Fantasy Libary 15

Title: First Duel Opponent

At this moment, the defensive barrier around the stage is fully activated, leaving only two gaps at the entrances of the left and right tunnels.

Emerging from the participant area and walking through the tunnel will bring the contestant directly to the stage.

Currently, the Official Ranked Battle has been underway for some time, with several duels already completed. The audience is fully immersed in the tense atmosphere, their discussions growing more excited.

In such a situation, Ark and his chosen opponent enter the arena, greeted by a wave of cheers.

Upon closer observation, it turns out that the applause for this match is far more enthusiastic compared to the previous ones.

And there’s a reason for that.

“Rank 13, Arcadi Finken, enters the stage!”

“The top-ranked student below Page One!”

“Finally, a renowned contestant!”

The audience appears extremely excited.

Rank 13, Arcadi Finken, is the strongest below Page One, holding the top position on the second page of the Named Charts. He is just one step away from the prestigious Page One.

In the previous matches, although ranked students had participated, none from the second tier of the Named Charts had appeared. Page One is the pinnacle of the academy’s hierarchy. Even during the Official Ranked Battle, challenges directed at them are rare, and sometimes nonexistent.

For today’s event, there are only two duels involving the Named Charts. One is a ranked student challenging the 12th-ranked member, while the other is a duel between two Page One members, with the 10th-ranked student challenging the top-ranked contender.

Outside of these two matches, this duel—featuring the strongest non-Page One member, Rank 13—could arguably be considered one of the event’s highlights.

It’s no wonder the audience feels so enthusiastic.

However…

“Isn’t his opponent a nobody?”

“Let me check… huh? Someone who isn’t even in the Named Charts?”

“Seriously? An unranked student challenging the strongest below Page One?”

“This match is going to be one-sided.”

Many in the audience open their holographic displays to look up information about the opponent, only to feel disappointed.

A competitor who doesn’t even have a rank, belonging to the lowest tier of the Official Ranked Battle, has directly challenged the strongest below Page One?

What a joke.

Just as the crowd begins to lose interest, someone exclaims in surprise:

“Wait! That person is an Orga Lux user!”

The words “Orga Lux” send a shiver through the audience. They hurriedly review Ark’s details, and what they find leaves them stunned.

It turns out Ark is the eighth Orga Lux user at Seidoukan Academy!

“Ser-Veresta?”

“I’ve heard of it. That sword is quite famous, isn’t it?”

“Of course it’s famous! It’s one of the legendary Four Bewitched Swords!”

“He’s actually one of the users of the Four Bewitched Swords?”

“No wonder he dared to challenge Rank 13!”

The audience is both shocked and thrilled.

Orga Lux are incredibly rare and valuable.

As of now, there are only seven Orga Lux users at Seidoukan Academy, and four of them are Page One members.

In other words, more than half of the Orga Lux users in the academy are among the most elite students.

This alone highlights how much an Orga Lux can enhance its user’s abilities.

It’s safe to say that anyone capable of wielding such a weapon is no ordinary person—especially someone who holds one of the Four Bewitched Swords.

The crowd is excited at the possibility that Ark might soon join the ranks of Page One.

Meanwhile, some Named Charts students, including those approaching the top, watch Ark’s slow ascent to the stage with grim expressions.

For them, the emergence of a new Orga Lux user is a potential threat.

If Ark truly is Page One material, he will undoubtedly become a formidable rival.

Even Julis, sitting in the VIP area, can’t help but adopt a serious expression as she observes Ark.

Claudia, on the other hand, maintains her usual cheerful demeanor. She even lets out a small laugh.

“Finally, it’s his turn to take the stage.”

Hearing this, Julis immediately realizes something.

“Is he the one you’re so interested in?” Julis asks, glancing at Claudia.

This time, Claudia doesn’t deny it.

“I was the one who approved his request to obtain Ser-Veresta.” Claudia replies with a bright smile. “I’m curious to see how well he can wield it. Just thinking about it is exciting.”

Julis immediately shifts her gaze back to the stage, her eyes sharply focused on Ark as he slowly steps forward.

The Four Bewitched Swords are something even Julis has heard of.

It’s said that they are Orga Lux that are extremely difficult to master, created in the same experimental laboratory.

Among them, Ser-Veresta is the most renowned, rumored to burn through anything in its path and turn the earth into a furnace of flames upon impact.

A top-tier Orga Lux—its true power is something Julis is curious about as well.

This sentiment seems to be shared by much of the audience, as the cheers grow louder than ever.

Amidst the tumultuous atmosphere, Ark and Arcadi finally enter the stage, standing apart and facing each other.

Ark takes a moment to assess his opponent.

Arcadi Finken, a second-year student in the university division, is 20 years old and currently holds Rank 13 at Seidoukan Academy. Back in his second year of high school, he participated in the Phoenix Festa as one of Page One, holding Rank 11 at the time. His teammate, who was Rank 8 at the time, and he together reached the top 16 in that year’s tournament.

Although he has since dropped to Rank 13, falling out of Page One, it’s clear that as a former elite member, Arcadi’s strength is not to be underestimated.

‘As a first opponent, he’s quite worthy,’ Ark thinks.

On the other hand, Arcadi seems to treat Ark as a more serious threat.

As the challenged party, Arcadi naturally reviewed Ark’s information thoroughly before stepping onto the stage, unlike the average spectator. He knew from the start that Ark is an Orga Lux user and is clearly not an unranked student to be taken lightly.

However…

“Recently obtained an Orga Lux and already challenging Rank 13? You’re a bit too hasty, junior.” Arcadi suddenly comments.

“Even among Orga Lux users, not all of them have made it to the Named Charts to join Page One. Doesn’t that prove that it takes more than just having an Orga Lux to reach the top?”

It’s a valid point. Among the seven existing Orga Lux users at Seidoukan Academy, three have yet to enter Page One.

After all, Orga Lux vary in strength, as do their users. Even possessing a powerful weapon won’t guarantee significant results if the user can’t bring out its full potential.

From Arcadi’s perspective, even if Ark has a high compatibility with his Orga Lux, he has only recently obtained the weapon. How much of its power can he realistically utilize?

So, while Arcadi is cautious of Ark’s Ser-Veresta, he isn’t convinced the sword is a genuine threat.

As someone who has competed in the Phoenix Festa, Arcadi has faced Orga Lux users before. He’s confident Ark won’t surpass him and plans to use him as a stepping stone.

Unfortunately, Arcadi doesn’t realize that the person standing before him completely defies conventional expectations.

“Are you worried about me, senpai?” Ark asks with a faint smile, as if oblivious to the implied tone behind Arcadi’s words.

“In that case, please show me the strength of a top-ranked contender.”

As he speaks, Ark draws his pitch-black Lux.

*CLANG!*

A bright red light erupts from the Manadyte, illuminating the entire stage.