A week had passed since the incident with the corrupted assistant and the Hidebehind. During that ti, many significant developnts had occurred throughout the academy.
Kael had successfully completed his entrance examination, passing with flying colors. Not that I’d expected anything less from him - the training and resources I’d provided, combined with his natural talent and determination, made success almost inevitable. His combat performance and theoretical knowledge had impressed the evaluation committee enough to grant imdiate admission despite the unusual timing.
He’d been assigned to my classroom, which created quite a stir among the other students. Entry this late into the academic term simply wasn’t done under normal circumstances. The fact that he’d been accepted anyway made everyone curious about his identity, his connections, and what power he possessed to warrant such exceptional treatnt.
I’d endured nurous subtle and not-so-subtle inquiries about my relationship with the mysterious new student, all of which I’d deflected with vague responses about recognizing potential talent.
During this sa week, I’d also carefully introduced Changing Star to Kael. The growing dragon had reached the size of a dium dog now, her rapid developnt continuing at an alarming pace thanks her powerful skill. She could no longer be easily hidden, which ant anyone living in the mansion needed to know about her existence.
She had also reached the transcendent rank and gained a new offensive skill.
I’d presented her to Kael as "my pet with low draconic bloodline" - not a full dragon, just a magical creature with distant dragon ancestry that gave her impressive size and abilities. It was a half-truth that seed more believable than the reality of harboring an actual Mythical-rank dragon destined for power that nobody could fathom.
Kael had accepted the explanation without excessive questioning, though I could tell he suspected there was more to Changing Star than I was revealing. He was smart enough not to press for details I clearly wasn’t offering.
The most significant developnt affecting everyone, however, was the announcent of the upcoming Arena Tournant.
For the entire week, the academy had been preparing for this major event - a comprehensive combat tournant where all first-year students would battle to determine rankings and demonstrate their growth since enrollnt. It was simultaneously a learning opportunity, entertainnt for upper-year students and faculty, and a way to identify standout talents deserving special attention or advanced training.
The atmosphere in class had shifted noticeably as students prepared. Competitive ones like Emt and Marcus trained with increased intensity. Strategic students like Elen researched opponent capabilities and planned tactical approaches. Even normally reserved students showed signs of nervous anticipation.
This morning, Instructor Sylvia entered the classroom with her usual deanor, though I detected an undertone of excitent in her expression that suggested even she found tournants engaging.
"As you all know," she began without preamble, "for the past week, the academy has been preparing for the Arena Tournant where you will all battle it out to determine the strongest first-years."
The room imdiately filled with focused attention, conversations cutting off as students turned toward her.
"The tournant format is straightforward: single-elimination bracket with randomized initial pairings. You’ll face opponents of varying skill levels, which tests adaptability rather than just raw power. Matches continue until one participant yields, becos unconscious, or the referee determines they can no longer safely continue."
Several students exchanged nervous glances at the "unconscious" specification.
"Victory demonstrates superior combat capability," Sylvia continued. "But the evaluation isn’t solely about winning. We assess tactical decision-making, technique execution, adaptability under pressure, and sportsmanship. A student who loses honorably against a stronger opponent can still earn recognition for excellent performance."
That seed to relax so of the more anxious students slightly.
"dical staff will be present for imdiate healing of injuries. Lethal techniques are strictly forbidden - this is educational combat, not warfare. Anyone who deliberately attempts to kill or permanently injure an opponent faces imdiate expulsion and criminal charges."
Her tone made clear that rule was non-negotiable.
"The tournant takes place over three days. Today features preliminary rounds to reduce the initial bracket. Tomorrow continues with quarterfinals and semifinals. The final day concludes with championship matches and awards ceremony."
Sylvia’s gaze swept across the classroom. "This is your opportunity to demonstrate everything you’ve learned, to test yourselves against peers, and to identify areas requiring improvent. Approach it seriously, but rember it’s ultimately a learning experience."
She turned toward the door with purposeful energy.
"So without much more to say, let’s head to the arena. Your combat awaits."
Students imdiately began standing and gathering their equipnt. The nervous energy that had been building all week crystallized into focused anticipation as everyone filed out of the classroom.
I noticed Kael positioning himself near in the general flow of students moving through the corridors. He looked determined but controlled, showing none of the excessive nervousness that afflicted so others.
"Ready for your first official academy tournant?" I asked quietly.
"As ready as I’ll ever be," he replied with honest assessnt.
"You’ll do fine. Rember - tactics and adaptability matter as much as raw power."
Elen appeared on my other side, her expression mixing excitent and strategic calculation. "I’ve been analyzing the class combat capabilities all week. There are so genuinely dangerous opponents in our year."
"Including present company," I noted with slight amusent.
She smiled. "Especially present company. Though I’m hoping the bracket randomization keeps us from facing each other too early."
We erged from the main building into bright sunlight, following Instructor Sylvia and the stream of first-year students toward the massive arena structure that dominated the academy’s southern grounds.
....
The arena was a magnificent structure - a massive circular amphitheater with tiered seating that could accommodate thousands of spectators. Magical barriers separated the combat floor from the audience, ensuring safety while allowing clear viewing. The architecture spoke of both function and grandeur, designed to showcase combat while protecting observers.
All first-year students assembled on the arena floor while upper-year students, faculty, and invited guests filled the surrounding seats. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation and competitive energy.
Headmaster Aldric Thornhaven stood at the central platform, his King-rank presence commanding imdiate attention. His voice, enhanced by projection magic, filled the entire arena clearly.
"Welco to the First-Year Arena Tournant," he began with formal gravitas. "This event represents a critical milestone in your developnt as awakeners. Combat reveals truth - about your capabilities, your character, and your potential."
He paused, allowing his words to resonate.
"To incentivize excellence and reward achievent, the academy offers substantial prizes for top perforrs."
Interest sharpened dramatically throughout the assembled students.
"First place receives two hundred thousand academy points."
Audible gasps and excited murmurs erupted. Two hundred thousand points was an astronomical sum - equivalent to roughly four hundred thousand golden coins if converted through academy exchange systems. That amount could genuinely change soone’s life trajectory, elevating a commoner to minor nobility or funding years of advanced training and equipnt.
"Second place receives fifty thousand points," the Headmaster continued. "Third place receives ten thousand points."
Even third place represented decent wealth for most students. Ten thousand points could help with training resources, or living expenses.
"These rewards are not trivial," Thornhaven emphasized. "They represent genuine opportunity for those with skill and determination to claim them. Let the tournant begin."
The preliminary matches started imdiately, with multiple combat rings operating simultaneously to process the large bracket efficiently.
Elen’s first match was against a student from one of the weaker classes - soone who’d barely passed entrance examinations and showed minimal developnt since enrollnt. The matchup was unfortunate for her opponent but fortunate for Elen.
The fight lasted less than three minutes. Elen’s water manipulation controlled the battlefield completely, creating barriers that prevented approach while launching pressurized water strikes that forced her opponent into defensive positions. When the hapless student attempted a desperate charge, Elen simply encased his legs in frozen water and struck with a concentrated blast that knocked him unconscious.
"Winner: Elen!"
The crowd applauded politely. It had been clinical and efficient, though not particularly exciting given the power disparity.
Emt’s match followed shortly after, pitting him against an Elite-class student from Kyle’s classroom - soone with decent capabilities and solid training who might have defeated average opponents.
Against Emt, he lasted perhaps four minutes.
Emt fought with his silent intensity, his attacks were overwhelming. He didn’t waste movent or energy, simply dismantling his opponent’s defense. The Elite student tried various tactics - aggressive offense, defensive positioning, tactical retreat - but nothing worked against Emt’s straightforward dominance.
"Winner: Emt!"
The crowd responded with more enthusiastic applause. Emt’s combat style was less flashy than so, but his pure skill commanded respect.
Then ca a matchup that shocked everyone watching.
"Next match: Kyle versus Marcus!"
Stunned silence followed the announcent, then explosive conversation as students realized what this ant. Both competitors were widely recognized as among the absolute strongest first-years - Kyle with his mysterious golden finger advantages, Marcus with his powerful Ironhold bloodline and noble combat training.
For them to face each other in preliminary rounds rather than semifinals or finals was incredibly unlucky. One of these powerhouses would be eliminated early, denied the opportunity to showcase their full capabilities in later matches.
I leaned forward with intense interest. This would be revealing regardless of outco.
Kyle entered the ring with confident composure, his expression calm and focused. Marcus approached from the opposite side with grim determination, clearly recognizing the challenge ahead.
The referee signaled start, and both exploded into imdiate action.
CLASH! STRIKE! COUNTER!
Their combat was several levels above what previous matches had displayed. Kyle’s attacks were refined and precise, enhanced by whatever advantages his golden finger provided. Marcus wielded his family’s technique with brutal efficiency, his Ironhold bloodline granting enhanced durability and strength that allowed him to match Kyle’s speed with raw power.
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