The Colosseum had transformed into a living, chaotic battlefield. Floating platforms, shifting corridors, rotating towers—all resonated with energy as the combatants began showcasing their unique skills. From the top, Lucien's clone watched, his abyssal eyes sweeping across the arena, analyzing every move, every tactic, every weakness.
"Now… let's see who really learned something," he murmured, a faint smirk curling his lips.
Hoshigami vs. Ayame: The Duel of Shadows
Hoshigami crouched on a collapsing platform, her aura flickering with metaphysical energy. Ayame was at the top of a rotating spire, using her illusions to mask her presence.
"You're fast," Ayame said through a distorted projection. "But not fast enough."
Hoshigami's eyes narrowed. Focus. Predict. She leapt, her movements fluid and precise, slicing through the illusions. Ayame teleported mid-leap, but Hoshigami's instincts were sharper—she lightly brushed Ayame's shoulder with her fingers, scoring a point.
"Heh… the little sister from Nax isn't just for show," Lucien's clone thought. He noted every nuance: the aura fluctuations, the subtle energy signatures that revealed Ayame's real position.
Ayame's glare sharpened, her illusions exploding outward in a dazzling display. Platforms shifted as energy collided, but Hoshigami twisted mid-air again, landing a precise back-tap on another Azure Blue disciple who tried to flank her.
From afar, spectators gasped. "That's… that's mastery of the battlefield… even with partial metaphysical awakening!"
Hayato vs. Tatsuya: The Tactical Duel
Hayato's wind blades sliced across the arena, creating pressure zones to control Tatsuya's movements. Tatsuya, one of Azure Blue's most skilled prodigies, countered with bursts of lightning, forcing Hayato to constantly pivot and calculate his trajectory.
"You think you can trap me?" Tatsuya shouted. "I've been trained to counter strategy like yours!"
Hayato smirked, leaping onto a rotating platform. "Then we'll see whose mind is sharper!"
With a sudden gust of wind, Hayato displaced a section of the platform, causing Tatsuya to slide past his intended target. In that moment, Hayato's hand flicked forward, lightly tapping the back of Tatsuya's cloak. Point scored.
From the sky above, Lucien's clone leaned slightly, smiling. "Tactical genius… adaptive combat… impressive. But keep pushing. Chaos always finds the cracks."
Rei vs. Multiple Opponents: The Destructive Force
Rei thrived in chaos. Surrounded by three Azure Blue prodigies, he grinned, energy crackling across his arms. With a single shout, a wave of destructive energy erupted, forcing opponents to scatter.
"You can't contain me!" Rei yelled, vaulting over floating debris and striking one of his targets squarely on the back.
Another prodigy attempted a sneak attack from above, but Rei twisted mid-air, energy trailing from his movements, deflecting the blow while tagging another opponent.
"Pure power with precision," Lucien's clone observed, nodding. "Controlled destruction… perfect for chaos scenarios."
Shunji and Akemi: The Coordinated Mind
Shunji's calm, precise aura allowed him to manipulate battlefield energy subtly, creating temporary shields and redirecting attacks. Akemi, with her mastery of illusions and spatial manipulation, made herself a phantom in the chaos.
The two moved as one, tagging multiple opponents in quick succession. Shunji would block or redirect incoming energy while Akemi warped space, disorienting their enemies. Their teamwork was near flawless.
"Balance and deception… a deadly combination," Lucien's clone murmured. "This is why training under my guidance changes everything."
From the stands, Aelira bounced with excitement, calling out repeatedly, "Big sister! Big brother! Go!" Umbra perched on her shoulder, wings twitching in anticipation.
Lucien's clone smiled faintly. "Yes, little one. Learn by watching. Every movement, every decision… is a lesson."
She clapped as Hoshigami tagged another opponent. "Papa! Did you see that? She's amazing!"
"Yes," Lucien's clone whispered, his eyes twinkling with pride. "And soon, you'll surpass all of them. Patience, little one… patience."
Platforms continued to shift, rotate, and vanish. Energy arcs sparked across the air as participants used elemental attacks, illusions, and metaphysical manipulation. Every movement altered the terrain, forcing participants to adapt constantly.
The spectators gasped as one Azure Blue prodigy launched a massive fireball at Rei, only for him to slice it mid-air with a wave of destructive energy, redirecting it toward another opponent. Hoshigami darted across multiple platforms, tagging two adversaries in succession while barely missing a collapsing tower.
Lucien's clone hovered calmly, analyzing each interaction. "Adaptation… foresight… synergy… Yes. They're growing. Faster than expected. Fascinating."
The final minute approached, and the arena's energy reached a crescendo. Hayato, Rei, and Hoshigami coordinated a synchronized strike, tagging multiple targets in a flash. Shunji and Akemi created temporary illusions to force opponents into blind spots, allowing others to score points.
The crowd erupted, cheering at the spectacle. Even spectators from distant planets leaned forward, unable to tear their eyes away from the intricate chaos unfolding.
Aelira clutched Umbra, her eyes wide. "Papa… they're so cool! Can I do that too?"
Lucien's clone's smirk widened. "Soon… very soon, little one. But first, observe. Learn. Understand the battlefield."
He leaned back, watching the mayhem. This is exactly what I hoped for. Chaos reveals strength, reveals strategy, and reveals potential… and they have all done exceptionally well.
As the round came to a close, an immense ripple of metaphysical energy surged through the Colosseum. The floating platforms twisted violently, the arena quaked, and spectators gasped in unison.
Lucien's clone narrowed his eyes. "Interesting… very interesting. Someone—or something—is coming."
And from the edge of the metaphysical plane, a massive energy signature appeared, one so potent that even the Azure Games participants felt its pull.
Lucien's clone tilted his head, abyssal eyes glinting. "Well… now this just got interesting."
The crowd didn't notice yet, the mortals too far away to sense it, but for the first time in the tournament… the battlefield was about to shift.