The referee stepped onto the platform, holding a small microphone. The crowd grew quiet as he announced the next semifinal match.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for our second semifinal match between Levi and Sarah!" he called out, his voice echoing throughout the arena.
Levi and Sarah stepped onto the platform, each holding their wands at the ready. They nodded at each other, acknowledging the challenge ahead.
Levi took a deep breath as he looked at Sarah. He knew that she was a skilled mage, and he couldn't afford to underestimate her.
He had to stay focused and give it his all. He had a personal vendetta against Jameson, and he needed to beat Sarah to get to the final and face his rival.
"Sarah," Levi said, locking eyes with her. "I will beat you now because I need to beat Jameson in the final."
Sarah raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Is that so?" she said, her voice calm and collected.
Levi nodded. "Yes, it is. Jameson is an arrogant bully, and I can't let him get away with how he treated Mark. I need to beat him for my friend's sake."
Sarah nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I see," she said, her eyes never leaving Levi's. "But what makes you so sure that you'll make it to the final?"
Levi took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with determination. "Because I won't let anything stop me. I've trained hard for this moment, and I know that I have what it takes to beat anyone who stands in my way."
Sarah's smile widened, and she twirled her wand between her fingers. "I admire your confidence, Levi," she said. "But don't underestimate me. I may not be as flashy as Jameson, but I'm just as skilled."
Levi nodded, his respect for Sarah growing. "I know that," he said. "And I won't underestimate you. But I also know that I need to win this match to have a chance at beating Jameson."
Sarah chuckled softly. "You're a worthy opponent, Levi. But don't think for a second that I'll let you win just because you want to face Jameson in the final."
Levi's eyes hardened, and he raised his wand. "I wouldn't expect you to," he said, his voice steely. "I plan on winning this match fair and square."
Sarah nodded, her wand at the ready. "As do I."
The referee signaled the start of the match, and the two mages began to circle each other, their wands held high. The tension in the arena was palpable, as the audience watched in rapt attention.
Levi focused his energy, preparing to unleash one of his strongest spells. He knew that he couldn't hold back if he wanted to win. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes for a moment, and then opened them again, his gaze locking onto Sarah.
Without warning, he pointed his wand at her and shouted, "Torrential Blast!" A powerful stream of water shot out from the end of his wand, hurtling towards Sarah at breakneck speed.
Sarah's eyes widened in surprise as she quickly raised her wand to defend herself. "Ice Wall!" she shouted, creating a solid wall of ice in front of her just in time to block Levi's attack.
The audience gasped as the water slammed into the ice wall, causing it to crack and splinter. Levi's spell was one of the most powerful water-based attacks, capable of causing massive destruction. But Sarah had managed to hold her own, at least for the moment.
"You are really crazy," Sarah said, a hint of admiration in her voice. "You actually used a very strong spell in the first round."
Levi chuckled, his eyes flickering with amusement. "I had to make sure you knew I meant business," he replied. "I can't hold back against someone as skilled as you."
Sarah nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Fair enough. But don't think that you've already won this match. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve."
Levi grinned, enjoying the banter between them. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you," he said.
The two mages circled each other again, both ready for the next move. Sarah pointed her wand at Levi and shouted, "Ice Spike!" A sharp spike of ice shot out from her wand, hurtling towards Levi with deadly accuracy.
Levi remained calm, focusing his energy to conjure a spell to defend himself. "Aqua Wall!" he shouted, creating a wall of water in front of him just in time to block Sarah's attack. The ice spike shattered on impact, sending shards of ice flying in all directions.
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, impressed by the display of skill from both mages. The match had become intense and unpredictable, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats.
Levi smirked, feeling confident that he had the upper hand. "Pretty strong, but now this is over," he said, his voice low and determined.
Sarah was confused, not understanding why Levi would say that the match was over when they were still evenly matched. "Why is this over?" she asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.
Levi didn't answer her question directly, instead, he raised his wand and shouted, "Aqua Burst!" A sudden burst of water exploded from the puddle beneath Sarah's feet, throwing her off balance.
Sarah stumbled backward, trying to regain her footing, but it was too late. The burst of water had enough force to throw her out of the ring, ending the match in Levi's favor.
The crowd fell silent for a moment, stunned by the sudden and unexpected end to the match. Then, they erupted into cheers and applause, congratulating Levi on his victory.
Sarah looked disappointed as she stood up, brushing the dirt off her robes. "Well played, Levi," she said, offering him a small smile. "You deserve to win."
Levi nodded, a look of respect in his eyes. "You put up a good fight, Sarah. You're a skilled opponent."
The two mages shook hands, their rivalry put aside for the moment. As they walked out of the arena, they were both filled with a sense of pride and accomplishment. The match had been intense, but they had both shown what they were capable of.