The sun rose high over the Bharadwaj Academy, casting long shadows across the battle arena. The morning's banners, once silvered with the glow of the learner trials, now shimmered with polished runes of silver and gold. The Student-Level Battles had begun, and the energy in the air was electric.
Hundreds of students had already fought, and only the most skilled remained. Every movement, every spell, and every strike could determine not just victory, but who might catch a teacher's discerning eye.
Ansh leaned eagerly over the railing, Daav perched on his shoulder, twitching his feathers with excitement. "This is it! The next level! Students! Real power, real skill! Let's see what they've got."
Ashwini sat beside him, composed, yet her eyes followed the fighters below with a predator's precision. "This isn't about flashy moves. Every student here has mastered control. Mistakes could end a match in an instant."
Vijay, arms crossed, tilted his head as he observed the arena. "And yet, some will still try to show off. Some things never change."
Ansh grinned. "I like show-offs."
The crowd of teachers, disciples, and other students erupted with anticipation. From the center of the arena, a booming voice called out:
"Students of Bharadwaj Academy! Let the battles begin!"
The First Clash – Twin Flames
"Ruvo of the Ember Hall!"
"Seren of the Mountain Hearth!"
Two fire-wielders stepped into the circle, flames curling around their fists, heat radiating outward. The arena shimmered from the intensity of their aura alone.
"Begin!"
Flames clashed in midair, exploding into molten sparks that rained down. Ruvo's attacks were wild and furious, torrents of fire that threatened to scorch everything in their path. Seren, in contrast, remained composed, each strike precise, controlled, and devastatingly effective.
Ansh's eyes widened. "Look at that! He didn't even touch the ground before flipping over that blast!"
Ashwini noted the timing. "Ruvo is relying on raw aggression; Seren is forcing him into overextension. Watch his feet — every dodge, every step is calculated."
The arena floor cracked from the heat and force of the duel, molten streaks marking the battlefield. Ruvo lunged forward with a massive surge of fire, but Seren countered, deflecting the attack into the sky, where it exploded harmlessly.
With a final, controlled burst of flame, Seren struck Ruvo's side, sending him staggering. The crowd erupted.
"Winner — Seren of the Mountain Hearth!"
Ansh whooped. "That's control for you! Wild power vs. discipline, and discipline wins every time."
Vijay murmured, eyes narrowing. "Discipline and timing. That's the difference between a student and a disciple."
The Second Clash – The Phantom Archer
"Lian of the Northern Range!"
"Dasra of the River Forge!"
The arena shimmered as Lian notched an arrow glowing with pale light. Dasra raised twin shields of condensed water, rushing forward like a tidal wave.
"Begin!"
Arrows shot forth, disappearing midair only to reappear at different angles. Dasra swung her shields, creating waves of water to block and redirect attacks. Sparks flew as arrow tips clashed with water shields, each impact resonating across the arena.
Ansh leaned forward, almost holding his breath. "He's bending the arrows mid-flight! No way!"
Ashwini observed carefully. "Notice the patterns. Lian isn't just aiming; he's reading the water currents and predicting movements. Each arrow is a preemptive strike."
Dasra countered with a surge of water, creating a fog that obscured her position. Lian disappeared briefly, then an arrow pierced the fog inches from Dasra's shoulder. She staggered, retreating, and a second arrow struck her knee.
"Winner — Lian of the Northern Range!"
Vijay raised an eyebrow. "Precision. Patience. Observation. That's how a student turns skill into dominance."
Ansh clapped loudly. "And it looks so cool! Like… arrows bending in the air!"
The Third Clash – Earth and Storm
"Balkar of the Stone Wall!"
"Veyra of the Storm Peak!"
Balkar's massive fists were armored with jagged stone, while Veyra's movements sparked with electricity. The arena trembled as the two prepared to collide.
"Begin!"
Veyra moved like lightning, striking with bursts of static energy, zipping across the field. Balkar's enormous fists crashed into the ground, sending stone spikes toward his opponent. The combination of earth-shattering force and blinding speed dazzled the crowd.
Ansh whooped. "He's like a thunderstorm on legs! Look at him go!"
Ashwini tilted her head. "Speed vs. raw power. Veyra is using mobility to avoid giving Balkar a clean hit. One punch from him, and this fight ends."
Veyra darted around a massive stone pillar, striking with precise bolts of electricity. Balkar countered, smashing the pillar into the ground, sending shards flying. Sparks clashed with rock in a dazzling display of elemental combat.
Finally, Veyra leapt high, striking Balkar with a chain of lightning that made the ground erupt beneath him. Balkar fell to one knee, conceding the match.
"Winner — Veyra of the Storm Peak!"
Ansh leaned back, eyes shining. "That was insane! He basically danced around a mountain of fists!"
Vijay smirked. "Mobility and strategy. He didn't overpower; he outthought."
The Fourth Clash – The Illusion Weaver
"Vira of the Glass Hall!"
"Eshan of the River Wing!"
The bell chimed, and the arena seemed to hold its breath. For a moment, nothing happened — then five copies of Vira appeared, each moving differently. Eshan hesitated, his blade glowing with blue energy, unsure which was real.
"Begin!"
Vira moved gracefully, her true position always hidden among the illusions. Eshan struck one, then another appeared behind him. Every attack dissolved into thin air.
Ansh whispered in awe. "She's everywhere… and nowhere at the same time!"
Ashwini noted the technique. "She's not just creating illusions — she's controlling perception. The real attack is subtle, almost invisible."
Eshan tried to predict her moves, lunging forward — only to be met by a soft but decisive strike that knocked him to the ground.
"Winner — Vira of the Glass Hall!"
Ansh grinned wildly. "I love her already. She could mess with anyone at our level!"
Vijay nodded. "Precision, patience, and perception. That's mastery."
The Fifth Clash – Lightning and Molten Stone
"Reo of the Cloud Peak!"
"Mani of the Desert Forge!"
Before the match even began, sparks flew — lightning from Reo, molten rock from Mani. The arena trembled in anticipation.
"Begin!"
The two collided, Reo vanishing in bursts of electricity while Mani's molten fists shattered the ground. Lightning flashed and lava hissed where strikes met, creating a chaotic but mesmerizing display.
Ansh cheered. "This is it! This is the stuff I came for!"
Vijay watched carefully. "Power without control is useless. Watch their timing."
Reo darted in, but Mani's molten fists met him midair, forcing him to retreat. They clashed again and again — lightning arcs bouncing off molten stone, heat and electricity filling the arena.
Finally, Mani stood firm, his molten energy cracking the arena floor, while Reo's lightning flickered and failed. Mani's strike was precise, decisive, and unstoppable.
"Winner — Mani of the Desert Forge!"
Ansh leaned back, ecstatic. "That was unreal! The arena's still smoking!"
Ashwini smiled faintly. "The teachers will be watching every move. Control, timing, and decision-making. This is what separates the students from those who might rise further."
Vijay nodded. "The Student-Level Battles aren't just a test of power. They're a test of awareness. Every second, every choice matters."
The first five highlight battles ended, leaving hundreds of students still competing. From the stands, Ansh, Ashwini, and Vijay watched eagerly.
Ansh grinned, leaning forward. "The next round's going to be even better. Just imagine the chaos!"
Ashwini smirked. "Controlled chaos, you mean. Even the best students have limits — but some of them push past those boundaries."
Vijay's eyes narrowed, scanning the arena. "The next fights will show who's truly ready for the attention of the teachers. These are the ones who might earn a chance to rise to the next level."
Daav chirped softly, feathers flickering as if caught in anticipation of the battles to come.
Ansh spread his arms, looking over the battlefield. "I can't wait to see who stands out next. We might even get to see someone really mysterious this time…"
Ashwini raised an eyebrow. "Let's hope they don't show us too much chaos before we even get to the disciples' battles."
Above them, the silver and gold banners shimmered in the sun, signaling the continuation of the Student Tournament. The arena buzzed with energy, anticipation, and the thrill of combat.
The next round was about to begin. And this time, every strike, spell, and strategy would bring the students closer to glory — or defeat.