Main Arena — Announcer (amplified voice):"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN…THE MOMENT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR HAS ARRIVED!"
Bursts of primordial energy tore through the arena. Lightning flashed across the stormy sky of Herocity as the deafening roar of the crowd rolled like thunder.The ground trembled, and even the air seemed to warp beneath the collective excitement. Holographic cameras spun through the air, projecting the faces of the young competitors — future legends in the making.
"The greatest young prospects are here tonight. But only one will walk away as the Number One Pick!"
The giant screens flickered, displaying the official matchups for the first round of the 1v1 Draft Tournament:
Inavy Stormbreak vs Markus Zen (Magnetism User)Darius Valtier vs Helena Lune (Crystal Dust Manipulator)Rose Eldara vs Nero Varnen (Sound Manipulator)Leon Brakk vs Taro Genzai (Raw Strength)
And at the very top of the bracket stood the reserved name — Kelvin Nox, last year's Rookie of the Year, waiting for the Grand Final against the tournament's victor.
Inside the rookies' preparation room, the air was thick — a mix of tension and adrenaline.
Rose stretched her arm, eyes fixed on the holographic projection of the bracket."Finally… the main event. I've been waiting for this."
Darius adjusted his combat gloves, forcing a nervous grin."Man… I'm so hyped I might actually need the bathroom."
Inavy, however, sat silently at the corner, studying something in his digital inventory — a sword shrouded in unstable, dark energy: the Blade of Chaos.He examined it quietly, lost in thought.
"Should I use it now… or save it for later?" he muttered."No… not yet. It's not time for it to awaken."
Darius leaned closer, curious."Yo, Inavy… what's that katana? It looks alive."
He reached out — mistake number one.
The moment his fingers touched the hilt, a black surge of energy erupted, hurling him across the room like a rag doll.
BOOM!
He hit the wall hard, rolling on the floor."OUCH! Bro, that sword's cursed or something!" he groaned, shaking his smoking hand.
The room burst into laughter. Rose couldn't hold it in, and even Inavy, trying to stay serious, cracked a smile.
"I told you not to touch it."
The laughter eased the tension — at least for a moment. Then, the speakers roared to life:
"Inavy Stormbreak and Markus Zen, please proceed to the arena."
Inavy rose, adjusting embroidered with the Stormbreak crest. He took a deep breath."Well… it's time."
Rose smiled softly."Good luck, Inavy. I'll be cheering for you."
He blushed faintly."T-Thanks, Rose."
And with that, he walked down the tunnel.
[Entry Tunnel – Moments Before the Match]
His footsteps echoed through the metallic corridor. Lights flickered. The distant roar of the crowd grew louder with every step.Then, a voice cut through the silence.
Markus Zen was waiting ahead, leaning casually against the wall — cold eyes, sharp smirk.
"So you're the famous Inavy Stormbreak."
He walked closer, his tone dripping with contempt."The 'Heir of Thunder,' the 'Golden Boy,' the 'Chosen of the Storms'… You hero kids love your titles, don't you?"
He tilted his head, grin darkening."All that flash, all that arrogance… But when the blood starts to fall, that shine fades fast, doesn't it?"
One step closer — his voice lowered."You know what I see when I look at you?A boy who believes destiny equals strength.But destiny won't protect you when the fist hits your jaw."
Inavy smirked, calm but sharp."Keep talking, Zen. I want you to remember every word — so I can make you swallow them later."
[Main Arena]
BOOM! — A golden flash tore across the stormy sky.
Announcer (voice resonating through the arena):"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN…THIS IS THE MOMENT WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!"
"TWO LEGENDS BEING BORN BEFORE OUR EYES —LIGHTNING AGAINST METAL.CHAOS AGAINST CONTROL!"
The crowd erupted, a storm of cheers shaking the stadium.
"In the BLUE corner —Representing the Stormbreak name!The boy who challenged the heavens themselves!THE INCARNATION OF THE STORM —INAVY STORMBREAK!"
Sparks flared around Inavy, his body wrapped in electric energy like a living storm.
"And in the RED corner —The Master of Metal!The embodiment of magnetism and precision!THE COLD MIND THAT BENDS MATTER TO HIS WILL —MARKUS ZEN!"
The referee raised his hand."Combatants ready… FIGHT!"
Markus began circling, the metallic floor humming beneath his feet."All this talk about being the 'Heir of Thunder'..." he sneered."But when I look at you, I just see another spark that's about to burn out."
The crowd gasped."You're just a spoiled kid who destroys everything he touches.I, on the other hand, control everything that exists."
He raised his hand — and the ground answered. Metal shards floated up, orbiting around him like planets caught in a magnetic sun.
"Every nail, every trace of iron in your blood… responds to me.This won't be a fight, Stormbreak — it'll be an execution."
Inavy cracked his neck, lightning flashing in his eyes."You done talking, or do I have to shut you up myself?"
Inavy Stormbreak moved.
A blinding flash — and he was gone.
Reappearing right in front of Markus, he swung a lightning-charged punch.CLANG! — Markus blocked with a spinning metal shield, sparks flying.
"That all you got?" Markus taunted.But Inavy had already vanished again.
From above — a thunderous strike crashed down. Markus reacted instantly, pulling the arena's metal into a dome-shaped barrier.
The impact shook the field, sparks scattering like rain.Markus grinned, keeping his magnetic field steady."I shape the structure, Stormbreak. You just make noise."
Inavy landed lightly, glaring."And you talk too much."
He brought his hands together — lightning gathered around him, red and furious.The air vibrated as arcs of raw energy coiled around his body.
"No matter what you do, Zen… I don't stop until the end!"
Markus chuckled, low and cold."Then come, storm. I'll show you what control truly means."
They clashed again.Inavy spun midair, landing a thunder-charged kick straight to Markus's chest.The impact cracked the ground.
Markus staggered, floating back with his magnetic field, metallic blades swirling protectively around him."Nice hit… but brilliance without direction is just destruction."
Inavy's eyes softened for a second."Father… it's time."
The sky darkened.Clouds swirled above the arena, lightning dancing across the heavens.The earth cracked beneath his feet as energy surged through him.
A crimson spear of lightning materialized in his hand — unstable, divine.
Announcer (shocked):"Wait… that's the Thunder Spear!?"
In the stands, Ray Stormbreak rose from his seat, eyes wide."Impossible… that's my ultimate technique!"
The crowd held its breath.
Inavy floated upward, electricity coursing through every vein."Hey, Markus! Better put up your best defense, 'cause I'm done holding back!"
Markus screamed, pulling every metal object he could into a massive wall.But it was already too late.
"THUNDER SPEAR!!!"
The crimson bolt tore through the air like a comet.Markus's magnetic field shattered instantly.
BOOOOOM!!!
The explosion engulfed half the arena. Rain, thunder, and applause collided into a single, deafening symphony.When the dust settled, Markus Zen lay motionless on the ground — defeated.
The arena erupted in cheers.Rose smiled proudly from the stands.Diana leaned forward, impressed."That boy… he's something else."
Hayate murmured,"He's not Ray.He's something new."
Lorien, arms crossed, glanced toward the VIP booth."You seeing this, Kelvin? Inavy's at a hundred percent."
Kelvin Nox smirked faintly."Don't worry. Everything's under control."
In the center of the field, Inavy Stormbreak stood tall, lightning still sparking around him.He looked down at Markus, half-smiling.
"Next time, I'll fight blindfolded — just to make it fair."
The crowd roared his name, over and over.
Inavy! Inavy! Inavy!
And in that moment, Herocity didn't just witness the heir of thunder —it witnessed the storm itself awaken.