The third round of the preliminaries presented their most significant challenge yet. They were
matched against a team led by Seraphina, a prodigy wind elemental with an A- tier affinity.
Seraphina was widely considered one of the strongest first-year students, her control over wind
bordering on masterful. Her teammates were also formidable: a C+ tier water elemental known
for their powerful offensive techniques, a B- tier earth elemental with exceptional defensive
capabilities, and a D+ tier lightning elemental with rapid-fire short-range attacks.
The atmosphere in the arena was noticeably different before this match. A hush fell over the
spectators as Seraphina's team entered, their confidence radiating outwards. The weight of
expectation hung heavy in the air. This was the match where the unlikely run of Nat's team was
expected to end.
Seraphina's control over wind was breathtaking. She could conjure swirling vortexes that
buffeted their defenses, create razor-sharp blades of air that sliced through rock, and even
manipulate the very air pressure to restrict their movements. Her mobility was unparalleled,
allowing her to dart around the arena with incredible speed.
Her teammates were equally effective. The water elemental launched relentless barrages of
high-pressure water jets, forcing Atlas to constantly defend. The earth elemental erected
massive, mobile barriers that shielded their team and launched powerful earth projectiles. The
lightning elemental unleashed rapid bursts of electric energy, keeping Lyra and Zephyr on the
defensive.
Nat's team was immediately under immense pressure. Lyra's earth defenses were tested like
never before, cracking under the force of Seraphina's wind and the earth elemental's assaults.
Zephyr struggled to gain any control over the air, constantly disrupted by Seraphina's superior
mastery. Atlas's water attacks were often intercepted by the opposing water elemental or
blocked by the earth barriers.
Nat found himself directly targeted by Seraphina on several occasions. She seemed to view him
as the weakest link, unleashing focused gusts of wind that threatened to sweep him off his feet.
He relied heavily on his improved agility and Lyra's timely interventions to evade her attacks.
Despite the overwhelming pressure, Nat's team refused to break. They had faced adversity
before, and their bond had only strengthened as a result. Lyra focused on creating smaller,
more mobile earth shields that could adapt to Seraphina's rapid movements. Zephyr, instead of
trying to directly counter Seraphina's wind, began to focus on creating localized bursts of
turbulence to disrupt her focus and create momentary openings. Atlas unleashed powerful,
concentrated water strikes, aiming for any隙間 in their opponents' defenses.
Nat, knowing he couldn't directly match Seraphina's power, focused on utilizing his 'Heat Sense'
to anticipate her movements. The subtle shifts in air temperature around her as she prepared an
attack gave him precious fractions of a second to react. He also used his 'Focused Flame' in
unexpected ways, creating sudden bursts of heat to disrupt the trajectory of incoming wind
blades or to momentarily obscure Seraphina's vision.
The match was a grueling test of endurance and adaptability. Seraphina's team was powerful
and well-coordinated, but Nat's team fought with a fierce determination, their synergy honed
through countless hours of training. They exploited every small opening, every momentary lapse
in their opponents' defenses.
In a surprising turn, Zephyr, anticipating Seraphina's next move, unleashed a sudden, upward
gust of wind just as she launched a powerful aerial attack. The unexpected turbulence threw her
off balance for a crucial instant, creating an opening that Atlas immediately exploited with a
focused water jet, forcing her to retreat.
The match continued, the outcome hanging in the balance. Nat's team was pushed to their
absolute limits, but they held their ground, their unlikely alliance standing firm against the
overwhelming power of a prodigy and her formidable team.