With the start of the tournament, everyone was getting rowdy. People cheered on as the first two participants walked in. Even though it was the first match, the whole arena was packed, every seat was filled up, and even had people trying to watch in any way possible. Quite a few people with skills that include flight were watching from a safe distance, too. Banners flew everywhere as fans held signs and chants filled the arena, a handful of them for Stella.
This was Hani's first tournament, and she was already feeling the wild atmosphere. She felt nervous just watching the two participants walk into the arena.
"First up, we have our first two contestants, A-rank Park Minjae VS A-rank Chris Bennet."
It was a nice start to the tournament as they were both A rank, it was not going to be a one-sided fight, everyone thought they were up for a good show.
The flag was swung to indicate the start of the battle. Minjae, who is a well-known magic swordsman, was against Chris, a divine knight. With both of them sharing a skill that involved swords, the crowd was intense. Drawing their swords, they both ran towards each other, and the anticipation of an all-out battle was rising. But with one strike, Chris was defeated. His sword was pushed back with the immense force from Minjae, causing Chris to lose his grip as it went flying against the barrier. Clearly, this showed how divine power had a disadvantage. Since it was divine power, when facing someone who was not a dark user, the power was not that strong.
Still, the flag swung towards Minjae's side, indicating he had won, and the crowd cheered nonetheless. Even with the disadvantage of divine power, Chris still had skill, but Minjae was able to strike him down in one shot, which just showed how powerful he was. Even within the same rank, the difference in strength was vast.
"That kid has serious skills. I guess your school's really got all types of monsters." Ivory whistled as she watched Minjae walk off nonchalantly. Chris, who was defeated in an embarrassing manner, kept his cool as he smiled, reassuring everyone he was fine as he got help from the stage, his hand still shaking from the strike.
"Damn, he must be really level-headed not to get angry. If I were the one who lost, I would be having a fit!" Hani said, complimenting his composure.
After watching multiple different people fight, Hani was hooked. She analysed every person and thought of ways she could counter them if she were up there. Ivory watched Hani, whose eyes were deep in thought after every match. This girl is either foolish or extraordinary. I guess I will find out when it's her turn. I should visit the Wang's soon too...
After a few hours of watching, the next person was someone Hani was familiar with. It was Rowan Merrick, an A-rank mage from her class. He was a very quiet person who did not bother talking to anyone. He was a cold and distant person, even towards Stella and Leo. His opponent was also an A-rank mage from another class. Ivory, who was a mage herself, was getting focused in this match, since it was the first double A-rank mage battle today.
The flag was swung, the battle started, and instantly, the opponent was firing chains towards Rowan, his speciality. The chain wrapped around Rowan's arm and leg as the opponent then sent out blazing fire through it, travelling towards Rowan. They thought the match was over, Rowan was defeated, but just as it was about to reach Rowan's body, it vanished. Shock filled everyone's eyes, and they were confused about what was going on. Then, ice crystals were being formed around Rowan as he turned them into floating shards. Since Rowen only had a certain amount of magic capacity, there was only so much ice he could form, so he had split it into multiple small shards. With an immense thrust of wind magic, all of them shot towards the opponent. Every single shard containing tremendous force, it shattered the chains and went through the opponent's defence as it pierced through his body, making sure he avoided the vital parts. The round had finished. Rowan had won. The flag was waved on Rowan's side, indicating this.
The opponent was quickly carried away, being the first major casualty in this tournament, but Rowan stepped out of the arena without a care.
Seeing this, Hani was still confused about how the magic was cancelled as she turned around to Ivory to ask, she saw her getting excited.
"Hani, do you know that kid?" Ivory asked with a grin.
"Sort of, he is a kid in our class, but I never talked to him before," Hani replied, unsure why she was interested.
"Good, introduce him to me, Hani. That kid is interesting... I could work with that kid." Ivory grinning at the thought of getting her hands on him.
"Um.. Miss Ivory. What happened to those flames? Did his opponent mess up?" Hani asked, trying to rack her brain, "Also, that ice shard magic is it not the same type you taught me?"
"Yes, it's the same type. That kid is smart, but still a kid. It was a bit of a wasteful spell, but great for the eyes. But at this instance, he could afford to do it cause he has a special ability." Ivory crossed her legs and arms as she leaned back on the chair, turning her head towards Hani, "He has the ability to cancel magic."
Hani was shocked to know such an ability exists, her mouth wide open at this new knowledge, she could not believe this. What? That man has the ultimate cheat code! Cancel magic? Does that not make magic useless against him?
Hani tried to find a way to counter this, but she could not. Since Hani used magic in her fights to strengthen it, she could not think of a way to beat him unless it was with pure brute strength and skill, which she did not have. I hope I don't have to face him.
Hani bit her lip in frustration, and Ivory noticed this. "Don't worry, kid, there is a limit to everything. He is just an A-rank cause there are limitations, or he would have been an S-rank or above." Saying this, Hani calmed down a bit.
But once I get my hands on him, I can't promise he will stay an A-rank. You have some competition, Hani. Ivory thought, as she chuckled to herself.
It was now an hour before Hani's fight, and Emma made her way to where Hani was. "Ha—" She stopped midway through her word as she saw Ivory sitting next to her, "Miss Ivory?"
Hani looked at Ivory, "You know Emma?"
"Well, if it isn't my baby niece!" Ivory called out, smiling at Emma, "Don't you look cute! I need to take a picture of this special moment!"
Emma grew red in anger as Ivory started to take pictures. "Miss Ivory! I am not your niece anymore. You have already divorced my uncle!"
Hani sat there dumbfounded between them. I guess strong people really are attracted to strong people... Emma seems to have connections everywhere. I should ask her about this another time.
Closing in towards Hani's turn, they witnessed a lot of people with different abilities, some results as expected, and some shocking. There was even an engineer specialist C-rank who managed to beat an A-rank Duelist.
Then finally, the match before Hani's ended, and with a few minutes left before her battle started, she got up to get ready.
"Good luck, Hani!" Emma said, and gave her a thumbs up.
"Show them how it's done." Ivory smacked her in the back as she walked towards the arena.
"Thanks, you two!" Hani was excited, and one last person unexpectedly also cheered her on.
"Hani! Good luck!" Stella, who was on the big screen, shouted in front of everyone, which in turn made Hani flush in embarrassment as she became the centre of attention again.
Hands covering her face in embarrassment, she made her way to the arena.
All eyes were on her.