The sun had climbed higher, casting long shafts of light across the academy grounds. Students and instructors alike gathered near the scoreboard, murmuring excitedly as the results flashed in bold numbers.
Eclipse Faction – 1,122 kills.
Ice Faction – 1,621 kills.
Earth Faction – 1,455 kills.
Wind Faction – 1,118 kills.
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Eclipse Faction had surged past the Wind Faction, claiming 3rd place despite being a new team with only three core members.
Sukai stood a few paces away, arms crossed, watching Lily stride confidently alongside Kairo and Riven. "Third place…" he muttered, a mix of pride and disbelief in his voice. "They actually did it."
Lily, still glowing faintly from her Heat Spatial Magic, smirked lightly. "Told you we could handle it. You just had to trust us."
Kairo's crimson eyes scanned the crowd. He noted the whispers spreading like wildfire: older students pointing, nodding in approval or disbelief, professors jotting notes, and other factions murmuring among themselves.
"Look at them," one student from Wind Faction hissed. "They're just three kids, and they beat us."
"It's not just them," another said, eyes narrowing. "That girl… her Heat Spatial Magic… it's incredible. And their coordination—unlike anything I've seen before."
Even the senior instructors exchanged glances. "Eclipse Faction," one muttered under his breath, tapping his staff against the ground. "They're rewriting expectations. If they keep this up, they'll be a major force in the academy."
Sukai's expression softened as he glanced at Lily. "Alright, you've proven it. But don't think this means I'll let my guard down around you," he said, a teasing edge in his tone.
Lily laughed softly, her confidence shining. "I'm not the little girl you're used to, Sukai. Remember that."
Kairo's crimson gaze flicked to the scoreboard one last time, then back to the students watching. "We don't just survive… we adapt and grow. Let them talk."
Riven sheathed his sword, smirking. "Third place isn't bad for a day's work. Next time? Let's see if we can top the Earth Faction."
The crowd erupted in whispers again, spreading the news: the Eclipse Faction, once underestimated, was now officially a rising shadow within the academy.
And somewhere in the observation towers, supervisors began plotting: this new team could no longer be ignored.