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2/2
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After a short break to clear the arena and tend to Cassius's injuries, it was time for Max to step up. The cheers from the crowd were deafening as Max took his place in the center of the arena. His opponent was Wendy, the third-year wind mage with an enchanting style.
The fight was hard-fought, with Wendy's wind magic proving to be formidable. She moved with an agility and grace that Max found difficult to match. Her wind blasts were unpredictable, coming from all directions, and Max found himself on the defensive.
But Max had a surprise of his own. As Wendy prepared for another flurry of wind blasts, Max suddenly stood still, and created a water coating all over his body, using the element as armor. Although it was not strong enough to resist the sharp and swift wind blades that were being thrown at him, it managed to decrease the damage that he was receiving.
With that Max used a wind element to increase his speed, as he sprinted towards Wendy, who was desperately casting a large amount of wind blades. As he came close to her, she tried to dodge and move away, but the punch landed, sending Wendy skidding backwards.
Max didn't press his advantage, instead choosing to create wind blades to intimidate her. Wendy slowly got up, a smile on her face as she conceded the match. "Well done, Max. You are full of surprises," she said, her voice echoing around the arena.
Following the match against Wendy, Max quietly retreated to the sidelines to recover his energy and prepare for the next fight. The rounds continued, with each of the competitors showcasing their unique abilities and strategies.
The moment that shocked everyone came when Alaric, an unyielding earth mage, fell to Cassius's sound magic. Alaric's usually impervious defenses seemed to falter under the disorientating sound waves, granting Cassius an unexpected but well-deserved victory. The crowd was left in stunned silence, only to erupt in uproarious applause a moment later. This was a reminder for all that no matter how strong a warrior might be, there was always a possibility of an upset.
With the end of the fourth round, the rankings had begun to take shape. Alaric's surprising defeat had dropped him down the standings, and the undefeated streaks of Max, Zephyr, and Giselle put them in a leading position.
As the fifth round started, Max was pitted against Astrid. Her earth magic and efficient use of the whip kept Max on his toes. However, Max's unique combination of wind and water elements granted him the advantage. After a grueling match, he emerged victorious.
Meanwhile, Giselle faced off against Wendy. Her mastery over ice magic, combined with her strategic mindset, allowed her to gain the upper hand and secure a win.
On the other hand, Zephyr had a challenging match against Edmund. Despite the robust armor and impressive strength of Edmund, Zephyr's versatility and ability to adapt secured him another victory, maintaining his undefeated streak.
With the tournament progressing as planned, the competitors grew increasingly fatigued, both physically and mentally, therefore the end of the fifth round marked the beginning of a well-deserved rest period for the competitors. The academy, understanding the physical toll these intense matches were taking on the students, provided healing potions. These magical concoctions had the power to mend minor injuries and restore vitality within just three hours. The fighters cherished this moment of respite, using the time to rejuvenate and strategize for the upcoming bouts.
When the time came for the sixth round, the crowd was eager to see the match-up between Max and Alaric. The memory of Alaric's earth-shaking abilities from previous rounds was still fresh in everyone's mind, just as was his unexpected loss to Cassius. On the other hand, Max's victory streak, backed by his proficient use of wind and water elements, had made him a crowd favorite.
Their match was intense, with Max's agility and quick wind-based attacks juxtaposing Alaric's sturdy earth defenses. It seemed like Alaric was holding his own, but Max cleverly used water magic to soften the ground around Alaric, throwing him off balance and gaining the upper hand. With Alaric momentarily disoriented, Max swooped in, using the wind to increase his speed, and landed a decisive blow. The crowd roared with excitement as Max stood victorious once again.
While Max was fighting Alaric, Zephyr faced off against Astrid. Despite her powerful earth magic and her mastery over the whip, Zephyr's speed and strategic use of his abilities secured him yet another win. His undefeated streak remained unbroken.
With a short interlude following the sixth round, the seventh round was set to begin, and all eyes were on the impending duel between Max and Giselle. They were the last of the top four who hadn't fought each other yet. Giselle, with her ice magic, had been an impressive competitor, but Max's victories were no less remarkable.
The battle between them was a spectacle. Giselle, with her strategic mind, created a series of ice barriers, hindering Max's movements. However, Max cleverly used his water magic to melt the barriers, diminishing Giselle's advantage. The combatants exchanged blows, each exploiting the other's momentary weaknesses, their strengths evenly matched. In the end, Giselle managed to land a decisive hit on Max, winning the match and leaving Max with his first loss.
Meanwhile, Zephyr, with his unbroken win streak, faced Wendy in his seventh match. Wendy put up a good fight, her wind magic dancing around Zephyr's defenses. But once again, Zephyr's adaptability and speed triumphed, maintaining his lead in the competition.
After seven rounds of the tournament, only Zephyr remained undefeated, with Max, Giselle, and Alaric each suffering at least one loss. The competition was growing more intense, with each match bringing unexpected outcomes. The spectators were on the edge of their seats, anticipating what surprises the next rounds would bring.
The current top three ratings were:
Zephyr: 7 wins - first place
Max: 6 wins - second place [tied]
Giselle: 6 wins - second place [tied]
Alaric: 5 wins - third place
The echoes of the previous battles faded, and a palpable energy filled the arena. The students were cheering and chanting as the eighth round was about to start. The tournament's MC ascended the central platform, raising his hands for silence. He was known for his booming voice and flair for the dramatic, which made him perfect for this role.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" MC's voice echoed around the arena, silencing the crowd. "This is it, the moment we have all been waiting for! We've seen some intense battles, surprising victories, and shocking defeats! But now we move into the eighth round!"
He paused for effect, allowing the anticipation to build up. "Our top contenders: Zephyr, with a perfect streak of seven wins and zero losses! Giselle, with six wins and only one loss! And Max, with the same record as Giselle!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, each student supporting their favorites. Max's name echoed around the arena, mixing with shouts of 'Zephyr' and 'Giselle.'
"And here is the twist!" Henrik continued, his voice rising above the noise. "Max's eighth match will be against none other than our undefeated contender, Zephyr! If Max wins this, the score evens out, setting the stage for an exciting finale!"
The crowd was in an uproar. Excitement was thick in the air. Max and Zephyr took their positions in the arena. Max, in his usual calm demeanor, looked focused and determined, while Zephyr, with a confident smile, appeared ready for whatever was to come.
"For a first year, you are amazing. You could probably beat me if you had another year of experience and time to improve your abilities. But as it stands now, you have no chance." Praised Zephyr, although him being cold in nature, resulted in it sounding arrogant and conceited.
"For a third-year you are doing pretty good too. But to be competing against me and acting conceited, against a first year, haha, you are quite pathetic, aren't you?" Seeing an opportunity present itself, Max absolutely took the opportunity to insult Zephyr. Because who was he? He was a champion of pool in his previous life. A man who beat all competition, whom everyone praised as a once in a generation talent, and yet, this kid in front of his was spouting some nonsense.
Hearing Max's sharp words, Zephyr's eyebrow twitched as he took a couple second to compose himself. After doing so, he returned to his calm and non-caring appearance, which honestly bothered Max.
As the two opponents stared at each other showing off their superiority, the judge started the countdown.
"Three, Two, One, Begin!"
At the sound of the word 'Begin!', the arena immediately filled with an intense energy. Both Zephyr and Max, armed with their weapons and their respective elements, lunged at each other. It was an immediate clash of styles, Zephyr's versatility and mastery of three elements against Max's dual control of wind and water.
The early stages of the battle were fierce. Both opponents maneuvered quickly around the arena, trading blows and countering attacks. Zephyr utilized his elemental mastery well, earth to block, water to deflect, and air to attack. Max found himself hard-pressed to keep up with Zephyr's elemental control.
'Dammit, I wish I had more time to improve my elemental mastery.' Thought Max amidst the fight, knowing that he was at a disadvantage.