The atmosphere outside the arena was a mix of excitement and concern. Melvin, Emily, Ahiro, and John gathered to offer their support to Sia, who had just experienced a challenging and unexpected defeat. Their voices were hushed, and they approached Sia with empathetic expressions.
Melvin, always the optimist, began, "Hey Sia, you put up a great fight out there! It was an intense match."
Emily nodded in agreement. "Absolutely, you showed incredible strength. But, uh, what happened at the end there?"
Sia managed a faint smile, though there was a flicker of disappointment in her eyes. "Yeah, I underestimated James. He had a trick up his sleeve that caught me off guard. It won't happen again next time."
Ahiro, sensing Sia's resilience, chimed in, "You fought valiantly, Sia. and it's just a small test you can perform much more in other tests right? "
John added, "Exactly, it's a learning experience. You'll come back stronger in the next round."
Sia appreciated their encouragement but continued to wear a subtle facade. "Thanks, guys. I appreciate the support. It was a good match, and I'll make sure to be more prepared next time."
Melvin, sensing something amiss, raised an eyebrow. "You sure you're okay, Sia?"
Sia's smile remained, but her eyes hinted at a different story. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just need some time to process everything. Excuse me for a bit; I'll join you all before Melvin's match."
With that, she excused herself, leaving her friends with a mix of concern and understanding. As Sia walked away, the weight of the defeat lingered in her steps. Her friends exchanged glances, realizing that behind the facade of the confident warrior, Sia was dealing with more than she let on. They exchanged their concern about Sia but decided to let her be alone so she could think about it. Melvin excused himself, saying he needed a little warm-up before the match. They all went their separate ways and agreed to meet at the stadium for the game.
As Melvin's match was about to begin, Ahiro, Emily, John, and even Sia gathered in the stands, ready to cheer for their friend. However, even in the midst of the excitement, a lingering sadness still clouded Sia's eyes.
Ahiro, sensing the need for a distraction, decided to break the silence. "Umm... we're already in the third round. Just two more rounds for the Explorers department, and then we'll have our department winner. As for the Strikers department, I believe there are still three rounds left."
Emily nodded in agreement. "That's correct and in between the finals of Explorers and the semifinals of Strikers, there'll be a round of matches in the Seeker department. But it's exclusively for those with awakened abilities suited for battle. I think there are only four or five students participating."
John, curious, turned to Emily. "Are you planning to participate?"
Emily grinned confidently. "Well, yes. They're practically free marks for me."
The unexpected boldness of Nerd and Shy Emily's response elicited laughter from the group. Even Sia, despite her lingering sadness, couldn't help but smile at Emily's newfound determination.
As the announcement of Melvin match rang the group in the stands shifted their focus to cheering for their friend, allowing the anticipation and energy of the ongoing competition to momentarily overshadow the lingering emotions from Sia's previous match.
As Melvin stepped onto the arena, his opponent, caught the attention of Emily, who spoke, "Princess."
Ahiro, turning to Emily, inquired, "Is she Princess Ethalind McAllister? She was our classmate, but I haven't seen her in any class."
Emily explained, "That's because she must have already completed all the basic subjects, and thus exempted from classes. "
Ahiro observed the princess and then turned back to Emily, posing the question, "So who is stronger, Princess or Melvin?"
Before Emily could reply, John interjected, "You know the nickname of Princess is..."
Ahiro, curious, responded with a prompt "No."
John continued, "She's called the 'Iron Princess.' Her ability, <
Emily quickly added, "What John is trying to say is the battle is between iron and thunder. But even if Melvin strikes one Dame, she can create another one. Unless Melvin is quick enough to take out the princess, he might be in trouble."
The air buzzed with anticipation as Melvin's dual began, who had gained the nickname "Thunder Gun", due to his attack style in which he points at his target that looks like a gun. And the "Iron Princess" commenced, each strike and counterstrike weaving a tale of strategy and skill in the ongoing duel.
The referee announced to get ready. Melvin, ever calm and collected, kept his hands tucked in his pockets, a nonchalant demeanour that concealed the power he wielded.
On the other side, Ethalind began her preparation. The air around her shimmered as she invoked her ability, <
As the iron dust coalesced, a silhouette began to take form. The process was a visual spectacle — an intricate ballet of metallic fragments assembling themselves into the shape of a formidable dame. Each particle found its place with precision, creating a powerful and majestic dame ready to serve the princess.
The Iron Dame, once fully formed, knelled before Ethalind in all her metallic splendour. Her appearance was stunning — a statue-like figure crafted from gleaming iron, reflecting the ambient light in a dazzling display.
In her iron-clad hands, the dame wielded a sword forged from the same ethereal iron, its blade gleaming with a razor-sharp edge. And in her other arm, she wielded a shield with the royal logo on it.
The Iron Dame now stood ready, a formidable guardian forged from the very essence of iron, poised to face the impending clash with Melvin's thunderous powers. As the arena brimmed with anticipation, the stage was set for a battle between the elemental forces of thunder and the might of iron.
As for the Iron Princess, Ethalind was adorned in a more heavily armoured version of the academy's dual uniform, In her hands, she wielded a weapon befitting her title—the Iron Lance. The lance was a towering masterpiece, a giant among weapons, forged from the same ethereal iron as her creation. Its length extended well beyond her height, and its shaft bore intricate patterns and engravings
The arena, bathed in the glow of anticipation, witnessed the convergence of two formidable figures. Ethalind, clad in her armoured splendour and wielding the towering Iron Lance, stood ready to face the Thunder Gun, Melvin.