The Novel's Professor

In the platform, Eugene dashed — his body appearing like a blur from his immense speed. On his hand, the long spear suddenly emitted a strong magical pressure.

«The Dragonic Seas Flow» —!

At that moment, a whirlpool of sharp water conjured on the pointed tip of the spear. It spun artistically, making everyone's attention direct towards its elegant transformation.

After a few seconds, it turned into a ferocious sea dragon.

"Ha!" Eldric sneered, his lips curling into a mocking smirk. He gripped the sword on his hand tightly, manipulating the magical energy inside his body, he redirected it to the sword.

In similar fashion to Eugene's spear — Eldric's sword also conjured a whirlpool of magical water and transformed into a ferocious sea dragon. However, compared to Eugene's version... Eldric's sea dragon seemed to be stronger and purer.

From a distance, Eugene narrowed his eyes.

'...I can't win this head on...'

Eugene thought calmly. Just from a glance, he could tell the difference between Eldric's strength compared to his. He slowed himself down, stopping his body on the middle of the stone platform. He lowered the spear covered with a sea dragon... at that moment; he assumed a stance.

'...In that case, I have to use the memories I got.'

Eugene closed his eyes. He brandished the spear as focused his mind on the memories he had received. Sharpness. Movement. Purpose. Intention. Mastery—!

At that moment, the wind stilled, and a tranquil silence descended. Before everyone's eyes, a distinct air suddenly hovered around Eugene's body, making his figure more... regal and graceful.

The aura of a Master emitted.

The air converged. Eugene opened his eyes, showing unnatural calmness and tranquility within his pupils. The air released.

Woosh—!

The wind blew harshly. It was like the well of untapped potential broke through... releasing a sudden torrent of pressure on the surroundings.

"Wh...what..?!" Eldric shouted, his eyes staring at his body. His heart quickened in beat while the hair on his skin stood erect. His body was trembling in sheer terror.

"...So it was that simple." Eugene muttered, his eyes shifting to Eldric. He stared at his older brother in silence. It was all about... "The intent and purpose."

"What...do you..." Eldric gnashed his teeth, forcefully stabilizing his body. He shouted, filled with rage. "...mean by that?!"

At that moment, Eugene dashed in. The spear on his hand was weightless, like a mere twig and branch of a tree. It was like he was wielding a paint brush than a piece of steel.

Arriving at the opposite end of the stone platform, he raised the spear—he swung the spear with intent and mastery, showcasing a light graceful vertical arc. The sea dragon calmly spun around the spear, aligning the swing as it reinforced the spear heavily.

Clang—!

The loud sound of blades clashing with each other rang out. Eldric responded with his sword, blocking the spear. He pushed his sword, trying to overpower Eugene.

Eugene put in more strength to the spear, not letting his stance falter even for a moment. He clenched his hand tightly, pushing the sea dragon to Eldric's face.

At that moment — a surreal scenery was displayed. A noble battle between heirs. Eugene and Eldric stared at each other.. The two sea dragons spinning around on both weapons suddenly stopped as both dragons gazed at each other.

—

At that moment, in the observation room, the disbelief of the teachers lingered in the air. There was too much to unpack from the battle...!

"The duke's heir changed...?!"

"You're focusing on the wrong things!! Look at Eugene, he had already entered the realms of mastery over the spear...!"

"This...talent—utterly supreme... without a doubt, he's going to be a top pillar of society in the future, provided with no accidents!"

"Did Vice-Director Greg know about this change..?" Brandon muttered, watching the hologram. "He was the one to put Eldric on the test afterall."

Somewhere in the room, Rio watched the hologram in silence. Now that he had given Eugene an edge over the battle... could the student alter the story's destiny, or will it be for nought and result of the same ending?

[I know what you're thinking...] Faust chuckled. [Unfortunately, he wouldn't be able to beat the Rank D one. There is a chance though, if he achieved 'Form' then he could match the Rank D.]

"There's a chance?" Rio muttered, surprised. "I know 'Form' is strong... but isn't that too much, surpassing a major difference between ranks?"

[That's why 'Form' is more or less regarded as a myth in the Martial Artist community.] Faust answered. [Only perfect geniuses could achieve that kind of state. A perfect genius is rare in itself. For example, if in one of a thousand people, there's an average talent. In one of a ten thousands of people, there's a greater talent. In one of a hundred thousands, there's a genius. In one of a million... there's the perfect genius. That's how great it is.]

"So were you a perfect genius then, Faust?" Rio asked, curious. From the man's accomplishments in life, it was surely possible.

[No.] Faust scoffed. [My talent was greater. It can't be explained in mere words... but even a perfect genius talent was greatly inferior to mine when I was alive.]

'Then aren't I lucky to have you as a master, then?'

Rio mused silently, his focus returning to the hologram.

—

"Tsk." Eldric clicked his tongue, annoyed. He clenched his hand tightly as he put more strength over his sword. "Don't be delusional. Parlor tricks aren't enough to beat me, my dear brother."

Clang—!

Eugene flinched, unable to handle the sudden force. His body lightly staggered. He tried to stabilize his body, but before he could move, he felt immense danger suddenly assault his senses.

"Its simply impossible." Eldric said, his body vanishing. In that instant, he reappeared in Eugene's position — holding the water filled sword, he swung in a vertical arc. "Thats why..."

Eugene bit his lip, his hand instantly maneuvering. The spear aligned along his hand — gracefully swinging a vertical arc as it blocked the sword.

Clang—!

"The Dragonic Seas Flow..." Eldric softly commented, withdrawing the sword to his body. The sword vibrated, shaking as if releasing a torrent of power. "Second Strike..!"

At that moment, Eldric thrusted the sword — releasing the ferocious dragon to the Eugene. The sea dragon opened its deep blue maw threateningly, intending to devour its enemy.

In similar fashion, Eugene nimbly moved his hand. He withdrew the spear to his body. If he couldn't win in sheer force and strength... then all he had to do was over-speed Eldric.

"The Dragonic Seas Flow..." Eugene muttered, his body assuming a new stance. This was his first time trying this. He lightly thrusted the spear. "Second Strike: Variation, Flurry Dragons."

Shnng—!

At that moment, the spear stopped mid-air.

Woosh—!

As if time continued, a flurry of phantasmal sea dragons came out of the spear. In that instant, the flurry of phantasmal sea dragons came in contact with the large, ferocious sea dragon.

Splash—!

A torrent and whirlpool of water formed in the air, sucking everything in the surroundings.

'...I'm losing.'

Eugene thought, his eyes calmly staring at his older brother. He clenched his hand tightly, trying to figure out a plan.

'...This can't continue on like this.'

At that moment, while he was struggling — an abnormally large arm suddenly grabbed him from behind. Eugene widened his eyes in surprise.

"Sorry, boss." Warringson apologized, his hand carrying Eugene on his shoulder. He leaped, jumping away from the platform. "But Veena told me to save you."

Eugene pursed his lips, nodding. He almost forgot—he wasn't alone in this battle, he had teammates he could command.

Thud—!

Warringson landed on the ground, announcing his arrival with a loud thud. He slipped his hand, dropping Eugene to the ground as safely as he could.

Eugene nodded, his body lightly swaying. He stared at two of his teammates in the area, his eyes showing cold indifference. He said:

"Thank you, Warringson and Veena."

"Don't mention it, Leader." Veena waved her hand in dismissal. "The last thing I would want is for us to lose all our points."

Warringson nodded in agreement.

"Tsk." Eugene clicked his tongue, annoyed. He engraved the spear down on the ground, letting him stabilize his body properly. "I understand... first, let's move out of here or else we'll get caught."

The two nodded, their eyes tense.

Eugene shifted his attention to his other obscure teammate, staring at the thin student wearing a ruby red ornament ring. He ordered softly.

"... Aren't you a Sorcerer Support?"

"Me..?" Ali rose his head, his eyes unfocused. He stared at the air vacantly — distracted by something. "No, no. I'm an all-arounder one... I can use support but also damaging attacks."

"Thats enough." Eugene nodded. "Tell me, what are the support skills you can use?"

"Uh.. yeah...skills..." Ali answered strangely. "[Smoke Diffusion], [Heal], [Reinforcement], [Speed Zone], [Sleuth Steps]..."

"...Thats alright." Eugene sighed, his head shaking. He lowered his head, deep in thought for a few seconds. It didn't take long before he formed a plan in his head. "Come close here."

Veena, Ali and Warringson obeyed, their body tightly coming close to each other as they stared at Eugene.

"Alright, Ali..." Eugene said softly, his eyes focused on the three. "Here's the plan...."

The other three teammates listened attentively.

Before long, the discussion finished. Eugene took a step back, his eyes softly locking on Ali. "Don't mess this up. You're an important factor in this."

Veena and Warringson stared at Ali, adding pressure on the poor thin man.

"Ha..huh...?" Ali nodded, his eyes unfocused. He raised his hand, giving out a small thumbs up. "Yeah... you can count on me. I won't mess it up."

At that moment, a loud voice resounded near them. Their eyes immediately shifted to the corner, staring at the newly arrived blonde haired figure.

"There you are!"

Eldric shouted, his eyes locking onto Eugene.