A gentle breeze rustled through the treetops, sending whispers of leaves spiraling down to carpet the forest clearing. Sunlight pierced through occasional gaps in the dense foliage, casting flickering patches of gold onto the ground. At the center stood Saphyra and Asteras, their stances strong and unwavering as tension thickened the air around them.

  Asteras straightened proudly, his amber-gold eyes glittering with arrogance as he assessed Saphyra. He smirked, clearly amused. "Look at you, barely even a Felinian. Where's your fur? Where's your tail? Is this a joke?" With a graceful flourish of his hand, his Igeni manifested, materializing a brilliant scarlet sword radiating a fierce glow.

  Saphyra remained stoic, her determination unshakable. Her fierce and unwavering eyes flashed with controlled defiance. From the sidelines, Bernard felt a sudden surge within him, Cyrus whispering urgently into his mind.

  "Careful," Cyrus warned sharply. "Saphyra’s emotions could be altering her strategy. Her Igeni might surprise you—and everyone else."

  Bernard inhaled deeply, his eyes fixed on Saphyra. He sensed Cyrus's hint of change and prepared himself to observe the unexpected.

  Saphyra raised her hand skyward without hesitation, releasing an intense emerald-colored Igeni shot upward. Asteras threw his head back, roaring with laughter. "You think theatrics will save you? Let me teach you something about real fighting!"

  He lunged toward her swiftly, the scarlet blade slicing through the air with dangerous precision. However, before he could close the distance, a strange mist began to form, shrouding the battleground and blurring vision. The sudden fog disoriented Asteras momentarily, causing his sword strike to miss narrowly.

  But Asteras recovered quickly, spinning with agility and driving a powerful kick into Saphyra’s side, sending her tumbling across the clearing. Lydia and Jill shouted from the edge of the duel, their excited voices rising above the commotion.

  "Come on, Saphyra! Knock his smug face into next week!" Jill roared enthusiastically.

  "Show him who’s boss!" Lydia added fiercely.

  Chet watched calmly, his black eyes critically assessing each movement. "He’s strong," he murmured, "but his style is clumsy. Big swings will leave him vulnerable."

  Bernard nodded, observing. "You're right. Saphyra’s speed and agility will outmatch his brute strength. We need to trust her."

  "We should not interfere," Tyana added quietly, her voice serene. "This is their battle, their honor. Neither wants to kill—just to prove their strength."

  The duel intensified, each warrior trading blows, ducking and weaving through attacks with practiced grace. Saphyra moved like water, fluid and precise, avoiding Asteras’s sweeping slashes with ease. As their dance continued, the mist around them thickened mysteriously.

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  Asteras growled in frustration, slashing violently through foggy apparitions, mistaking them for the real Saphyra. Every wasted effort wore on him visibly, his breathing growing heavy, his movements sluggish.

  Then, with a confident smile, Saphyra raised her hands. From within the swirling mist emerged multiple images of herself, each indistinguishable from the real one. Asteras swung desperately at these ghostly figures, wasting precious energy on false targets.

  High above, the treetops began to rustle violently. Leaves danced wildly, swept up by swirling winds concentrated around a single focal point. Asteras paused, confusion briefly overtaking him as he gazed upwards, recognizing his mistake too late.

  Saphyra stood atop a tree branch, emerald Igeni energy gathered at her fingertips. With a fierce shout, she released her ultimate shot, a blazing bolt of energy that erupted in a brilliant explosion upon impact, throwing Asteras backward.

  Exhausted and stripped of his Igeni, Asteras struggled to rise, conceding defeat with a grudging nod. "You... win," he said breathlessly, holding his side. "The day belongs to you and your companions."

  Tyana immediately moved to support Saphyra, who was pale and shaking from the enormous drain on her energy. She knelt and placed both hands on Saphyra's chest, summoning her Life Igeni. A gentle pink light enveloped the exhausted Felinian girl.

  A few squirrel villagers came forth, adding their own Igeni to the healing process. The glow grew brighter, and Saphyra stirred.

  "Thank you," she whispered weakly, offering a tired but grateful smile. "Thank you all."

  Before she could say more, her body gave in and her eyes closed again. Bernard gently caught her before she collapsed.

  "She’s alright," Bernard said, breathing in relief. "Just drained."

  Acknowledging his loss, Asteras turned to his followers, signaling them sharply. "Return everything we've taken. Now."

  The Rathumans quickly obeyed, returning stolen goods to the grateful villagers. Asteras turned toward Bernard, his expression softened by humility. "Tell me, is Master Oliver still teaching at the academy?"

  Bernard nodded carefully. "Yes, he's still there."

  Asteras gave a bitter chuckle. "Figures. I was one of his students until I was expelled for misconduct. Arrogance. Rule-breaking. You name it."

  He looked down, ashamed. "I thought power alone made me worthy. But seeing her beat me... someone physically weaker, but battle smarter... and you? That power you showed earlier. I get it now."

  He sighed, turning his gaze toward the treeline. "Maybe it’s time I stop being a forest bully and start being a forest protector."

  Jill stepped forward, hands on her hips. "Next time, I’m dueling you. I want a crack at those big moves of yours."

  Asteras raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "You’re just a little brat."

  Jill’s eyes lit up with a wicked grin. She turned to a nearby row of thick trees. "Watch this."

  With a shout, she summoned a beam of red energy and sliced through five massive trees in a row. Each trunk exploded and collapsed with thunderous cracks.

  Asteras blinked, visibly shaken. Then, he let out a low chuckle and rubbed his neck. "These kids are little monsters."

  He turned to the villagers and bowed his head. "I offer my apologies. I’ve acted shamefully and will stay and help repair what I've destroyed."

  With the tension dissipated, Bernard found himself lost in thought, considering the implications of Saphyra’s newfound strength and adaptability. As he gazed at her resting form, he realized something crucial.

  "When she wakes," Bernard said thoughtfully, speaking to no one in particular, "I need to remind her she isn’t limited to her bow. Her power—her Creation Igeni—is versatile. She could forge new weapons and new strategies."

  Bernard’s eyes lit up with inspiration as a new idea blossomed within him, a realization that might change the course of their future battles. As the gentle wind continued to whisper through the leaves, he felt a renewed sense of purpose stirring deep within.