The day of the tournament had finally arrived. The Training Grounds trembled with the roaring voices of an excited crowd. From the stands, students cheered passionately for their classes, turning the atmosphere into something more like a grand festival than a school event.
Before the match began, their teacher approached the group. A proud smile played on his lips, his voice steady with conviction as he gave them his final words of encouragement:"Remember, you've worked hard to come this far. Today, you'll show not only your strength, but also your heart. To me, you are already the winners."
The children's eyes burned brighter with determination. As the teacher left, Selion's heart began to race. His chest swelled with both confidence and anticipation, unable to contain the storm inside him.
Then the first competitors were called onto the field. The moment they stepped forward, a thunderous cheer erupted from the audience, loud enough to shake the air. One side of the stands cheered for Class 1/A, while the other roared for Class 1/B. The tension between the two halves felt like a string drawn taut, ready to snap.
The school principal, Gareth, walked into the arena to act as announcer. His deep voice boomed over the crowd:"Ladies and gentlemen! Today, we witness a grand contest. From Class 1/B… Lunaa! And opposing her, from Class 1/A… Hex!"
The audience rose to their feet, chants and cries rolling through the air in waves.
The two students faced one another at the center of the field. With a respectful bow, Hex greeted his opponent. Luna returned the gesture with equal grace before drawing the gleaming blade from her side. Under the light, the steel shimmered with a cold, intimidating brilliance.
Principal Gareth raised his hand and declared:"Begin!"
Hex wasted no time. He shouted his spell with fierce resolve:"Body of Earth!"
Instantly, his frame was enveloped in a hardened shell of stone. With explosive force, he charged forward and threw a heavy punch at Luna. Yet she calmly lifted her sword, blocking the blow with ease.
Unfazed, Hex unleashed a flurry of strikes. Dust rose around them as his relentless barrage echoed through the arena, the crowd roaring in excitement.
But Luna did not move an inch. Like an unshaken statue, she deflected every attack with smooth, measured motions. Hex's breath grew heavy, his strength fading with each wasted strike. At last, realizing his energy was slipping away, he pulled back.
Luna's eyes glimmered with a faint trace of boredom. To her, this was nothing more than a tiresome game. Tightening her grip on her sword, she stepped forward with a cold determination—as though to say, It's time to end this.
Hex, refusing to give in, quickly called upon his spell again:"Body of Earth!"
Once more, stone encased his body. But Luna was already upon him, her steps echoing with the force of a gathering storm. In a single, devastating swing, her blade crashed down. The earthen armor shattered instantly, fragments scattering like broken glass.
Before Hex could even comprehend what had happened, Luna closed the distance. With swift precision, she struck his neck with the hilt of her sword. His vision darkened, his body staggered, and he collapsed unconscious onto the ground.
For a heartbeat, the arena fell silent. Then, Gareth's commanding voice rang out across the field:"Victor! Luna of Class 1/B!"
The crowd erupted into thunderous applause, their cheers soaring high into the sky. The first match was over—yet the flames of the tournament had only just begun to burn.