The coliseum was still buzzing from Princess Alisa's victory. But when the referee raised his hand once more, the atmosphere shifted.
"Now! The second Semifinal match! Rei Nocturne of Class B versus Celestine Arkwright of Class A!"
The crowd stirred with excitement. Rei had been silently acknowledged as a mysterious but powerful contender. Yet Celestine was known throughout the academy as a prodigy of holy magic—a bright star of noble birth.
On the royal dais, Princess Alisa leaned forward slightly, her eyes narrowing. "Rei..." she murmured softly.
Kuro, seated among the students, watched with interest. *"Rei… show them your power, but don't reveal too much."*
---
**The Opponents Enter**
Rei stepped forward, her long silver hair swaying, her dark academy uniform seeming to absorb the sunlight like a shadow. Her eyes were calm and cold, yet focused.
In contrast, Celestine Arkwright descended the steps with brilliant grace. Her golden staff gleamed, light gathering around her form. The crowd chanted her name loudly.
"Rei-san," Celestine spoke, her voice lofty yet firm and kind. "I do not know what has driven you to the darkness, but I will hold nothing back. The light will always show the way."
Rei tilted her head, her expression unreadable. "Show the way… or blind one... We shall see."
---
**The Match Begins**
The referee's voice rang out—
"Begin!"
"Radiant Burst!" Celestine swung her staff, releasing a lance of light. The entire arena brightened as if a second sun had descended.
Rei raised her hand. "Silent Abyss."
A plume of black mist coiled upward, swallowing the light whole. The ray vanished into the mist, absorbed like water into parched earth.
The crowd gasped in astonishment. "What—what kind of magic is that?!"
Celestine's eyes widened. "That… is not ordinary dark magic…"
Rei's lips curved into a faint smile. "It is not holy, nor is it demonic. It is simply my own."
---
**Clash of Light and Shadow**
"Radiant Spears!" Celestine summoned a rain of brilliant lances.
Rei extended her hand. The spears halted in mid-air as if caught by invisible threads.
"Strings of Nothingness." With a flick of her wrist, the spears shattered into harmless fragments of light, scattering away.
The crowd was stunned. "Impossible! She countered a holy light spear!"
From the royal dais, Princess Alisa gripped her staff tightly, her eyes narrowing further. "That magic… is different. And dangerous."
Celestine gritted her teeth. "I will not let you win!" She slammed her staff down. "Divine Nova!"
A circle of pure radiance expanded outward, threatening to engulf the entire arena.
Rei's shadowy aura shifted, and she raised both hands. Dark, intricate sigils whirled across the ground.
"Void Reflection."
The circle of radiance struck the sigils and recoiled, exploding in a brilliant burst upon itself.
Dust filled the air. When it cleared, Rei stood untouched, her shadowy aura shimmering faintly.
Celestine was breathing heavily, swaying with exhaustion and shock. "Rei-san… what are you?"
Rei walked toward her, steady and relentless. Her voice was cold but quiet, for Celestine's ears only. "Someone who carries the same burden as another… but not someone Celestine-san can defeat."
She raised a hand. Shadows coiled around Celestine like ropes, binding her in place.
The referee's voice cut through the silence. "Celestine Arkwright can no longer continue. Winner—Rei Nocturne!"
---
**Aftermath**
The arena erupted into astonished whispers.
"Her magic… it's not any school of magic."
"I've never seen anything like it…"
"Could it be forbidden magic?"
Rei ignored the whispers, her gaze drifting toward the royal dais.
Princess Alisa's eyes met hers across the field. For a heartbeat, the two girls measured each other in silent understanding.
Alisa whispered softly under her breath. "So… Rei-san is the one I must face in the finals."
Rei's lips curved into a subtle smile. *"Yes. Let's see whose light—or shadow—shines brighter."*
Kuro watched from the stands, closing his eyes. *"Good. You've drawn their attention. Now… the real game begins."*
---
✦ **To Be Continued...**