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I have no stockpile, so I post as I write. I will start making one soon. Two chapters coming today.
1/2
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After Max's victory, the crowd erupted in applause, their cheers echoing through the grand arena. Yet, amongst the noise and excitement, Andrew remained quiet. His gaze was fixed on Max, a hint of surprise and admiration hidden in his eyes. No words were necessary; his silence spoke volumes.
"Max! How did you reach the third stage so quickly?" Oliver excitedly rushed over, his eyes shining with awe and anticipation for an answer.
Max smiled, brushing off the dust on his clothes. "You know me, Oliver. I like to surprise."
The matches for the day concluded, and a week-long break was announced before the commencement of Round Robin giving Max some much-needed time to recuperate and prepare for the upcoming challenges.
During that week, the academy was buzzing with excitement. The revelation of Max's true power had ignited curiosity and anticipation among the students. The week-long break before the commencement of the Round Robin was filled with chatter about the forthcoming matches, strategies, and potential outcomes. Students grouped together, speculating about the fighters, their eyes glowing with the thrill of the upcoming battles.
The academy, usually calm and tranquil, had a lively atmosphere. The sound of chatter echoed in the hallways, the training grounds were occupied at all hours, and even the usually empty libraries were filled with students trying to gain an edge in the upcoming battles. The air was charged with a mix of anxiety, excitement, and fierce competition, the emotions fueling the preparations of the remaining fighters.
Max, on the other hand, used this time to rest and regain his strength. The previous matches had taken a toll on his body. His injuries needed time to heal, and his energy required replenishing. Besides physical rest, Max also spent time meditating, focusing his mind, and fine-tuning his control over his light and wind elements.
He also spent time reflecting on his previous battles, identifying areas where he could improve. Max knew that the upcoming matches were going to be even more challenging, and he needed to be at his best. His quiet determination and hard work were evident to everyone around him, further enhancing his reputation among his peers.
Meanwhile, the remaining fighters in the top 8 were also preparing for the battles ahead. Each had their unique style and strengths, making the competition incredibly diverse and unpredictable.
The excitement was in the air when the day of the quarterfinals arrived. The top 8 fighters were set to showcase their prowess, and the spectators couldn't wait for the action to begin.
Standing on the stage was the MC for the day, a charismatic fourth-year student known for his engaging commentary. He introduced the remaining contenders, beginning with the top three most likely to win, each receiving loud cheers from the crowd, they were: Alaric, Giselle, and Zephyr.
Then, Max was called up, his recent revelation still fresh in everyone's mind. His entrance was met with a thunderous applause and awe-inspired whispers from the first-year students who started treating him like an idol because of his astronomic rise in strength. Even those nobles who were trying to bully him and showcase their status were quietly cheering for him, wanting him to bring glory to their class.
Following Max were four other formidable opponents. First was Wendy, an enchanting third-year student, known for her excellent manipulation of wind element. She made in onto the arena with grace and lightness, seemingly like a feather.
Second was Edmund, a towering fourth-year student, a peak third stage knight. His robust armor and versatile attacks were an intimidating sight on the battlefield.
The third was Astrid, a dual peak second stage awakener. Her magic in earth element worked wonders with her weapon of choice, a whip.
Last was Cassius, a third-year student with a unique control over sound magic. His ability to manipulate sound waves not only disrupted his opponent's concentration but also made his attacks unpredictable and disorientating. This was a derivative magic that could only be awakened and not sought after. It utilizes a wind element allowing his sound and spells to travel farther distances.
Each of these individuals was a force to be reckoned with, their unique skills and strengths setting them apart from the ordinary. As the MC finished the introductions, the anticipation in the grand arena reached a fever pitch. The quarterfinals were set to be a showcase of the extraordinary talents cultivated within the academy walls.
Rules were simple:
Each individual will fight all other competitors and the person with the most wins will be a winner. In case of a tie, the individual who had a tie, would fight an additional battle against each other to determine a winner.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, students and teachers. Welcome to the Annual Adrian City's Junior Academy Tournament. This year the competition is fierce. The students who are competing today are the best of the best we have had, with a freshman joining the ranks.
Today you will witness firsthand, the challenging fights, the unbreakable resolve, and commitment to becoming the best. Please welcome, the first fighters. Alaric and Astrid!" Welcomed and announced the MC, doing his job so well, that most people wouldn't think he was a student at the academy, and therefore under 10 years old.
The first match of the round robin began with a clash between Alaric and Astrid. The crowd watched with bated breath as the immovable mountain clashed with the dazzling light, setting the tone for the extraordinary battles to come.
As Alaric and Astrid stepped into the center of the grand arena, an electrifying silence fell over the spectators. Both fighters were earth mages, but Alaric was levels beyond in power and control.
The battle started off with Alaric taking the offensive. His manipulation of earth clashed against Astrid's solid defenses, creating collisions explosions heard throughout the arena. Astrid, on the other hand, used her whip efficiently, lashing out against Alaric's attacks. Unfortunately for her, Alaric's defenses were airtight, completely ignoring any hits he received from Astrid's whim.
The fight was intense, the audience gasping at every attack, and applauding at every successful defense. Despite the fierce competition, Alaric's experience and the greater control over his element helped him land the winning blow. After an intense 7-minute match, Alaric stood victorious.
Following the opening match, the fights continued at a rapid pace. Giselle, a fourth-year student with an exceptional grasp over ice magic, went up against Edmund. Lady Giselle's fluid attacks combined with her agility gave her an edge, allowing her to dodge Edmund's fast-paced heavy attacks, securing a win in the end by trapping him in the ice.
Meanwhile, other matches took place. Cassius faced Zephyr, a student with an unknown number of elemental affinities. The instant the fight started, Cassius screamed on top of his lungs, but no sound came out.
The image of him standing in the middle of the arena and appearing to be screaming was memorable, as not many people understood what was happening, yet the next instant, many understood, as after Cassius screamed, Zephyr who was already rushing at him has suddenly stopped and fell on one knee.
"Wow, Wow, Wow! Cassius used his sound magic to scream at an extremely high frequency directing it at Zephyr, who suffered all of the attack. This looks very unfavorable for Zephyr, if he cannot come up with anything, he would be forced to concede, or risk suffering from a hearing loss." Announced the commentator, who received the news from a teacher.
As Zephyr struggled to rise, the crowd held their breath. Clearly, Cassius's sound attack had been potent, leaving him disoriented. But Zephyr was a top contender for a reason. His eyes hardened, and with a quick spell, he enveloped Cassius in a bubble of water.
The bubble created a disorientating environment for Cassius, muffling the sound of the crowd and altering his perspective of the battlefield. He tried to maintain his focus, preparing to emit a potent sound wave to shatter the bubble.
But before he could, Zephyr acted. Using his earth magic, he shaped a spear from the ground beneath him and hurled it towards Cassius, catching him off-guard. The bubble of water magnified the sight of the incoming spear, causing Cassius to panic. Before he could react, the spear struck him, its non-lethal side knocking him out cold.
"AND THE WINNER IS ZEPHYR! I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE WHAT ELSE HE HAS IN STORE FOR US." Screamed the MC as loud as he could.
The crowd gasped, then erupted into cheers. Zephyr, visibly exhausted, managed a small smile as the announcer declared him the winner. His victory was a testament to his quick thinking and adaptability, overcoming Cassius's sound attack with a combination of water and earth magic.