As Zayn assessed Ragnar's unexpected power, he focused, letting Rapid Mind run at maximum—250 times normal speed. Every detail snapped into place, but something was off. His opponent wasn't just fast; he was… heavier? Zayn's eyes narrowed as he noticed the vectors around Ragnar shifting, the arrows growing denser and more potent.
"System, is he… getting heavier?"
[Analysis indicates substantial gravitational increase. Subject Ragnar likely possesses gravity-based abilities.]
Zayn groaned. "Gravity magic? Just my luck…"
In the stands, Riven's eyes widened as he watched the fight unfold. "It's gravity magic, isn't it?" he murmured.
Thalia gave a short nod. "That explains the force behind his blows. Every step he takes, he's increasing his mass."
Elara scoffed. "Zayn better get it together."
On the arena floor, Ragnar grinned, eyes gleaming with excitement. "What's wrong, Zayn? Running out of steam?"
Zayn narrowed his gaze, jaw clenched. "Don't get comfortable just yet."
[Suggestion: Use vector magic at full power, 250x strength and speed.]
Zayn paused for a heartbeat, steeling himself. "Alright. Let's do it."
He took a deep breath, feeling the magic surge within him as he ramped up his power. The air around him crackled, and with a sudden burst, he shot forward, leaving a sonic boom in his wake. His speed shot past the sound barrier, and in the blink of an eye, his fist connected with Ragnar's chest.
A massive shockwave tore through the space, sending Ragnar hurtling back dozens of meters. Dust and debris scattered across the field as everyone shielded their eyes from the powerful impact.
Alaric, the commentator, raised his voice, struggling to keep up with the spectacle. "Did you see that? Ladies and gentlemen, Zayn Eldrion just sent Ragnar flying clear across the field! That was no ordinary punch—that was… something else!"
The spatial mages surrounding the arena quickly deactivated their magic, signaling the end of the match. Zayn took a few steadying breaths as he walked back to the centre.
Riven broke into a grin, clapping. "Nice one, Zayn! I didn't think he had it in him!"
As Zayn reached the middle of the arena, Alaric's voice boomed again. "There you have it, folks! An explosive end to the match as Zayn Eldrion proves victorious! What a display of magic from Myrria."
As Zayn approached Ragnar, he could see the White Mages surrounding him, casting their healing magic. Ragnar, looking bruised but more than a little pleased, glanced up at Zayn with a grin.
"Nice punch," Ragnar admitted. "But don't think that's the last time you'll see me."
Zayn smirked, giving a nod. "Looking forward to it."
He turned and headed back to his group, where Riven greeted him with a high-five.
"That was amazing!" Riven said.
Thalia nodded briskly. "Well done, Zayn."
Elara, arms crossed, gave him a haughty look. "So, even riffraff can actually use magic decently," she muttered. "I'll give you that one, for now."
Zayn raised an eyebrow, grinning. "What could I possibly do to impress you, your highness?"
Elara's cheeks turned a faint shade of pink. "Nothing you do would ever impress me," she huffed, looking away.
Zayn chuckled, turning to Riven. "So, what's the word on the other matches?"
Riven's expression grew serious. "The dragon kid from Ishaya—Uram, I think his name was—won his match almost instantly. I swear, I've never seen anyone move that fast. His martial arts were on another level. The Celestrian girl didn't even have a chance."
Zayn looked over to the Ishayan section and spotted a boy with flame-colored hair being congratulated by his teammates. He blinked, disbelief in his eyes. "No way that tiny kid did all that…"
Elara scoffed, flicking her gaze at Zayn. "Maybe you need a reminder that size doesn't always determine strength, hmm? Has Thalia knocking you flat in the library slipped your mind already?"
Zayn rubbed the back of his head, chuckling sheepishly. "Touché."
Just then, the commentator's voice rang out. "Next up, we have Callum of Atheria facing Valkir of Ishaya! And on the adjacent field, Eve of Celestria versus Lionel of Zarun!"
Zayn's attention perked up as he looked toward Callum. "Wonder what he's got up his sleeve."
"Prince Callum has been trained extensively. I am sure he will not disappoint."
Daemon's eyes followed Callum as the young prince strode confidently into the arena. Watching from the sidelines, he murmured to himself, "He's strong for his age. Few make it to level 2 by fourteen."
Isolde, standing beside him, glanced over, her eyes sharp. "But his opponent's from Ishaya. He'll have the edge, trained to face all sorts of threats."
Daemon nodded, a faint hint of concern in his otherwise calm expression. "True, the dragonoids of Ishaya are a different breed. They've had to be, living so close to Tierra Alta."
As the Silver Mages set the arena space, Brynn sent Callum an encouraging thought, hoping it would reach him somehow. You've got this, Callum. Give it everything.
Alaric's voice boomed across the arena, "Competitors, begin!"
In an instant, Valkir exploded forward, his form a blur. Before anyone had time to process, Callum was already on the ground, defeated. The air was thick with shock.
From the commentators' box, Alaric's voice came out stunned, "And... it's over? Valkir takes the win in record time!"
Daemon's eyes narrowed slightly, analyzing the match. That speed... he thought. It was well beyond what Callum could react to.
In the meantime, Callum, just healed up by the medical team, made his way back, his head low, shoulders slumped.
"Hey," Brynn clapped a reassuring hand on Callum's shoulder, "that was some tough competition. You'll get him next time."
Callum let out a small sigh, lifting his head slightly. "Didn't think I'd go down that fast," he muttered, frustration in his eyes.
"Well," Brynn leaned closer, voice light, "at least you gave us all a show. The commentary team is probably still catching their breath."
Callum managed a faint smile, though the disappointment lingered. "I just thought... I could've done better."
"Everyone does," Daemon chimed in quietly from behind. "But the strength of your opponents is out of your control. What you can control is how you respond. Take it as a lesson."
Callum straightened, looking at Daemon. "Next time, I won't be so easy to beat," he vowed.
Brynn grinned. "That's the spirit! Just give it time. And hey, you're still young; plenty of years to become the best."
Zayn's jaw dropped, staring at Callum sprawled on the ground.
"What the… what was that?" Zayn practically shouted, still stunned. "He knocked Callum out in one hit! I could barely see him move, and that was with Rapid Mind active!"
Elara rolled her eyes. "That's how dragonoids are."
"Wait, dragonoids?" Zayn asked, brow furrowing. "I thought they were just… dragons?"
She gave him an exasperated look, as though he'd just insulted her family line. "You're even dumber than I thought," she muttered before turning to Thalia. "Please, enlighten him."
Thalia inclined her head. "Dragonoids are the result of pure dragons breeding with other races. They are the most powerful race in Alcor, surpassing even normal dragons—except, of course, those descended directly from the Primordials and the Spirit Queen herself, Iris."
Zayn blinked, trying to absorb it all. "So, what, they just… inherit all the best stuff from both sides?"
Thalia nodded once. "Their compound genetic makeup is what makes them powerful even at lower levels. Most of the level-seven beings are dragonoids."
Zayn shook his head in disbelief. "That's… insane. How are we supposed to beat something like that?"
Elara scoffed, giving him a disdainful look. "Only an incompetent mage gives up so easily," she shot back, folding her arms.
Riven elbowed him with a grin. "Guess you'll have to try a little harder next time."
"Funny," Zayn muttered, shooting Riven a look before glancing back at the arena.
The rest of the matches continued without much drama, each contestant showing impressive skills. Riven's opponent, a Celestrian girl, had struggled from the start, her magic fizzling as Riven's negation rendered them useless. He dispatched her easily, barely breaking a sweat.
"Nice going, Riven!" Zayn called out as he returned.
Riven shrugged. "Hey, Void magic comes in handy."
Brynn was up next, his expression as calm as ever as he took on a Zarunian opponent wielding a spear. With swift, precise strikes, Brynn displayed his amazing sword skills, parrying and countering his opponent's moves until he lay defeated.
"Brynn, that was incredible!" Callum called.
He gave a small nod. "I've been practicing," he said smiling.
As the match began between Elara and her Celestrian opponent, Frederica, Zayn leaned forward, curiosity piqued.
"What kind of magic is that?" he muttered, watching as Frederica's attacks seemed to sail past Elara as if drawn away by an invisible force. Meanwhile, every one of Elara's strikes hit with pinpoint accuracy.
Riven crossed his arms, equally perplexed. "It's like… her magic draws her opponent off-balance?"
Elara finished the match with a final, graceful blow. She barely broke a sweat, casting a smug glance their way as she returned.
"Show-off," Zayn smirked, as she approached.
She raised an eyebrow. "Winning efficiently is hardly showing off, commoner."
"Right. Just make sure you don't get too comfortable."
Thalia's match was next. She stepped into the arena, facing a hulking dragonoid whose mere presence seemed to fill the space with an aura of raw power. Even Zayn wasn't sure she could pull this off.
The dragonoid lunged, his speed surprising for his size, but his attacks slammed against an invisible barrier around Thalia, each one deflected with ease. He tried energy blasts, rapid dashes, even a few charged punches, but none of it broke through.
Zayn's mouth dropped open. "How is she even doing that?"
When Thalia returned, Zayn gave a slow clap. "Alright, now you're just showing off. I get it, I get it—you're both geniuses."
But all of that was nothing compared to the final match. Zayn squinted as Sang from Ishaya walked out to face a Beastkin competitor.
"Look at him," Zayn whispered to Riven. "He doesn't even look nervous."
The match began, and something eerie happened—the Beastkin froze in place. He couldn't move, his muscles visibly straining, face twisted in confusion and frustration. Sang strolled over casually, like he was taking a walk through the park, and delivered a light tap to his opponent's head. The Beastkin collapsed.
"What the heck?" Zayn whispered, eyes wide. "I've never seen magic like that before... if it even is magic."
Riven looked baffled. "It's got to be. There's no other way he could've immobilized his opponent like that."
Even Elara, usually unimpressed, was staring. "He's a problem," she said, folding her arms.
Zayn nodded, a hint of worry creeping in. "Yeah… that guy's serious trouble."