Vel settled into his seat in the spectator section, flanked by his friends. The arena buzzed with excitement—more crowded than previous days. Students from all bracket packed the stands, their conversations creating a constant hum punctuated by occasional shouts and laughter.
"Everyone's here to see the elites," Tomas observed, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.
Vel nodded, scanning the crowd. "Severin and Atherwind both have matches today. That's guaranteed to draw attention."
Celia sat beside him, eyes focused on the arena floor.
Vel turned to Mira, Rohen, and Enya who sat in the row behind them. "How did your objective matches go yesterday?"
Mira grimaced, tucking a strand of auburn hair behind her ear. "We had to use our heads more than magic. But that's understandable—not all students can use magic."
"Still, it was complete chaos," Rohen added, his frame shifting uncomfortably at the memory. "Especially when one of the alchemy students threw out her concoctions."
"But we won," Enya interjected, her dark braid swinging as she leaned forward.
Vel watched them excitedly retelling what happened. "I thought you guys would be upset about not competing in the dueling matches."
Enya waved her hand dismissively. "It was our choice. To be honest, we'd have more chance in the objective challenges than dueling."
"Yes, better be safe than risk getting kicked out," Rohen agreed.
"Hm hm. We're playing the long game," Mira added with a nod. "As long as we can stay in the Academy, there'll be plenty of chances."
Good for them, Vel thought. And here he'd felt bad about not being able to help them prepare better.
The crowd suddenly roared as the announcer's voice boomed through the arena, introducing the first elite match of the day. Vel leaned forward, curious to see how these supposedly superior students would perform compared to his own team.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" Janos Verterre's voice boomed across the arena, instantly commanding attention. "Welcome to day three of the SPECTACULAR Ternion Tournament!"
The crowd roared in response, feeding off his theatrical energy.
"Today we have THRILLING matches lined up for you! The cream of our Academy's first-year crop will demonstrate why they stand among the ELITE!"
Vel watched as Janos paced dramatically across the announcer's platform, his arms sweeping in grand gestures that matched his exaggerated delivery.
"First, we'll witness the prodigious talent of Severin Thornwood and his exceptional team facing the trio led by Darek Valistar! And later—what you've ALL been waiting for—the REMARKABLE Lord Kein Atherwind will grace our arena with his divine light techniques!"
As Janos continued his enthusiastic introduction, Celia suddenly grabbed Vel's arm.
"Isn't that person look too much like Graham?" Celia asked, pointing toward the distinguished guests' section.
Vel focused, activating his Far Sight spell to get a closer look at the officials and dignitaries seated there.
It was Graham indeed, from the Elnor Adventurers' Guild, seated alongside Archmagister Elyssia and other Academy officials. He wore formal Guild attire rather than his usual practical gear.
"It is him indeed," Vel said, surprised. "Did you know he would be here? Why is he here even?"
"No idea."
Vel's mind flicked back to yesterday's event. Was Graham here by coincidence, or would it be connected to the cultist he'd encountered?
"Are you sure it was them?" Celia asked. "The cult, I mean."
Vel recalled the image of the mark on that person's wrist. "I hope I was wrong, but it's unlikely. The mark was too distinct."
"What is their end goal?" Celia's expression darkened. "Do you think we'll be safe here?"
"I'm sure the prestigious Academy would have some defenses against intruders," Vel said, straightening his posture. "But enough of that. Let's focus on the tournament for now. We can discuss this later, somewhere more private."
Janos Verterre's voice reached a crescendo as the two teams approached from opposite sides of the arena."ENTERING FROM THE EAST GATE—the FORMIDABLE team led by Darek Valistar! A prodigy of earth manipulation, accompanied by Tormund with his devastating axe techniques, and Ellara, master of the arcane staff!"
Vel leaned forward, studying the trio as they walked confidently across the sand. Darek, a tall student with a serious expression, nodded curtly to the crowd. Behind him strode a muscular young man carrying a great axe that looked almost too heavy to wield effectively. The third member, a slender girl with her hair in a tight bun, carried an ornate staff adorned with crystals.
"APPROACHING FROM THE WEST GATE," Janos continued, "the EXCEPTIONAL team captained by Severin Thornwood! Accompanied by Liora, disciple of Jules, and Karsten, the Guild-trained spear prodigy!"
"Their previous opponents fell without truly testing these prodigies' capabilities—but BEHOLD, today's challengers may prove far more RESILIENT!"
Severin entered with his typical air of superiority, flanked by a serene-looking girl in Church-styled robes and a lean young man who held his spear like it was an extension of his arm.
Vel's eyes narrowed as he studied Severin's team more carefully. They wore matching navy-red uniforms with gold trim—clearly custom-made rather than standard Academy attire.
"Custom uniforms just for the tournament," Mira noted from behind. "Ugh..."
Vel nodded absently, more interested in their tactical arrangement than their clothing. "They seem to have two casters, though the one on Severin's side—Liora—appears to be more of a support role."
Moments like this brought his identification project to mind. Though even if he had the crystal with him, this distance would be too great for it to work properly.
The crowd suddenly gasped as Severin raised his hands dramatically. With a flourish, he conjured a brilliant flame that twisted and shaped itself into a magnificent phoenix. The fiery bird soared above the arena, wings spread wide, before dissolving into thousands of sparkling embers that rained down harmlessly over the spectators.
Janos bellowed from his commentator's booth. "What a SPECTACULAR display from young Thornwood! Such control! Such ARTISTRY! Ladies and gentlemen, we are in for a TREAT today!"
Vel resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the theatrics. "And he's already burning mana before the match even starts."
His gaze drifted to the corner of the participants' viewing area where Kein Atherwind sat rigidly, arms crossed over his chest. Beside him, Lysithea Fairwind leaned forward eagerly, her copper-blonde hair catching the light. A third student—someone Vel didn't recognize and whom neither he nor Hileya had gathered information on—completed their group, gesturing something to Kein that drew no visible reaction.
From his elevated position, Janos gestured grandly. "Duelists, take your positions!"
The six competitors moved to their starting marks, Severin's team forming a tight triangle while Darek's spread into a wider formation.
"Let the match... BEGIN!"
The moment the bell rang, Darek stomped his foot against the sand. He raised his grimoire high, the book hovering just above his open palm as if weightless.
Pillars and chunks of rocks erupted across the field. The formations created a maze of obstacles and barricades, cutting off any direct path toward the backline casters.
Elevated platforms of compressed earth rose beneath both Darek and Ellara, lifting them above the battlefield. From their vantage points, they commanded clear sight lines across the entire arena.
"That was so quick!" Tomas commented.
Vel nodded. "He either practiced this spell hundreds of times, or was casting it even before the countdown." He paused, considering. "I'd assume the first."
On Severin's side, a different strategy unfolded. Liora spun her staff in an elaborate pattern before driving it into the ground. Thick vines erupted from the arena floor, curling upward to form a protective barrier around both her and Severin. Vel noticed thin tendrils connecting the two casters, creating some kind of magical link.
Wood. Nature. Vel observed the greenery spreading across Severin's side of the field. Dual element affinity—most likely earth-water. He should have expected this much from the elite lineup.
Severin raised both hands and began a familiar incantation.
"Ignis Bellator Dualus!"
Two humanoid figures formed from roaring flames, taking shape beside Karsten who stood guard at the front of their formation.
"That's the same spell he used against me," Vel said, eyes narrowing. "But he's controlling them much better now."
The flaming constructs moved with surprising fluidity, taking positions on either side of the spear-wielder. What had been a three-person team now effectively had five combatants.
Across the field, Tormund appeared unimpressed. His giant axe stood firm on the ground beside him. With a dismissive scoff, he slammed his fists together. His skin shifted, taking on a metallic sheen—a martial art technique that would dramatically increase his defense.
Meanwhile, Ellara completed her own spell, causing crystalline spikes to erupt from the ground in a wide arc before their position. The glittering formations effectively blocked any direct path to the backline casters.
"INCREDIBLE!" Janos's voice boomed across the arena. "What a display of TACTICAL BRILLIANCE from both teams! Team Valistar has revealed their strategy—three earth-attuned specialists creating an IMPENETRABLE defensive formation! They've transformed the arena into their personal fortress in mere seconds!"
Karsten stood at the frontline, a few paces from Tormund. Severin's flame legions flanked the spear-wielder, launching fiery projectiles and molten strikes at the crystalline barricades. The moment a section shattered, another formation rose to replace it.
Tormund's massive form blocked the path forward, his metallic skin gleaming under the arena lights. He radiated the unmistakable presence of a warrior—a gatekeeper standing before his fortress. The only way to reach Darek and Ellara on their elevated platforms was through him.
"Darek's team must have studied Severin's tactics," Vel observed, watching the defensive formation hold firm. "His theatrics and over-expenditure of power. If they wear him out, it'll be his own downfall."
The crowd gasped as Tormund suddenly charged forward. The metal-skinned axe-wielder executed a surprising triple spin maneuver. His movement and tempo were unpredictable—the axe seemed to go low then suddenly shifted upward, the timing between each swing never the same. The massive weapon whirling in a deadly arc before slamming down toward Karsten.
"That's not standard form," Celia whispered. "Look how he shifts his weight—he's making his attacks deliberately unpredictable."
Karsten reacted with impressive agility, vaulting upward using his spear as leverage. He narrowly avoided the crushing blow that left a crater in the arena floor.
The two frontliners exchanged strikes. Karsten's quick, precise thrusts came in rapid succession—a few managed to slip past Tormund's guard, but the spear tips met only that impenetrable metallic skin.
One of Severin's flame legions drew a fiery bow, launching a blazing arrow toward Darek on his elevated platform. Before it could reach its target, a boulder shot upward from the ground, intercepting the projectile which burst harmlessly against the stone.
"Of course they expected ranged attacks," Vel muttered, watching the boulder intercept another fiery projectile. "Severin's team needs to take down Tormund. Even if Karsten slips past him to reach the casters, Tormund could do the same to their backline." He studied the distance between the two formations. "And with how this battlefield is laid out, Karsten would be too late to defend. The entire match hinges on each frontliner."
Rohen leaned forward from the row behind. "Severin's team composition is strong, but they didn't account for three earth users working in perfect harmony."
"They're treating it like three separate battles," Vel agreed, watching as the second flame legion attempted to circle around only to be blocked by another wall of crystal spikes. "But Darek's team is fighting as a single unit."
---
The bow-wielding flame legion shifted position, abandoning its ranged attacks. The fiery bow deformed and reshaped itself into a blazing sword as the construct moved to join Karsten at the frontline.
"They're focusing everything on Tormund now," Celia observed, watching both flame legions and Karsten converge on the warrior. "But against a greataxe wielder, numbers aren't much of an advantage."
As if confirming her analysis, Tormund raised his massive axe overhead. With a thunderous roar, he slammed the weapon into the arena floor. The impact sent visible shockwaves rippling through the sand in all directions.
"Quake Strike," Rohen whispered from behind.
Karsten's feet barely left the ground as he sidestepped with quick, precise movements, reading the ripples and flowing around them. The flame legions weren't as fortunate. The earthen wave crashed into both fiery constructs, knocking them off balance and sending them sprawling across the ground.
Before the constructs could recover, Ellara completed a rapid incantation from her elevated position. Crystalline tendrils erupted from the sand around each fallen legion, spiraling upward and interweaving. The tendrils closed in and fused together, forming solid cages that entrapped both constructs. Their flames flickered weakly within the translucent prisons.
"DEVASTATING COUNTER!" Janos bellowed. "Team Valistar demonstrates PERFECT coordination! Both flame legions CAPTURED!"
Karsten didn't waste the opening. He spun his spear in a tight circle, creating a visible distortion in the air around the weapon.
"Gale Burst!" he shouted, driving the spear downward toward Tormund.
Tormund, still recovering from his ground-shaking attack, managed to raise his axe defensively. The weapons collided with a thunderous crash that echoed throughout the arena. Fragments of metal cracked and fell from Tormund's arms where the spear had connected, but his metallic skin held firm.
"It barely scratched him," Tomas observed, sounding disappointed.
Just as the crowd began to react to the exchange, the fallen flame legions suddenly vanished from their crystal prisons. In the next instant, two identical fiery constructs materialized beside Karsten, perfectly reformed.
"He didn't waste time trying to free it—just dismissed and recreated it," Enya noted with grudging respect.
The battle continued with renewed intensity, but it was becoming clear that neither side was gaining a significant advantage. Severin's offensive pressure couldn't break through the earth users' defenses, while Darek's team couldn't land a decisive blow against their more mobile opponents.
The match stretched well beyond the expected time, turning into a war of attrition. Vel leaned forward, analyzing each movement with growing interest. Both teams had settled into defensive patterns, probing for weaknesses without committing fully.
"This has become quite the ENDURANCE test, ladies and gentlemen!" Janos called out, his voice showing the first signs of strain after nearly twenty minutes of continuous commentary. "We're witnessing a MASTERCLASS in tactical patience from both sides! Who will be the first to make that critical mistake?"
Ellara, the staff-wielding earth mage, attempted another capture spell. Crystal formations erupted from the ground in a circular pattern around Karsten. The spear-wielder was mid-thrust toward Tormund when the trap activated—without breaking his stance, he twisted his body and rolled sideways, the translucent prison snapping shut on empty air.
"That's the third time she's tried that technique," Celia said. "She's hoping to catch him off-guard, but he's too quick."
"ANOTHER spectacular escape by Karsten!" Janos exclaimed. "Such EXTRAORDINARY reflexes! The Guild training truly shines through in moments like these!"
Across the field, Severin's expression had darkened with frustration. Vel could read the tension in his rival's posture—this stalemate was not part of his plan.
Severin thrust both hands forward. Crimson light flared from his enchanted gloves, the fabric crackling with flame.
Two more constructs burst into existence, their forms solidifying from wisps of fire. They charged toward Tormund without hesitation.
The axe-wielder adjusted his stance, forced onto the defensive. His swings became broader, the great weapon sweeping in wide arcs to maintain space between himself and the multiple attackers.
Vel's eyes narrowed as he noticed something unusual. Each time the axe cut through the air, tiny metallic fragments scattered in its wake—shards that hung suspended for several seconds before fading. They formed an additional layer of defense, filling the gaps even after the weapon itself had passed.
"How is he maintaining all these conjured warriors?" Tomas asked. Curiosity colored his voice, though Vel detected an undertone of resentment beneath it.
"I'm more curious about the other caster," Celia said, nodding toward Liora. "She's barely done anything except grow that... whatever it is."
Severin really did make this entire match about himself, didn't he?. Vel studied the battlefield arrangement. Karsten's only role seemed to be keeping Tormund occupied. Liora had done nothing but conjure her protective barrier. But that tangle of vines and branches wrapped around their backline—what purpose did it actually serve?
Just as Vel analyzed the tactical standoff, Severin's flame legions suddenly flickered and vanished. The fiery constructs dissolved into wisps of smoke that dissipated across the arena floor.
"The summons are gone," Vel muttered, leaning forward. "Did he drain all his reserves?"
As if responding to some invisible signal, Darek's voice cut through the momentary silence. "Tormund. Now!"
The metal-skinned warrior immediately abandoned his defensive posture. With shocking speed, he charged past Karsten, ignoring the spear-wielder completely as he barreled toward Severin's backline.
"INCREDIBLE!" Janos shouted. "A STUNNING tactical pivot from Team Valistar! Tormund has broken through the frontline and is heading DIRECTLY for the vulnerable casters!"
The crowd erupted, some cheering wildly while others gasped in surprise at the sudden shift.
"Wait," Vel whispered.
Karsten had demonstrated exceptional reflexes throughout the entire match. He could have intercepted Tormund, or at the very least slowed him down.
This seems too convenient...
Just as Tormund reached the vine barrier protecting Severin and Liora, the Church-affiliated girl thrust her staff into the ground. Thick brown vines erupted from the sand, wrapping around Tormund's limbs with surprising speed. The warrior roared, muscles straining as he began tearing through the botanical restraints.
"He's strong enough to break free," Tomas observed. "Those vines won't hold him for—"
Liora's voice rang out clearly: "Mana Excomuno!"
The magical tendrils connecting her to Severin suddenly pulsed with intense blue light. Energy visibly flowed between the two casters.
Vel's eyes widened in recognition. Mana Exchange! A support spell that swapped reserves between two targets. It existed in the game, but was impractical in chaotic battles. It required too much coordination. Most players avoided it entirely, preferring mana potions instead.
"That's why she's been conserving her power," Mira realized. "She just needed enough to maintain those vines for a few seconds."
Severin stepped away from the protective barrier.
Karsten appeared in a blur of movement, positioning himself beside the fire mage with perfect precision.
Both wore identical expressions—cold, focused, like predators watching wounded prey struggle in a snare.
Karsten spun his spear in rapid circles, holding it horizontally before him. A cyclone formed around the spinning blade, stretching outward rather than up. Wind howled, pulling sand and debris into the sideways vortex.
Severin's hands moved through intricate patterns. Streams of fire erupted from his palms, spiraling into the windstorm's center.
The elements merged. Fire exploded outward, fed by the rushing air, forming a horizontal column of roaring flame that shot toward Tormund like a lance.
"Air feeds fire," Vel breathed. "A deadly combination."
Tormund managed to free one arm, raising his axe defensively as the inferno engulfed him. For several seconds, his metallic skin held against the onslaught, glowing red-hot from the intense heat. Then, with a sound like cracking glass, the protective layer began to fracture and fall away.
The protective charm around Tormund blazed with brilliant light before dissolving into particles, signaling his elimination from the match.
"Team Thornwood executes a PERFECT trap! What appeared to be a desperate retreat was actually a calculated STRATEGY to lure in their opponent! Even METAL cannot withstand that heat!"
Before Severin could celebrate, shards of razor-sharp stone shot through the air toward him from Darek's position. The trajectory was perfect, but the distance gave Karsten just enough time to react. The spear-wielder leapt in front of Severin, spinning his weapon in a defensive pattern that deflected most of the stone projectiles.
Vel watched intently as Darek and Ellara exchanged a quick glance before simultaneously casting their next spells. Their hands moved in perfect synchronization, creating identical sigils in the air.
"Terra Crystallum Tempestas!" they shouted in unison.
The air filled with countless crystalline shards and earthen projectiles, launching toward Severin's team in relentless waves. The barrage seemed endless—an unyielding storm of deadly blades that left no opening, no path to safety.
"Masterful coordination!" Janos bellowed as the crowd gasped. "Team Valistar demonstrates why multiple earth users are so formidable when properly synchronized! With Tormund ELIMINATED, there's NOTHING holding them back from TOTAL destruction! This crystalline storm leaves NOWHERE to hide!"
Karsten spun his spear frantically, creating a defensive barrier of air that deflected many of the incoming projectiles. Severin crouched behind him, unable to cast effectively while focused on survival. Liora hastily erected another vine barrier, reinforcing it with a pulse of green energy that caused it to thicken significantly.
The barrage continued unrelentingly. Crystal shards embedded themselves into the wooden barrier with rapid thunks—one after another, the surface filling with glittering fragments every second. Several managed to penetrate Karsten's defense, striking his arms and legs. Though the protective charms prevented actual injury, the magical feedback caused him to grimace in pain.
Vel noticed Severin making urgent hand signals to Liora, his mouth moving in what appeared to be shouted instructions that were drowned out by the cacophony of shattering crystals.
Liora's expression showed clear hesitation. She shook her head. Severin's face hardened as he made the signal again, more insistently.
With visible reluctance, Liora nodded. She planted her staff firmly in the arena floor and began a complex incantation, her hands trembling slightly.
"Arbor Magna Ascendere!" she cried, her voice strained with effort.
The ground between the two teams rumbled ominously. Massive roots erupted from the sand, growing at supernatural speed. They twisted and coiled upward, spreading outward as they crawled over and through the stone and crystal formations that Darek and Ellara had created.
The living structure formed a natural pathway—a ramp of intertwined roots and vines leading directly from Karsten's position up to Darek's elevated platform.
As the last roots settled into place, Liora's protective charm shattered suddenly, fragmenting like glass. She collapsed to the ground, her staff rolling from her limp fingers.
Shocked murmurs rippled through the audience.
"What's happening?" Celia asked, turning toward Vel.
Vel stood abruptly. "She overcast!" His voice carried more emotion than he intended. "Her reserves were exchanged with Severin. She had almost nothing left to manage a spell that powerful."
"Is that even allowed?" Tomas sounded uncertain. "Is it even safe?"
Tomas was right to question it. The protective charms prevented harm between opponents—but what about self-inflicted damage?
With the massive roots now blocking most of the crystal projectiles, Karsten seized his opportunity. The spear-wielder dashed forward along the vine pathway, his feet glowing with a faint green aura—likely a speed enhancement.
"Look at that ACCELERATION!" Janos shouted. "Karsten is FLYING up that pathway with incredible speed!"
Vel leaned forward, analyzing Karsten's movements. Each step, jump, and flip was precisely calculated. Within seconds, he had covered most of the distance to Darek's platform.
Darek frantically conjured a massive boulder, hurling it toward the approaching spear-wielder. The projectile should have been impossible to dodge in mid-air, but Karsten twisted his body at an impossible angle, the boulder missing him by mere inches.
"ASTOUNDING evasion!" Janos bellowed.
In the same fluid motion, Karsten pointed his spear directly at Darek.
"Gale Burst!" he shouted.
A concentrated blast of wind erupted from the spear's tip, slamming into Darek before he could complete another spell. The impact sent the earth mage flying backward off his platform, his protective charm sparking violently before it shattered.
"Darek Valistar has been ELIMINATED!" Janos announced as the crowd erupted.
"It's over." Someone's voice cut through the roar of the audience.
Ellara struggled to maintain control of the crumbling platform beneath her feet.
Across the field, Severin's hands wove through the air in elaborate patterns. Fire coalesced between his palms, growing larger with each gesture until a fireball the size of a person roared into existence.
He released it.
The massive sphere of flame streaked toward Ellara. She thrust her staff forward, crystals erupting from the air to form a shield. The fireball struck with tremendous force—the impact shattered her barrier in an explosion of glass shards and concussive energy that rippled across the arena.
Through the dispersing flames and settling dust, Karsten stood behind Ellara, his spear already leveled at her back.
Ellara's protective charm burst apart in a shower of light.
"MAGNIFICENT coordination from Team Thornwood!" Janos exclaimed. "After a grueling battle of attrition, they've turned the tide with a BRILLIANT tactical sacrifice! The match is CONCLUDED with Team Thornwood's victory!"
The crowd exploded into cheers and applause, many rising to their feet.
Severin raised his arms in a dramatic flourish, sending multiple streams of fire spiraling upward. The flames twisted and expanded, forming an elaborate display of fiery shapes and patterns against the arena sky before dissolving into cascades of harmless sparks that rained down around the victorious team.
Beside him, Karsten landed with unexpected grace. He spun his spear in an elaborate sequence, the weapon blurring as it rotated around his body. Each movement flowed into the next, a display of the control and skill that had won them the match.
"That's Liora's mana he's using..." Tomas grudged, his voice barely audible over the crowd's continued applause.
Vel nodded slightly, watching Liora still collapsed on the arena floor. Officials had erected a protective dome around her prone form, the translucent barrier shimmering with diagnostic runes.
"WHAT A SPECTAAACULAR match!" Janos's voice boomed across the arena. "Though I must note—and this is important for our younger audience members—I would NOT recommend this particular strategy for casual dueling!"
As Janos spoke, two officials in white uniforms entered the arena, carefully dispelling the protective dome around Liora. They lifted her onto a floating stretcher, her face still alarmingly pale.
"She doesn't look good," Enya whispered, concern evident in her voice.
The officials carried Liora toward one of the arena exits while Severin and Karsten made their way toward the opposite gate, still acknowledging the crowd's cheers.
"That was... something," Tomas muttered, his expression grim.
Celia's gaze remained fixed on Karsten's retreating form, studying him with sharp intensity. If they ever faced that team in the tournament, she would obviously be taking the frontline.
"You noticed it too?" Vel asked quietly.
Celia nodded. "His reflexes are good, but the whole fight felt... restrained. Like he was holding something back."
"I don't think we've seen the last of what he can do."
Vel's eyes tracked Liora's stretcher until the exit tunnel swallowed her from view. They'd won their match, yes. But to sacrifice someone's wellbeing like that...
"Ladies and gentlemen, we'll now have a brief intermission before our next exciting match!" Janos announced. "There are more elite matches to come—you wouldn't want to miss them!"
Vel leaned back in his seat, the cheering crowd fading to background noise. Despite the outcome of the match, one thing had become painfully clear—students in the later rounds were using magic with far more sophistication than before. It wasn't about simple fireballs or ice lances anymore. Complex combinations, tactical sacrifices, coordinated elemental synergy... the level of competition was rising fast.