The tournament has reached its penultimate stage, and Lyrien, Kaira, and Paul have emerged victorious, advancing to the semi-finals. Lyrien, confident in his abilities, faces off against a mysterious mage.
The crowd is electric with anticipation as the match begins. Lyrien, with his sword at the ready, charges forward. But the mage, with a subtle smile, raises his hand and utters a single word: "Ignis."
A blast of flame erupts, engulfing Lyrien in a fiery inferno. The crowd gasps in shock as Lyrien attempts to defend himself, but the flames are too intense. He stumbles back, his sword falling from his grasp.
The mage's "Flame Attack" spell has defeated Lyrien in mere seconds, a stunning upset that sends shockwaves through the arena. The crowd is left speechless, wondering how Lyrien, who had seemed so formidable, was defeated so quickly.
Kaira and Paul watch in disbelief, their minds racing with the implications of this sudden turn of events. The mage, with a nod of respect towards Lyrien, advances to the final match, leaving Lyrien to ponder what went wrong.
Paul and Kaira rush towards Lyrien, concern etched on their faces. "Lyrien, are you okay?" Paul asks, helping his friend up from the ground.
Lyrien winces, his face scorched from the flames. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a bit... singed."
Kaira examines his injuries, her eyes narrowing. "That was a powerful spell. You're lucky to be alive."
Lyrien nods, his expression grim. "I underestimated my opponent. Won't happen again."
Paul places a hand on Lyrien's shoulder. "You'll get another chance, Lyrien. We'll train together, and next time, you'll be the one delivering the finishing blow."
Lyrien smiles, his determination renewed. "You're right, Paul. I'll be back, stronger than ever."
Together, the three friends share a moment of solidarity, their bond stronger than any defeat.
The host's voice booms through the arena, announcing the unexpected turn of events. "And the first finalist is... Nate, the 15-year-old prodigy who has stunned us all by reaching the 2-circle rank at such a young age! His impressive skills have earned him a spot in the final match. The crowd goes wild, cheering and chanting Nate's name.
Kaira turns to Paul and Lyrien, her eyes wide with excitement. "Can you believe it? A 2-circle mage at 15? That's incredible!"
Paul nods, grinning. "Nate's talent is undeniable. But we can't count out the other finalist yet. The competition is far from over."
Lyrien, still recovering from his defeat, looks determined. "I may not have made it to the finals, but I'm proud to have been a part of this tournament. And I can't wait to see what Nate and the other finalist have in store for us."
The host's voice echoes through the arena, "And now, it's time for the 2nd semi-final match! Please welcome Kaira and Paul to the stage. It's Kaira vs Paul, let the battle begin!"
Paul said,"Let's do our best , Kaira". "Yes , Paul", said Kaira.
Paul charges towards Kaira with fast speed, his sword . Kaira raises her hand, conjuring a sturdy stone wall to defend herself from Paul's attack. The stone wall materializes just in time, blocking Paul's sword strike.
Kaira unleashes a barrage of 1-circle flame spells, firing them rapidly at Paul. However, Paul uses his incredible speed to dodge and weave between the flames, avoiding each spell with ease. The crowd gasps in amazement at Paul's agility and quick reflexes.
Paul's sudden counterattack catches Kaira off guard, and she's unable to defend herself against his swift and precise strike. With his sword poised at her head, Kaira realizes she's outmatched and raises her hands in defeat.
"I surrender!" she declares, her voice clear and strong.
The crowd erupts in cheers and applause as Paul stands victorious, his sword still held at the ready. The referee approaches, nodding in approval.
"Paul wins the match! He advances to the final round against Nate!" the host announces, their voice booming through the arena.
The nobles in the audience whisper among themselves, their voices filled with a mix of shock and awe.
"Unbelievable! Paul, a non-aura user, has made it to the finals!" says one noble.
"And he defeated those mages with ease! His speed and skill are unmatched," adds another.
"I know, right? I've never seen anyone like him. He's a true prodigy," says a third noble.
The nobles continue to discuss Paul's impressive performance, shaking their heads in disbelief.
"And to think, he's still just a swordsman. No aura, no magic. Just pure skill and determination," says one noble, chuckling.
The nobles nod in agreement, impressed by Paul's remarkable achievement.
Roderick and Venna, sitting in the audience, beam with pride and joy as they watch Paul advance to the finals. They exchange a warm smile, their faces radiating happiness.
"Ha! I knew he had it in him!" Roderick exclaims, his voice filled with excitement.
Venna nods in agreement, her eyes shining with pride. "Paul's worked so hard for this. He deserves it."
They both continue to cheer and support Paul, eager to see him emerge victorious in the final match against Nate.
Paul approaches Kaira, who's fighting back tears, and places a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, don't cry, Kaira. You made it to the semi-finals, that's an amazing achievement. And you lost to me, of all people. I'm honored to have had such a tough opponent."
Kaira looks up at Paul, her eyes welling up with tears. "Y-you were just too strong, Paul. I couldn't keep up with you."
Paul offers a warm smile. "You're strong too, Kaira. Don't sell yourself short. You've got talent and heart. Keep training, and next time, we'll have an even closer match."
Kaira nods, a small smile on her face, and Paul gives her a gentle pat on the back before walking away, leaving Kaira to compose herself.
Kaira enters the healing area, still looking a bit emotional from her loss. As she approaches the healing beds, she sees her brother Kael and Lyrien waiting for her, concerned expressions on their faces.
"Hey, sis! Congrats on making it to the semi-finals!" Kael says, giving her a warm smile.
"Yeah, you were amazing out there!" Lyrien adds, patting her on the back.
Kaira smiles weakly, feeling a bit better with her friends and brother around her. "Thanks, guys. I'm just...really disappointed in myself. I wanted to go further."
Kael and Lyrien exchange a knowing glance. "We believe in you, Kaira," Kael says. "You'll reach the finals next time, no question."
Lyrien nods in agreement. "You've got the talent and the drive. You just need to keep pushing yourself."
Kaira's face brightens slightly, feeling a surge of determination. "You're right. I'll train harder than ever, and next time, I won't let you guys down."
Her friends share a smile, happy to see Kaira's spirits lifting.
The lady, dressed in a long, flowing cloak, approaches Kaira with a mysterious smile. "Kaira, may I have a word with you in private?" she asks, her eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intensity.
Kaira's curiosity is piqued, and she nods, following the lady to a secluded corner of the healing area. "What is it?" Kaira asks, her heart beating slightly faster.
The lady's smile widens, and she leans in close. "I have a message for you, Kaira. A message from someone who believes in your potential...and wants to help you unlock it."
Who is this lady?