The crowd's excitement was palpable as the host stepped onto the grand stage, a dazzling aura of magic radiating from him. The vast arena hummed with anticipation, and the remaining 48 contestants stood in silence, waiting for the announcement.
Suddenly, a massive magic screen materialized above the stage, glowing with golden light. The host raised his arms dramatically, his voice echoing across the arena.
"Welcome, contestants, to the second round of this grand tournament!" he began. "Only the strongest, the smartest, and the most determined will proceed. This round will test your might and your resilience like never before. Allow me to explain the structure."
The magic screen lit up with detailed charts, showing the breakdown of the upcoming matches.
**Second Round: 48 Contestants (24 Matches)**
The screen displayed:
- **Day 1**: 12 matches, taking place on two stages simultaneously.
- **Day 2**: The remaining 12 matches, with the same setup.
- Winners from this round would advance to the third round, leaving only 24 contestants.
The host gestured to the chart, and the details became even more vivid, listing the matches for each day. The contestants eagerly scanned the information.
"Each match," the host continued, "is a battle of skill, strategy, and sheer willpower. The winners will move closer to ultimate glory. Now, the second round will begin in one hour, so prepare yourselves!"
With that, the magic screen flashed brighter and then hovered higher into the air, visible to everyone in the audience.
Aamir felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness. He knew the competition would only grow fiercer. Determined to make the most of the time, he decided to gather as much information as he could about the upcoming matches.
He walked toward a nearby magic panel. These panels were scattered throughout the arena, providing detailed information about the tournament. Aamir tapped the glowing surface, and the screen flickered to life, showing all the match schedules and contestant profiles.
The first thing Aamir checked was his own match. His name appeared on the schedule for Day 2. He frowned slightly as he noticed the timing—his match against Rohit, a skilled magic user, was scheduled to be the very last battle of the day.
"The last match, huh?" Aamir muttered to himself. "I'll have plenty of time to prepare... and to overthink," he added wryly. He knew magic users could be tricky opponents, relying on ranged attacks and clever spells. This would be a test of his agility and strategy.
He then searched for Riya and Raj. Riya's name appeared in today's matches—she was scheduled to fight in the afternoon session on Stage 2. Aamir felt a surge of pride and concern. Riya was strong, but the competition was unpredictable.
Raj's match was on the same day as Aamir's, at the exact same time but on the other stage. Aamir frowned again, realizing he wouldn't be able to watch Raj's battle.
As Aamir stepped back from the panel, he noticed the arena was a hive of activity. Contestants were either meditating, practicing their skills, or strategizing in groups. The energy was electric, each competitor exuding determination.
Aamir found a quiet spot near the edge of the arena to gather his thoughts. He closed his eyes and focused, mentally preparing himself for the challenges ahead.
The announcement for the first round of matches rang out, signaling the start of the second round. The crowd roared as the contestants for Match 1 made their way to the stages.
Though Aamir couldn't watch every match, his thoughts were on Riya. He wanted to see how she fared in her battle. As her name was called later in the day, Aamir made his way to the spectator stands near Stage 2.
Riya stepped onto the stage, her confident stride earning cheers from the crowd. Her opponent, a burly warrior wielding a massive axe, was an intimidating sight. However, Aamir knew that Riya's strength lay not in physical combat but in her mastery of magic.
The match began with a dazzling display of power. The burly warrior charged at Riya, swinging his axe with brute force. But Riya stood calm, her hands glowing with an iridescent blue light. As the axe neared, she whispered an incantation, and a shimmering magical barrier materialized in front of her, deflecting the attack with a loud *clang*.
Her opponent staggered backward, momentarily stunned by the force of the rebound. Riya seized the opportunity to go on the offensive. She raised her hand, summoning a swarm of glowing, ethereal shards that hovered in the air around her. With a flick of her wrist, the shards shot toward the warrior like arrows.
He managed to block a few with his axe, but the relentless assault overwhelmed him, forcing him to retreat. The crowd cheered as Riya's precision and control became evident.
The warrior, not one to give up easily, bellowed and swung his axe in a wide arc, creating a shockwave that disrupted the air around them. Riya swiftly countered, casting a spell that anchored her to the ground, preventing her from being knocked off balance.
She followed up with another spell, her voice ringing out clearly as she chanted. The ground beneath her opponent's feet erupted with glowing vines that coiled around his legs, immobilizing him. The warrior roared in frustration, using brute strength to break free, but Riya was already prepared with her next move.
She conjured a ball of crackling energy in her palm and hurled it at him. The explosion knocked him to the ground, his weapon flying out of his grasp.
Breathing heavily, the warrior tried to stand, but Riya raised her hand, signaling that the match was over. The referee declared her the winner as the crowd erupted into applause.
Aamir watched from the stands, a sense of relief and pride washing over him. Riya had proven her mettle, not just through her magical prowess but also her calm and calculated approach to the fight. As she stepped off the stage, her eyes briefly met Aamir's in the crowd. She gave him a small smile, and he nodded back, silently conveying his support.