traces of blood. Slowly he reached out and grabbed the tip of it with his hand, but he could see that his eyesight was turning slightly blurry.
'Crap, I'm exhausted… I've never pushed myself this far before. Is this what it feels like to deplete one's Qi completely?'
Weakened, Raze could feel his legs giving out, so he turned around, and could see Dame just standing there staring at him. He looked stunned, frozen like an ice sculpture, and that was because he was.
'Eight of the descending steps, not just six of them, but a stage 2 Pagna warrior was able to perform eight of the steps? This level of Qi control should be something that's only possible at the upper middle stages.
'If people like me and Ricktor are considered geniuses, then what does that make him?'
"Hey!" Raze called out, as his body started to fall to the ground. "Make sure I wake up alive."
Immediately after Raze had fallen straight onto the ground, and Dame was the only one left standing there.
"Hey, he beat Ricktor. He clearly beat Ricktor, right? We all saw it! The Blue headbands, they're the only ones left standing. Does that mean we won!"
"We did, we won, we won!"
The Blue headband students started to cheer in victory for Raze and the others. Even though they hadn't done anything, in their root to cheer for their fellow students, it felt as if it was something that they had done together.
They couldn't help but cheer, and it wasn't just them. The ones sitting by the side, the invited guests, all had large smiles on their faces as they turned to talk with each other.
"I can't believe it, that student was able to best even a stage 3 Pagna warrior, does that mean he was even higher?"
"I guess he was a student that slipped through. It's clear he's not deserving of a Blue headband."
"You did hear what he stated, that he was a no name. Either way, it looks like the Dark Faction has a star in the making."
"A new star, maybe the Dark Faction will eventually have someone that can compete with Beatrix from the Light Faction. We will not be lacking in stars; we must support the Academy as much as we can."
Principal Murkel, hearing the comments from the others, thought that the results weren't lackluster. In the end, having such a fight, they felt more confidence in sending more funding to the academy, which was a good thing.
However, their words of praise weren't just for the white-haired student as they started to talk about the others as well.
"All of the Blue headbands seemed to have performed well. If it was just one or two, we could put it off to coincidence, but they all put up a fight. It seems that in the month they must have been trained well."
"I agree, who was their teacher again, it was Mr. Lee, correct? I recognized the spear skills that the girl from before used as well. I guess the rumors weren't true, and their clan is still strong."
Teacher Lee was still amazed by everything he had seen. He thought he was dreaming and had to pinch the side of his leg several times to the point where his skin had turned purple.
But it was all true. He turned his head, looking at the Vice-Principal who had caught his eye, and Amir just nodded.
'A promise is a promise, I will speak to the Lethal Bite Clan about their practices, and you have gained the confidence of the general public. It puts me in a good condition after what has happened today.' Amir thought.
From his right, a loud grunt was heard coming from Feebie.
"So, now that Demonic Faction member has even bested your Grandson. Yet they are unaware of the Demonic techniques he has used and now they are all calling him the star of the Dark Faction.
"By allowing him to fight, you have now created this own mess of a situation for yourself."
"You are right," Murkel replied, standing up from his seat. He placed his hands behind his back and started to take long strides towards the fighting platform.
"If we were to do anything to the student now, all of these witnesses would no longer put their trust in us, and we can't just go ahead and claim he is from the Demonic Faction; otherwise, other questions will arise. So we will deal with it as a private matter."
Murkel then jumped from his position, landing on the stage. As he did, he could see the other student who was still standing, shifting quite close to Raze who was on the floor.
The two of them made eye contact for a bit, not saying anything.
'Why of all people did he have to come out? The closest person to joining the Divine stage… this is going to be hard,' Dame thought.
"The event has come to an end. The fighting platform has been damaged and needs time to repair, and after a spectacular display from our students, I think it's only right to end it there. The winner is none other than Raze! The new hope and star of the Dark Faction!"
Right after shouting those words, the Blue headband wearers screamed in cheers that shook the entire place. While the main clan leaders were confused.
Why would the principal do such a thing?
Sitting in their seats, having watched everything, Himmy had turned to his colleague.
"I want you to be honest with me, in that fight just then, taking down that student, did he use any magic?" Himmy asked.
Charlotte was watching carefully, and although magic had been used during the fights before, when Raze had fought against just Ricktor, he had used purely Pagna warrior skills only.
"He didn't," Charlotte answered. "That guy, he just used warrior skills. He's really something, right?"
Himmy had to agree. "You're right; I believe he won't just become a simple student in this academy. I think we need to start thinking about his position a bit more. Having him just as a field agent in Alter would be a waste.
"Let's talk to him and see how he feels about a promotion of sorts."