The dagger that Trudy had thrown changed its course immediately, following Fike's evasion.

The column of high-pressure water that trailed behind it followed accordingly as well.

​​

However, Fike was not at all surprised at the strange behaviour of the dagger.

These tricks were simply appetizers for him.

Scanning the attack as it drew closer to him, Fike noticed that the power of these high-pressure water currents didn't seem to be very high.

As such, he thought to himself.

"How about I test out the power of his high-pressure water attacks? At the same time, I'll also get to examine the effects of the Overlord's Body!"

Fike screeched to an abrupt halt, and the water currents hit his body lightly like raindrops.

As for the dagger, it had bounced off immediately after coming into contact with his throat.

'My guess was right. This skill may have been impressive to the other students, but it's ineffective on me.'

Seeing that his skill had inflicted any damage on his opponent, Trudy felt a little strange.

Nevertheless, he still taunted.

"Kid, do you only know how to dodge? I didn't expect my skill not to have hurt you. But this time, you won't be so lucky!"

Stretching out his right hand, the dagger flew back up, returning into his grip as if it had some sort of magic power.

Trudy began to accumulate power, and the dagger slowly extended into a two-meter-long machete.

[Hidden Information: Abyssal Demon Blade, platinum-tier. Under normal circumstances, it is only a short blue dagger. Each attack automatically tracks the enemy of the wielder. However, upon activation of the Demon Blade's ultimate mode, it turns into a two-meter-long machete, and its attacks will be imbued with a water-attribute effect.]

After seeing the hidden message, Fike smiled lightly.

"So that's how it is. I understand now."

Trudy was already charging directly toward Fike with the machete in hand.

"If this attack were to land on my body, I might lose a bit of blood. Although it wouldn't hurt much, it might still leave a small cut.

"Then, it's my turn!"

Fike beamed confidently.

Distorting space, he casually pulled out a sleek black longsword with garnet accents from seemingly nowhere.

"Hermes' Curse! show that demon blade your power!"

As the sword was unsheathed, the demonic eye stared straight into Trudy's gaze.

Fike raised his hand to parry, and his Hermes' Curse collided with the Abyssal Demon Blade.

The demonic eye on the center of the sword's guard suddenly blinked, releasing a menacingly evil crimson glow.

Immediately as the two blades came into contact, the two-meter-long machete in Trudy's hand instantly returned to its original form before falling to the ground.

Trudy didn't understand what was going on, but he instinctively stretched out his right hand to call back his blade.

However, the Abyssal Demon Blade did not return to his grip like before.

Trudy's expression rapidly fell.

"What? What's going on? Why is my Abyssal Blade not following my orders?"

Trudy did not dare to rashly go over and pick up his dagger, as Fike was standing less than five centimeters away from it.

"As a close-combat mage, you've dropped your weapon. Do you still want to continue fighting with me?"

Fike challenged.

However, Trudy didn't back down.

"Don't celebrate too early. You'd best be careful not to make a mistake."

He slowly revealed another short dagger, this one with intricate red patterns engraved onto it, from the back of his waist.

[Hidden Information: Burning Rose, platinum-tier. Each attack of this weapon produces a rose-like flame that grows indefinitely. Once you are entangled by the burning rose, you will not be able to escape.]

After seeing the hidden message, Fike said to Trudy.

"I didn't expect you to have a second weapon."

Trudy responded.

"What you didn't expect is yet to come!"

Trudy flashed, instantaneously closing the gap with Fike.

However, every trace of his movements had been exposed to Fike. Scanning them, he could easily have caught every one of his strikes.

"Why is Fike not attacking and dodging all the time?"

"Yeah, yeah, and I remember he's a long-range spell master, right? Why is he playing with swords now?"

"It looks like Trudy is getting serious. I feel like Fike won't be so lucky this time."

The audience was in heated discussion, most of them regarding why Fike wasn't casting any spells.

Simultaneously, the Burning Rose in Trudy's hand was plunging up straight at Fike. Trudy yelled loudly.

"Fike, let's see how you run this time!"

The flames produced by the Burning Rose formed a vine-like construct as it creeped up rapidly onto Fike's left hand.

Fike had not used his sword to block this attack.

As flames in the shape of roses wrapped around Fike's left hand, its vine-like tendrils crawled all the way up to his arm.

"Bloom!"

Trudy shouted.

The buds of the burning roses were slowly blooming into large, beautiful flowers.

Just as they looked to be in full bloom...

A ball of fire exploded in Fike's left hand, producing a thick cloud of smoke that drifted across the entire arena.

"This time, I want to see how you dodge!"

Trudy celebrated arrogantly.

Several loud explosions could be heard, and Fike's figure disappeared into the cloud of smoke.

Fike was nowhere to be seen.

Trudy thought to himself that Fike had definitely fallen from the strong attack.

"Referee, you can announce the results of the match!"

Trudy called.

The people among the audience could not feel Fike's aura at all, either.

They all discussed between themselves.

"It can't be? Fike really lost?"

"He was the one who defeated Blue the moment he entered the school. How could it be possible to lose to the newbie Trudy?"

"I don't think so. That Fike must have won against Blue by a fluke last time!"

Meanwhile, in the stands of the Melee School, a familiar figure was silently watching across the arena at everything that was happening in the Mage School's Arena.

"This Fike has yet to use any of his spells or skills up until now. That Trudy is way too proud of himself way too early.

"With Fike's strength, it would have been a piece of cake for him to trample Trudy to death."

The person speaking was blue. Having had the experience of a battle against Fike, he had already made his own plans to cover for their huge disparity in strength.

A few other Melee School students beside him also asked.

"Hey Blue, who do you think will win between Fike and Trudy? In my opinion, Fike is about to lose."

As this onlooker had never fought against Fike before, Blue naturally didn't pay any mind the his arrogant words.

However, he spoke on his own accord anyway.

"Just wait for the show to begin. Fike isn't even treating Trudy as a proper opponent at all right now!"

His gaze returned to the Spell School side of the arena.

At the moment, the referee was shouting.

"Fike hasn't fallen yet. The match continues!"