The Hall of Fame had been cleared of spectators for this round, but echoes of the crowd's anticipation lingered in every corner. The forest arena, a vast expanse crafted by the Grandmaster himself, seemed to exhale with the collective tension of the students. The representatives of 1A stood with poised confidence, the aura of royalty and mastery radiating from Reiyell Georgia Frey Ravenscroft, whose cold indicolite eyes scanned the battlefield with predatory precision. Next to her, Liora Vallegoire's stance was light yet deadly, a dancer's grace ready to explode into storm. Ashborne Dunsmore adjusted his gloves, crimson eyes glinting in the dim light, a quiet storm of power contained within.
On the opposite side, 1B's lineup bristled with energy, Klyden Yurei already bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet, sun-kissed hair shimmering as he flexed, a grin spreading across his face. Keiya Anastasia Zheka radiated controlled intensity, her eyes locking onto her targets with precise calculation. Thaddeus Wynthrope and Ysoria Eldridge mirrored that readiness, their presence formidable even before the fight began. The tension thickened, palpable, as the Grandmaster's voice boomed.
"The first event begins. Class 1A versus 1B. The objective: capture the rival class's flag while ensuring the rules are followed. Physical combat, Diety powers, and strategic use of abilities are allowed. Minor injury is permissible; death and severe injury are forbidden. Begin."
As soon as the words left his mouth, 1B surged forward. Klyden's Dawnbreaker Strike ignited in a sudden burst of solar heat, a blinding line aimed straight at Ashborne. But Ashborne's shadow seemed to thicken unnaturally, absorbing the light around him. He stepped to the side, leaving a faint afterimage, his crimson eyes reflecting the sunlight like molten iron. In one swift motion, he countered with a wave of shadow-infused strikes that rippled across the forest floor, forcing Klyden to dodge backward, his movements graceful but strained.
Meanwhile, Liora spun forward like a tempest incarnate. Her Tempest Mirage conjured dozens of shimmering illusions of herself, the air refracting with light and wind, making it impossible for Keiya and Ysoria to predict where the real strike would land. She darted between her projections, delivering precise jabs and slashes, forcing Thaddeus and Ysoria to split their attention. Each blow carried enough force to stagger, though none were lethal; her strategy was chaos and misdirection.
Keiya, undeterred, ignited her Ember Script, launching fiery runes into the forest. Some exploded on impact, others bound Liora's illusory copies to the ground, burning paths of heat that distorted perception. The air shimmered with heatwaves, forcing Liora to adapt quickly, her movements faster than thought as she shifted her illusions to dodge and strike in rhythm with the chaos.
"Not bad," Liora hissed under her breath, a playful smirk forming despite the fight. "But you're too predictable sometimes."
Ysoria, meanwhile, manipulated the forest's nature itself, roots twisting upward from the soil to ensnare illusions and slow movements. Her Diety power radiated raw control over the living landscape, testing every ounce of Liora's agility. Yet, Liora's illusions made it nearly impossible to predict where she'd emerge next, forcing Ysoria to overextend, leaving gaps in her control.
Across the battlefield, Reiyell observed the ongoing skirmishes with measured calm. Her focus was unmatched. When Klyden launched a flurry of Helios Burst waves, scattering shards of heat in arcs meant to blind and stagger, Reiyell's Abyssal Freeze enveloped the area in an instant, dropping temperatures so suddenly that the waves of light and heat seemed to shatter midair. Frost crept across the ground and slowed the energy, crystallizing the battlefield in a freezing clarity only she could see through. Every student watching felt the air tighten around their lungs, the ground itself trembling with the intensity of her magic.
"Now," she murmured, lips barely moving. The mist began to curl, thick and dense — her Mist Veil. Sound warped, visibility reduced to mere shadows, but she moved as if the battlefield was fully illuminated. To her, the forest was as clear as day. With an elegant sweep of her hand, the frozen fog forced 1B into disarray. Klyden's rapid maneuvers became cautious; he had underestimated the scale of her power. Thaddeus, attempting to coordinate with Ysoria, stumbled as the icy fog distorted his vision, and Keiya's runes fizzled in the frost, losing their efficacy.
Amid the chaos, Liora exploited the confusion. Her illusions flickered and multiplied, each one striking with precise timing. Thaddeus, Ysoria, and Keiya found themselves simultaneously attacked from multiple angles, unable to predict which was the true strike. A particularly well-placed feint from Liora sent Ysoria sprawling into a bramble, her powers momentarily suppressed as Liora advanced.
"Liora!" Reiyell's voice rang out, crystalline yet commanding. "Cover the flag! Only one more move left."
Liora gave a sharp nod, weaving her illusions with deadly precision to ensure no one could intercept Reiyell's final strike. Reiyell's hands moved in a fluid, almost ceremonial motion, and the Mist Veil expanded, freezing the remaining resistances in place. With her royal blood commanding the battlefield, every opposing attack was neutralized before it could reach its mark. The flag of 1B, suspended on a high spire at the forest's center, was hers for the taking.
Klyden, breathing hard, exchanged a glance with Keiya, realization dawning. "We… can't… stop her," he muttered, a mix of awe and frustration in his voice. Liora, observing from her position, had to admit even she was dazzled by Reiyell's mastery. Yet she pushed forward, guarding the flag alongside Reiyell, striking down the few remaining attempts to interfere.
Ashborne's crimson eyes glimmered under the waning light as he supported Liora and Reiyell, his powers—an affinity for shadows and spectral illusions—keeping Klyden, Keiya, Thaddeus, and Ysoria off balance. Every movement was choreographed, a symphony of controlled chaos that 1A executed flawlessly.
Finally, with a deliberate motion, Reiyell shattered the last resistance with Mist Veil, emerging from the frost and fog to grasp the flag. The forest seemed to exhale, the battle ceasing instantly as if the very air had been waiting for her. 1A had triumphed.
Klyden, though beaten, smiled wide, unbowed in spirit. "Damn it… you guys really are something," he shouted, wiping sweat and soot from his brow. His sunny energy remained unbroken, even as the icy reality of Reiyell and Liora's dominance pressed in.
Liora, panting but exhilarated, allowed herself a brief laugh, turning to glance at Reiyell. "Okay, okay… you're scary as hell, Your Highness."
Reiyell merely inclined her head, dignified, regal, and impossibly composed. "You performed admirably yourself," she said, her voice the perfect balance of praise and command.
From the sidelines, classmates gasped and whispered in awe. Thaddeus, recovering, allowed a respectful nod toward 1A. Ysoria wiped frost from her eyes, silently acknowledging the superiority of the opposition. The battle had been fierce, but the hierarchy was unmistakable: the combination of royal blood and refined skill had tipped the scales, with Liora's overpowering speed and illusions amplifying their dominance.
Even Klyden had to concede, smiling ruefully. "Looks like Wads set the bar high for the rest of us, huh?" he muttered under his breath, acknowledging silently the constant pressure of the growth around him.
As 1A's members gathered, Reiyell's aura radiated authority, Liora's presence a tempest of energy, and Ashborne's shadows a lingering reminder of the battle's intensity. 1B regrouped, weary but determined, knowing they had learned more about their limits than ever. The forest bore the marks of combat, magical frost mingling with illusionary wind and light—a testament to the ferocity of the duel and the powers each representative wielded.
Victory had a clear name: 1A, but respect and rivalry had been born on both sides, lessons carved into flesh, mind, and spirit.