The morning broadcast chimed across Lionel Academy.
"Attention, all students. Tomorrow morning, the Opening Ceremony for the Dawnforge First-Year Grand Tournament will be held."
Excitement rippled through the campus.
Roger leaned back in his chair dramatically.
"Tomorrow's the big day! I can already feel destiny calling my name."
Zack snorted.
"Destiny doesn't call idiots."
Bam grinned.
"Doesn't matter who I get—my fists are ready."
Rain smiled softly.
"I hope everyone fights safely."
Raze just shook his head, but a faint smile tugged at his lips.
The day passed in buzzing anticipation.
◆ ◆ ◆
The Next Day — Opening Ceremony
The massive Dawnforge Stadium—built in honor of Dawnforge Leonel, the academy's founder and the strongest hero of his era—was packed to capacity.
Students. Teachers. Media drones.
Everyone had gathered.
Raze entered with his class and immediately spotted Luna among the second-years. She waved subtly, flashing him a proud smile.
Then the arena lights dimmed.
A spotlight illuminated Principal Ricardo Leonel, floating gently to the center using his levitation Nexas.
His voice boomed:
"Students of Lionel Academy… the world is watching us."
A hush spread over the stadium.
"Just weeks ago, five heroes fell. A wound like that does not heal easily. Fear has spread. Doubt has risen."
The students lowered their eyes.
"But heroes do not pause. We rise."
His tone sharpened.
"That is why the Dawnforge First-Year Grand Tournament will be held now. Not later.
Not when things are safe.
But now—when the world needs proof that a new generation stands ready."
Whispers broke out—surprised, impressed, anxious.
Luna exhaled softly.
"…So that's why."
Celeste Ardyn, standing behind the principal, nodded in agreement.
"This is a chance," she murmured to herself, "for them to show the world their strength."
Principal Leonel raised his hand.
"The Hero Class match roster was already released yesterday. Today, we reveal the Aux Cadet qualifiers—and finalize the full bracket."
The giant holographic screen burst to life.
◆ ◆ ◆
The Tournament Bracket Appears
The screen displayed the previously known Hero Class internal matchups, then shifted to reveal the Aux Cadet challengers.
As the combined bracket formed, students leaned forward.
"Here we go…" Roger whispered.
"Let's see," Astra said calmly.
"To be expected," Rain murmured.
Finally—
Official First-Year Dawnforge Tournament Bracket
Originally Scheduled Match 1
Raze Arcwell (Hero Class)
vs
Voxen Hale (Aux Cadet Rank #2)
Murmurs passed through the stadium.
Roger: "Dude you are fighting the Aux cadet 2nd rank in the first match"
Bam: "Opening the tournament man, that's going to be rough"
Astra glanced at Raze.
"Well Raze, show them what you can do"
But before more reactions could spread—
A tall, sharp-eyed Aux Cadet stepped forward.
Voxen Hale.
He raised his voice calmly:
"Principal Leonel, I have a request."
The crowd went silent.
Leonel turned. "Speak, Voxen."
Voxen pointed directly at Raze.
"If I am to face Raze Arcwell… I want the match moved."
Gasps erupted.
Voxen continued:
"Everyone treats fighting a Nexasless student as underwhelming. So let me prove them wrong."
The tension thickened.
"Let our fight be the final match.
The climax.
No noise. No interruptions.
Just me and him."
Even Celeste raised an eyebrow.
Zack whispered, "This dude is either brave… or insane."
Roger: "He's provoking our boy!"
Principal Leonel looked to Raze.
"Arcwell. Your answer?"
Raze locked eyes with Voxen.
No fear.
No annoyance.
Just quiet confidence.
"…I accept."
The stadium exploded.
Leonel nodded.
"Then it is decided. The final match of Round One—Match 13—will be Raze Arcwell versus Voxen Hale."
The bracket reshuffled.
New Match Order
Match 1 — Astra Noire vs Bam Relic
The stadium went WILD.
Zack: "Why start with a WMD-level fight!?"
Roger: "Because it's AWESOME!"
Astra sighed.
"I suppose breaking Bam immediately is not ideal."
Bam grinned.
"Try me."
Match 2 — Rain Lancelot vs Cero Vale (Aux Rank #1)
Match 3 — Zack Kreiger vs Selene Ward
Match 4 — Roger Castellan vs Naomi Crest
Match 5 — Felix Cinder vs Juno Farsight (Aux #3)
Match 6 — Mira Goldhart vs Arven Rooke (Aux #5)
Match 7 — Kaine Kaiser vs Dray Vexon (Aux #4)
Match 8 — Alren Frost vs Tessa Lume (Aux #7)
Match 9 — Gray Howitzer vs Nero Strayde (Aux #6)
Match 10 — Lira Dawnwell vs Vex Halister (Aux #8)
Match 11 — Hazen Crowe vs Zyra Thorn (Aux #9)
Match 12 — Selian Ford vs Rook Maelis (Aux #10)
Match 13 — Final Match
Raze Arcwell vs Voxen Hale
The stadium buzzed with electricity.
People were already calling it:
"The Dark Horse Finale."
"Nexasless vs Rank #2."
"The Fight Everyone Wants to See."
Roger slapped Raze's back.
"You're the finale! That's—like—main protagonist energy!"
Astra added quietly:
"I will stay to watch. Don't disappoint."
Rain smiled gently.
"Do your best. I believe in you."
Even Celeste looked at him with pride:
"Arcwell… you have earned your stage."
Final Announcement
Principal Leonel raised his voice one last time:
"You all have the rest of this week—and the weekend—to train.
Next week… the Dawnforge Tournament begins."
Cheers shook the stadium.
Bam: "TRAINING TIME!"
Zack: "I'm gonna fry someone."
Roger: "Momentum Shift supremacy LET'S GO!"
Astra: "I hope this isn't a waste of my time."
Rain: "Let's all try our best."
Luna watched Raze from the stands, smiling softly.
"…Show them, Raze. Show them what Arcwells are truly made of."
Raze looked up at the giant bracket.
His name.
Voxen Hale's name.
The final match.
He exhaled.
"…Let's begin."