The crowd erupted in whispers and murmurs, the atmosphere thick with tension and anticipation.
"Tatsuo Vulcan is unable to continue. The first round goes to the Basil faction!" Instructor Mori announced, his voice echoing through the training ground.
As Harald returned to his faction, triumphant, the Renald faction stood in stunned silence.
The battle had only just begun, and the stakes had never been higher.
Oasis calmly ascended the stage and took Tatsuo, who was unconscious, back to their side.
Master Renald looked at Tatsuo's condition, noting the bleeding on his head.
Liora attended to Tatsuo's injury.
A disciple from the Basil faction ascended the stage, and Tyla Lumina followed from the Renald faction.
"From the Basil faction, Darius Stoneheart, and from the Renald faction, Tyla Lumina," Mori announced.
Whispers and murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"Lumina? As in the Lumina family?"
"She must be strong."
"What a shame she's fighting seniors."
"Wow, she's pretty."
The crowd buzzed with excitement.
"Begin!" Mori commanded.
"Sorry, pretty thing. Don't worry, I won't hit that pretty face," Darius sneered.
"Squash her!" Master Basil shouted.
"Earth Magic: Raging Spikes!" Darius unleashed his magic, attacking Tyla after his master's shout.
"Blazing Mirage Step!" Tyla spoke as she moved through the spikes, leaving mirages and flame trails behind her, closing the distance rapidly.
Darius noticed her swift approach.
"Earth Magic: Binding Roots!" he roared.
Rock-like branches erupted from the ground, twisting and writhing with terrifying speed and power.
The branches were massive, some as thick as tree trunks, with jagged, stone-like thorns jutting out from them.
They lashed out toward Tyla, aiming to ensnare and crush her.
"Blazing Dragon Fist, Fourth Form: Blazing Sun!" Tyla roared, channeling nearly all her energy into the technique.
Flames wrapped around her body as she moved toward the incoming earth magic.
The rock branches targeted different parts of her body, one aiming for her head, another for her torso, and others for her limbs.
Each branch moved with precision and force, their jagged thorns gleaming menacingly in the sunlight.
Tyla dodged every branch, weaving through them with incredible agility.
One branch nearly grazed her head, but she swiftly ducked, leaving a trail of flames in her wake, her movements becoming a blur of flame and speed.
As she moved closer to Darius, the heat around her intensified. The air shimmered with the intensity of her flames, the ground beneath her scorching.
With each dodge, Tyla came closer to her opponent.
The branches continued to assault her, but she evaded them all, her focus unwavering.
Finally, she reached Darius, her right hand glowing with condensed energy.
Darius, sensing the imminent danger, quickly wrapped his stomach with a thick layer of his earth magic, focusing on defense.
The magic formed a solid, rocky barrier around his torso.
Just before impact, the heat from Tyla's attack melted the defensive magic.
Her blazing fist struck Darius in the stomach with immense force, the energy of the Blazing Dragon Fist Fourth Form fully unleashed.
Darius was sent flying, his body propelled out of the field by the sheer power of Tyla's attack.
BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He crashed into the ground, skidding to a halt at the edge of the training area.
Smoke rose from his scorched clothes, and he groaned in pain, clearly unable to continue.
The surrounding area radiated intense heat, melting the icicles around the Winter Garden.
The crowd could feel the warmth from Tyla's powerful attack, their astonishment evident in their wide eyes and murmurs.
"Not bad, Tyla," Oasis thought, watching with a hint of pride.
Master Basil was caught by surprise, unable to believe the power of a first-year practical student.
The crowd was in shock, some unable to believe what they were seeing. Murmurs of amazement and disbelief echoed through the arena.
"Did you see that?"
"Unbelievable! A first-year just took down a second-year!"
"Tyla Lumina... she's incredible!"
Even the instructors exchanged glances, astonished by Tyla's prowess.
Instructor Mori stepped forward, raising his hand.
"Darius Stoneheart is unable to continue. The second round goes to the Renald faction!" he declared.
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, the balance of the duel shifting dramatically.
Tyla left the stage panting, nearly exhausted as she descended.
"You did well, Tyla," Oasis spoke to her as she fell into his arms from exhaustion.
"Damn it, this is embarrassing," Tyla thought.
"That girl did that on purpose, damn you girl," Amilia in the crowd thought as she saw Tyla fall on Oasis.
Oasis placed Tyla on a chair to rest as the next round came in preparation. Master Basil, frustrated on the other side, barked orders.
"Nezala, go up there and destroy them. No mercy," Master Basil instructed his next disciple, whispering menacingly, "Break their bones and cripple them."
From the Basil Faction, Nezala ascended the stage with confidence radiating from her.
Liora ascended the stage for the Renald faction.
"From the Basil Faction, Nezala. From the Renald faction, Liora Ashen," Mori announced.
"Begin," Mori called.
"Die, bitch!" Nezala shouted at Liora, closing the distance swiftly.
"Earth Magic: Earth Lance!" she screamed, launching a massive earthen lance at Liora, catching her off guard.
Liora dodged using her Blazing Mirage Step, narrowly escaping the attack.
"Earth Magic: Earth Boulders!" Nezala roared, summoning two massive boulders that hurtled towards Liora, aiming to crush her between them.
Liora jumped, but the clash of the earth boulders left the field shrouded in dust, obscuring the crowd's view.
"Earth Magic: Earth Coffin!" Nezala shouted.
The only thing the crowd could hear was the sound of shifting earth and Nezala's voice, as the dust cloud thickened.
After a few breaths, a scream pierced the air.
"Arghhhhhh!!!" Liora screamed.
"What happened?" The crowd wondered.
"I can't see anything!"
"Did she get hit?"
"The dust is too thick!"
When the dust settled, the sight was horrifying.
Liora lay battered to a pulp, blood on her face, bruises covering her body, her clothes torn and barely clinging to her.
She was barely breathing.
The crowd gasped in shock.
"She really did that..."
"Is she even alive?"
"Nezala showed no mercy..."
Oasis clenched his fists, his anger rising as he saw Liora's condition.
Instructor Mori stepped forward, his expression stern.
"Liora Ashen is unable to continue. The third round goes to the Basil faction."
The Basil faction cheered, their confidence bolstered by Nezala's ruthless victory.