The arena buzzed with tension, still rippling from the earlier matches. Kotaka's near loss of control had sent whispers through the crowd—some nervous, others electrified by the display of raw, untamed power. At the center of it all, Giyuu's unexpected intervention left more questions than answers, his calm demeanour starkly contrasting with the chaos. He stood there for only a moment before stepping back into the shadows of the spectators, his expression unreadable.
Now, all eyes turned to the next match.
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"Celosia vs. Haruki."
The proctor stepped forward, his voice carrying across the arena.
"Celosia vs. Haruki! Both participants enter the field!"
Celosia's soft footsteps barely made a sound as she crossed the stone floor. Her white hair, secured with a simple black headband, gleamed like a streak of moonlight beneath the sunlight. Her emerald-green eyes reflected calm resolve, though inwardly, she could feel her heart beating against her ribs. She took her place on the left side of the arena, hands loosely at her sides.
On the opposite end, Haruki entered with far more flair, his black hair tied into a messy ponytail that swayed as he walked. A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he bowed theatrically toward the crowd, his black eyes glinting with mischief. He was the picture of confidence, exuding a subtle arrogance that made Celosia narrow her gaze.
'This won't be easy.'
"Ready?" The proctor raised his hand, scanning both fighters. "Begin!"
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"The Battle Begins."
Haruki didn't waste a second. "Paradise Hells."
The air shimmered unnaturally. Celosia's breath hitched as the arena around her warped. The solid ground beneath her feet seemed to ripple like water, her surroundings twisting into unsettling shapes—walls of shadow and distorted echoes of her own reflection. Haruki remained at the center of it all, untouched by the illusion.
"Having trouble already?" His voice echoed unnaturally from every direction, smooth and mocking.
Celosia's head darted side to side. Her focus slipped for only an instant, and something struck her—a sharp crack of force, like an invisible blow to her ribs. She staggered back, sucking in a breath.
'It feels real'. Her mind raced, heart pounding. 'No... it's just mana, but it's so precise...'
"Ah, but these aren't just illusions. I shape reality," Haruki replied smoothly, his voice like silk. "You look lost, Celosia. Confused. I wonder—can you even trust what you see?"
A barrage followed—shadowy hands clawing from the ground, walls closing in, whispers scratching at her ears. Celosia planted her feet, steadying her breathing. She felt the illusions gnawing at her mind, seeking to unsettle her resolve.
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"Celosia's Inner Struggle."
Her body tensed as another phantom blow landed against her shoulder. A faint cry escaped her lips, but she gritted her teeth, eyes shut tight.
Focus. Water flows—calm, measured. Nothing can break its course.
Celosia inhaled sharply, clearing her thoughts. Her connection to the mana around her surged. Wisps of water rose from the ground at her feet, drawn from the thin air. Its soothing presence washed over her mind, pushing back Haruki's manipulations like a steady stream carving through rock.
Haruki clicked his tongue, noticing the shift. "Oh? Regaining composure, are we?" His smirk faltered as ripples of water spread outward from Celosia's stance.
"She's losing ground!" Sanae gasped, her fingers gripping the edge of her seat.
"No," Rajieru grinned, leaning back. "You're not paying attention. Watch closely."
"Your illusions rely on doubt," Celosia said softly, her voice carrying across the distorted arena. "But I will not doubt myself."
She opened her eyes, and Haruki's illusions cracked a ripple of awe swept through the spectators.
"Turning the Tide."
The arena reappeared in flickering bursts as if Celosia's mana was tearing through Haruki's domain. He scowled. "Not so fast!" With a wave of his hand, dark reflections of Celosia herself surged forward—twisted, laughing versions of her, moving to strike.
Celosia remained still, watching carefully. She whispered to herself:
"Water flows where it must."
The water swirling around her shimmered faintly, catching the light in a way that seemed almost alive. The audience couldn't help but notice the way it responded to her, not just as a tool but as an extension of her will.
Haruki's smirk faltered. His illusions, usually impenetrable, seemed fragile against the water's steady advance. 'What the hell is with her?' he muttered under his breath, pushing more mana into his craft. But the water—no, her water—cut through like it had a mind of its own.
Another wisp of water began to surge, spinning into a vortex that spiralled outward. The shadow clones shattered against the tide, their dark forms dissolving into mist. Haruki raised an arm to shield himself as Celosia advanced, her control unwavering.
Haruki gritted his teeth. "Persistent, aren't you?"
Celosia ignored the taunt, her emerald gaze locked onto him. She extended her hand, and the swirling vortex condensed into a single, focused spear of water. The precision of her control sent chills through the audience.
Haruki frowned, sweat prickling the back of his neck. 'What the hell is with her, like seriously?' The illusions that normally shattered even the toughest opponents barely seemed to faze her now. Her emerald eyes cut through the shadows like a blade. He pushed more mana into the illusions, desperate to reclaim control.
"The Breakthrough."
Haruki attempted another illusion—dark claws reaching out—but Celosia had seen through his tricks. She thrust her palm forward, sending the water spear soaring through his attack. The spear struck his shoulder, spinning him backward as he lost focus.
The illusions shattered completely.
The crowd erupted in cheers as the sunlight returned to the arena, dispelling every shadow. Haruki groaned, rising to his knees with a frustrated glare. Celosia remained steady, her breathing even as the water dispersed into harmless droplets.
The proctor stepped forward, raising his hand.
"Winner: Celosia!"
The applause was thunderous. Celosia offered a small, almost shy bow to the crowd, her white hair cascading forward. Though her expression remained calm, a glimmer of pride flickered in her emerald eyes.
Haruki, scowling, gave her a reluctant nod as he rose to his feet. "Not bad. I'll give you that."
Celosia turned to leave, her voice soft but resolute. "Illusions can only cloud a mind that allows it."
The crowd erupted into cheers as Celosia let her water disperse into mist, the tension in her shoulders easing. She bowed her head briefly before stepping back, her expression still calm despite the victory.
From the stands, Rajieru grinned. "That's my girl! Knew you had it in you."
Sanae let out a relieved breath, smiling brightly. "She did it!"
Haruki, meanwhile, sat on the arena floor, stunned. He stared at Celosia as she walked past him, her gentle voice cutting through his disbelief.
"Strength isn't just about power," she said softly. "It's about perseverance."
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"Kiyoshi's Fight."
The crowd was still buzzing with excitement when the proctor's voice rang out again:
"For our final match of the day—Kiyoshi vs. Ardyn!"
The cheers dulled into murmurs and curious glances. Kiyoshi stood from his seat, calm as always. He adjusted his uniform, the same gray and black ensemble as the others, the mana crystal insignia glinting in the light. He stepped toward the arena with quiet confidence, his long black hair pulled back loosely into a bun. He glanced once toward the crowd but didn't linger, drifting to the arena floor instead.
"Kiyoshi?" Sanae whispered, leaning forward in her seat. "This is his fight?"
Zoltan folded his arms, red eyes narrowing. "I don't think this will be an ordinary match."
As Kiyoshi entered the arena, the crowd grew restless. There was something about his quiet confidence—something unsettling in the way he carried himself without a hint of hesitation.
Then, his opponent entered.
Opposite him, a new figure stepped forward: Ardyn. The mysterious fighter's gray trial uniform matched the others, offering no hints of his true status. His tall frame exuded a quiet menace, his dark hair falling slightly over piercing blue eyes. He smirked as he approached, his gaze landing on Kiyoshi.
"So, you're the new kid everyone's talking about," Ardyn said, his voice low and taunting. "Let's see if you're worth the rumours."
Kiyoshi tilted his head, his washed-gray eyes calm but unreadable. He said nothing, his silence unnerving.
Ardyn smirked as he stopped at his mark, tilting his head to examine Kiyoshi. "You look calm," he said, voice low and taunting. "That won't last."
Kiyoshi said nothing, his washed-gray eyes unblinking. Adjusted his sleeves, his movements deliberate. 'It doesn't matter who he is,' he thought. 'I'll end this quickly.' He glanced up to find Ardyn staring at him. Where others might have seen menace, Kiyoshi saw only distraction.
The crowd grew restless, sensing the weight of this upcoming match.
In the stands, whispers spread as a few students murmured among themselves.
"Who is that guy?"
"Isn't he too strong to fight Kiyoshi...?"
"No way... is he—?"
"Ardyn's on another level," one of the third-years whispered to his friend in the stands. "I heard he's fought instructors before."
"Why would they put him against a first-year?" the other asked, wide-eyed. "This doesn't seem fair."
A faint breeze stirred, almost like an omen, as Kiyoshi and Ardyn locked gazes.
The proctor stepped forward, his voice ringing out. "Begin!"
To be continued...
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