A few days after months of intense training, something unusual happened at the academy.
Early in the morning, all the students were summoned to the large central training field. It was a much larger area than the other fields, surrounded by stone bleachers used only for important events.
Draven walked alongside Zayra as the students gathered.
"Any idea what's going on?" Draven asked.
Zayra crossed her arms, observing the crowd.
"It might be what I'm thinking."
"What?"
She smiled slightly.
"The academy's annual tournament."
Draven raised an eyebrow.
"Tournament?"
Before she could explain further, one of the instructors jumped into the center of the arena.
It was Instructor Kael, the same one who oversaw combat training.
His presence immediately silenced the students.
His voice echoed across the field.
"Listen carefully!" The students fell silent.
"You've spent months training. You've learned about world history, energy, combat, and strategy."
He paused briefly.
"Now let's see who has truly evolved."
An excited murmur swept through the crowd.
"Today the Academy Tournament begins!"
Some students cheered.
Others tensed.
Kael continued:
"The tournament serves to test three things:
individual strength
control of one's own energy
real combat ability"
He pointed to the center of the arena.
"The battles will be one-on-one."
"The combat ends when a fighter:
gives up
becomes unable to continue
or when an instructor interrupts the fight."
Kael looked at everyone seriously.
"We're not here to kill anyone."
Some students laughed nervously.
"But fight as if you were in a real battle." Tournament Rules
Another instructor appeared carrying a box with metal plates.
Each plate had a number.
"You will draw your numbers."
"The system will be elimination."
This means that:
"Whoever loses is out of the tournament"
"Whoever wins advances to the next fight"
Draven picked his plate.
Number 17.
Zayra picked hers.
Number 21.
"Looks like we won't be fighting each other anytime soon," she said.
Draven nodded.
But something caught his attention.
He began to observe the other students.
There were warriors of various races:
humans
beastkin
elves
dwarves
even some half-dragons
Each possessed a different style.
Some were confident.
Others seemed nervous.
Draven could feel the different energies circulating around the arena. First Fights
The tournament began quickly.
Two students entered the arena.
A tall human named Ronan.
Against a tiger-man named Karv.
The combat began with speed.
Karv attacked first, advancing with brutal force.
Ronan responded by using his energy to strengthen his arms, blocking the tiger's claws.
The fight was intense.
Quick blows.
Strong impacts.
The tiger-man possessed more physical strength, but Ronan had better technique.
After a few minutes, Ronan managed to use a leverage movement to knock Karv down.
Karv tried to get up.
But the instructor interrupted.
— Ronan wins!
The crowd reacted excitedly.
Draven's Observation
Draven watched everything in silence.
He wasn't impressed by the strength.
He was analyzing patterns.
Movements.
Energy usage.
Errors.
The Great Sage was also active in his mind.
Analysis in progress.
Various fighting styles detected.
Draven noticed something interesting.
Most of the students relied too heavily on their energy.
When they got tired, their performance dropped rapidly.
He murmured:
— Interesting…
Zayra looked at him.
— Already analyzing everyone?
— Old habit.
A strong presence
As new fights unfolded, Draven sensed something different.
A heavier energy.
More stable.
He turned his head.
On the other side of the arena was a student he hadn't yet seen fight.
A lion-man beastkin.
Tall.
Broad shoulders.
Golden eyes.
He seemed completely calm, even with the noise of the arena.
Zayra noticed Draven was looking. — Ah… so you noticed too.
— Who is he?
— Kaedor.
— One of the strongest students in the academy.
Draven continued observing.
Kaedor seemed to feel the gaze.
For a moment, the two stared at each other.
Neither of them said anything.
But something became clear in that instant.
They both recognized something in each other.
A true warrior.
The announcement
A few fights later, the instructor called for the next combat.
— Next battle!
He looked at the list.
— Number 17 against number 42.
Zayra smiled.
— Looks like it's your turn.
Draven walked slowly to the arena.
The crowd grew quieter.
His opponent was already waiting.
It was a beastkin ape-man, known for his speed.
The student twirled a staff in his hands with ease. He smiled when he saw Draven.
"I heard you're strong."
Draven stopped in the center of the arena.
His eyes were calm.
"Let's find out."
The instructor stood up.