The fights continued in the arena, but something had changed in the atmosphere of the small academy.
Before, the tournament was just a competition between talented students. Now, it had transformed into something different.
Everyone was observing some specific names.
Draven.
Zaya.
Kaedor.
Among them, however, Draven was the one who attracted the most attention.
Murmurs in the stands
While other battles took place, several students chatted in smaller groups.
"That energy of his… did you see it up close?"
"It's not like normal energy manipulation."
"And those shadows… they move as if they have a will of their own."
A dwarf student crossed his arms, looking at the arena.
"I've fought warriors of various races… but I've never seen anything like this."
Another student, an elf, replied:
"Not even among the mages or shadow assassins."
"This is different."
It wasn't fear.
It was uncertainty.
Zayra observes
Zayra leaned against one of the stone columns of the stands, watching the following fights.
But her attention wasn't on the arena.
It was on Draven.
He seemed completely calm.
Controlled breathing.
Relaxed posture.
But Zayra knew that was just an appearance.
She had seen Draven fight enough to realize something others hadn't yet understood.
He wasn't using his full power.
"This guy…" she murmured, "is still holding back."
Attentive instructors
Higher up, in the instructors' reserved area, some teachers were also discussing.
"His energy doesn't belong to any known school."
"It's not magic."
— It's not elemental manipulation.
— And it's not just physical control either.
One of the older instructors spoke calmly:
— The most impressive thing isn't the energy.
The others looked at him.
— It's the control.
He pointed to the arena.
— This boy observes, learns, and adapts.
— Each of his fights is different from the last.
Another instructor frowned.
— Do you think he's evolving during the tournament?
— No.
The instructor replied seriously.
— I think he was already far ahead from the beginning.
Kaedor continues observing
Kaedor remained seated in silence.
His eyes were fixed on Draven.
He didn't participate in the conversations.
Nor did he show emotion.
But he was analyzing everything.
Every movement.
Every breath.
Every reaction.
He had already fought many strong warriors. But Draven was different.
It wasn't just the Nocteerom.
It was the way he fought.
Draven always seemed to be one step ahead.
Kaedor thought to himself:
"He doesn't just fight with strength… he fights thinking several moves ahead."
A small smile appeared on his face.
It wasn't arrogance.
It was expectation.
The weight of attention.
Draven noticed everything.
The stares.
The conversations.
The tension.
But he didn't seem bothered.
He just kept watching the fights.
Learning.
Analyzing.
Mentally improving his own strategies.
The Great Sage spoke calmly in his mind:
The attention on you has increased considerably.
Draven replied mentally:
— It was inevitable.
The Great Sage continued:
I recommend keeping control of the Nocteerom's exposure. Many are trying to understand his nature.
Draven glanced discreetly at Kaedor.
"I don't care about the others."
"Only those who can truly challenge me."
Kaedor, at that exact moment, also raised his eyes.
The two stared at each other again.
Speechless.
But now everyone around began to notice.
The rivalry between them was no longer silent.
It was evident.
The tournament transforms
As the day progressed, a certainty began to form in the minds of everyone at the academy:
The tournament was no longer just a competition.
It was slowly transforming into something bigger.
Everyone wanted to see a specific fight.
Draven versus Kaedor.
And the further the tournament progressed…
The more inevitable that confrontation seemed.