The first round of the duel unfolded with great anticipation and strategic prowess. Henry had skillfully triumphed in the first-round fight for Arcane Citadel, showcasing the disciplined training and arcane mastery that defined their academy. On the other hand, Edwardo from WyvernWood had secured a decisive victory for his own institution, displaying the formidable skills of his academy's duelists.
Stellaris Academy had also emerged victorious in their match against Aetherium. Meanwhile, Nimbus demonstrated their magical prowess by defeating Mana Crest Academy, proving their proficiency in manipulating the elements to achieve victory.
As the competition progressed, the dynamics shifted. At this critical stage, individual victories mattered more than cumulative points. Each academy needed to secure at least two wins out of three duels to advance further in the tournament. The atmosphere crackled with tension and excitement as the second round commenced, with all eyes on the chosen representatives.
Having tasted victory in their first match, Arcane Citadel sent out Anara, the rank C void mage to represent them in the next match. Renowned for her finesse in utilizing her void magic to her favor and tactical brilliance, Anara stepped forward to uphold her academy's honor. Her presence infused a sense of determination among her peers and supporters alike, as they anticipated another spectacular display of magical skill.
Across the dueling grounds, the air was charged with anticipation as each academy's pride and reputation hung in the balance. The duelists, driven by their academy's prestige and personal ambition, prepared to unleash their arcane abilities once more. The outcome of the second duel would not only shape the immediate future of the competition but also resonate throughout the realms of magical academia.
"Begin!!!" Edric's voice echoed across the arena, setting the stage for the much-awaited duel between Anara of Arcane Citadel and Allie of Mana Pearl Academy. The anticipation in the air was palpable as the two mages stood facing each other, each assessing the other with keen intensity.
Unlike the previous duels where combat erupted swiftly, Anara and Allie engaged in a prolonged standoff, their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. Five minutes stretched by, filled only with the sounds of shifting feet and the occasional murmur from the restless audience. Beads of sweat trickled down Anara's temple as she focused on deciphering Allie's tactics and strengths.
"Allie, aren't you going to strike?" Anara finally broke the silence, her voice calm yet laced with an underlying determination.
Allie's lips curled into a dismissive smirk. "I was starting to wonder if you were ever going to make a move. You're not what I expected."
The crowd's impatience was palpable now, murmurs and whispers spreading among the spectators. Anos leaned over to Roshan, his brow furrowed in concern. "What's going on? Why aren't they fighting?"
Roshan's gaze remained fixed on the arena, his expression thoughtful. "Anara senses something. She's cautious because Allie is stronger than she appears. She should be a mid-B-rank mage"
"B rank? How can you tell?" Miss Lyra interjected, her astonishment clear in her voice. Roshan's ability to gauge magical prowess was uncommon, even among Arch-mages.
Roshan hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "It's a sense I have. An intuition about mana flow and strength."
Lyra's eyes widened slightly in realization. "You truly are a prodigy, Roshan." So was his brother Arnold whom she had personally mentored. He was a genius among geniuses, being able to attain A rank at 15 years of age. Although she couldn't remember what's become of him now. She didn't know why, it seemed she lost a part of herself the previous night when she woke up in a strange place.
Meanwhile, as the audience grew more restless, Allie decided to break the stalemate. With a sudden burst of motion, she propelled herself forward, fists wreathed in flames. Fire surged towards Anara in a relentless barrage of punches, each strike aimed with deadly accuracy.
Reacting swiftly, Anara conjured a void portal before her, the inky blackness swirling with mysterious energy. She stepped into its depths just as Allie's fiery onslaught would have struck true. The flames seared the air where Anara had stood moments ago, dissipating harmlessly against the arcane barrier of the void.
Anara reappeared several yards away from Allie, her expression serious as she assessed the situation. She knew she couldn't afford to underestimate her opponent. Allie's strength was undeniable, and Anara needed to leverage her own unique abilities strategically if she hoped to prevail.
Allie chuckled darkly, her eyes narrowing as she assessed her opponent's retreat. "Running already, Anara? I thought you were supposed to be a challenge."
Anara remained composed, her mind racing through possibilities. She couldn't match Allie's raw power head-on, but she had something far more subtle and potent at her disposal, the void magic, which could manipulate space and distort reality itself.
With a focused gesture, Anara summoned wisps of dark energy from the void, weaving them into intricate patterns around her. The air around them shimmered briefly as reality bent to her will. She cast a wary glance at Allie, gauging the fire mage's next move.
Allie's impatience was evident as she prepared for another attack, flames licking at her fingertips. She lunged forward once more, this time conjuring a swirling vortex of fire that surged towards Anara with deadly intent.
Anara's response was swift and calculated. She didn't evade this time but instead channeled her void magic into a defensive maneuver. The swirling vortex of fire approached, its heat intense and threatening, but just as it seemed poised to engulf her, Anara manipulated the void around her.
The vortex of flames suddenly twisted and distorted as it entered the space influenced by Anara's magic. The fire began to consume itself, spiraling inward upon its own inferno until it collapsed into nothingness, extinguished by the very void it had unwittingly entered.
Allie's eyes widened in disbelief as her attack dissipated before her eyes. "What kind of magic is this?" she muttered, her confidence faltering for a brief moment.
Anara seized the opportunity, capitalizing on Allie's momentary confusion. With a surge of determination, she unleashed a counterattack of her own. Dark tendrils of void energy lashed out towards Allie, snaking through the air with unnatural speed and precision.
Allie reacted swiftly, conjuring a wall of flames to intercept the incoming tendrils. The void energy clashed violently with the intense heat, creating a chaotic maelstrom of elemental forces. Each mage pushed against the other, their powers locked in a fierce struggle for dominance.
The arena crackled with energy as Anara and Allie engaged in a breathtaking display of magical prowess. Void and fire clashed in a dazzling spectacle, each mage testing the limits of their abilities. Anara's strategy was clear and that was to exploit the vulnerabilities in Allie's fiery assaults, using the unpredictable nature of void magic to turn her opponent's strength against her.
Despite Anara's tactical advantage, Allie proved to be a formidable adversary. She fought with a fierce determination, her fire magic blazing brighter as she countered Anara's every move with renewed ferocity. The battle raged on, each passing moment intensifying the strain on both combatants.
Anara knew she couldn't sustain this level of intensity indefinitely. The void magic demanded a high price, draining her energy with each manipulation of space and reality. Yet, she also knew that retreat was not an option. She had to press forward, find a weakness in Allie's defenses, and exploit it to secure victory.
With a sudden burst of inspiration, Anara shifted her tactics. Instead of engaging directly, she began to weave a complex series of illusions using her void magic. Shadows danced around Allie, distorting her perception and creating phantom images of Anara attacking from multiple angles.
Allie's expression hardened as she struggled to discern the real threat amidst the illusions. Flames erupted around her in a desperate attempt to ward off the phantom attacks, but Anara's illusions were cunningly crafted, each one mimicking her movements with eerie accuracy.
Amidst the chaos of battle, Anara seized her moment. While Allie was distracted by the illusions, she launched a focused assault, channeling her remaining energy into a decisive strike. Void energy surged towards Allie, bypassing her defenses with deceptive speed.
Allie reacted too late. The void energy struck true, enveloping her in a shroud of darkness that sapped away her strength. She cried out in surprise and pain as the void magic took its toll, weakening her resolve and leaving her vulnerable.
Anara stood poised for the final blow, her breath labored but her determination unwavering. She could sense victory within her grasp, the culmination of her strategic planning and mastery of void magic. Yet, as she prepared to deliver the finishing strike, she hesitated.
Allie looked up at her with defiance burning in her eyes, despite the pain and fatigue. "Finish it," she spat, her voice hoarse but defiant.
Anara hesitated, torn between victory and mercy. She knew she had the power to end the duel now, to claim triumph for Arcane Citadel. But something in Allie's gaze gave her pause, a glimpse of the same determination and pride that drove Anara herself.
In that moment of hesitation, Allie summoned the last of her strength. With a sudden surge of fiery energy, she launched one final, desperate attack. Flames erupted from her hands with blinding intensity, aimed directly at Anara.
Caught off guard by the sudden counterattack, Anara's defenses faltered. The searing heat of Allie's flames engulfed her, scorching her skin and searing through her magical defenses. Pain lanced through Anara's body as she staggered backward, the void magic dissipating in the face of Allie's relentless assault.
The crowd erupted into frenzied cheers as Allie's unexpected comeback unfolded before their eyes. Anara fought to regain her footing, her mind racing to devise a new strategy amidst the chaos of battle. She couldn't afford to falter now, not when victory had been so close.
Allie pressed her advantage, her fire magic blazing with renewed vigor. She pursued Anara relentlessly, each fiery blast pushing the Arcane Citadel mage further towards the edge of defeat. Anara gritted her teeth against the pain, drawing upon her reserves of strength and resilience.
With a defiant roar, Anara summoned the void once more. Shadows coalesced around her, swirling with potent energy as she prepared her final gambit. She would not go down without a fight, without testing the limits of her own abilities one last time.
The arena became a battleground of elemental forces, fire and void colliding in a cataclysmic clash. Each mage poured their heart and soul into the duel, driven by pride, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of victory.
In the end, however, it was Allie's unyielding determination that proved decisive. With a final surge of flame, she overwhelmed Anara's defenses, leaving her opponent exhausted and battered. Anara sank to her knees, her body trembling with fatigue and pain, her vision blurring as the realization of defeat settled upon her.
"I understand," She said as she smiled back at him.
"Allie of Mana Pearl Academy emerges victorious!" Edric's voice thundered through the arena, signaling the end of the intense duel. The crowd erupted into a chorus of applause and cheers, acknowledging Allie's hard-earned triumph.
"Anara is incredible to have held out against a B-rank for so long," Henry murmured to himself, admiration evident in his voice.
"You fought valiantly out there, Anara," Miss Lyra consoled her, gently placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder as they walked back. Anara kept her head low, disappointment etched on her face. "I'm sorry, everyone," she muttered softly.
Their hopes now rested on the outcome of the third match. Miss Lyra deliberated briefly before deciding to send Lukas next. Her tone was firm as she addressed him, "Prepare yourself, Lukas. You're up next."
"What? Me?" Lukas exclaimed in surprise.
"I'm counting on you, Lukas," Miss Lyra affirmed, her hands resting firmly on his shoulders.
"You got this, Lukas," Henry chimed in with a supportive smile.
Lukas sighed inwardly, resigning himself to the upcoming challenge. "Well, I suppose that's why I'm here in the first place," he muttered, preparing himself mentally for what lay ahead.
As Lukas moved away from the group, his senses keenly attuned, he suddenly detected a chilling aura that sent a shiver down his spine. It was unmistakably similar to the presence of a Dragon Lord. He leaned towards Henry and whispered urgently, "They're here."
Henry's eyes widened in apprehension. "You mean... them?" he whispered back.
"Yeah, them," Lukas confirmed quietly, his mind racing with concern. "I need to ensure Ellice's safety," he resolved silently, turning towards Miss Lyra. "Miss Lyra, I need to use the restroom. I'll be back shortly," he informed her with a sense of urgency in his voice.
"Make it quick, Lukas. Your duel is coming up soon," she replied, her tone indicating both understanding and firmness.
"Got it," Lukas acknowledged curtly before making his way through the crowd, scanning diligently until he spotted Ellice. He signaled for her to approach, and as she drew near, a strange stillness seemed to settle around them, isolating them from the bustling arena.
"Ellice," Lukas began in a hushed tone.
"Yes, Lukas," she responded softly, a warmth in her voice that didn't go unnoticed by him.
"It seems the ice dragons are making their move. I need to ensure you're protected," he explained, his concern evident in his eyes.
"What's your plan?" she inquired, trusting his judgment.
Lukas extended his hands towards her, a soft blue energy emanating from his palms. It enveloped Ellice in a gentle glow, forming a protective shield of mana around her. "This will keep you safe. No matter what happens, this shield cannot be breached," he assured her with a reassuring smile.
"Lukas... please be careful," Ellice pleaded softly, her eyes reflecting her worry. The memory of the former Dragon Lord's strength weighed heavily on her mind, and she couldn't bear the thought of losing someone she cared deeply about. "If you have the ability to freeze time, why not use it to defeat him?"
Lukas's smile softened at her concern. "As tempting as it sounds, I haven't had a good fight in a long time. I want to face this challenge head-on," he explained, his voice calm yet resolute.
"I understand," Ellice replied, a small smile playing on her lips as she looked up at him with admiration and trust.