Velmora Academy stood regal under a sky of molten blue, its arcane towers shimmering with morning light. Beneath it, within the hallowed Combat Arena carved from ancient blackstone, the atmosphere was alive with electricity—not of element, but of spirit. Today was no ordinary day. Today began the internal tournament to determine the ten champions of Class A and Class S. Whispers of rivalry stirred like wind in a canyon. For all the bloodlines, legends, and fearsome reputations—none had ever forgotten what was at stake.
The coliseum was packed—students, instructors, familiars, and observers seated in the high stone bleachers. The dome above shimmered with magical wards, prepared to contain any chaos that would erupt within.
A wave of hush fell as Master Rhelgar stepped onto the floating disc at the center of the arena. His gaze swept across the battleground, sharp and absolute. He raised his staff and struck the platform once.
BOOM.
"Velmora," he began, his voice steady and ageless, "is more than an academy. It is the forge of power, legacy, and will. Today, twenty will rise—but only ten from each class will stand victorious."
The crowd burst into a roar.
He turned to her left. "Class A, present your champions!"
From a glowing silver gate, ten figures emerged in succession:
1. Cassian Veyne – His black coat rippled as he stepped out, silver eyes calm. His ability: Mimicry. He could copy and store up to nine abilities at once, each vanishing after 24 hours. Dangerous not because he had a power—but because he could master yours.
2. Kenneth Prince – Shadow-wrapped and silent, his presence bent the air. Fire, ice, and lightning burned within him. Blood mastery coursed through his veins. A boy forged in pain, walking with calm menace.
3. Zarek Volen – Crackling with barely restrained energy, lightning danced between his fingers. The air smelled of ozone and defiance. His most recent hunt had awakened stormflight—the power of wind propulsion and skywalking.
4. Kael Drayven – The technopath prodigy, always adjusting his glowing gauntlets. Sparks of code and weapon schematics floated around him in projections. He didn't just use tech—he was tech.
5. Garrik Voss – Iron muscles, skin like carved bronze. Ironhide. Not invulnerable, but close. His strength could topple vehicles, and he fought like a tactician in a brawler's body.
6. Lira Voss – Phantom Limb. Her invisible psychic arms struck like serpents—precision and speed unmatched. Where her brother was brawn, she was finesse.
7. Darien Kross – Kinetic Redirection. Push him, shoot him, punch him—he returned it tenfold. His body absorbed kinetic force and repurposed it with lethal creativity.
8. Elara Thorne – Sonic Resonance. Her voice controlled sound, allowing her to shatter stone or vibrate molecules until they tore apart. Dangerous in a whisper, devastating in a scream.
9. Rook Blademane – Spectral Weapons. His conjured ghostly blades took form as energy constructs—each blade with different enhancements: acid, paralysis, flame.
10. Mira Song – Chrono-Slip. She manipulated her own perception of time, allowing short bursts of time-hopping—appearing where she had been moments ago or where she should've been.
"Class A," Master Rhelga declared, "prepare."
Then she turned to the opposite gate. A deep hum filled the air.
"Class S. Show yourselves."
First through the gate was the one who had never been defeated. The pride of Velmora.
1. Aeron Vale – Foresight. Teleportation. Super strength. He moved like water but struck like thunder. With foresight granting him a 30-second window into the future, he saw the battlefield before it began. His teleportation made him untouchable. His calm gaze met Kenneth's—and held it.
2. Selene Rimehart – Iceborn. Her breath could still wind, and her touch could freeze steel. Her control over temperature went beyond aesthetics—she was a walking blizzard.
3. Jaxon Pyre – A master swordsman with eyes like cut sapphire. His sword, Windcleaver, was said to be unbreakable. Any ability that touched the blade was nullified instantly. He hailed from a long line of swordmasters and controlled wind, using it to slice, fly, and evade.
4. Vael Corros – A water manipulator. Not just control, but density manipulation. He could drown someone in vapor or pierce with water needles. Calm, deadly, fluid.
5. Xen Karr – Invisibility. True invisibility. Not light bending or cloaking, but utter sensory erasure. Even abilities struggled to detect him unless he wanted them to.
6. Lyss Emberveil – Master of Mind Illusions. She could implant false visuals, sounds, and memories. In battle, her illusions made her foes fight phantoms or stab allies.
7. Kale Vorn – Super speed and regeneration. His body healed as fast as it moved, making him relentless. A single misstep against him was fatal.
8. Rowan Thornwight – Sound Wave Manipulation.
She manipulates frequencies and sound vibrations—able to emit deafening pulses, disorient enemies, or shatter materials. Her combat is rhythm-based, weaving voice, footwork, and tremors in harmony.
9. Vel Enrai – Force Field Generator. She projected barriers that deflected attacks, encased allies, or exploded outward in waves of kinetic backlash.
10. Nyx Drelmor – A former street duelist who awakened the power of Magnetic Disruption—manipulating the magnetic fields of metals and electronics, allowing her to stop bullets midair or collapse entire tech suits.
As the crowd erupted into roars and whispered bets, Master Rhelga raised her staff again.
"These are your champions. Tomorrow, the duels begin. Ten from each class will rise—but all must fight. The path forward is not earned by name or fear, but by will."
Aeron's eyes flicked to Kenneth again.