The afternoon sun cast long shadows over the coliseum as the referee's voice rose once more.
"And now... the final survivor match of the groups! Rei Nocturne of Class B versus Zerath Veylan of Class A! The winner will advance to the semifinals!"
Excitement rippled through the stands. The Class A supporters cheered loudly for their representative with full confidence.
"Zerath is a prodigy of thunder magic—Rei doesn't stand a chance!"
"Class B students are surprisingly strong... but Class A won't lose so easily."
Kuro sat silently, his sharp gaze fixed on Rei as she stepped onto the rough arena floor. Her expression was calm, unreadable, as she stood in her dark academy uniform.
Opposite her stood Zerath Veylan—a lean boy with sharp eyes and golden hair. Electricity crackled faintly at his fingertips as he smirked at his opponent.
"So you're the one from Class B," Zerath said. "Don't take this personally, but your journey ends here. Lightning is faster than shadows."
Rei tilted her head, her tone softly teasing. "Then let's test it. Let's see if Zerath-kun's lightning can catch the darkness."
---
**The Match Begins**
"Begin!"
Zerath wasted no time. His hands crackled like a gathering storm, and he dashed forward with a burst of speed. "Thunder Step!" In an instant, he was beside Rei, a fist charged with electricity.
Rei's hand drifted through the air, dark mist shimmering around her. *Crack!* His strike hit nothing but shadow, the mist dispersing like smoke.
"What the—?!" Zerath blinked, reappearing a few steps away.
Rei's eyes glinted faintly as she raised a hand. "Umbra Grasp."
Dark tendrils flowed from the ground, curling toward Zerath's feet. He shouted, blasting them apart with a burst of thunder.
"Is her—dark magic like a demon's?!" someone in the crowd exclaimed in surprise.
But another quickly dismissed it. "No, no, that's shadow manipulation—not like a demon's sorcery!"
Rei's lips curved slightly. She was being careful—restrained. Enough darkness to fight, but not enough to reveal the truth.
---
**Thunder vs. Shadow**
Zerath spun his thunder spear, the weapon humming with energy. "Thunderclap Spear!" He launched it forward with explosive force.
Rei extended her hand. Dark mist thickened like a curtain, swallowing the entire spear and dissipating it harmlessly into sparks.
"Tch..." Zerath muttered in frustration. He dashed forward again, his movements unsteady, electricity sparking with every step. "You... can't block this speed forever!"
Rei's voice was calm, her tone cool. "Who said I had to block?"
Her body shimmered, blending with the shadows at her feet. Zerath's spear cut through empty air as she reappeared behind him. Her palm hovered at his back, dark mist swirling outward.
"Fade."
An explosion of force sent Zerath flying, his body crashing onto the rough arena floor. His armor was scorched, the smell of burnt fabric rising.
But he pushed himself up, blood trickling from his lip. "Damn..." The thunder around him flickered back to life, but his knees buckled. His strength was fading.
---
**The End**
Rei walked forward, her expression unchanged. The crowd leaned forward in hushed anticipation.
Zerath clenched his fist, glaring at her through the sparks. "...Not yet... I..."
But before he could stand, Rei's shadowy veils gently coiled around his arms—not crushing, but restraining. She met his eyes.
"You fought well," she said softly. "But this is where it ends."
Zerath's head bowed, his body slumped in defeat. "...I... yield."
The referee raised his hand. "Winner—Rei Nocturne of Class B!"
The crowd erupted in a mix of cheers and disbelief.
---
**Aftermath**
"She... she defeated a thunder prodigy!"
"Her magic—so strange, yet beautiful…"
"Class B? Again?! What's happening at this academy?"
In the stands, Saria smiled faintly. "This victory was for Rei alone... She hides her power but never loses."
Ryuto crossed his arms, looking uneasy. "Her power... feels different from the others."
Alisa watched Rei with thoughtful eyes. "A dangerous opponent in the wrong hands. But I feel... she's fighting for something larger."
Meanwhile, Fayden's smirk never faded. "Heh. Interesting. So she's the one we'll see in the finals."
In the shadows of the spectator seats, Selvaria's lips curved slightly, her gaze sharp. "...That girl. She's dangerously close to being like us."
Lucien said nothing, but discomfort flickered in his eyes.
And Kuro, ever silent, watched as Rei returned from the arena, their eyes meeting briefly. She said nothing, but a small smile touched her lips.
The referee's voice cut through the noise.
"Thus, the survivors have been decided. Group A: Fayden Ignis. Group B: Princess Alisa Ironwood. Group C: Celestine Arkwright. Group D: Rei Nocturne. These four will advance to the semifinals tomorrow!"
The tournament had reached its final stage, and the crowd roared with anticipation.
---
✦ **To Be Continued...**