The Colosseum's air crackled with tension as the shimmering central platform solidified into a flat expanse of polished stone, surrounded by swirling ethereal energy that marked the battlefield for the first round. Lucien's clone stood above it, his abyssal eyes scanning every participant, every spectator, and every potential outcome with unnerving precision.
"Competitors," he said, voice carrying like a low thunder, "the first round begins. Remember, no fatalities. But everything else is fair game."
From the distant edges of the arena, the first challengers stepped forward. From the Celestial Sect of Azure Blue came Shirogane Tatsuya, a stoic cultivator known for bending storm energy to his will, and Ayame Hoshikawa, a prodigy with mastery over illusions and battlefield manipulation. Their eyes gleamed with determination as they took their positions.
On the other side, the six peak disciples from Nax Academy settled, their expressions calm but alert. Lucien's clone's abyssal gaze briefly swept over them, lingering on Hoshigami, who flexed her fingers with a faint shimmer of metaphysical awareness.
Aelira, perched beside her, whispered excitedly, "Big sister… I mean, Hoshigami! You got this!"
Hoshigami smirked, a playful glint in her eyes. "Watch closely. Every movement matters."
The crowd hushed. Lucien's clone lifted a hand, and the energy surrounding the arena warped slightly, marking the start of the battle.
Tatsuya moved first, summoning a torrent of storm energy into his palms. Lightning crackled across the arena as he hurled massive strikes toward the Nax disciples. Hayato reacted instantly, dodging with agile flips and countering with a controlled burst of wind energy that diffused part of the storm.
"Impressive," Hayato muttered, smirking. "But you'll need more than flashy storms to touch me."
Ayame used the distraction to create multiple illusory copies of herself, weaving a web of deception that forced Rei and Kojiro to split their attention. Rei clenched his fists, summoning destructive energy in a swirling sphere that obliterated several illusions, leaving only Ayame standing, her expression unreadable.
Hoshigami's eyes flickered with metaphysical awareness. She had only partially awakened to the metaphysical plane, but that was enough to sense subtle distortions in Ayame's illusions. Calmly, she shifted her stance, tracing a faint arc in the air, disrupting the illusions with a single precise motion.
Ayame's lips twitched. "You're… different. Focused… precise. This is unexpected."
Lucien's clone watched from above, arms folded. "Hoshigami," he murmured, almost to himself, "you've grown… but remember, control your power, or you'll waste it."
Shunji and Akemi worked together to neutralize Tatsuya's storm manipulations, Akemi bending space to redirect bolts, Shunji reinforcing the area with mystical shields that shimmered with metaphysical energy.
Kojiro analyzed Ayame's movements, calculating angles and potential outcomes. "You're good," he muttered, "but we've anticipated your style. Let's see how you adapt to this."
With a fluid motion, he launched a series of ranged attacks that forced Ayame to retreat, her illusions dissipating in the rush of kinetic force.
Aelira's eyes sparkled with excitement. "It's amazing! They're all so strong!"
Hoshigami glanced at her. "Patience. The first round is just the beginning. Watch closely."
From above, Lucien's clone shifted slightly, letting his grin show. He could feel the subtle interplay of powers, strategies, and potential. The arena itself seemed to hum with the tension and energy, feeding off the combatants' aura.
Suddenly, Tatsuya gathered a massive storm sphere, condensing energy that could flatten mountains. "Feel the wrath of Azure Storm!" he shouted, launching it toward the disciples.
Hayato met the sphere head-on, his wind energy slicing through the storm's edge. Hoshigami, Rei, and the others joined the defense, their teamwork diffusing the majority of the attack. Sparks and wind currents clashed, creating a dazzling spectacle visible across the Colosseum.
Aelira gasped, clutching the railing. "It's like… the sky is alive!"
"Focus on technique, little one," Hoshigami said, her voice calm despite the chaos. "Learn from every movement."
Ayame, seeing her attacks neutralized, gritted her teeth. "You will regret underestimating me," she hissed, summoning a hidden skill that twisted the battlefield into a labyrinth of shifting mirrors.
The disciples were briefly disoriented, each seeing multiple versions of themselves and their opponents. But Hoshigami, sensing the metaphysical distortions, guided her team through the illusions, moving with uncanny precision.
Lucien's clone chuckled softly. "Interesting… they adapt quickly. Perhaps faster than I expected."
Tatsuya roared, channeling another surge of storm energy. Rei and Kojiro combined their abilities into a focused strike, slicing through the storm and colliding with Tatsuya, sending shockwaves across the arena. Rocks shattered, and the Colosseum itself trembled.
"Not bad," Tatsuya muttered, pushing himself up, lightning arcing across his skin. "You're stronger than I imagined."
Lucien's clone raised a hand, subtly amplifying the arena's energy, not to intervene, but to ensure that the flow of combat remained dynamic and balanced. The participants were now aware that every action, every skill, and every choice would have consequences.
"Good," he murmured. "Let's see how far you can go before the first round ends."
From the outer seats, the major sects and families leaned forward, whispers of astonishment traveling through the crowd. The Colosseum was alive with power, strategy, and spectacle.
Hoshigami stepped forward, channeling a subtle metaphysical aura into her strikes. "Forming the counter…" she muttered. Each movement precise, calculated, weaving physical strikes with metaphysical pulses, creating an effect that warped space slightly with each contact.
Ayame's eyes widened as she staggered back. "What… what is that power?!"
Lucien's clone leaned slightly forward, a grin forming. "Tsk… that's just the beginning, my girl. Just the beginning."
The sky above the Colosseum swirled with energy, reflecting the intensity below. Every spectator, from the major sects to the hidden families, felt the raw power emanating from the combatants, as though the Colosseum itself had become a living entity, feeding on the energy of the fight.
Aelira cheered, jumping in excitement. "Big brother… I mean… teacher! They're amazing!"
Hoshigami gave her a brief smile, before turning back to the battlefield. "Focus. Don't be distracted."
Lucien's clone chuckled softly. The first round of the Azure Games was in full swing, and the Colosseum had never felt more alive. The battles would only grow more intense, more dangerous, and more spectacular. And he, as the host and overseer, would be watching every move, learning, and perhaps… testing them a little more than they expected.