Tessia Eralith vs. Lucas Wykes: Could the Elven Princess Have Defeated the Wykes Prodigy in the Xyrus Academy Arc?

If you’ve spent any time in the TBATE fandom, you already know this debate never really dies: Could Tessia Eralith have beaten Lucas Wykes during the Xyrus Academy arc?

As someone who’s re-read this arc more times than I’d like to admit, I’ll say this upfront — what we saw wasn’t a true fight, it was a setup. And that distinction matters more than anything when judging their power.

Let’s break it down like a fan would on Reddit after a long reread and way too much coffee.

The Illusion of “Equal Power”

On paper? This is a close fight. But anime (and TBATE especially) is never just about stats — it’s about context.

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Tessia’s Biggest Strength… Was Also Her Weakness

Tessia having the Elderwood Guardian Beast Will should’ve been a game changer. We’re talking about an S-class power source — something that, long-term, puts her in a completely different league than Lucas.

But here’s the catch:

• She hadn’t fully assimilated it yet
• Her mana was unstable (“spoiled”)
• Overusing it could literally damage her core

So instead of being a power boost, it acted like a limiter.

Fan take: This is classic progression storytelling — giving a character insane potential but locking it behind instability. It builds tension, sure… but it also means Tessia was never fighting at 100%.

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Lucas Wykes: The Definition of a “Manufactured Threat”

Lucas is interesting because he’s not naturally superior — he’s constructed to be dangerous.

What makes him scary in this arc:

• Artificial power amplification (elixirs, forced growth)
• No concern for long-term damage
• Access to Alacryan enhancements
• A personality that thrives on cruelty and control

Let’s be real: Lucas isn’t the better mage — he’s the more unhinged one.

And in a chaotic situation like the academy invasion? That matters.

The Fight Was Decided Before It Started

Here’s the part a lot of people gloss over:

Tessia didn’t lose in a duel. She lost in an ambush scenario.

Let’s list what she was dealing with:

• Captured, not challenged
• Already mentally and physically exhausted
• Surrounded by hostages and pressure
• Facing an opponent willing to cheat, manipulate, and torture

Meanwhile, Lucas:

• Had the element of surprise
• Was amped by external power sources
• Controlled the environment
• Played psychological games from the start

This wasn’t a battle. It was a breakdown.

Matchup Analysis: Who Actually Counters Who?

If we strip everything down to a clean 1v1, the matchup actually favors Tessia more than people think.

Why Tessia Has the Edge

• Plant magic = crowd control + immobilization
• Wind magic = mobility and range advantage
• Higher combat IQ and training discipline
• Beast Will = massive scaling potential

Why Lucas Can Still Be Dangerous

• Fire magic = high burst damage
• Reckless style = hard to predict
• Willingness to go lethal immediately
• Temporary boosts that push him beyond his base level

The Real Answer: It Depends on the Scenario

Let’s break it into clear outcomes:

1. Fair Duel (Both at 100%)

Winner: Tessia (High Difficulty) She controls the battlefield, outmaneuvers Lucas, and eventually overwhelms him.

2. Same Conditions as Xyrus Arc

Winner: Lucas (as shown) Because it wasn’t about strength — it was about control, timing, and cruelty.

3. Bloodlusted Death Match

Slight Edge: Lucas This is controversial, but hear me out: If both abandon restraint, Lucas goes all-in immediately while Tessia hesitates more at this point in the story, and that hesitation can cost everything.

Why This Moment Hits So Hard

From a fan perspective, this scene isn’t frustrating because Tessia is weak — it’s frustrating because we know she’s stronger than this, we see her potential being suppressed, and it sets up Arthur’s arrival in the most brutal way possible.

It’s storytelling through contrast: Tessia represents restrained, unstable power, Lucas represents reckless, artificial power, and Arthur represents absolute, controlled destruction.

And when Arthur shows up… yeah, we all know what happens next.

Final Verdict (Fan Take)

Could Tessia beat Lucas? Yes — and honestly, she should in most fair scenarios.

But the Xyrus Academy arc wasn’t about fairness. It was about bad timing, emotional vulnerability, and an enemy who plays dirty.

Lucas didn’t prove he was stronger. He proved he was more desperate.

And in that moment, that was enough.