Round 3 had begun, and the atmosphere was buzzing with energy. People shouted and clapped, eager to see who would move forward to the quarter-finals.
Lila stood in the arena, facing her opponent. He was a tall and lean young man, with short black hair and sharp green eyes. His sword was thin, almost like a needle, designed for speed and precision. He wore light armor that allowed him to move quickly. Unlike most fighters, he didn't have any element affinity. Instead, he used his magic to coat his sword and his body, strengthening both his attacks and defense. A faint shimmer of magical energy surrounded him, almost invisible but definitely present.
The referee raised his hand. "Begin!"
The swordsman dashed forward, his sword moving like a flash of light. Lila quickly blocked the strike, feeling the power behind his thin blade. It was light, but very sharp. She pushed him back with a burst of water from her sword, forcing him to jump away. He didn't waste time. He moved around her like the wind, slashing and poking with rapid thrusts. Lila stayed calm, using her water magic to create a slick surface under his feet. He slipped slightly, and that was the moment she needed. She slashed forward, her sword covered in flames. The fire made the air around her hot, and as she attacked, her opponent was forced to shield himself with even more magic. Still, he was skilled. He countered her attacks with fast movements, dodging and blocking, but Lila was faster this time. She mixed her fire and water elements, confusing him with sudden changes — sometimes a hot burst, sometimes a quick flow of water.
After a few exchanges, Lila found an opening. She dashed in, used a water blade to knock his sword away, and placed her sword gently on his shoulder. "Match over! Winner: Lila!"
The crowd exploded with cheers.
Sera ran up to her after the match and gave her a big hug. "You were amazing!" Lila laughed, feeling a warm happiness in her chest. "Thanks! We're still in this together." They grabbed some food and sat by the arena, celebrating with a few sweets they had bought earlier. They laughed, talked about their matches, and cheered for the other fights.
Soon, it was time for the quarter-finals.
---
Sera stepped into the arena for her match. Her opponent was a dogman , a humanoid with the head and tail of a wolf-like dog, and a muscular body. His clothes were rugged, looking like he had stitched them himself from hides and cloth. His sword was wide and chipped, but it looked dangerous in his strong hands.
His name was Barkon, and he had grown up in the wild. Even though he was a rookie, his movements were sharp and filled with experience. The moment the match began, Barkon dashed at Sera with incredible speed. His nose twitched as he tracked her every move.
Sera tried to create walls of vines to slow him down, but Barkon sliced through them with ease. His wild instincts made him hard to predict. Every time she attacked, he dodged at the last second, his sharp nose warning him before the danger even reached. Sera fought bravely, sending out thorns, roots, and sharp leaves, but Barkon was always one step ahead. His movements were rough but clever, like a wild animal that had learned to survive.
Finally, Barkon closed the distance and knocked Sera's staff away with a powerful strike. Before she could summon more magic, Barkon pointed his sword at her neck.
"Match over! Winner: Barkon!"
Sera walked off the field with a tired smile. Lila rushed to meet her. "I'm sorry, Sera," Lila said, feeling bad. But Sera shook her head. "It's okay, Lila. I fought my best. I learned a lot during this tournament. I feel like I've grown stronger." Lila smiled at her friend, proud of her. "You were amazing."
The semi-final draws were made soon after. Since it was already evening, the officials announced that the semi-finals would be held tomorrow morning. Everyone was told to rest and prepare for the big day. As people started to leave, Lila found Zora waiting for her near the entrance.
He smiled warmly but also looked a little worried. "You've grown a lot, Lila," he said. "I'm proud of you." "Thanks, Dad," she said, feeling her heart warm at his words. "But," he added seriously, "be careful. I know you're strong, but don't get reckless. Winning is important, but staying safe matters more." Lila nodded. "I understand. I'll be careful." Zora ruffled her hair gently. "Good. Now go rest. Tomorrow will be a big day."
That night, Lila slept peacefully. She was excited but also calm. She dreamed of fighting strong opponents and growing even stronger herself.
---
When morning came, the sun rose brightly over the city. The stadium filled up once again with excited crowds. Flags waved, vendors shouted, and the whole city seemed alive with energy.
It was finally time for the semi-finals.
Lila walked to the battlefield, feeling her heartbeat steady. Across from her stood her opponent — an elf named Yuno.
Yuno was tall and slim, with shimmering blue eyes and pale skin. His long silver hair floated lightly as if the air itself carried it. Around him, the wind swirled gently, giving him a majestic and calm aura. His presence was almost magical, and many in the crowd gasped when they saw him. Yuno held a slender sword, and his movements were graceful even before the fight started. He looked at Lila with a small, polite smile.
The referee raised his hand. The crowd cheered loudly, excited to see the battle between Lila and Yuno. The match was about to begin.