Clang!
Creak!
A thunderous groan echoed through the coliseum, followed by a tallic grinding that rippled across the ground like an ominous tremor.
It wasn't just the sound—the very earth trembled, shaking so violently that for a mont, it felt as though an earthquake had struck.
Panic surged through the stands. Spectators scread and clutched at one another, their wide eyes scanning the arena as the quake intensified, growing louder with every heartbeat.
Even Grey tensed, lightning crackling and dancing around his palm, ready to strike at a mont's notice. But then—just as suddenly as it began—the tremors ceased.
A heavy silence followed as all eyes turned toward the far end of the coliseum.
The ground split apart with a deep, grinding shunk, unveiling a chanical platform hidden beneath.
From the depths of the earth, a massive black booth began to rise, its surface sleek and hardened like obsidian armor, exuding a sense of mystery and intimidation.
Grey narrowed his eyes, lightning fading from his hand as a frown settled on his face.
"What was the point of all that drama?" he muttered under his breath, watching as the platform locked into place with a final thud.
The once-split earth sealed itself seamlessly, leaving no trace of its sudden rupture.
The booth now stood firm, its imposing exterior glinting under the sunlight. At its front was a seamless one-way glass—pitch black, impenetrable to outside eyes. Those within could see the coliseum clearly, but no one could peer in.
Inside the booth, two figures sat like rulers overseeing an arena of gladiators.
One was a man with wavy chestnut hair, his sharp brown eyes gleaming with mischief and shrewd observation. His lips curled into a playful smirk as he surveyed the crowd below.
This was Captain Amir, vice principal of Lunaria Academy and the captain of its elite squad.
Beside him, exuding an aura that made the very air feel charged, was a man with flowing crimson hair that reached past his shoulders.
His piercing yellow eyes stared directly at the arena with the calm intensity of a predator, and a barely-there smile ghosted across his lips.
In front of Amir floated a glowing green crystal, softly humming with mana. It hovered in place, attuned to his voice.
This man was Lucian Everhart—the principal of Lunaria Academy, and one of the Emperor's trusted enforcers, a man whose reputation commanded both reverence and unease.
Suddenly, Amir's voice rang out, magnified by the crystal until it echoed from every corner of the coliseum.
"Good day to you all!"
The booming greeting silenced the murmurs, turning heads and drawing cheers.
"I want to welco everyone to another year of Lunaria's Intra-Tournant Competition—a tradition of might, magic, and rit!
Today, second- and third-year students will clash to determine who among them will carry our banner into the Inter-Tournant Gas, where the mightiest of the Four Great Academies will battle for glory!"
"YAAAAHH!"
Roars of approval erupted. The stands shook—not from magic, but from the unrestrained excitent of thousands of students and spectators.
"I know how thrilled you all are to witness this," Amir continued, his voice threading through the crowd like a conductor leading a symphony. "Frankly, I am too. I can't wait to see what surprises the younger generation has in store."
The crowd answered with thunderous clapping, enthusiasm swirling like a storm.
"Traditionally, it's always the third-years who claim victory in this grand tournant. But as captain of Lunaria's squad, I assure you—the second-years this year will not make it easy. They're coming with fire in their veins and lightning in their steps."
A sly grin crept onto Amir's face as he looked at Lucian beside him.
Lucian raised a brow, amusent tugging at the corner of his lips. "You sound too confident," he said, his voice calm and fluid. "Bold words often lead to bold disappointnts."
Amir waved a hand, the crystal floating to the side as he turned to face Lucian. "Oh, an uproar is coming," he said. "But not from my words. From what the second-years are about to do."
Lucian leaned back, stretching languidly. "They better be worth the hype," he said, his tone indifferent. "Honestly, I couldn't care less about the intra-tournant. My interest lies in the Inter-Academy gas."
Amir raised an eyebrow. "Then why show up? You've skipped nearly every intra-tournant since you beca principal.
The last ti you attended was when Kael was a student—and that was because you couldn't resist analyzing his second magic."
If it was another person and not Lucian, they would have gotten offended by Amir's words and question but the principal of Lunaria academy was built different.
A very cheerful and playful person. The only thing he cares about are the academy, the kingdom, and studying the different types of magic there are.
His obsession with magic was so imnse and that's why he had attended an intra-tournant competition when Kael was a student mainly because of his intrigue in the student's second magic.
Lucian smiled, almost sheepishly. "I don't know," he said. "Sothing tugged at
this ti. A feeling. You know how my gut works. It's never wrong. That sa instinct brought
to Kael's match."
"Hmph. You and your instincts," Amir grumbled, calling the crystal back with a flick of his wrist.
"Enough talking. Start the tournant already," Lucian yawned, stretching his arms. "The crowd's growing restless. And so am I."
Amir chuckled. Then, with a dramatic sweep of his arm, he turned to face the crystal once more.
"I have kept you all waiting long enough!" he declared, his voice crackling with energy. "Let the Intra-Tournant Competition… BEGIN!!"
The arena erupted into chaos—not from spells, but from pure human excitent.
The stadium trembled under the force of cheers, chants, and stomping feet. Even Grey's heart beat faster in rhythm with the thunderous applause.
Rumble...
From two ends of the coliseum, the previously sealed entrances began to open. Massive iron gates groaned as they slowly lifted upward, revealing the silhouettes of students stepping into the light.
From both sides, four students erged, each radiating intensity. Their backs were straight, their jaws set, their fists clenched in silent resolve.
They faced the crowd, then each other, standing like warriors about to write their nas in legend.
Grey watched from the stands, a proud smirk spreading across his lips.
'Guys… I'm rooting for you all. Crush this competition.'
His eyes glead as the two teams stood face to face, the first act of battle ready to unfold in the vast coliseum under a roaring sky.
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