Chapter 211: Madha VS Andine
Andine’s gaze shifted, now filled with awe. "Gara... would you teach me too?"
Gara rubbed the back of his neck, looking sheepish. "I wouldn’t mind... but I don’t really understand mermaid bloodlines or your specific Talent."
Andine’s shoulders dropped, her expression dimming. "You’re right..."
Before the mood could sink further, Orman clapped his hands. "Alright! Let’s move on to the next match!"
"We’ll go next," Madha said, glancing at Andine. "You ready?"
The mermaid girl straightened her posture, pushing her feelings aside, and nodded firmly.
Just like before, the two fighters created five meters of distance between them. The others —Gara, Yuvika, Fian, and Orman— stepped back to watch.
"Begin!" Orman called out.
The moment the signal dropped, Andine dashed forward— fast and fierce. Her hands, now covered in razor-sharp scales, slashed toward Madha.
At the same time, Madha’s arm hardened— transforming into solid iron. He thrust it forward to meet her strike.
BOOM!
A thunderous shockwave erupted as the two forces collided— steel and scale, brute strength and precision.
Yuvika gasped, covering her mouth. The sheer intensity was on a whole different level from her duel earlier.
"These two... they’re monsters," she whispered. "No wonder they’re in Class S..."
Both fighters felt the heavy impact, their bodies thrown backward— especially Andine, whose lighter frame made her stagger more.
Madha took that chance. He lunged forward again, this time using his shoulder— throwing his whole body into the strike.
Several students who had only turned around for a moment because of the explosion earlier now couldn’t look away. Their hearts pounded as they watched the clash.
"Who’s going to win? They both look strong, who are they?"
"That mermaid looks like Aneline Karina. Maybe her sister? That must be Andine Karina, from Class S."
"Then the iron-bodied guy must be from Class S too."
"I can’t tell who’s stronger. Their attacks are both insane!"
On the ground, Andine braced herself, blocking Madha’s powerful body slams with her scale-covered arms. Every time their strikes collided, a sharp, echoing boom resounded.
For a duel happening on the sidelines, their fight drew a surprising crowd. If they had fought in the center, every pair of eyes would be on them.
"Andine’s strong, but... Madha’s really strong," Orman muttered, eyes glued to the match.
"But..." Gara said, his tone serious, "Madha’s using his Talent. That drains stamina fast. Meanwhile, Andine’s relying on her Trait— it won’t run out as long as she can still stand."
"Yeah, but can she keep standing after getting hit that much?" Orman frowned, doubt flickering in his eyes.
Andine was struggling. She kept taking hits, unable to fully block Madha’s relentless barrage. Yet, Madha wasn’t having it easy either— every one of his attacks was stopped cold by Andine’s scales.
As the duel dragged on, Madha’s strikes grew heavier, faster— he was clearly aiming to end it in one decisive blow.
But that intensity came at a cost. The more he reinforced certain parts of his body with his iron Talent, the more fragile his unprotected areas became.
When Madha launched another iron punch, Andine caught it with one hand— and with her other, she drove her fist straight into his stomach.
This time, there was no sound of metal.
Her scales fist sank deep into unprotected flesh.
Gasps erupted from the onlookers.
Madha gritted his teeth, barely flinching despite the wound. While Andine’s focus split between attack and defense, he seized the moment and charged again.
BRUGH!
His next blow sent Andine’s head crashing against the ground. She didn’t anticipate that Madha could attack her with his condition.
Her vision blurred, almost fading. She glimpsed Madha’s iron fist swinging toward her face, and then—
Nothing.
Just before the strike landed, Madha stopped midway. His clenched fist hovered inches from her cheek.
"Class S duels are brutal... They’re seriously fighting like they’ll kill each other."
"Maybe that’s how they’re trained. They’ll be the ones on the front lines, after all."
The crowd murmured, but as the match ended, most students turned back to their own duels.
Gara rushed forward, worry etched on his face. "This is just a spar, Madha! Do you really have to let yourself get hurt like this every time?"
He lifted Madha’s shirt to check the wound.
Madha scratched his head, looking apologetic. "Sorry. I didn’t think she’d spot my weak point."
When Gara raised his hand, ready to heal him with water, Madha quickly stopped him. "Wait! Just use herb paste instead."
Gara frowned. "But that’ll take longer to heal. Why not just use my water?"
"It’s fine. I wouldn’t mind being treated a little longer by you."
Hearing Madha’s playful remark, Gara could only shake his head. Of course, he didn’t grant that ridiculous request.
They were still at the academy, after all. Who knew what class they’d have tomorrow? Gara couldn’t just let Madha walk around with wounds that hadn’t fully healed.
After applying his healing water and a layer of herb paste, Madha’s injuries began to recover at a visible rate— though they weren’t completely gone yet.
Once he confirmed Madha was stable, Gara turned his attention to Andine, who was still unconscious.
Judging by the way Madha’s strike had landed earlier, she might’ve suffered a mild concussion.
Gara gently let his water flow into Andine’s mouth.
Moments later, the yellow-haired girl stirred, blinking open her eyes. "Where... am I?"
"We’re still in the Offense Class, Andine. You were just defeated by Madha," Orman explained.
Andine’s memory slowly returned. She touched her head, then ran her hands over her body. "But... I feel fine?"
"Maybe your head’s all better now," Gara said casually, quickly shifting the topic. "Anyway, I guess it’s Fian and me next, right?"
Still a little dazed, Andine nodded and stepped aside with the others. Now, her worry shifted to Gara.
"Fian’s really strong... will Gara be alright?" she murmured.
"Honestly, it should’ve been Madha fighting Fian," Orman commented again, repeating what he’d already said several times. "But you’re strong too, Andine."
"What do you think, Madha?" Yuvika asked, knowing how close the two were.
"Gara’s not weak. In fact, Fian once told me he believes Gara’s stronger than him," Madha replied.
That earned a round of puzzled looks, but Madha offered no further explanation.
...