The MC's voice resounded throughout the arena, a vibrant surge of energy lacing his words. "Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you've all been waiting for is finally here!" His voice was a thunderous boom, electrifying the atmosphere. "Welcome to the grand final of our academy tournament, a never-before-seen three-way duel! The clash of titans, a dance of elements, the unprecedented triad duel - Max vs Zephyr vs Giselle!"
A deafening cheer erupted from the crowd, the sheer excitement vibrating through the arena. The MC continued, his voice filled with infectious enthusiasm, "Prepare to witness an epic battle where strategy will be tested, alliances will be formed, and the strongest will emerge victorious!"
"Three, Two, One. Begiiiiin!" Screamed the MC.
In the arena, Max, Zephyr, and Giselle stood ready, their focus unwavering. At the initial stage, no one made any bold moves. They were sizing each other up, observing, assessing their opponents. A tense silence fell upon the arena as the spectators held their breath, their eyes riveted on the trio.
The tranquility was short-lived when Zephyr and Giselle suddenly launched a coordinated attack against Max. Zephyr with his air and earth elements, Giselle with her ice magic. The crowd gasped as the arena turned into a battlefield of raging elements. Max was quick to react, evading the earth spikes and ice shards with his enhanced agility, feeling lucky that Giselle was not of a higher stage, because then she could freeze him into a statue, ignoring the distance.
MC, his voice rising with the escalating excitement, declared, "And the game is on, folks! A sudden turn of events as Zephyr and Giselle team up against Max!"
Max was on the defensive, parrying and dodging the relentless assault, his staff a blur of movement. He knew that he couldn't hold them off for long, so he quickly thought of a plan. Using his knack for infuriating his opponents, Max taunted Zephyr, "Remember when you lost to a first year? How about another defeat?"
Max's words worked, and Zephyr's focus momentarily wavered, his attacks becoming a tad reckless. Seizing the opportunity, Max turned to Giselle and said, "You know, Zephyr defeated you once. If we bring him down together, there'll only be two of us left. And you defeated me last time, so you have an advantage. He will turn his back on you the second you distract me."
Giselle hesitated for a moment before a determined look crossed her face, and she shifted her focus towards Zephyr. The crowd roared with excitement; the tables had turned once again.
The MC announced, his voice filled with anticipation, "And here comes another twist! Giselle switches sides to join Max against Zephyr!"
Max and Giselle now worked together, Max with his swift and dangerous physical attacks, along with wind and water manipulations, and Giselle with her strategic use of ice. Zephyr struggled to deflect the sudden onslaught, his elements paling in comparison to their combined attack. With a swift maneuver, Max landed a direct hit on Zephyr, and the latter fell to the ground, unconscious.
"And Zephyr is out of the game!" The MC's voice reverberated, the excitement palpable in his tone. The crowd erupted into cheers and applause. But the battle was far from over. Now it was Max vs Giselle.
"Thank you, Giselle. Now it is time for you to concede." Said Max as he rushed to attack her.
"Ugh Max. I will not forgive you!" Shouted Giselle as she refocused her magic on Max, evading his attack and putting in some distance in between.
"You simply should not have schemed against me with Zephyr. Now, just don't move and I will end this quickly."
Max's determined words hung in the air, his staff twirling in a show of intimidation. The crowd held their breath as Giselle locked eyes with him, defiance radiating from her.
"And it looks like Max is trying to secure his victory!" the MC exclaimed, the suspense permeating through his voice. "But Giselle is not going down without a fight!"
Giselle retaliated, a flurry of icy winds and frozen shards launched towards Max. The crowd gasped, their eyes wide as Max spun his staff, deflecting the attack with a gust of his wind magic. "What a counter! Max shows no signs of slowing down!" the MC reported, his voice echoing throughout the arena.
Max took advantage of the situation, darting towards Giselle with incredible speed. "Max on the move! Is this the final play?" the MC's voice spiked with anticipation.
Giselle tried to create an ice wall to stop him, but Max's momentum was too strong. He crashed through the icy barrier, his staff connecting with Giselle. A gasp rippled through the crowd as Giselle was sent flying backward.
"Giselle is down!" the MC cried out. "Max is the last one standing!"
Max stood victorious, panting and sweating, yet his eyes sparkled with the thrill of the win. The crowd erupted into thunderous applause, the cheers deafening. The MC's voice boomed over the din, "And the champion of this year's academy tournament is - Max!"
As the cheers continued, the academy's healers rushed into the arena, their magic glowing as they tended to Zephyr and Giselle. Their figures were bathed in a soft light, their wounds healing, their exhaustion ebbing away.
Once the defeated contenders were back on their feet, the grand reward ceremony commenced. The MC's voice was filled with pride as he called out, "Let's bring our champions to the stage!"
Max, Giselle, and Zephyr ascended the podium, each one bearing different expressions; Max, a proud winner; Giselle, a noble second; and Zephyr, a humbled third.
"Presenting to you, the winners of the grand academy tournament!" The MC's voice was triumphant. A round of applause echoed through the arena as the three of them held up their trophies - Max's the highest, gleaming in the sunlight.
"And the champion's prize goes to Max!" The MC's voice echoed throughout the stadium. An attendant brought forth a sealed box. The crowd leaned forward in anticipation as Max opened the box, revealing an iridescent, pulsating gem-like crystal.
As everyone looked on, they saw the Headmaster of the Academy, Thorne Alcastor. His voice, commanding yet gentle, filled the arena, "That, dear students and guests, is the Heart of the Seraphim Viper!"
A collective gasp echoed through the crowd, bouncing off the walls of the massive arena.
"The Seraphim Viper," he continued, his voice imbued with a reverence that carried the weight of the legend, "as ancient tales claim, descends from dragons, the mighty rulers of the world. Its heart contains the concentrated essence of this extraordinary lineage. Absorbing it can greatly enhance one's meridian strength, allowing a smoother flow and greater storage of mana. A treasure indeed for our young champion!" The Headmaster's voice echoed the astonishment and awe rippling through the crowd.
The stadium fell into a hushed silence as Max carefully held the glowing Heart. It pulsed rhythmically, like a living, breathing creature, casting an ethereal glow on Max's face.
"And now," the Headmaster's voice rose above the hushed whispers, "the rewards for all our top three participants!
Attendants brought three trays laden with mana crystals. They sparkled under the sunlight, a dazzling spectacle of colors.
"Mana crystals," the Headmaster explained, "are the very essence of condensed mana. Rare and highly valuable, they not only aid in mana cultivation but also serve as a recognized currency in our magical world. They are not easily obtainable, making them a coveted prize for all!"
Max received the largest share, the crystals' sparkle reflecting in his victorious smile. Giselle and Zephyr, too, had their trays, their faces a mixture of disappointment and satisfaction.
The celebration in the stadium slowly began to die down, the spectators gradually dispersing. The excitement of the day, however, still hung heavy in the air. The winners had been honored, the spoils of victory distributed, and now it was time to return to the daily routine of the academy.
Just as Max was about to leave the stadium, a message from the academy's communication system rang out. "Max, please report to Headmaster Alcastor's office immediately." Max looked up, a hint of surprise flashing across his face before being replaced with a firm determination. He nodded to himself and made his way towards the headmaster's office.
As he entered the office, the stately figure of Headmaster Thorne Alcastor was silhouetted against the evening light streaming in from the large windows. The room was quiet, save for the soft rustling of papers as Thorne rifled through some documents. He looked up as Max entered, his eyes gleaming with a serious intensity.
"Ah, Max," Thorne's voice filled the room, a touch of warmth hinting at his pride for the young champion. "Congratulations on your victory. You've demonstrated commendable skill and strategy. But," his tone shifted, becoming more serious, "there is still a long journey ahead of you."
Max stood in silence, his gaze steady on the Headmaster. He knew that this was not a casual congratulatory meeting. The air around Thorne was too serious, too intense.
"Your performance today was remarkable, but let it not make you complacent. The world outside the confines of this academy is vast and filled with magic that you can only dream of. Our goal here is to prepare you for that world, and by winning the tournament, you have shown that you're ready for the next step."
Thorne paused, allowing his words to sink in. He then continued, "You must train hard and reach the fourth stage as soon as possible. Only then can you graduate and seek admission at a true magic academy. Your talent is amazing, and this academy should not confine you. Therefore, reach the graduation requirement and continue on your journey."
Max nodded, a surge of motivation rushing through him. He knew his journey was only beginning, and he was prepared to face the challenges that lay ahead.
"Thank you, Headmaster for your wise words. I will make sure to train hard from now on!" Said Max, pure determination written all over his face.
Seeing Max's eyes, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "Tomorrow, come back here. I will guide you through the process of absorbing the Heart of the Seraphim Viper. It's a delicate process, and one wrong step could lead to disastrous consequences."
Max nodded again, "Thank you, Headmaster. I'll be here."