### **Chapter 10: Rising Through the Ranks**
The tournament progressed over the next two days, with matches becoming increasingly intense. Jae-min had earned respect after his victory over Tae-ho, but many of his classmates still doubted his ability to go far in the competition. To them, his talent seemed unconventional, suited for support roles rather than direct combat.
Jae-min, however, was determined to prove them wrong.
---
**Match Two: Jae-min vs. Yoo-jin**
Yoo-jin was a mid-tier fighter who relied on her talent, **Gale Blades**, which enhanced her agility and attack speed. As the match began, the arena transformed into a barren desert with shifting sands and occasional gusts of wind.
Yoo-jin wasted no time, darting toward Jae-min with incredible speed. Her twin daggers glinted in the sunlight as she launched a flurry of attacks.
Jae-min barely managed to avoid the first few strikes, using **Dungeon Insight** to anticipate her movements. He created a **Zone** to slow the shifting sands beneath her, causing her to lose her footing.
"What the—?" Yoo-jin stumbled, her momentum disrupted.
Jae-min used the opportunity to manipulate the environment further, raising a small dune between them to block her line of sight.
"You think you can hide?" Yoo-jin shouted, leaping over the barrier.
But Jae-min was already one step ahead. As Yoo-jin landed, he activated another **Zone**, creating a patch of quicksand that trapped her feet.
"Nice trick," she admitted, struggling to free herself. "But it won't stop me!"
Yoo-jin's Star Power flared as she unleashed a burst of wind energy, breaking free from the quicksand. She charged at Jae-min again, but he had already relocated, using the terrain to his advantage.
The match continued with Jae-min forcing Yoo-jin to waste energy as she chased him across the arena. By the time she realized she was running low on Star Power, it was too late.
Jae-min trapped her in a final **Zone**, encasing her in a ring of hardened sand. She struggled to break free but ultimately conceded.
---
The crowd erupted into cheers as the gong signaled Jae-min's victory.
"That's two wins in a row!" Ji-a said excitedly, cheering from the sidelines.
"His strategy is solid," Hyun-woo added. "He's making his opponents fight on his terms."
---
**Match Three: Jae-min vs. Min-jae**
Min-jae, the team's sword specialist, was next. His talent, **Aura Blade**, allowed him to extend his sword's reach and power using condensed energy.
The arena transformed into a rocky canyon with narrow paths and towering cliffs. Jae-min knew Min-jae's strength lay in close combat, so he focused on maintaining distance.
Min-jae charged forward, his sword glowing with blue energy.
"You can't run forever, Jae-min!" he called out, slashing through a boulder that blocked his path.
Jae-min used **Dungeon Insight** to locate weak points in the terrain. He triggered a **Zone** that caused a section of the canyon wall to collapse, forcing Min-jae to retreat temporarily.
"You've gotten better," Min-jae admitted, smirking. "But so have I."
Min-jae leaped onto a cliff, using his enhanced sword to send a shockwave toward Jae-min. The ground beneath Jae-min cracked, and he barely dodged the attack.
"Close one," Jae-min muttered, creating a **Zone** to stabilize the terrain.
The match continued as a battle of attrition. Min-jae's powerful attacks chipped away at Jae-min's defenses, but Jae-min used the environment to wear down Min-jae's stamina.
Finally, Jae-min lured Min-jae into a narrow path and activated a **Zone** to create a landslide, cutting off his escape. Min-jae conceded the match, acknowledging Jae-min's tactical superiority.
---
With three victories under his belt, Jae-min advanced to the semi-finals.
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**Semi-Finals: Jae-min vs. Ji-a**
The semi-finals drew a large crowd, as Jae-min's unexpected rise had made him the tournament's underdog. His opponent, Ji-a, was one of the favorites to win. Her talent, **Aqua Manipulation**, gave her control over water, allowing her to attack, defend, and heal.
The arena transformed into a lakeside battlefield, with shallow water covering most of the terrain.
"This should be interesting," Ji-a said, smiling as she summoned a whip of water. "Let's see how you handle this."
Jae-min activated **Dungeon Insight**, quickly realizing that the water gave Ji-a a massive advantage. He would need to neutralize her control of the terrain to stand a chance.
As Ji-a launched a wave of water at him, Jae-min used **Create Zones** to freeze the surface of the lake. The ice disrupted Ji-a's attack and forced her to change tactics.
"Not bad," Ji-a said, reforming her whip. "But you'll need more than that."
She created a series of water jets to propel herself across the battlefield, attacking Jae-min from multiple angles. Jae-min countered by creating slippery patches of ice, causing Ji-a to lose balance.
The match became a game of cat and mouse, with Ji-a's relentless attacks pushing Jae-min to his limits. However, Jae-min's strategic use of **Zones** allowed him to stay one step ahead.
In the end, Ji-a's Star Power began to wane, while Jae-min conserved his energy by relying on the environment. He trapped her in a ring of ice, forcing her to concede.
---
The crowd erupted in applause as Jae-min was declared the winner.
"You've come a long way," Ji-a said, smiling as she shook his hand. "Good luck in the finals."
"Thanks," Jae-min replied, his confidence growing.
---
As Jae-min prepared for the final match, the system chimed in his mind.
**"Mission complete. Star Power increased by 15. Current total: 58. Unlocking new ability: Zone Shift."**
A screen appeared, displaying the details of the new ability:
- **Zone Shift**: Temporarily relocate an active Zone, allowing for dynamic control of the battlefield.
Jae-min grinned. He was ready for whatever came next.
**To be continued...**