The commentator's voice rose from the stone platform, filled with excitement:
"The next match… Helmit Arnold of the Kingdom of Utgard versus Arisa, Princess of the Birds from the Kingdom of Vernis!"
The cheers of the crowd echoed through the great courtyard — a mix of applause, whistles, and awe. The sky had cleared slightly, letting sunlight pour down onto the wide battlefield.
In the upper rows, the kings and representatives of the kingdoms watched closely, their eyes following every movement. King Ragnar sat deep in thought, while King Poseidon of Atlantis smiled quietly with interest — and Queen of the Birds watched with pride, for Arisa was her daughter after all, the symbol of freedom that had never been conquered.
As for the King of Utgard, he remained silent, as if waiting to see how far his warrior had evolved.
Beside him stood Erlik, his gaze sharp as he muttered inwardly,
"Show me how far you've come, Arnold."
Arnold, in turn, longed for his father's recognition.
The two competitors stepped toward the center of the arena.
Helmit Arnold — a young man in his twenties, tall, with sharp features like a blade. His long white hair flowed behind him, and his silver eyes were cold as steel. He carried a massive hammer adorned with icy runes, frost gathering around it whenever he gripped it. His calm demeanor preceded his presence, but behind that stillness burned a restrained volcano of power that knew no mercy.
Arisa, however, was a vision of contrast.
A girl with long brown hair and owl-like brown eyes. From her head sprouted soft white feathered horns, and two large brown wings extended from her back. She moved lightly, as though a dawn breeze that barely touched the ground.
Zeus raised his hand and declared in a deep, thunderous voice:
"Let the battle begin!"
The ground shook as wind and light exploded at once.
Arisa leapt into the air, her wings beating furiously, forming a swirling storm of wind around her before she suddenly launched fiery arrows from the tips of her wings toward her opponent.
But Helmit raised his right hand, his hammer glowing with icy blue light. With one mighty strike to the ground — the flames froze midair. The ice coiled around them, turning them into glittering shards that fell like meteor showers.
The audience gasped in astonishment.
One spectator shouted, "He froze the flames themselves! What kind of control is that?!"
In the front row, Arthur watched with sharp eyes.
"The hammer boy… I think he's stronger than the desert kid who fought the orc."
Marcia glanced at him. "Seems this fight caught your interest, Arthur."
Arthur, with a faint smile: "Maybe… but I think I'm more curious about the boy who was with you."
Marcia, with a proud grin: "Of course you are… after all, he's my brother — the strongest."
Arthur fell silent, his eyes fixed on the match.
Arisa did not back down. Her body spun gracefully in the air, forming a fiery whirlwind that took the shape of a giant bird. She cried out powerfully:
"Sacred Phoenix Dance!"
Flames soared across the sky, painting the ground gold.
Yet Helmit remained unshaken. He raised his hammer with both hands, and before him rose a colossal wall of ice.
"Ice Shield!"
The two forces collided at the center of the arena — fire and frost, grace and ferocity, dance and destruction. The entire academy trembled, and the air turned into thick vapor — half from fire evaporating, half from melting ice.
As the steam slowly cleared, Arisa was seen kneeling on one knee, breathing heavily, while Helmit stood upright, his hand trembling as he rested his hammer on the ground.
Silence filled the arena for a few seconds.
Then the commentator's voice boomed:
"The result… is a draw! Both competitors have shown exceptional mastery and control!"
The audience erupted in applause, and the kings stood in respect.
King Ragnar smiled faintly, while the King of Utgard nodded in admiration and said:
"It seems the new generation is wiser than the old one."
Queen Alethea, the Bird Queen, gently rested her hand on her cheek and said softly:
"I see you've grown strong, Arisa."
Erlik:
" It seems you've improved, Arnold."
Arisa looked toward Helmit with a tired but warm smile.
"You were a wonderful opponent, ice boy."
Helmit replied in a calm, quiet tone:
"It was a good fight."
A light smile appeared on Zeus's lips as he declared:
"The next test will begin after a short break."