The forest pulsed with tension. Rival teams whispered nervously, having witnessed Sho and Liyana's earlier feats. Sho Rione and Liyana moved with precision, eyes scanning for both golden sticks and elite opponents.
"This way," Sho whispered, spotting a glimmering stick half-hidden under thick vines. Liyana nodded, spinning her blade effortlessly.
---
Elite Rivals Appear
From the shadows, four elite students emerged:
1. Kael Veyron – silver-haired swordsman, lightning-fast.
2. Serina Duskwood – illusionist and elemental mage.
3. Rurik Thorn – hulking brute with a massive hammer.
4. Lyra Selene – dual-blade fighter, incredibly agile.
Kael smirked. "So, this is the duo causing the stir? Let's see what you've got."
---
Battle Begins — Sho Uses Blink
The elite team launched their attack immediately. Lyra dashed at Liyana, Serina sent a barrage of elemental spells, and Rurik charged with a devastating hammer swing.
Sho activated Blink for the first time in combat, vanishing from one spot and reappearing behind Rurik. He slashed with precision, cutting off the hammer's momentum before it could swing fully.
Blink cooldown: 3 seconds — he carefully timed it to avoid being analyzed and strike unpredictably.
His mana remained untouched — perfect for sudden, decisive attacks.
Liyana moved like a shadow, effortlessly dodging Lyra's blades while teasing the others. Even without exerting full power, she was far beyond the elite rivals' expectations.
Sho whispered: She's deadly… and now my Blink gives us the edge.
---
Team Coordination
Sho and Liyana synced seamlessly.
Sho blinked to key positions, creating openings.
Liyana exploited them, striking with precision and speed.
He used Domination Pulse subtly to control the battlefield, while Blink allowed him to surprise opponents from unexpected angles.
"Left side! Now!" Sho called. Liyana spun, slicing through Rurik's defenses.
The forest became a whirlwind of magic, clashing blades, and floating golden sticks.
---
Playfulness in Combat
Even mid-battle, Liyana's playful nature peeked out. She let Lyra's twin blades pass harmlessly, smirking.
"You'll have to try harder than that," she teased.
Sho dodged an incoming fireball using Blink, muttering, "She's enjoying this way too much…"
---
Golden Stick Acquisition
Sho blinked to snatch a golden stick hidden in a thicket, while Liyana collected another nearby. Without speaking, they regrouped, ready for the next stage.
Sho grinned. "Two down. Let's go for more!"
Liyana twirled her blade, leaving a faint spark trail. "Try to keep up, slowpoke."
---
Rival Teams React
The elite rivals regrouped, stunned.
Serina: "They move like a single being… unpredictable!"
Kael: "Blink… I didn't expect him to use that!"
Even distant teams whispered in awe. Sho and Liyana had become the team to beat.
---
Cliffhanger Ending
The clash of swords, magic, and strategic Blink maneuvers echoed through the forest. Golden sticks glimmered faintly in hidden spots, promising further intense battles.
Sho and Liyana paused briefly, eyes meeting. Without words, both knew they were only just beginning of the exam.