Mage vs. Great Mage (5)

The regular spectator stands in Elterion Hall's large dueling grounds were packed so tightly there was hardly room to set foot.

Every first-year student who had stayed at the academy instead of going out for off-campus activities had flocked here.

There was only one reason such a huge crowd had gathered.

They had come to see the magic of the renowned Great Mage.

Students from the Departments of Politics and Economics, classified as noncombat departments, were seeing Great Mage Lunaris use magic for the first time.

During the Magic Exchange Tournament a couple of months ago, outsiders who had casually paid the exorbitant premium admission fees had taken all the seats, but this time entry was restricted, giving the students their chance.

When they had first entered Elterion Hall and taken their seats, the noncombat-department students had secretly harbored mixed feelings.

A Great Mage? Sure, they knew she was impressive.

But rumors only grew more imaginative as they passed from mouth to mouth.

That she had utterly crushed the dean of the Department of Magic, that she had demolished an entire lecture hall, that she had put an ancient witch back to sleep...