The day of the tournament had finally arrived. The energy in the school was electric, with students bustling around the lobby, eagerly awaiting the start of the event. Excitement and nervousness mingled in the air as conversations filled the space. Adam stood with his team, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd.
[System Notification]Tournament Phase 1: Event Start - All participants have been pre-registered. Additional details will be provided when necessary.
"This is it," Adam said, his voice unwavering as his eyes scanned the crowd, the system quietly tracking his surroundings. "The moment we've been working for. Everyone stay on guard. Things can change in an instant."
Max smirked, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. "Relax, Adam. It's a tournament, not an ambush."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Max, if there's one thing we've learned, it's that nothing is ever as simple as it seems."
Before anyone could respond, a strange hissing noise filled the lobby. Adam's instincts immediately kicked in, and his system alerted him to the growing danger.
[System Notification]Alert: Foreign Substance Detected in Air - Immediate action required.
Adam's ears twitched, and he activated his [Fox Cloak] with a flick of his wrist, flames sparking to life around him.
[Fox Cloak - Activated]
"Do you hear that?" Adam asked, his voice low, his senses acutely aware of every detail.
From the floor vents, a thick, colorless gas began to seep into the room. At first, it was subtle, but within moments, the air grew heavy, and a sharp, chemical scent stung their noses.
[System Notification]Status: Gas in Air - Poisonous/Unstable Composition Detected.Warning: Health Risk High.
Max coughed. "What the hell is this?"
Elizabeth tried to form an ice barrier, but her strength faltered as the gas began to overwhelm her.
[System Notification]Elizabeth's Ice Barrier - Effectiveness Reduced by 40% (Air Contaminants Interfering with Magic)
"It's… it's in the air…" Elizabeth murmured, struggling to maintain her footing.
Adam gritted his teeth, trying to concentrate. His [Flame Mastery] was fading as the gas clogged his senses.
[System Alert]Flame Mastery Reduced by 50% due to Environmental Factors.
His fox cloak flickered, and despite his best efforts to control his flames, his vision blurred.
[System Notification]Status: Resistance Failed. Energy Drain Critical.
One by one, the students collapsed to the ground, their bodies going limp as the gas spread through the air. Adam struggled to stay conscious, his flames sputtering out. He saw Max fall, then Tyler, and finally, the world went black.
[System Notification]Status: Unconscious - User's Health LowInitiating Auto Recovery Process.
When Adam woke up, his face was drenched, and cold water dripped from his hair. He jolted upright, his system pinging with data as his senses snapped back into focus. Around him, his teammates were stirring, similarly soaked and groaning as they tried to sit up.
[System Notification]Recovery Complete - Health Restored to 30%
"What the hell happened?" Adam sputtered, wiping water from his face.
Elizabeth looked around, her icy demeanor replaced with confusion. "We were in the lobby… and then that gas…"
Tyler rubbed his temples. "Where are we now? This doesn't look like the arena."
[System Notification]New Area Detected: Unknown Location - Awaiting Analysis
The room they were in was dimly lit, with steel walls and a faint hum of machinery in the background. It wasn't part of the school, that much was clear. Adam stood, his eyes narrowing as he took in their surroundings.
"We've been moved," Adam said, his tone sharp. "This isn't the tournament. Something else is going on."
Before anyone could respond, the sound of a door opening caught their attention. Two figures entered the room, their faces obscured by masks and their movements deliberate.
"Welcome," one of them said, their voice distorted. "You've been chosen for a special round of the tournament. Consider this… a test."
[System Notification]New Objective: Survive the Test RoundChallenge Mode: Active
"A test?" Max growled, plasma sparking in his hands. "What kind of sick game are you playing?"
The second figure chuckled darkly. "The kind that determines who's truly worthy. You wanted to compete, didn't you? Well, here's your chance."
[Fox Cloak - Re-activated]Effect: Additional Combat Buff - 5% Increased Speed for 30 seconds
Adam stepped forward, his rings glowing and forming his go-to armor as 3 blue tails grew from behind him and his eyes started to glow a bright blue. "Who are you? What's the point of this?"
"All will be revealed in time," the first figure replied. "For now, focus on surviving. The real tournament begins now."
The lights in the room flickered, and the floor beneath them began to shift. Adam and his team braced themselves as the ground split into platforms, separating them from each other. A mechanical voice echoed through the chamber.
[System Notification]Combat Zones Separated - Round One: CommenceArea Status: Active Combat
Adam's heart barely had time to register the announcement before the platform beneath him gave way. With a sudden drop, he plummeted into darkness, landing with a hard roll on the cold stone floor of a new arena. He pushed himself up swiftly, his sharp instincts keeping him grounded despite the disorientation. The room was dimly lit, the air heavy with tension. From the shadows ahead, a figure stepped forward, their tall frame encased in gleaming black armor.
The stranger's sword, crackling with arcs of glowing energy, hummed menacingly in the silence.
Adam's gaze sharpened, his fox cloak flickering to life around him, the ethereal flames casting a ghostly glow across his figure. He clenched his fists, blue fire licking at his knuckles.
[System Alert]Enemy Detected - Combat Mode EngagedOpponent: Armored Warrior - Strength 95 | Speed 75
"So," he said, his voice steady but edged with defiance, "they've got us fighting for their entertainment." His flames flared brighter, their heat filling the space. "Fine. Let's see who burns first."
The armored opponent didn't respond, their stance shifting slightly as they prepared to strike. The tension snapped like a taut wire, and the fight began.