Delythena's POV
The next day, the moment I had been dreading finally arrived the Battle of the Enchanters.
Everyone was gathered in a massive arena, surrounded by an enchanted forest. The entire place looked incredibly magical, as if it had been taken straight out of a fantasy novel.
"Good afternoon, Obsidian students!" the host greeted, and the crowd responded enthusiastically.
"This is the moment everyone has been waiting for the Battle of the Enchanters!" the host announced with excitement.
Tsk, not everyone, definitely not me.
"Let the Battle of the Enchanters begin!" the host declared. "The winning team will move forward to face the next section. Our first match will be between Section Hollow Veil and Section Fabled Eldoria!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, excitement buzzing in the air.
I, on the other hand, could only sigh. Great. Just great.
The two sections emerged from opposite sides, bowing to each other before taking their positions. I noticed that each section only had five students unlike in my old world, where classes had more than thirty students. Here, it was just five, almost like they were in small battle groups.
Moments later, the battle began, and my eyes widened in shock as they clashed using their powers. It felt like I was watching a fantasy movie except this time, it was real, happening right before my eyes.
I couldn't help but feel both amazed and terrified as some students were thrown into the air while others got injured.
Is this a battle or an all-out war?
I couldn't help but swallow hard as I watched the battle unfold. This isn't just some simple tournament it's like watching an actual war!
One of the students from Hollow Veil suddenly summoned a giant ice spear and hurled it at an opponent from Fabled Eldoria, but the other quickly dodged using teleportation magic. In the blink of an eye, he reappeared behind his attacker and launched an enchanted fireball!
"Boom!"
The explosion sent flames bursting across the battlefield. I leaned back in my seat, completely stunned by what I was witnessing.
W-wait... is there actually a chance someone could die here?
As the battle raged on, the arena crackled with raw energy. Spells clashed mid-air, creating explosions of light and shadow. One student from Fabled Eldoria conjured a massive vine, wrapping around an opponent from Hollow Veil, but with a swift movement, the latter burned it to ashes with a wave of fire.
The crowd roared in excitement. I, on the other hand, could only watch with a mix of awe and nervousness.
Then, a deafening crash shook the ground as one of the enchanters summoned a towering beast made of stone. It roared, causing the ground beneath us to tremble.
What kind of battle is this? I thought, gripping the railing tightly.
This wasn't just a test of skill it was a battle for survival.
The battle grew even fiercer, with spells colliding in mid-air, creating dazzling bursts of energy. The ground cracked as enchantments of fire and ice clashed, sending shockwaves throughout the arena.
One student from Hollow Veil raised their staff, summoning a whirlwind of dark mist that engulfed a member of Fabled Eldoria. The trapped enchanter struggled, their vision obscured, until they slammed their hand to the ground, sending a golden pulse of light that shattered the mist.
The crowd erupted into cheers, but I could only stare in disbelief.
Then, in a blink of an eye, one of the enchanters was thrown across the battlefield, slamming into the magical barrier that protected the audience. I flinched at the impact if that barrier wasn't there, the entire front row would have been wiped out.
I swallowed hard. Is this really what I'll have to go through?
The battle finally ended, with Hollow Veil emerging victorious. The fight had only lasted ten minutes, but it felt like an entire war had taken place injuries, shattered ground, and exhausted enchanters barely able to stand.
Healers rushed to the battlefield, tending to the wounded, their hands glowing with soft golden light as they worked their magic. Some students had to be carried out, while others stumbled toward their teams, drained yet satisfied with their efforts.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.
This is insane.
If just one round of the competition looked like this, then what about the final battle? Would I even stand a chance?
Five minutes later, the students were back on their feet, fully healed and ready for the next match.
"Let's now proceed to the next section facing Hollow Veil Section Aetherial Crest!" the host announced.
My eyes widened. Wait... that's us!
I had almost forgotten we were next. And of all the possible opponents, we had to face them the monsters who had just wrecked the battlefield.
I want to run. I want to go back to my old world.
Before I could even think of an escape plan, my classmates grabbed me, dragging me toward the center of the arena. I felt like a lamb being led to the slaughter. And to make matters worse, Savena wasn't even in my group.
I wanted to cry. Fear curled in my stomach, twisting my insides into knots.
We reached the center, standing across from Hollow Veil. We bowed, as tradition dictated.
But deep inside, I wanted to scream.
These people were absolute monsters in battle. And here I was looking like leftovers from someone's dinner, completely unprepared for what was about to happen.
My heart pounded violently as the bell rang, signaling the start of the battle.
And just like that, chaos erupted.
My teammates unleashed their powers immediately, conjuring elements, barriers, and weapons. Hollow Veil wasted no time responding, their attacks just as intense if not more.
Meanwhile, there was me
Hiding.
Dodging.
Running like a headless chicken, avoiding the blasts of magic flying in every direction.
I want out! I want to go home!
My classmates summoned a massive stone giant, towering and menacing. But Hollow Veil countered with an enormous wooden colossus, equally powerful. The battlefield turned into a war zone of titanic clashes, elemental bursts, and pure destruction.
And where was I?
Still scrambling at the sidelines, desperately avoiding death.
I skidded to a halt as a massive wooden monster lunged straight at me.
A scream tore from my throat, expecting to be crushed—
But it never happened.
Instead, the creature was suddenly sliced in half before my eyes. My breath hitched. And then, another shock—
I was holding a flaming sword
My hands tightened around the hilt, my mind racing. Where did this come from?
Before I could process anything, a firm hand landed on my shoulder from behind.
I turned sharply—
And there he was.
"Zadkiel?! What are you doing here?" I blurted, my eyes wide.
He smirked. "Saving my fiancée, of course."
My jaw dropped. "What—"
Before I could protest, he leaned in slightly.
"Focus on the fight," he said smoothly. "I cast a spell no one else can see me but you. So don't worry, I've got your back." He said and winked.
I had so many things I wanted to say so many questions, so many protests
But I swallowed them all.
Because right now, I had no time to argue. One wrong move, and I was dead.
Around me, my classmates were already weakening, injured and exhausted. Meanwhile, I stood there, gripping the flaming sword that belonged to Zadkiel.
And he—he was right behind me, his hands over mine, guiding my every movement.
With his direction, I moved effortlessly. Every attack thrown my way I dodged. Every enemy that lunged I struck.
I should've been terrified. But somehow, with Zadkiel's steady presence, his voice murmuring instructions in my ear, and the sword responding to my every move, I felt...
Unstoppable.
The battle raged on, but somehow, I felt like I was moving outside of myself like I wasn't the same person who had been cowering and running just moments ago.
Every time an enemy charged at me, my body reacted instinctively. My hands moved with precision, slashing and blocking as if I had trained for this my entire life.
But I hadn't.
"This isn't me" I whispered, my breathing uneven as I watched another opponent fall before me.
"This is you," Zadkiel's voice murmured from behind. His grip on my hands remained firm, steady. "You just don't know it yet."
I didn't understand what he meant. I wanted to ask but another wave of attacks came, forcing me to move.
With every strike, every dodge, every burst of magic, the flames of the sword burned brighter.
After the battle, our section emerged victorious, and I still couldn't believe it. I turned to look at Zadkiel, who was now holding his sword. I was too stunned to speak, still in shock from everything that had happened.
I was about to say something when he suddenly kissed my cheek.
"That's your payment. Thank me later My lady" he said with a grin before disappearing, leaving me completely speechless.
What just happened?
All of my classmates rushed toward me after the battle, bombarding me with questions—how did I do that? Had I awakened my powers? Was I the reason we won? Was I no longer worthless?
But I didn't answer a single one of them. I just forced a smile, because my mind was still stuck in the fight, unable to process everything that had just happened.
"Delythena!"
I turned around as Savena approached, looking extremely excited.
"That was amazing! You were so cool!" she said happily. "I'm so happy for you—your power finally awakened!" She hugged me tightly. "When did it happen?" she asked very curious.
I didn't know how to answer. I couldn't exactly tell her that the power belonged to Zadkiel, or I might end up in an even bigger mess.
"I... I don't know. It just came out on its own" I lied, feeling a pang of guilt.
"I'm really happy for you!" she beamed.
I forced a small smile in return.
"But you know what? The moment you summoned that flaming sword, only one person came to mind as your match the Supreme Ruler." She whispered the last part, making my eyes widen.
"Really?" I feigned ignorance.
She nodded. "Yes! You see, Supreme Ruler is the only one known to wield fire magic and use flaming weapons. So when I saw you, I was completely shocked!" Me too!
My heart pounded in my chest.
"But I'm really happy for you! Those bullies will definitely think twice before messing with you now that they've seen you have the same power as the Supreme Ruler" she said excitedly.
I didn't know whether to feel relieved or more anxious.
I need to find Zadkiel because I want to talk to him, but I don't know where to look for him since he just appears out of nowhere next to me. I even asked some other students where I can find the supreme ruler, but they said that he doesn't have a permanent place here in the academy because he only comes when he wants to. They also mentioned that he's from a faraway place and that teleportation doesn't work for ordinary enchanters in his area, which is why it's so difficult to track down the supreme ruler.
"Where are you?" I asked while wandering around the academy, but I couldn't find him. Eventually, I ended up back at the mansion. As I entered the house, my parents greeted me.
"Delythena!" my mom greeted and hugged me. I quickly accepted that they were my parents in this world.
"Delythena, we're so happy to see you again" my dad said, hugging me as well. My heart was filled with so much joy to have parents again.
"Evely told us that you're feeling better, and it's good to know you've recovered."
My mom said, "We were so worried about you when we found out what happened." Then my dad said as we sat on the sofa,
It's so comforting to hear that parents care for you.
It felt so good to have parents who genuinely worried about me, a feeling I never experienced in my previous world.
We were chatting with my family when the conversation shifted to the Battle of the Enchanters.
"Savena told us that your power has awakened. We're happy for you, dear" mom said joyfully while holding my hand.
I felt the guilt again because I didn't really intend to lie.
"We heard you've acquired the power of fire, and that only means one thing" said Dad, and Mom suddenly got excited. I just furrowed my brows because I didn't know what they meant.
"What does that mean?" I asked, confused.
"It means you need to meet the Supreme Ruler so he can help you strengthen your power" Mom explained. I almost choked on my own saliva after hearing that.
"Why?" I asked, stuttering.
"Because in the Obsidian Citadel, it's rare to possess the power of fire. There is only one person who holds it, and that's the Supreme Ruler" Dad clarified.
"We'll make and send an invitation to the Supreme Ruler" Mom said, which surprised me.
"I'll do it next time when I'm ready, Mom. I don't have enough strength yet" I said as an excuse, and it seemed convincing enough.
"Alright, sweetheart. We'll give you time to gather all your strength" she said, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
I've been in my room for a while now, but I still can't sleep because my mind keeps wandering. I decided to step out to the balcony for some fresh air. I can't shake off what happened earlier in the Battle of the Enchanters, how I fought with Zadkiel. Then, there's the added pressure from my family that I need to meet him. I don't even know what to do anymore. My mind is so confused.
"Why do I have to get involved with that lunatic Zadkiel?!" I said in frustration.
"Did you just curse at a Supreme Ruler?" I jumped in surprise when someone spoke from behind me. To my shock, I saw Zadkiel leaning against the doorframe of my balcony.