Main Arena – Third Round of the Draft
"Uhhh… now it's for real, huh?" said Diana, leaning back in her seat, eyes gleaming with excitement."Inavy versus Rose! What do you think, Rudius?"
Rudius crossed his arms, watching the field with sharp focus."Regardless of the result, Rose has done more than enough. She deserves recognition."Then he smirked slightly."But we're talking about a prodigy — the kind that's born once in a century… maybe a millennium. Inavy's clearly inherited Ray's spark. So I'd say Rose won't disappoint."
The arena lights flared on as the announcer appeared at the center stage, microphone in hand.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Only three matches left before we discover who will face Kelvin Nox! Give a huge round of applause for all these young heroes who made it this far!"
The stadium erupted in cheers and thunderous applause.
"Now... get ready! Two of the brightest prospects of this generation are about to collide!On one side — the indomitable Princess of Water, with the strength and endurance of a leviathan... ROSE ELDARA!"
The audience went wild — the roar rivaling that of a World Cup final.And before the shouting died down, the announcer raised his arm again.
"And on the other side… he needs no introduction! The heir of Ray Stormbreak! The Crimson Lightning himself! Come to Arena... INAVYYYYY STORMBREAAAAK!"
A bolt of lightning split the sky.
From the smoke at the center of the arena, Inavy emerged — grinning, eyes sparkling with electricity.
The crowd lost its mind.
Rose folded her arms and smirked."You really love making an entrance, don't you?"
Inavy chuckled."Just showing off a little. So… ready to fight?"
Rose locked eyes with him."More than ready, Inavy."
"Good. Because I'm not holding back."
She smiled back."If you win, I'll buy you ice cream."
"Deal," he replied, confident as ever.
The referee raised his hand."Prepare… FIGHT!"
Water and Lightning
Rose closed her eyes. Her aura expanded — calm, fluid, yet overwhelming.Water swirled around her like a living current, forming translucent waves that shimmered in soft shades of blue.Every motion she made was graceful — a perfect balance between defense and offense.
With a flick of her wrist, she summoned liquid blades that cut through the air like furious rivers.
Inavy moved at inhuman speed, dodging every strike as sparks danced across his body.Lightning crackled across the floor, splitting the stone beneath his feet.
The clash began.
Water and electricity collided in a spectacle of blinding light and roaring sound.Each impact made the crowd leap from their seats.
The Power of Rose Eldara
Gasps filled the stands when Rose began healing herself.Cuts and bruises faded instantly, replaced by the glow of aquamarine energy.
She shaped her aura into fluid shields — shimmering barriers that flowed with her movements, deflecting every surge of lightning.Each second, her power grew denser — serene, yet devastating.
Inavy dodged again, grinning despite himself."You're stronger than I thought, Rose…"
She met his gaze."And I haven't even started for real!"
She charged forward.The ground cracked beneath her steps as a massive tidal wave formed, surrounding Inavy completely.
But he just smiled.
"Impressive…" he murmured. "Now it's my turn."
The air snapped.
Inavy's body ignited in crimson light, bolts of red lightning splitting the sky.He vanished — then reappeared behind her, striking with enough power to shatter the entire wave.
A thunderclap echoed through the arena.
Rose fell to her knees, breathing heavily but still smiling."I… can still fight…"
Inavy lowered his hand, eyes soft with respect."You fought well, Rose Eldara."
He offered his hand.She took it, rising with a tired but proud smile.
The audience rose in a standing ovation.
Rudius stood, clapping proudly for his sister.Diana smiled, eyes glistening.Lorien yawned, half-asleep.Ray stood too, his expression calm but proud.
Back in the Freshmen Room
Inavy returned to the resting chamber, electricity still humming faintly around him.Inside, Darius was doing push-ups in the corner.
"Well, well, look who's back," said Inavy, crossing his arms.
Darius looked up, grinning."Looks like you're really going far, huh? Let's see how long that lasts."
Inavy smiled."You'd better win. I want to face you next."
Darius stood, energized."Ohhh, now we're talking! See you in the next round!"
The loudspeaker blared:"Next Match: Darius Valtier versus Leon!"
Among Old Companions
Lorien jolted awake."Is it Darius's turn already?"
"Yup," Diana teased. "You gonna watch, or nap again?"
Lorien smirked."Diana, you're unusually feisty today."
She tilted her head, amused. "You think so?"
At that moment, Ray appeared behind them."How are you two doing?"
"Ray-sensei!" they both said at once, bowing respectfully.
Ray chuckled."Come on, no need for all that. I've known you since you were kids. Just call me Ray."
Diana shook her head."We refuse, sensei. You'll always be our master."
Ray laughed and sat beside them."Mind if I join you?"
"Of course not!" they said together.
Lorien crossed his arms."So, sensei, what do you think of the Draft so far?"
Ray rested his chin thoughtfully."It's been incredible… but it could be even better next year."
"True," said Diana. "Who do you think will win?"
Ray hesitated."Hard to say. But between Inavy and Darius... one of them will reach the finals to face Kelvin.Still… neither of them is his equal. Kelvin's got experience on his side."
Lorien smirked proudly."Guess who trained him?"
Diana laughed. "Show-off."
"Hey, not my fault you didn't train anyone," he shot back.
"Who are you calling incompetent?!" Diana yelled.
The two began bickering like children, and Ray burst out laughing.
"This brings back memories…" he said softly."The Guild of a Thousand Lights, ten years ago… you, me, and Kai. Those were the best days of my life."
All three went silent for a moment, smiling wistfully. Kai Hayashe — the comrade they lost on a mission long ago.
The Last Battle of the Semifinals
The announcer's voice thundered across the arena."And now… the final match of the semifinals! On one side — Leon! And on the other… the prodigy of House Valtier — DARIUS VALTIER!"
Leon grinned."Hey Darius, let's make this a good one, yeah?"
Darius smirked."You got it, boss!"
"Prepare… FIGHT!"
Leon charged in, his strength raw and wild — but Darius sidestepped effortlessly.Golden light flared around him as he bent space itself with precise control.
"You're way too slow, Leon!" he taunted, laughing as the air rippled around him.
In one final move, Darius raised his hand and formed a miniature supernova — a core of light and gravity that burst into a blinding explosion.
Leon collapsed, defeated.
The crowd erupted in wild applause.Lorien jumped to his feet, cheering for his pupil like a proud father.Darius smiled, overflowing with energy.
And from the shadows of the arena, Inavy watched quietly — his gaze steady, anticipation burning in his eyes.
The stage for the final battle was set.
End of Chapter 8 — The Battle of Water and Lightning