The roaring winds above Arcane Arena faded into a tense, breathless stillness.
Then—
Golden letters shimmered into the sky, etched by runic magic, proclaiming the eight names that remained.
The Quarterfinals.
The crowd fell silent. Nobles leaned forward in velvet booths. Professors watched from observatory towers lined with ancient enchantments. The air itself seemed to tighten.
---
Match One: Eris Vaeloria vs. Evelyn Starwyn
The crystalline dueling platform gleamed under layered spelllight. Two silhouettes faced each other—contrasts in every way.
Evelyn gripped her staff with trembling fingers. Her silver aura pulsed gently, and five ethereal spirits swirled around her in luminous haze. They whispered in a language only she could hear—comforting, protective, familiar.
Opposite her, Eris stood still, wrapped in a flame-lined coat that billowed from her own heat. Twin sabers of Ignis-steel rested in her hands, glowing with engraved runes. Her amber eyes burned with relentless fire.
No words. No fear.
> "Quarterfinal, Match One—Begin."
---
Evelyn reacted first—defensive.
A radiant dome unfolded around her, shimmering like moonlight on rippling water.
Clang! Clang!
Eris struck instantly, her sabers a blur of light and flame. Sparks exploded across Evelyn's barrier. The dome cracked under pressure.
> "Stalling won't save you," Eris hissed, low and venomous.
She slammed her palm into the ground.
> "Flame Crest: Crimson Line!"
A glowing glyph ignited beneath Evelyn's feet.
> Fwoosh—!
A serpent of fire burst forward, low and snapping. Evelyn leapt back, but flame grazed her boot, singing the edge.
> "Tch—!"
Midair, Eris blurred upward, spinning with lethal grace.
> "Twin Bloom Cut!"
A blazing X-shaped strike fell from above. Evelyn barely raised her staff in time. The force shattered her barrier and sent her rolling across the platform.
> "Gleaming Chain!"
Spirit-forged links burst upward, catching one of Eris's sabers mid-strike.
But the other found flesh.
Evelyn cried out as searing pain bloomed in her shoulder, crimson staining her sleeve.
> I can't stop… not now…
Gritting her teeth, she held the chain intact with raw force of will. The bonds pulsed, struggling to restrain Eris's power.
But Eris flared her mana—
> "Burst Slash!"
An eruption of flame shattered the chain. Evelyn retreated with a desperate breath, slamming her staff into the ground.
> "Spirit Field!"
Five glowing orbs spiraled outward, each radiating a unique aura—wind, light, water, flora, and hope.
Eris narrowed her gaze.
> "Still hiding?"
She lunged again—blades whirling in deadly arcs.
Two spirits intercepted.
> Boom! Boom!
Explosions of magic rocked the arena. Fire and spirit clashed like thunder and starlight.
Evelyn stumbled, eyes wide.
> She's faster than before… if I don't end this now…
She whispered.
The spirits glowed brighter.
> "Radiant Storm!"
A pulse of spiritual energy erupted outward—a pure, blinding wave of white light and celestial force.
Eris raised her sabers.
> "Infernal Guard!"
Twin arcs of fire curved around her, forming a swirling inferno shield. The spirit blast struck—part deflected, part burned through.
Smoke filled the ring.
Evelyn charged through it, eyes fierce, staff glowing.
> "Final beam—please land…"
A concentrated lance of spirit light fired point-blank.
But from the smoke—
> "Flame Saber—Scorching Fang!"
Eris burst forward, sabers wreathed in flame, slashing in a final arc.
Light met fire. Magic met fury. The collision shook the stage.
Both girls were flung backward—burned, bruised, barely conscious.
Silence.
Then, from the arena's enchantments, a deep voice rang out:
> "Match Result: Double Elimination. Both combatants incapacitated."
A wave of stunned gasps echoed across the arena.
---
Match Two: Lyra Dreamshade vs. Raiden Valenhart
The stage reset—scorched stone reformed itself with rune-guided restoration.
Raiden stood poised, twin swords already drawn, expression cold and unreadable.
Above him, a breeze coiled downward. Lyra Dreamshade descended slowly, reclining on a floating gust of wind like she was stepping off a cloud. She landed barefoot with a sigh, silver hair spilling down her shoulder.
> "Let's get this over with… I skipped lunch."
Raiden gave a curt nod, unmoved.
> "Quarterfinal, Match Two—Begin."
---
Mist swirled instantly from Lyra's outstretched hand, flooding the battlefield in a thick veil.
> "Aqua Web."
Threads of condensed water laced the mist, subtle and gleaming.
Raiden dashed in, slicing one strand—
Slip.
His boot slid on the now-glossy floor. A faint curse under his breath.
Lyra smirked.
> "Aero Step."
She vanished in an upward breeze, reappearing above him mid-spin.
> "Hydro Lance!"
A spiraling spear of water shot downward. Raiden twisted, slicing it—but the spray soaked his grip.
Lyra landed, already chanting.
> "Tempest Ring!"
A rotating cyclone burst from her, mini-storms whipping out in controlled spirals.
Raiden grounded himself.
> "Third Form: Iron Vortex!"
He spun both blades, metal winds clashing with the storm. Air howled, nullifying Lyra's attack in a gusty stalemate.
Then he lunged through the opening—
> "Fifth Form: Spiral Fang!"
Aerial. Precise. Blades rotating like a drill. He streaked toward her like a missile.
> Can't stop that…
> "Tide Shield!"
A dome of water erupted between them.
> Crack—!
Raiden pierced through.
A clean slash raked across Lyra's thigh. She crumpled, grimacing.
The mist cleared.
> "Match Result: Raiden Valenhart wins."
Lyra stared up from the ground, muttering:
> "…Tryhard."
---
Match Three: Rael Ramos vs. Lucan Drexar
The stage trembled.
Lucan Drexar stood bare-chested, tribal tattoos glowing. Muscle rippled across his frame, already halfway transformed.
Rael entered without armor. No weapon. No visible magic. Just calm.
> "You're gonna break like glass," Lucan growled.
Rael said nothing.
> "Quarterfinal, Match Three—Begin."
Lucan roared as fur erupted along his limbs. Claws extended. Fangs bared.
He charged like a beast unleashed.
Rael—
> Step. Pivot. Palm. Elbow—ribs.
Lucan reeled.
He slashed—Rael ducked.
> Sweep. Trip. Palm—chest. Push.
Lucan stumbled.
Rael moved in one smooth motion.
> "Disarm."
A precise palm strike to the forehead—then he grabbed Lucan's skull and brought him down.
Not brutishly.
Elegantly.
Lucan hit the ground—out cold.
Silence hung for a beat.
> "Match Result: Rael Ramos wins."
A single stunned clap broke the silence. Then another. Then a wave of cheers.
---
Semifinal Line-Up
With Eris and Evelyn both incapacitated, their path ended here.
Only two remained.
Raiden Valenhart.
Rael Ramos.
The noble prodigy with blades of steel and relentless discipline.
The hidden prince who fought like wind and shadow.
As dusk fell, the arena emptied.
Rael stood atop the hallway steps, backlit by orange glow.
Raiden approached, footsteps measured.
> "Next is us," he said, quiet and firm.
Rael gave a slight nod. "Looking forward to it."
No boasts.
No bravado.
Only resolve.
Only fire.