The coliseum had fallen into an uproar.
Mason Grace stood face to face with Caleb, his father's katana firmly held in his right hand.
Caleb stared at him with an expression of disgust.
"Keeping my eyes on you alone disgust me. he muttered. "Let's end this quickly so I can move on to the next round."
He stretched his right hand forward.
Almost immediately, the surrounding air began to tremble as red flames gathered towards his palm. The flames entered from every direction, gradually forming a circular mass above his hand.
Mason lowered his body slightly, adjusting his stance.
"In terms of physical strength, I should have the advantage."
His eyes remained fixed on Caleb.
"He's royalty. I doubt he relies as much on physical strength as he does on magic and spiritual energy."
He tightened his grip around his father's blade.
This might be my only opportunity. If I can close the distance before he releases that magic, I might be able to overwhelm him.
Around the coliseum, spectators continued whispering.
Some were still discussing Caleb earlier performance, while others had already made up their minds about the outcome.
"Yeah! Finish him!"
"Who's the boss here? Show him!"
Caleb's lips curled into a smirk.
"All right, then, peasant."
His eyes narrowed.
"Time for you to go!"
But Before Mason could make his move, Caleb thrust his hand forward.
A massive wave of red flames erupted from his palm, rushing towards Mason.
Mason's eyes widened.
"What?!"
The attack was extraordinarily fast.
So fast!
He barely had time to process what was happening.
He couldn't even see it properly. Is that speed even possible?
The flames approached rapidly.
"No... No, this can't happen."
His thoughts began racing.
I can't lose here. I haven't even entered the academy yet.
Images of his past flashed through his mind.
If I lose now, everything I've worked for... everything I've dreamed of achieving...
His grip tightened.
Rohan won't be happy. My sisters won't be happy. Mother...
His breathing became uneven.
Father won't be happy either.
He remembered the promises he had made.
Everything I promised them would be meaningless.
For a brief moment, everything seemed to slow down.
Then, a faint feminine voice echoed faintly inside his head.
"Slash it."
Before Mason could react, the flames completely surrounded him.
A gigantic formation of spinning fire rose into the air, forming a towering tornado around his position.
The flames rotated violently, their intense heat spreading throughout the battlefield.
From the outside, Mason was nowhere to be seen.
Caleb stood with his hand extended.
Slowly, he began closing his fingers.
The enormous formation of flames started contracting.
As Caleb gradually squeezed his hand, the spinning fire decreased in size, drawing closer and closer towards Mason.
His intention was clear.
He wanted the flames to compress around Mason until they completely engulfed him.
"Flame Magic..."
Janelle eyes widened.
She watched as Caleb continued controlling the formation.
Some spectators rose from their seats.
"Yeah! Finish him!"
"Don't let him escape!"
The Great Elder remained seated, watching the battlefield.
"That was quick."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Mason... you can't go out like this."
The other Lords continued observing.
At that moment, a memory suddenly surfaced in the Great Elder's mind.
It was a conversation he had once shared with Chad Grace inside his office.
The scene shifted.
Chad stood before the Great Elder, discussing Mason's future and the possibility of him joining the academy.
"There's something about my son," Chad had said.
The Great Elder looked at him.
"What do you mean?"
Chad remained silent for a moment before answering.
"His determination is undeniable. But I believe there's something beyond that."
He looked towards the window.
"Something I cannot comprehend."
The Great Elder listened carefully.
"Sometimes, I wonder whether fate deliberately placed him in those circumstances. Whether there is something within him that even he hasn't discovered."
Chad paused.
"I don't know what it is, and I don't know how it will manifest. But I'm certain that Mason is capable of something extraordinary. Something that could surprise even me."
His expression became serious.
"That's why I want him to join the academy. I want him to have the opportunity to pursue his ambitions and discover what he's truly capable of."
Chad looked directly at the Great Elder.
"I only hope he gets that opportunity."
The memory faded.
Back in the present, the Great Elder slowly extended his hand towards the battlefield.
His eyes remained fixed on the enormous formation of flames.
"Mason..."
His expression became serious.
"Prove it."
The other Lords noticed his unusual reaction.
"Great Elder?" Ackman called.
Kelvin glanced towards him.
"What's going on?"
Bruno remained silent, observing the Great Elder's expression.
The Great Elder continued watching.
"Prove to me that your father was right for bringing you here."
His fingers tightened slightly.
"Don't let his death be in vain."
Inside the flames, something happened.
A sudden flash of light appeared.
SHING!
A blade slashed upwards from beneath the fiery formation.
In a single motion, the entire spinning tornado split apart.
The flames separated violently before disappearing into the surrounding air.
A tremendous gust of wind erupted from Mason's position.
The force spread throughout the coliseum, sweeping across the battlefield and rushing towards the protective barrier surrounding the spectators.
CRAAACK!
The barrier scattered and then vanished.
It disappeared completely.
The powerful gust continued spreading, sending hair flying and forcing several spectators to shield their faces. Some hurriedly held down their skirts while others struggled to keep their balance.
The entire coliseum fell silent.
"What...?"
"Did you see that?"
The Great Elder's eyes widened.
Ackman looked stunned.
Kelvin's expression changed.
Even Nerissa, who had maintained her composure throughout the match, couldn't hide her surprise.
Bruno remained standing, but his eyes were fixed on Mason.
Duke watched without saying a word.
His expression barely changed, yet even he hadn't expected what he had just witnessed.
Among the apprentices, Janelle stared at the battlefield in disbelief.
"What did he just do?"
Her eyes followed the remaining traces of wind.
"Did he just destroy Caleb's magic with a single slash?"
Whispers began spreading throughout the coliseum.
"Is that witchcraft?"
"That boy is using witchcraft!"
"He's a witch!"
"How is that even possible?"
Others disagreed.
"No, that isn't witchcraft magic!"
But the rumours continued.
Mason stood in the middle of the battlefield.
Some portions of his uniform had been burned away, and his body was covered in the effects of the intense heat.
He exhaled.
"Hey, you."
His eyes shifted towards Caleb.
"You better watch where you're throwing those flames. Someone could have gotten hurt."
Janelle's eyes widened further.
"What did he do to Caleb's magic?"
Her expression became thoughtful.
This boy... he's truly unique.
Caleb stood motionless.
His eyes were fixed on his hand.
What just happened to my magic?
He couldn't understand it.
But Mason wasn't going to give him time to think.
Without warning, Mason rushed forward.
His katana remained firmly in his right hand.
Caleb's eyes widened slightly.
"He's coming!"
Mason closed the distance and swung his blade towards Caleb's head.
Caleb quickly ducked.
Before he could recover, Mason reversed his grip slightly and brought the handle of his katana down towards him.
Caleb twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the strike before launching a kick towards Mason's face.
Mason raised his katana horizontally.
CLANG!
Caleb's leg collided with the blade.
The flames surrounding his leg began to decrease.
Within moments, they disappeared.
Mason pushed his opponent's leg away and immediately followed with another attack.
He stepped forward, delivering several consecutive slashes.
Caleb dodged the first.
Then the second.
And the third.
Although he was still trying to understand what had happened to his magic, his movements remained sharp.
Mason noticed his hesitation.
Now!
He accelerated, attempting to exploit the opening.
Caleb suddenly regained his concentration and threw a punch.
Mason shifted backwards, narrowly avoiding the attack.
Caleb followed with another kick.
Mason blocked it with his forearms, sliding backwards across the battlefield.
"You bastard!"
Caleb's expression twisted.
He jumped upwards.
This time, blue flames erupted around his left leg.
The temperature across the battlefield increased.
Caleb raised his leg before bringing it down with tremendous force.
A massive eruption of blue flames surged upwards.
Mason's eyes widened.
Damn it! That's enormous!
He immediately raised his father's katana.
Caleb's flaming leg struck the blade.
The blue flames intensified momentarily before beginning to decrease.
Mason pushed Caleb away with the flat side of his blade.
Caleb landed on the ground and immediately launched another kick.
Mason narrowly dodged it.
Caleb extended his leg again, attempting to catch him off guard.
Mason raised his katana to block the incoming attack.
The impact pushed him backwards.
"What do you think you are?!"
Caleb glared at him.
"What did you do to my magic?!"
Mason didn't answer.
He simply repositioned his katana, holding it firmly in his right hand.
For a brief moment, the battlefield became quiet.
Then the Great Elder's expression changed.
A small smile appeared on his face.
He lowered his head slightly.
I really don't know how to process what just happened.
He chuckled.
But I'm starting to like it.
Then the heroic music accompanying the battle intensified.
Mason watched Caleb carefully.
It seems I'm getting the upper hand, even if it's only slightly.
His eyes narrowed.
I can't afford to let this opportunity slip away. I just have to keep pressuring him.
Caleb clenched his fists.
"You did what to my magic?"
His expression darkened.
"I don't know what you did, but are you trying to make me look weak?"
Before Mason could respond, blue flames suddenly erupted around Caleb's legs.
His shoes began burning away, leaving his feet exposed as the flames continued gathering around them.
His expression changed completely.
"You're going to pay for this!"
He leaned forward.
"YOU'LL PAY!"
In the next instant, Caleb disappeared from Mason's immediate field of vision.
Mason's eyes widened.
What?!
Caleb appeared beside him.
RAGE!
BOOM!
A powerful kick struck Mason directly, sending him flying across the battlefield.
"MASON!"
Janelle gasped.
Before Mason could properly recover, Caleb was already closing the gap between him again.
A punch came rushing towards his face.
Mason reacted just in time, raising his katana to intercept it.
CLANG!
The impact pushed him backwards.
He struggled to regain his balance, using his father's blade to slow his momentum.
His feet dragged across the ground before he finally stopped.
He coughed.
blood escaped his mouth.
What the hell just happened?
Caleb stood a short distance away, blue flames gathering around his feet.
"Let's see how strong you really are."
He jumped into the air, twisting his body sideways.
His legs engulfed blue flames.
Then he launched another attack.
Mason tightened his grip around his katana.
As the incoming flames rushed towards him, he brought his blade down in a powerful slash.
SHING!
The attack split into two, passing on either side of him before disappearing.
He's fast!
Mason barely had time to recover.
Caleb was already moving.
A series of kicks and punches came rushing towards him.
Mason tried to parry the attacks with his katana.
Block.
Parry.
Dodge.
Block!
But Caleb's speed continued increasing.
Several attacks connected with Mason's body.
He struggled to maintain his footing.
Damn it!
Another punch came straight towards his face.
Mason ducked.
Caleb immediately raised his leg, attempting to bring it down on him.
Mason shifted sideways, narrowly avoiding the attack.
He swung his katana towards Caleb.
But Caleb anticipated the movement.
He struck Mason's foot, throwing him off balance.
Mason stumbled.
Caleb seized the opportunity and threw another punch.
Mason raised his katana just in time.
BOOM!
The impact sent him several feet backwards.
He finally regained his footing.
But the damage from the previous attacks was beginning to catch up with him.
He coughed again.
Damn it...
His breathing became heavier.
I don't know how much longer I can last in this fight.
Caleb stood before him.
"What's wrong?"
He smirked.
"Can't keep up, peasant?"
Mason remained silent.
He was breathing heavily, his body showing the effects of the battle.
Janelle watched with growing concern.
Is he going to lose?
Duke Mighty continued observing.
The Great Elder leaned slightly forward.
Come on, Mason.
Riven, who had been watching the battle with interest, crossed his arms.
This Mason boy has some balls. I'll give him that.
His eyes narrowed.
But let's see if he's capable of lasting much longer.
Suddenly, a voice rose from the spectators.
"FINISH HIM!"
Several people turned towards the direction of the voice.
Then another joined.
"Finish him!"
"FINISH HIM!"
Within moments, the chant spread throughout the coliseum.
"FINISH HIM! FINISH HIM! FINISH HIM!"
Even some of the apprentices joined in.
The established Scouts watched from their positions, following the instructions they had been given to observe the tournament without making any rash decisions.
Mason slowly attempted to straighten his body.
Caleb stretched his left hand forward.
"All right."
He glanced towards the audience.
"The crowd wants you finished."
A smirk appeared on his face.
"And they'll get exactly that."
A familiar circular formation of flames began gathering above his palm.
This time, however, the flames were blue.
The atmosphere changed.
The music that had accompanied the battle suddenly shifted into something faster and more intense.
Mason lowered his head.
Damn you...
He tried to straighten his body.
Come on, you stupid body!
His fingers tightened around the handle of his father's katana.
Get up!
He looked towards Caleb's gathering flames.
I can't afford to lose.
His breathing was uneven.
If I lose now, everything I've ever dreamed of achieving will be crushed.
He slowly forced himself upright.
This is what determines my future.
His legs trembled slightly.
I can't let them down.
He remembered his father.
His mother.
Becca.
Gem.
His sisters
Rohan.
I can't let any of you down.
He finally managed to stand upright, although his body remained slightly bent forward.
I promised you all.
His grip tightened further.
I promised that I would become the Great Elder.
He raised his head.
I will go beyond my limitations right here, right now. I'll get into this academy.
His eyes remained fixed on Caleb.
And when the time comes...
His expression hardened.
I will become the Great Elder of my era!
Caleb smirked.
"Be gone, peasant!"
He completed the circular formation of blue flames.
But instead of releasing it as a conventional blast, he raised his leg and kicked the enormous mass of blue fire towards Mason.
The attack rushed across the battlefield.
Mason stood motionless.
His brown hair covered part of his face.
He tightened his right hand around his father's katana.
Here it comes.
He slowly adjusted his stance, positioning himself as though preparing to cut through the incoming attack.
His breathing steadied.
He inhaled.
Then exhaled.
The blue flames approached.
And Mason remained standing.
To be continued.