The tournament continued to progress.
With each new fight, the level of combat increased. The weaker students had already been eliminated, and now only the most skilled remained in the competition.
When the instructor called the next fight, many students immediately raised their heads.
— Zayra versus Drenak!
A small murmur echoed through the stands.
Zayra stood calmly, stretching her arms before walking to the arena. Her steps were firm, and her eyes showed confidence.
Draven watched in silence.
He knew Zayra was strong. But he also knew she hadn't yet shown everything during the tournament.
Her opponent, Drenak, was already waiting in the center of the arena.
He was a beastkin bear-man, large and extremely muscular. His broad shoulders and thick arms showed that his specialty was physical strength.
Some students commented:
"This fight is going to be tough for her."
"That guy's strength is absurd."
"If he lands a direct hit, it's over."
But Zayra didn't seem worried.
She stopped a few meters from Drenak, quickly analyzing him.
"So you're Zayra," he said, his voice deep.
"I've heard you fight well."
Zayra smiled slightly.
"Let's find out."
The beginning of the fight
The instructor raised his hand.
"Combatants ready?"
They both nodded.
"Begin!"
Drenak attacked first.
He advanced like an avalanche, trying to crush Zayra with a direct hit. The impact of his steps made the arena tremble slightly.
But Zayra was much faster.
She slid to the side at the last second, dodging by centimeters.
Drenak spun his body and attempted another strike.
Zayra jumped back.
Draven watched intently.
"She's analyzing."
Zayra wasn't attacking yet.
She was studying.
The true skill
After a few more heavy attacks from Drenak, Zayra finally decided to act.
She took a deep breath.
Her energy began to manifest around her body.
Small red and gold flames appeared around her arms.
Some students were surprised.
"—So she uses fire energy.
—But that doesn't look like ordinary magic…"
Drenak advanced again.
This time Zayra didn't dodge.
When his giant fist came towards her, she intercepted the blow with her arm engulfed in flames.
The impact echoed through the arena.
A wave of heat spread.
Drenak's eyes widened.
His strength had been blocked.
Zayra's speed
Zayra spun her body rapidly.
The flames on her arm intensified.
She landed a direct blow to Drenak's abdomen.
The impact sent him staggering back several steps.
Before he could react, she was already moving again.
Strike.
Step.
Strike.
Fluid movement.
It was like a combat dance.
Draven realized something important.
"She combines speed with energy very efficiently."
It wasn't just fire.
It was precise control of energy applied to physical movements.
The final blow
Drenak tried to attack once more.
He concentrated all his strength into a downward strike.
But Zayra had already anticipated it.
She spun her body, dodged the attack, and focused her flames on her right fist.
For an instant, the flame intensified.
Then she attacked.
The blow struck Draven's chest with explosive force.
The impact threw him several meters backward.
He fell on his back in the arena.
He tried to get up.
But he couldn't.
The instructor raised his hand.
— Combat over!
— Victory for Zayra!
Reaction from the stands
Some students applauded.
Others were impressed.
— She defeated a bear-man in direct combat…
— His strength was absurd.
— Her speed made all the difference.
Zayra took a deep breath, letting the flames disappear.
She glanced quickly at the stands.
Her eyes met Draven's.
He only made a slight gesture of approval.
Zayra smiled.
The tournament continues
As she left the arena, one thing became clear to everyone:
The tournament now had three main combatants.
Draven.
Kaedor.
Zaya.
And as the number of participants dwindled…
The path to the final showdown drew ever closer.