Arthur stood atop the academy's highest spire, his gaze fixed on the chaos unfolding below. The battlefield stretched wide, filled with clashing aether bursts and shattered earth, yet his eyes followed only one.

Talking about Emma — the girl Merlin had praised until the very end. Out of obligation more than curiosity, Arthur watched her duel. But as the battle went on, he found himself genuinely impressed.

A seventeen-year-old mage, casting a six-circle spell with such calm precision… her control was remarkable.

Each chant was measured, each movement deliberate, and her focus never wavered even when faced with overwhelming pressure. That she emerged without serious injury, despite battling the second-strongest golem, spoke clearly of her experience.

Yes, Merlin's compliments were well-founded.

But what came next truly shook him.

A storm — pure mayhem.

The fifth golem had entered the field, the one capable of absorbing others and regenerating endlessly — a perfect training tool, but far too dangerous for students. Arthur frowned, uncertain if this was wise.

Yet Lancelot had insisted, his tone unyielding, that the heir of House Delimore face it.

Now, Arthur understood why.

'His aether control… staggering,' he murmured.

Normally, even the slightest emotion or movement leaks a trace of aether — something that takes years of meditation to suppress. Only masters of restraint could fight unseen.

But that boy — that grin never leaving his face — had already reached such a level.

'Such a rare talent…' the silver-haired man whispered, eyes following William as he effortlessly dominated the battlefield.

….

"You see it!" William roared, his voice echoing across the ruined gymnasium as he levitated high above, glaring down at the golem.

The ground beneath the creature trembled. Cracks webbed across the stone floor as the air grew heavier—gravity itself seemed to multiply severalfold.

The golem's legs quivered, its joints straining under the invisible weight. Yet, it didn't avert its gaze. Its glowing eyes stayed locked on William, steady and defiant.

But the fact that it had stopped firing its yellow beam—its strongest attack—spoke louder than words.

It had accepted defeat.

William's chest heaved with adrenaline, his grin wild and unrestrained. "Let's try something new this time," he muttered, lowering his voice as he raised a finger toward the golem.

The crushing gravitational field that had pinned the creature down suddenly pulled back, shrinking in on itself. The force folded, condensed, and spun furiously in the air, compressing into a single, throbbing orb.

The air around it screamed in protest, vibrating under the immense pressure, yet William's focus didn't falter for even a second.

The orb pulsed like a miniature star—dense, unstable, alive.

William descended slowly, his boots touching the fractured ground as the golem stood frozen before him, motionless despite the vanishing pressure.

He extended a finger toward its forehead, a calm smile curving on his lips. "It was a good fight."

The orb surged forward—silent, blinding—piercing straight through the golem's skull.

And then came the sound.

**BOOOOOOM!**

The entire ground detonated in a storm of dust and light. The floor erupted, walls of the gymnasium crumbled, and debris spiraled upward as a thick mushroom cloud rose into the sky.

The shockwave tore through the air, scattering fragments of stone and metal.

Emma's eyes widened as she tried to rush forward, but a barrier shimmered into existence, halting her in place.

She turned sharply and found one of the instructors glaring at her.

"You said not to interfere, remember?" the teacher reminded, his tone firm.

Emma clenched her jaw, then looked back toward the battlefield.

The explosion had been beyond anything anyone expected. The ground was torn apart, the air still trembling from the aftershock. The battle should've ended long ago — a single punch from William could've finished that golem. But he had chosen to do something reckless… unnecessary.

The smoke slowly began to thin, revealing the destruction left behind.

"Let me through!" Emma shouted, her voice breaking through the haze.

The headmaster raised his hand, giving a brief nod. The teacher beside him lowered the barrier, and Emma darted forward, her boots skidding across cracked stone. The headmaster and Kevin followed close behind.

As she neared the center, Emma saw a faint silhouette standing amidst the smoke.

Her heart sank.

William was still on his feet — barely. His body was battered, his skin scorched, his uniform in tatters. Yet his lips curved upward in that same boyish grin, the kind that made her both furious and relieved all at once.

"Idiot…" she muttered under her breath as she ran to him.

Without a word, she ducked under his arm and lifted it over her shoulder, supporting his weight.

"Emma…" he whispered weakly.

A faint golden glow spread from her hands, enveloping him as her healing spell took hold. The warmth of her magic pulsed against his bruises and burns as she began dragging him toward the infirmary.

Behind them, Kevin stopped in his tracks. His eyes lingered on Emma — the worry written across her face — and something heavy twisted inside his chest. But he said nothing. He just stood there, watching her carry William away.

By the time they reached the main building, William's steps were unsteady, but he tried to walk on his own.

"How did you like the spell?" he rasped, forcing a grin through his cracked lips. "I just created it."

His voice was hoarse, his breathing shallow.

Emma didn't reply. She kept her eyes forward, her expression unreadable.

William frowned slightly. "Was that not awesome? I actually gathered the force field into a condensed orb before shooting it at the golem." He paused, then scratched the back of his neck weakly. "Though… I couldn't really control the explosion part."

A faint laugh escaped him, but Emma remained silent, tightening her hold around his waist.

That was William — brilliant, reckless, and impossibly proud of it.

He has been thinking about the spell for quite some time now but since he hadn't found anyone worthy to try it on, he always had that itch.

But the wait was worth it.

The results were unexpectedly devastating.

"Oh my lord," the nurse panicked seeing William's state, "Quickly! Put him on the bed! Laura, bring me cotton, ointment and…"

Instantly, there was a lot of movement around William as several nurses began to heal him.

Emma made her distance and stood there staring at William.

The blond chewed his lower lips.

Without her saying a word he knew.

Emma was not happy.

No, she was most definitely upset.

°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.

There are five spells he has unlocked on his own. I believe if you are paying close attention you can discern what are they.

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