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As Dabi and his team stepped off the battlefield, a palpable tension hung in the air. Victory over Team Stormrider was no small feat, but the stakes were only growing higher with each passing round. The cheers from the crowd seed distant, muffled by the whirlwind of thoughts racing through Dabi's mind.
Raghnall's warning echoed over and over: The ti must shift any ti, soone is trying to create a ss for them. Headmaster Raghnall didn't say who and why, without giving any proper reason he just gave warning.
"Fourteen teams left," Zen said, breaking the silence. "We've made it this far. No turning back now." If we think logically where should be already qualified for the quarter finals, right?
"Turning back was never an option," Jeni replied, wiping sweat from her brow. "But let's not pretend that was easy."
"We'll get stronger," Kiba said confidently, flexing his arms. "That's what this tournant is for, right?"
Althea frowned. "I don't think that's all it's for. This whole event feels...off. Like there's sothing bigger happening behind the scenes."
Dabi nodded but didn't say anything. He didn't need to; the look in his eyes told them he felt the sa. After few seconds he says, when team Sol magna won there battle the announcer didn't say anything about their team reaching the quarter finals. Sa thing happened with us. I think they have so different plans.
This is a international academy tournant, how they arrange the match and disqualified team it's not fixed until semi finals. The reason for that is other kingdoms and academy always try to take advantage of the system and fix matches. That's why until only four team left there's no rule. Only the tournant board mbers combined decisions matters. They choose different types of selection thods every year. So, our victory doesn't guarantee anything.
All participant teams have been assigned to a temporary quarters. Our officials with show everyone their rooms. Please Follow them. "The announcer said to all the teams."
The team goes to their temporary quarters in the competitor's wing of the tournant complex. It was a sleek, modern space outfitted with basic anities— a far cry from the grandeur of the arena itself.
Dabi sank into a chair, pulling out his communicator. He stared at Raghnall's ssage, as if willing the words to reveal more.
"What do you think he ans by 'the tides are about to shift'?" Althea asked, leaning over his shoulder.
"Could be a warning about the tournant," Zen suggested. "Maybe he knows sothing we don't."
"Or maybe it's about sothing else entirely," Dabi said, finally breaking his silence. "Raghnall doesn't send ssages lightly. If he's warning us, it ans trouble is coming."
Jeni sighed, slumping onto the couch. "Great. As if the tournant wasn't stressful enough."
Before they could delve further, a soft chi signaled a ssage from the tournant organizers.
"All remaining teams are required to attend a mandatory briefing in Conference Hall Alpha. Attendance is non-negotiable. Please report imdiately."
"What now?" Kiba groaned, but Dabi was already on his feet.
"Let's go," he said.
The conference hall was massive, filled with the surviving teams and a handful of tournant officials. The air was thick with tension, a mix of rivalry and unease.
At the front of the room stood a tall, imposing man dressed in ceremonial robes. His voice bood as he addressed the crowd.
"Congratulations to those of you who have made it this far," he began. "You are the elite, the strongest competitors in this tournant. However, the next phase will test not only your strength but your resolve. The rules are changing."
Murmurs rippled through the room.
"Changing how?" Seraphine, the leader of Team Sol magna, asked, her voice sharp.
The official's gaze flicked to her before continuing. "The remaining matches will no longer be randomized. From this point forward, your opponents will be chosen based on strategic compatibility and challenge level. The goal is to ensure the strongest teams face each other in the final rounds."
"So they're hand- picking fights," Zen muttered.
"That's not all," the official said, his tone darkening. "The arenas themselves will also be more dangerous. Each battlefield will now include lethal hazards. These changes are designed to push you to your limits."
The murmurs turned to outright protests.
"This isn't what we signed up for!" one competitor shouted. You can't just change rules create random matches. What if so team had to battle multiple tis?
Another student says, yes he is right "You can't just change the rules halfway through!"
The official raised a hand, silencing the room. We don't have any rules until the semi finals. If you don't know about that then if ans you didn't read the form when you sing the terms and conditions papers.
"You all agreed to the terms of the tournant when you sing the papers. If you wish to withdraw, you may do so now." We can do whatever we want until semi finals. It's for everyone's benefit. In previous years many small kingdoms made deal with big kingdoms to let them win if they face each other. For fair competition we don't follow any rules until only four teams left.
No one moved or make a sound, After hearing that.
The official says, "Very well if don't have anything to say then, Your next matches will be announced shortly. Dismissed."
As the crowd began to disperse, Dabi's team lingered near the back of the room.
"This feels wrong," Althea said, her voice low. "It's like they're trying to weed us out."
"More like they're trying to control the outco," Dabi replied. "This isn't just a tournant— it's a ga. We have be careful if soone from broad is against us then....
"Then we play smarter," Jeni said, crossing her arms. "We've made it this far. We can go the distance."
Before anyone could respond, a figure approached them— Serane.
"Well, well," she said, her tone dripping with mockery. "Team Dabi. You're full of surprises."
Dabi t her gaze, his expression unreadable. "What do you want?"
"Just a friendly chat," she said, though her smile suggested otherwise. "You're quite the wildcard, aren't you? No one expected you to make it this far." You academy performance was at the bottom last ti. After that no one from your kingdom ca again.
"And yet, here we are," Dabi said evenly.
Serane's smile widened. "Enjoy your mont in the spotlight, but don't get too comfortable. The next phase won't be so forgiving."
With that, she turned and walked away, her team following close behind.
"She's baiting us," Zen said, watching her go.
"Let her," Dabi said. "We've got bigger things to worry about."
Back in their quarters, the team settled in to strategize. The announcent about hand picked matches ant they couldn't rely on luck or preparation alone. They had to be ready for anything.
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"We need to assu we'll face one of the stronger teams next," Dabi said. "Maybe even Solaris or sol magna."
"Great," Kiba said. "Just what we need."
"Focus," Dabi said sharply. "We've beaten the odds before. We can do it again."
As they planned, a soft knock at the door interrupted them. Dabi opened it to find a young courier boy holding a sealed envelope.
"This is for you," the courier boy said, handing it over before disappearing down the hall.
Dabi frowned, breaking the seal. Inside was a single piece of parchnt with a short, cryptic ssage:
"Beware the shadows that move in the light. Not all enemies stand on the battlefield."
"Another warning?" Althea asked, peering over his shoulder.
"It's not from Raghnall," Dabi said. She can massage directly, why would he sent a letter? The handwriting is unfamiliar, but the ssage was clear: soone is watching us.
The next day, the matchups were announced. As expected, Team Dabi was paired against one of the stronger teams— Team Inferno. They were transport into the battle field from the arena. Thousands of people were watching the from the arena. Many more people were watching all over the entire world.
Team Dabi and team Inferno match will start soon, an announcent was made.
The battlefield was a volcanic wasteland, filled with rivers of molten lava and towering spires of rock. The heat was oppressive, the air thick with smoke and ash.
"This is ridiculous," Jeni said, shielding her face from the heat.
"Stay sharp," Dabi said. "We've dealt with worse."
Team Inferno wasted no ti launching their attack, unleashing waves of fire that turned the battlefield into a blazing inferno.
"Stick to the plan!" Dabi shouted, dodging a fireball.
Kiba and Zen moved quickly, using the rocky terrain to their advantage. Jeni countered the flas with waves of ice, while Althea worked to shield the team from the worst of the heat.
Dabi focused on their leader— a tall, wiry man with flas dancing along his arms. Their battle was a blur of fire and steel, each strike pushing them closer to the edge of the battlefield.
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