The next day...
The day of the magical competition had finally arrived, and the grand arena was abuzz with excitement. Banners fluttered in the breeze, each bearing the insignia of the competing academies, and the stands were filled with spectators from all corners of the realm. The air was electric with anticipation as people eagerly awaited the start of the opening ceremony.
The arena itself was a marvel of architecture, with towering walls of stone and intricate carvings depicting legendary battles and mythical creatures. At the center of the arena was a raised platform, where the headmasters of the academies stood alongside prominent figures from the magical community. The sky above was clear, a perfect canvas for the display of magic that was about to unfold.
A hush fell over the crowd as a figure stepped forward from the platform. It was High Magister Eldric, a venerable and respected sorcerer known for his wisdom and mastery of the lightening magic. Clad in robes of deep blue and silver, he raised his hands to signal the beginning of the ceremony.
"Welcome, one and all, to the Grand Magical Competition!" Eldric's voice boomed across the arena, amplified by a spell. "Today, we gather to witness the finest mages from our esteemed academies showcase their talents and vie for the title of Supreme Champion!"
A cheer erupted from the crowd, the enthusiasm palpable. Eldric smiled, waiting for the noise to subside before continuing.
"This competition is not merely a test of skill and power," he said, his tone more serious. "It is a celebration of knowledge, a forging of bonds, and a testament to the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines our magical community."
As he spoke, a group of acolytes emerged from the sidelines, each carrying a torch enchanted with different elemental flames, blue for water, red for fire, green for earth, and white for air. They moved to the corners of the platform, placing the torches in ornate holders that sparked with energy as they were set down.
"Let the elements bear witness to this grand event," Eldric declared, gesturing to the torches. "May they bless our competitors with strength, wisdom, and honor."
The headmasters of the competing academies then stepped forward, each one offering a brief introduction of their institution and its representative. Cheers and applause followed each introduction, with students waving flags and banners in support of their peers.
When it was Lukas' academy's turn, Headmistress Selene, a regal woman with an aura of calm authority, took the stage. "Representing The Citadel Academy is Henry , a mage of exceptional talent and dedication. We have every confidence in his abilities and honor him as our champion."
Henry, standing among his peers, felt a surge of pride and determination as the crowd cheered for him. He didn't know that he had been chosen for this. He glanced at Ellice and Lukas, who were both in the stands, their faces filled with encouragement and support.
With the introductions complete, Eldric stepped forward once more. "And now, to mark the official start of the competition, let us witness a display of magic from our champions!"
One by one, the representatives from each academy stepped onto the platform, showcasing their abilities in a dazzling array of spells and enchantments. Flames danced, water swirled, earth trembled, and winds howled as the mages demonstrated their control over the elements.
When it was Henry's turn, he took a deep breath and stepped forward. Summoning his power, he unleashed a fire spell that blazed dazzlingly. creating a breathtaking display of flames that intertwined in a beautiful, yet dangerous, dance. The crowd gasped in awe, the spectacle leaving an indelible impression.
As the last of the displays concluded, Eldric raised his hands once more. "Let the competition begin!" he proclaimed, his voice echoing through the arena.
The crowd erupted into cheers, the excitement reaching a fever pitch as the opening ceremony came to a close and the first round of the competition began.
"And now..." A certain figure spoke from the shadows. Let the action begin
The magic competition continued through a series of intense and challenging activities. It began with demonstrations of magical prowess, where participants shot their spells at dummies, tested their accuracy, and performed various other magical feats. After all these activities were completed, the schools were ranked based on the points they accumulated from their performances.
The rankings were as follows:
Nimbus Academy – 70 points
Mana Pearl Institute – 60 points
Stellaris Academy – 60 points
Arcane Citadel – 50 points
Mana Crest – 40 points
Eldermyst Academy – 40 points
Aetherium Academy – 40 points
Imperial Institute – 30 points
Wyvernwood Academy – 30 points
Mage's Reach Academy – 20 points
Overall, ten academies participated in the first stage of the competition, but only eight could advance to the next round. While Mage's Reach Academy was already certain for disqualification due to their low score, Wyvernwood Academy and Imperial Institute were tied for the lowest position. To decide which of the two would move on, a duel was arranged between a representative from each academy.
After a long and grueling battle, the representative from Imperial Institute was defeated, thus securing Wyvernwood Academy's place in the next stage of the tournament.
The next level of the competition focused entirely on duels. In this crucial phase, the eight remaining academies were paired at random to face each other in a series of one-on-one battles. Each academy sent three participants to represent them in these duels, with each victory earning the winning academy ten points.
By the end of this round, four academies would be eliminated based on their duel outcomes, leaving only four to advance to the semi-finals.
At this point, Lukas' academy, Arcane Citadel, stood with a total of 50 points.
"Well..well...well.., We've all witnessed dazzling displays of magic and now we're moving onto the next round with our eight Academies. The academies have been paired at random and are a follows..." Edric announced. His voice which had been amplified with mana reverberated through the arena.
Arcane Citadel vs Mana Pearl
WyvernWood Academy vs Eldermyst Academy.
Aetherium vs Stellaris Academy.
Nimbus Academy vs Mana Crest.
"Let the challenge begin!!!" Edric yelled out.