Today marked the pinnacle of four years of training—the Grand Final Tournament. In this last trial, students would face one another using only their magic, with no swords to fall back on. Just elemental skill, strategy, and will.
Elias stood at the edge of the arena, taking a steady breath. Beside him stood Riven—his dark hair tousled, his eyes razor-sharp, scanning the competition and silently calculating.
Master Marwen stepped forward, his voice firm and resolute:
"Today, it is not only power that will be tested—but strategy, focus, and resolve. Defeat your opponent, and you will advance to the next round. If your body and spirit are not in harmony, your magic will falter. Do not rush. Every move must be deliberate. Are you ready?"
In unison, the students shouted,
"Yes!"
The duels began.
Dorian Kal faced off against Torin Grell. Fire met earth in a fierce collision—Torin tried to close off the field, using stone barriers to limit Dorian's reach. But Dorian remained agile, finding openings and striking with precision. Fire flared, and Dorian claimed victory.
Next came Fenric Hal and Arion Vey. Fenric's relentless fire attacks forced Arion on the defensive. But Arion's movements were swift and smart—he dodged, deflected, and, with a sudden shift in momentum, overwhelmed Fenric to secure his place in the quarter-finals.
Elias's first opponent was Kael. Quick and reactive, Kael struck with speed—but Elias remained calm. He countered with balance and control, using subtle pulses of light to redirect Kael's attacks. He emerged victorious.
Riven met Mira Vel in the quarter-finals. She summoned graceful waves of water to shroud herself, but Riven commanded the air like a storm. He cut through her watery veil with razor-sharp gusts, taking control of the fight and advancing forward.
In the semi-finals, Elias was pitted against Arion. The match was intense—Arion's fire attacks came fast and furious, pushing Elias to his limits. But Elias held firm, channeling his light into tight bursts of energy, throwing off Arion's balance and piercing through his defense. In the end, Arion fell.
Riven, meanwhile, faced Dorian Kal. Fire roared across the arena, but Riven danced through it—quick, elusive, unstoppable. With a final surge of air, he shattered Dorian's last defense and moved into the final round.
The arena quieted. The crowd held its breath. The final had arrived.
Elias and Riven stepped into the center. Opposite ends of the same path.
Riven tilted forward slightly, a smirk tugging at the edge of his mouth.
"Ready, Thorn? Today, you'll see your limits."
Elias inhaled, calm but burning with focus.
"I'm ready. But I won't back down."
Riven struck first. A whirling vortex of air surged toward Elias, trying to trap and unbalance him. Elias answered with a surge of radiant energy—light shattered the wind, holding the storm at bay. Blow after blow followed; each attack met with a countermove. Reflexes, precision, and strategy interlocked in a battle of wills.
Then, a slip. Riven spotted a brief opening—and lunged.
Elias staggered—but in the blink of an eye, he concentrated his light, anchoring himself. He twisted, and in that heartbeat of opportunity, sent a radiant projection that struck Riven—just a touch, but enough.
The signal was clear.
The match was over.
The arena erupted in applause.
Riven stepped back, smiling.
"That was a hell of a fight, Thorn. You earned it."
Elias caught his breath, sweat on his brow, heart steadying.
"You're incredibly strong, Riven. But today… I'm the one who won."
As the tournament concluded, the students had not only discovered the extent of their powers—but their limits, their potential. They had tasted victory and endured defeat. They had grown.
Elias stood proud—but aware. He had won, yes, but Riven's strength had exposed the gaps in his own. There was still more to learn. Much more.
That night, silence settled over the dormitory. The fire of the day had faded, replaced by quiet reflection.
Riven lay down in the bed beside Elias's, voice barely above a whisper:
"One day… maybe I'll reach your level."
Elias smiled, turning to face the ceiling.
"I'll be waiting for that day, Riven. Don't keep me waiting too long."