Meriosa strode off the arena floor without looking back. The crowd was still roaring—some on their feet, others gripping the railings so hard their knuckles whitened. Her partner Harry trailed a step behind, head lowered, shoulders hunched as if carrying the shame she refused to feel.
The energy in the stands was electric. Students who had never seen a top-ten ranked fighter in person whispered furiously. Others pumped fists, already placing bets on who would survive Round 1. Nervous laughter mixed with shouts of "That's how you end it!" The air smelled of sweat, dust kicked up from the field, and the faint metallic tang of flow discharge.
The announcer's voice boomed again.
"Next match: White & Cherry versus Rose & Tod!"
The boards flashed the pairings. The crowd settled just enough to watch.
White and Cherry took their positions at one end—White already glowing faintly, eyes half-closed in focus. Rose and Tod stood opposite, Rose with twin daggers, Tod with a heavy shield that shimmered with defensive runes.
"Begin!"
Rose and Tod charged head-on, shield raised, daggers flashing. White's glow intensified—light so bright it swallowed the arena in white fire. No one could look directly at it. Screams of surprise rose from the stands. Rose and Tod skidded to a halt, shielding their eyes.
Cherry moved.
She rushed through the blinding glare like it didn't exist—fists clenched, body low. One punch cracked Rose's guard; the second sent her sprawling. Tod swung his shield blindly. Cherry ducked under, drove an elbow into his side. He dropped.
White's light snapped off.
The horn sounded.
"Winners: Cherry and White!"
The crowd exploded again—some cheering the speed, others rubbing their eyes and laughing in disbelief.
In the competitors' stand, murmurs rippled through the group.
"Wow… that was too bright," others muttered, blinking hard... "Can't believe we might face them later."
Cal rubbed his temples. "Perfect teamwork. Light blinds, strength finishes. Brutal combo."
Koya watched in silence, arms crossed. Lira beside her twisted a small vine between her fingers.
"That kind of synergy…" Lira said quietly. "We'll need something like it."
Koya nodded. "We will."
The announcer kept the pace relentless.
"Next match: Mercy & Max versus Cross & Blake!"
Mercy's gravity-flow pulled opponents downward while Max's blade danced through the air. Cross and Blake fought valiantly—light chains and shadow steps—but gravity won. Mercy pinned them; Max finished.
"Winners: Mercy and Max!"
"Next: Melly & Nelly versus Elly & Fisk!"
Melly's ice-flow froze the ground; Nelly's wind scattered shards like blades. Elly and Fisk slipped and bled before they could close.
"Winners: Melly and Nelly!"
"Next: Elly & Fisk eliminated. Winners advance!"
The tension was thick now—excitement, surprise, raw nerves. Every match ended faster than the last, reminding everyone how little separated victory from collapse.
Then the boards flashed again.
"Cal & Mary versus Boi & Mirra!"
Anna leaned over the railing. "You got this, bro!"
Cal stepped onto the field with Mary. She was small, baby-faced, soft brown curls tied back, but her eyes were steady. Cal gave her a quick nod. "Stay close. I've got the front."
Boi charged first—fists wreathed in fire. Mirra followed, wind blasting ahead of her in sharp gusts.
Cal loosed an arrow—blunt tip, aimed at Boi's shoulder. Boi deflected it with a fiery backhand. Mirra's wind shoved Cal backward, boots skidding.
Mary was already moving—light energy blooming from her palms. She reached Cal just as Boi's next punch landed. The hit sent Cal flying; Mary dove, vines of soft green light wrapping his ribs. Healing warmth spread instantly.
Cal pushed to his feet. She's not a fighter. I have to push harder for both of us.
He sprinted forward. Mirra's wind came again—Cal rolled under it, nocked another arrow mid-stride. Boi closed, fire fist swinging. Cal dodged, fired point-blank. The arrow struck Ben's chest—non-lethal, but the force knocked him back.
Mira lunged. Cal spun, branches bursting from the ground—nature-flow vines thick and fast. They slammed Mirra to the dirt, pinning her arms.
Boi rose, snarling. Cal loosed one final arrow—vines wrapped around it mid-flight, guiding it to stick Boi's sleeve to the ground. He couldn't move.
The horn sounded.
"Winners: Cal and Mary!"
Cal stood breathing heavily, chest rising and falling. Mary walked to him, vines retracting.
"I didn't see that coming," Cal said, wiping sweat from his brow. "Thanks."
Mary smiled—calm, quiet. "You did the heavy lifting. I just… patched."
Anna cheered from the stands. Koya clapped once, small smile on her face.
The boards shifted again.
"Next match. Gilbert & Anna versus Josh & Glory!"
Gilbert strode out like he owned the arena. Anna followed, staff in hand, expression flat.
Anna leaned close before the horn. "You remember the plan, right?"
Gilbert tone was dry. "Of course I do, I'm me after all."
Gilbert grinned, placed a hand on her shoulder.
The horn blew.
Josh raised vines—thick, whipping toward Gilbert. Gilbert moved—levitation flow kicking in. He floated upward, sword already drawn, cut the vines mid-air with casual flicks.
Glory tried to raise a stone wall. Anna swung her staff—water gathered, coalesced into a slash that crashed against the wall. Stone lost focus for half a second.
Glory turned in surprise.
Gilbert was already there—floating low, sword flashing. "Turning your back on me? Huge mistake."
One slash dropped Glory. Josh spun, vines lashing. Anna raised her staff higher—water orb formed overhead, massive, heavy. It crashed down like a wave, slamming Josh flat.
The horn sounded.
"Winners: Gilbert & Anna!"
The crowd went wild. Gilbert bowed dramatically, arms wide.
"Thank you all!"
Anna lowered her staff, expression unchanged. Gilbert took the applause like it was his alone.
In the competitors' stand, Koya watched, clapping softly. A real smile tugged at her lips.
Anna caught her eye from the field. She gave a small nod—pride, exhaustion, relief.
Lira leaned close to Koya. "things are really heating up."
Koya's hand tightened on the wrapped haft.
The weapon stayed quiet.
For now.
To be continued...