Quarterfinals – Match Three: Kai vs Rayne
After Zeran defeated Nox with little effort, the air in the arena grew heavy once more. The crowd buzzed with excitement, tension, and disbelief. Some still hadn't recovered from Zeran's overwhelming dominance, and now the next match was already about to begin.
The third quarterfinal. Kai Alden versus Rayne Siroth.
The referee raised his hand.
"Alright, you two…"
3…
2…
1…
Battle begin!"
Rayne's mind immediately snapped into focus. She had reviewed Kai's previous matches, studied his movements, and drawn up a solid strategy. Her plan was simple but sharp—open with Wind Hurricane to disrupt Kai's footing, then follow with Gale Slash the moment his guard dropped. She'd trained this combo hundreds of times. She was confident it could even work on someone like Kai.
But something unexpected happened.
Barely five seconds into the match, just as Rayne drew in breath to summon her magic, it hit her.
An invisible pressure crashed over her like a tidal wave.
Her heart pounded.
Her eyes widened in shock.
Her limbs trembled. She tried to cast Wind Hurricane—but her body wouldn't respond. It was like trying to move through stone. She could feel her mana swirling, but her hands remained locked at her sides.
"What is this…?"
The weight in the air was suffocating. Her knees buckled slightly as she gasped for breath, paralyzed by a force she couldn't see, couldn't understand.
Then—
Flicker.
Kai vanished in a sudden streak of lightning.
CRACK!
He appeared right in front of her in an instant, hand raised and glowing with electric fury.
"Lightning Vortex!"
A cyclone of spiraling lightning erupted from his palm, slamming straight into Rayne's chest. The blast was deafening. The force blew her off her feet and launched her into the far end of the arena like a ragdoll.
BOOM!
She slammed into the barrier wall with enough power to make the entire arena tremble. Dust flew. A sharp gasp escaped the crowd as Rayne fell limp, blood spraying from her lips, and collapsed to the ground—unconscious.
The match ended in under ten seconds.
For a moment, silence blanketed the stadium. Even the commentator was speechless. Then, like a dam breaking, the audience exploded in chaotic cheers and gasps.
Kai calmly walked over to Rayne, eyes quiet and composed. He knelt, gently checking her pulse, then waved over the medical team. Without waiting for praise or glory, he handed her off and returned to his seat, his face unreadable.
Only a few people truly understood what had just happened.
One of them was Imperial.
From the stands, he whispered to himself, "Magic Waves…"
Flashback – Imperial's Training with Master Kaien
"Hey Imperial," Kaien's voice was casual, yet firm as always. He stood at the center of the training field, arms crossed, completely relaxed.
"Try attacking me directly."
Imperial, younger and still reckless, nodded eagerly. "Alright, Master!"
He charged forward, sword glowing faintly with electricity. But halfway to Kaien, something strange happened.
The air thickened.
Every step felt harder than the last. It was like pushing through deep water—no, worse. His legs slowed. His energy felt drained, like the very space around him resisted his motion.
Then—
WHAM!
A pulse of invisible energy knocked him off his feet and sent him crashing onto his back.
He groaned. "What was that?! It felt like I hit an invisible wall!"
Kaien chuckled lightly. "You noticed it. That's good. That was Magic Waves—a concentrated manifestation of raw magical energy. It's not an attack exactly. Think of it like... a force field you emit. Pressure that can suppress others."
He paused, then added, "It can repel, overwhelm, even manipulate the emotions and instincts of those sensitive to mana. You've just started learning control, so I wanted you to feel what it's like to be on the receiving end."
Present
"I'm not surprised Kai used Magic Waves," Imperial thought, arms folded. "He's a genius after all. But showing something that strong this early... That's just like him."
He smirked quietly to himself.
"Maybe I should reveal a few of my tricks too. I'm only using about 40% of my strength. If anyone starts asking questions, I can just play the 'still training' card."
Commentator:
"WOOOAH!! What an unpredictable match! A record-shattering finish in under ten seconds! Kai Alden advances to the semifinals!"
The crowd erupted in celebration, thunderous applause shaking the arena.
"We now have two confirmed semifinalists: Zeran Drake and Kai Alden!"
Update from the Arena
A staff member rushed over and whispered something into the commentator's ear. He nodded solemnly before turning back to the crowd.
"We've just received official word. Contestant Barm, who sustained injuries during Round 1, has been declared medically unfit to continue. Therefore—Leo advances to the semifinals by default!"
Another wave of cheers, though slightly more subdued.
Now, all eyes turned to the arena floor.
The final quarterfinal match was about to begin.
Match Four: Imperial vs Magna
Commentator:
"And now, the final quarterfinal! Imperial vs Magna! Contestants, take your positions!"
Imperial walked with quiet confidence, each step steady. He closed his eyes for a moment and centered his breathing. Across the stage, Magna bounced lightly on his heels, nerves flashing in his eyes.
Referee:
"Are you both ready?"
Imperial: "Yes."
Magna: "Yes."
"Begin!"
Magna acted first.
"Fireball!" he roared, launching a rapid-fire barrage of blazing orbs toward Imperial.
Imperial's eyes narrowed.
"Lightning Walk."
Whoosh!
He disappeared in a blur of crackling energy, the fireballs exploding harmlessly against the arena floor. He reappeared behind Magna in the blink of an eye.
"Lightning Sword: Thunder Slice!"
Magna sensed the strike too late and activated Flame Storm, coating himself in a fiery barrier. But it wasn't enough—Imperial's blade cut clean through the defense.
BOOM!
Magna flew backward and slammed into the wall.
But he wasn't done yet.
Grimacing, Magna pulled two small axes from holsters on his legs. They instantly burst into flame.
The Fiery Axes.
He roared and hurled one like a meteor. Imperial dodged with Lightning Walk again, appearing at Magna's flank. But Magna had anticipated it.
CLANG!
Their weapons clashed—blade to axe.
Then—
SWHIP!
The first axe, enchanted, returned like a boomerang, slicing into Imperial's right arm.
Blood sprayed.
He staggered back, gritting his teeth. "I underestimated him."
He sheathed his sword, focused, and pressed the tip into the ground.
"Voltquake!"
Blue lightning surged into the earth.
BOOM!
The arena floor quaked violently. Magna stumbled as the terrain shifted beneath his feet.
Imperial lunged again.
Another clash. Sparks exploded from each collision. The force of their strikes made the arena tremble.
"Fire Phoenix!" Magna shouted.
A flaming bird burst from his axes and struck Imperial point-blank.
BOOOOOM!
Imperial was blown back. Smoke filled the air. The crowd was on their feet.
But—
He stood.
Breathing heavy.
He blinked.
His injured arm... was healing?
A dark, pulsing aura began to flicker around him.
"What…?" he muttered.
Magna laughed. "Getting careless, royal boy?"
He charged again, flame dancing wildly around his weapons.
Imperial gripped his sword tighter. "No more holding back."
They sprinted toward each other—
FWOOSH!
They passed each other in a blur, weapons slicing through the air.
Then—
They stopped.
Back to back.
Both breathing hard, blood on their faces, clothes torn, shoulders heaving with exhaustion.
Fatigued.
Battle-worn.
But unyielding.
And the crowd held its breath.