Rebirth: Childhood friend of the heroine

Celestria has already realized her position in her friend circle. She knew that she hadn't put much of an effort in the past to develop her skills, unlike Amanda.

That's why being called weak by an underclassman didn't make her angry. Yes, it hurt her pride a little, but she wasn't angered.

However, after seeing Alex getting angry in her stead, fighting for her honor, she realized that her attitude might be wrong.

'Thrive to become the best, or you will always remain behind him...' Were those words she heard from Sarah back in the eatery.

If Celestria wanted to walk beside Alex, just like how he wanted her to, then she needed to up her game.

She couldn't remain satisfied with her current position and has to aim to become a better self of herself.

That's why this uncaring attitude couldn't work. Alex was angry because someone insulted her. And now, to not break his belief in her, she needs to win.

°°°°°°

"Step inside the ring." The instructor voiced as Cristina and Celestria walked forward.

The audience held their breath for the battle, which no longer was just for the sake of instructing. It was for pride and honor.

A third-year student, who was also the Princess of the nation, had her honor on the line. And on the other side, the cocky first-year student was just here to prove her point of being strong enough to rival the top student.

"Don't take it personally, Senior. This is just for me to learn from your lover." Cristina spoke, with her hands on her waist, and posture completely nonchalant.

Celestria smiled at her silly junior, before saying, "I have already taken it personally, so better not hold back or you might really die."

Cristina's smirk faded by that comment. She could tell, by looking into those cold eyes, that the Princess was serious.

The instructor asked, "Contestants, ready?"

Cristina nodded, as she raised her left hand, "Ready."

Celestria remained standing straight, as she gave her assent, "Ready."

Bringing his hand down, he declared, "BEGIN!"

Before Celestria could have even drawn the spell, she heard,

"VERTIGO!" A circular translucent wave traveled towards Celestria that made her body tremble and her eyes began to swim. Her head was throbbing violently, as she held her head and felt bile welling up her throat.

"Spiritual magic?!" Amanda gasped after realizing that the girl didn't chant any spell yet activated it with such precision. And not only that,

"Raijin!" Cristina shouted before three markings appeared above Celestria.

Celestria sensed the magic above her, but she couldn't even stand properly to evade.

"Celestria!" Edric's voice rang, but it was futile.

*CRACKLE*

The air crackled as golden lightning tore through the air, striking Celestria with a deafening roar. Sparks danced wildly around her, surging over her body like living serpents.

Her muscles seized, her vision flashed white, and a sharp, burning pain shot through every nerve. The force of the strike rattled her bones, sending violent tremors through her limbs.

Once the lightning disappeared, Celestria fell to her knees. Her shoulders and cheeks were darkened, and her eyes seemed blank.

Alex had no emotion on his face as he remained standing straight with his hands crossed.

His confident demeanor made Amanda worried as she said, "Spiritual Magic is the most versatile and lethal magic considering there is no requirement of chanting."

"I know, Amanda, but she isn't defeated yet." Alex voiced, not a speck of anxiety or fear in his voice.@@novelbin@@

Amanda felt troubled but she didn't say anything and focused on the match.

Cristina had a grin on her face, as she suggested, "I think you should declare the winner already, sir."

The instructor narrowed his eyes. Looking at Celestria's condition, it didn't seem she could fight...or maybe she could?

Suddenly, the Princess raised her hand.

Cristina frowned as she prepared to launch another attack; however, Celestria's trembling hand was redirected toward herself.

**TING**

Under everyone's astonished gazes, Celestria launched a spell...at herself.

The effect of the sound waves shot her head back but she wasn't blown away

"Have you turned insane to harm yourself?" Cristina spat in a contemptuous voice.

However, Celestria didn't respond; rather, she shook her head and slowly got back on her feet.

"I underestimated you..." Celestria spoke, vitality returning to her eyes as she clenched her fist.

"....but no more."

Cristina gritted her teeth, and decided to launch another attack,

"Aqu-"

**TING**

A sharp, piercing note rang out, cutting through the air like a blade. The sound hit Cristina with an invisible force, sending a violent tremor through her body. Her ears throbbed as if needles had been driven into them, and a piercing pain exploded in her skull.

The air around her warped, vibrating with an unnatural hum. Her vision blurred, the world twisting and distorting as if reality itself was being shredded. Her stomach lurched, bile rising to her throat as her balance shattered.

Then came the real horror—her bones rattled as if something was trying to shake them apart, and her skin rippled as if a thousand tiny insects crawled beneath it. Her own heartbeat pounded like a war drum in her ears, deafening her to everything else.

Her mouth opened in a scream, but she couldn't even hear herself. The only sound left in her world was the unrelenting, agonizing wail of Celestria's magic.

The students from the first year gasped since this was the first time someone was able to land a spell on their top ranker. While the people on the third-year side secretly rejoiced at the retaliation.

The scream died slowly and a ragged Cristina was left quivering. Her whole body was trembling and the girl could barely maintain her eyes on her opponent.

"You...will...pay..." Cristina raised her hand and this time she launched the serpent made of water in Celestia's direction

However, before the serpent could have even crossed half the distance, Celestria disappeared from her spot, and those blue pair of eyes appeared inches away from Cristina.

"Let me teach you..." Celestria grabbed Cristina's face in an iron-clad grip, "...a few lessons!" With a force that was beyond retaliation, Celestria pushed Cristina to the ground, hitting the girl's head first on the mat.

"Agh!" Cristina groaned in pain as she failed to realize how a mage could move so fast?!

And not only that,

"Ahhhh!" Cristina cried in pain as Celestria attached her hand to her opponent's stomach and sent a small vortex of sound waves.

...how can she chant magic so quickly?!

"Never underestimate your opponent, my dear underclassman."

Cristina's eyes turned white, and foam began leaking from her mouth as she stopped responding.

The instructor stepped inside the ring and said, "Student Celestria, stop!"

Celestria had already pulled back her hand as she got up from the ground and looked at the instructor,

"I hope I taught her well, instructor?"

The instructor heaved a sigh, "Well...she surely learned a few things today." He gestured towards a few students, who came and took her to the infirmary.

People were thinking that fighting against Alex could leave severe damage to one's psyche. But...here, Celestria surely had traumatized that poor girl.

Once done, Celestia turned around and headed back to where she belonged.

Alex collected the girl in his arms, and after kissing the top of her head, he whispered, "You did well."

All the frost from the earlier battle melted because of that kiss, and with a fond smile, Celestria hummed.

"You were brilliant, Cela." Amanda complimented, "Even I would have a hard time tracking your spells if you used such fluency during training."

Celestria, with her cheek pressed against Alex's chest, smiled at the green-haired, as she said, "Adrenaline worked back then. But I think I have gotten an idea of how I can improve my chanting."

"What about that face slam? I bet you could have finished the battle through the first spell, no?" Edric asked since he noticed that Celestria willingly pulled back her first spell. Experience more content on My Virtual Library Empire

He has seen her using that spell in the past as well, which was enough to take several stone pillarst at once...but now, it was just a thin girl against her. So it was natural that Celestria held back.

That question brought that blank look in her eyes, Celestria responded, "Oh that...I was just annoyed at her and wanted to hurt her."

Scary ....

Alex chuckled as he tucked her hair strands and voiced, "Your ability to understand your opponent's strength and weakness is brilliant. In that aspect, I might need to take classes from you."

Celestria grinned ear to ear, as she said, "Sure, and as a payment, I will take a kiss for every hour."

"...." (Amanda)...her friend has become really bold and shameless, eh?

Alex had no problem with that though, so he readily agreed.

Following that, all the battles happened as one could have expected; the third year dominated the arena since they not only have greater knowledge, but they recently have experienced their internship that gave them real life experience.

And with that, the combined training session came to an end.

°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.