On the second floor of the training hall at Sword and Roses University.0

The second floor appeared far plainer than the first. The space lay mostly empty, with barely any equipment in sight. Every wall and floor was sheathed in Razer Meteorite panels, which, with their deep blue, serpentine patterns, could effectively deflect nearly any attack. Once reinforced with magical formations, they could even withstand Miracles of Sacred Realm-level destruction. The area was built to endure the most intense dueling, its only flaw being the harsh glare of the flooring.0

This floor was a dedicated dueling arena for sorcerers. Most Miracles wreaked havoc on the battlefield, so anyone hoping to fight at full power had to use this stage. Public dueling was strictly forbidden, punishable by heavy fines and a three-point deduction from one's sorcerer license.3

It was past eleven at night. Most apprentice sorcerers had either returned to their dorms or immersed themselves in the Virtual World. On the vast, empty floor, only two swordsmen remained...0