Vader struggled under the weight of Frosty's "Ice Age" spell, his limbs frozen and heavy. Desperation surged within him as he considered his options. Summoning all his remaining strength, he drew his sword, channeling his will into a last-ditch effort to break free.
With a sudden burst of determination, Vader dashed toward Frosty, aiming to strike. But Frosty was quicker, easily dodging the attack. In retaliation, he unleashed the spell "Ice Bird," a flurry of icy projectiles that collided with Vader, sending him flying across the arena. The cold enveloped him, freezing his body in place.
As the crowd erupted in cheers, it became clear that Vader had been outmatched. Defeated, he hung his head in shame, unable to face his friends who watched anxiously from the sidelines. The realization that he had fallen short weighed heavily on him.
As he returned to his friends, their expressions mirrored his sorrow. They rushed to comfort him, reassuring him that setbacks were part of the journey. "It's okay, Vader," one of them said. "There's still a chance you'll be picked. Keep your head up!"
With the arena still buzzing from the match, the announcer called for the next battle. "The next match will be Kairyu vs. Aryuna!"
Kairyu, a skilled water mage and one of Vader's closest friends, stepped into the arena. Opposite her stood Aryuna, a talented archer known for her precision and agility, dressed in a hooded cape that gave her a mysterious allure.
As the battle commenced, Aryuna loosed a triple shot of powerful arrows aimed directly at Kairyu. Reacting swiftly, Kairyu dodged, aware that her Water Barrier wouldn't withstand such an assault. The arrows exploded on impact, sending Kairyu tumbling but not defeated.
Regaining her footing, Kairyu retaliated with "Tidal Wave," summoning a massive wave that crashed toward Aryuna. The archer countered with a single, devastating arrow, but Kairyu was prepared, casting "Tidal Fortress" to shield against the attack. However, Aryuna's arrow pierced through, striking Kairyu in the shoulder.
"This girl is strong!" Kairyu exclaimed through gritted teeth.
With a smirk, Aryuna replied, "Your barrier skill is easy to penetrate."
Kairyu, undeterred, activated "Ocean's Blessing," surrounding herself with water and donning a shimmering armor. Aryuna's eyes narrowed, intrigued by Kairyu's enhancement. "Let's see what you've got," she challenged.
Kairyu unleashed a barrage of waves, making it difficult for Aryuna to aim. Then, with a powerful shout, she cast "Aqua Cannon," launching a massive beam toward Aryuna. The archer quickly charged her bow with a potent arrow, and as both attacks collided, a tremendous explosion rocked the arena.
As the dust settled, Kairyu charged forward, using her magic to create a blade. She slashed at Aryuna, but the archer evaded, firing arrows in rapid succession. Kairyu skillfully blocked the incoming shots, but Aryuna was relentless.
In her mind, Aryuna thought, *This isn't working!*
Kairyu, seizing the moment, unleashed "Wave Smash," summoning a colossal fist from the water that struck Aryuna mid-air. As Aryuna flew back, Kairyu followed up with another "Aqua Cannon," hitting her with precision and knocking her unconscious.
The crowd erupted in cheers, celebrating Kairyu's victory. Exhausted from the intense battle, Kairyu turned off her enhancement, collapsing from the overuse of her mana. The captains watched closely, impressed by her performance, especially Atena Schneider, who seemed particularly interested in Kairyu's potential.
As the arena buzzed with excitement, the announcer prepared the audience for the next match. "The next battle will be Visjar vs. Spiculus!"