Ali Arkman walked slowly toward Logan. Each of his steps was steady and calm, but they seemed to carry a strange weight with them.
Logan felt it. The intimidating pressure.
Not magical. But overwhelming.
An aura that could only come from someone who had seen countless battles and gone through hell.
But Logan didn’t flinch. He stood there with his straightened back and a calm posture.
Ali stopped three steps away.
"You’re really Tier 1?" he asked. His voice was deep but not unkind. "Or are you hiding your true mana core level?"
It was a valid question. No one—let alone a twelve-year-old boy—should be able to defeat a C-class hunter so cleanly if they were truly Tier 1.
Ali’s gaze was sharp and piercing. Like it was searching for even the tiniest hint of a lie.
"I’m Tier 1," Logan replied. "For now, to be exact."
His voice was calm. Almost casual. Though Ali’s presence was enough to make a grown man stammer, Logan’s posture didn’t falter. It wasn’t arrogance or foolishness. It was just confidence.
Because he had faced far worse. In his past life, he had stood before kings, legends and even traitors. Compared to them, this was... mild.
Ali’s eyes scanned him, from head to toe, trying to match everything he had just seen with what Logan was claiming. And it really didn’t make any sense at all.
No matter how much he analyzed it, the truth didn’t change.
A Tier 1 mage defeating a C-class hunter wasn’t just impressive. It was... impossible. Until now.
Ali crossed his arms.
"Do you dare to fight me?" he asked. There was no arrogance in his voice. Only curiosity. A desire to understand.
He didn’t have any intention to crush the boy. He only wanted to know the truth with his own hands.
Logan thought for a moment. Then nodded. "Sure."
"What?!" His answer surprised Ali. He had expected hesitation. Fear.
"Maybe... finally... I’m close to my target."
Ali gestured his hand toward the arena to welcome him.
They both stepped into the center of the arena again.
The audience didn’t make a sound. Most didn’t even understand what was going on.
Elizabeth stared with wide eyes. "He’s going to fight the Guildmaster...?"
Ali raised a hand. No formal announcements. No drawn-out speeches. Just a nod.
Logan rushed forward, flames swirling in his right hand, forming a fiery sphere. He lunged at Ali.
But Ali? He only swung his left hand like driving away a fly. And a huge wind pressure blew toward Logan. It didn’t just extinguish his flame, but sent him flying at the back like a broken kite.
Logan couldn’t let it go just like that. He sprang into motion again. And lunged toward Ali with sheer speed. Ali waved his hand again. But this time Logan quickly leaped a huge distance from his position to avoid the wind and lunged at Ali from a different angle.
Ali also reacted quickly. Launching another wave toward Logan. Logan threw his fist blazing with fire. It was so fierce that it felt like it was evaporating the air it touched. Neutralising the wave, Logan closed the gap in seconds and threw a punch hardening his fist with ice.
It was almost about to land on Ali’s chest. But just then ...
Ali received and stopped Logan’s punch midair with his left palm.
Logan was stunned and wanted to leap back. But Ali grabbed his fist and pulled him up from the ground. Then swirling him in the air, he threw him.
Logan crashed on the ground but didn’t stay fallen. He stood up quickly and lunged at Ali again.
Bam! Bam! Boom! The duel continued.
Each one of Logan’s strikes packed with strength that could shatter a D-class in a single hit.
Ali defended them all effortlessly.
A flick of wind. A small gravity pulse. A flame that cancelled flame.
Every one of Logan’s attacks was parried like they were nothing more than sparring blows from a child.
Because to a Tier 6 mage—they really were nothing in comparison. Tier 6 was the peak of mages. A level all mages desired to reach but only a few could make it. Even the word a few made it sound easier. It should have been a tiny few.
Ali’s affinities—gravity, fire, and air moved in perfect rhythm.
But still... there was something about Logan that made even Ali narrow his eyes.
Logan’s raw power. His strikes may not have been overwhelming, but they carried weight—real weight.
And speed. That speed wasn’t normal for Tier 1. Not even close.
But the most peculiar of all... was his perception.
Even when Ali changed his style or tempo, Logan adapted instantly.
He dodged. He countered. He repositioned himself without panicking.
Even as he was being pushed back, even as his spells failed—his eyes remained clear.
His fists still moved with confidence. Like someone who was learning mid-battle. Improving mid-battle.
Ali’s thoughts stirred.
"This boy... is different."
"Guys, is he really a twelve year old kid and just Tier 1? Why does it feel like he is actually an older guy who is shorty and trying to hide his shame with a mask." One expressed his doubts.
"True. No way someone with only Tier can pull those attacks."
Every single person in the gallery had same doubt.
Then in the arena.....
His face was calm. But his mana was not. Fire gathered around his palm.
It spun slowly, then faster.It continued expanding.
Within seconds, a colossal fireball formed above him. Larger than any ordinary spell.
Its heat began to warp the air.
Its size was monstrous. The color of the flames wasn’t just red. It was molten. It felt alive, hungry to swallow whatever lay in its path.
Elizabeth took a step back.
Logan narrowed his eyes. He didn’t need to be told.
If even a spark of that spell touched him....he’d be gone. Completely.....
He clenched his fists, muscles tightening.
The flame above rumbled.
Logan leaned forward slightly and bent his knees, ready to counter or dodge.
Ali made a gesture.....about to hurl it toward Logan...he wanted to witness fear and panic in Logan’s eyes. But he didn’t....his eyes twitched...