The sun rose over the magical arena, casting golden glimmers across the combat circle. The next duel was one many had eagerly awaited: Emma, the half-human witch, against her long-time rival: Zack, the water warlock, son of an influential family that despised non-purebloods.
Zack, with dark blue hair and icy eyes, crossed the field with arrogance, surrounded by a cold mist emanating from his magic. Emma, her long purple hair flowing, walked calmly, though her gaze burned with restrained fury.
—Ready to crawl back to the swamp you came from, witch? —Zack taunted, conjuring spinning water whips around him.
Emma didn't answer with words. Instead, she raised one hand, and the ground beneath her feet filled with floating runes. Her sorcerer raven descended in silence, perching on her shoulder.
—I'm no longer the girl you left crying in that temple, —Emma said, and the battle began.
Zack unleashed a storm of pressurized water projectiles, but Emma deflected them with barriers formed from arcane shadows. Her counterattack was swift: black roots burst from the ground, trying to snare her opponent's feet.
Zack's water formed a liquid serpent that bit and dissolved Emma's darkness, but she didn't retreat. With a shout and a motion, she transformed her raven into a spear of dark energy, hurling it straight at Zack's chest.
The warlock dodged, but not without taking a deep wound to the shoulder. The crowd held its breath. The duel became a fierce dance of darkness and water, until Emma, with a flick of her wrist, invoked a circle of forbidden magic. Shadows wrapped around Zack, freezing his movements.
—I'm… not less than you, —she said calmly— I'm more.
With a burst of energy, the final explosion sent him flying out of the circle. Silence fell.
—Winner of the match: Emma of the Black Moon, —Professor Clover declared solemnly.
Zack, humiliated, was tended to by healers. Emma only lowered her gaze, her heart pounding. From the stands, Tony watched her with awe and sincere admiration.
---
Later that day, the arena was prepared for another match—this time, one loaded with personal emotion.
Dana vs. Liana.
The two girls stood face-to-face, under the watchful eyes of Ares, Agust, Tony, and hundreds of students.
Dana tightened her electric gloves, and Liana took a deep breath, feeling nature respond to her call. Their eyes met—not with hatred, but with resolve.
—Ready for this? —Dana asked.
—I've always been, —Liana replied, her voice firmer than usual.
They both knew what was at stake. And it wasn't just a victory in the tournament.
It was Ares's heart.
—Begin! —shouted Clover.
And the duel began, with lightning and roots crossing through the air, as the fate of their feelings was written in the arena.