On the second day, Eleanor lost to Elara Noelle Luminelle. It had been a gruelling match. No matter how much damage Elara took, her healing ability restored her wounds whenever she managed to create so distance. The fight dragged on until Eleanor’s strength waned, and, in the end, she could do little but accept defeat. She won her remaining matches of the day, but the loss lingered in her mind.
To everyone’s surprise, Marsha triumphed over Ignatius Emberfall. Her thunder elent proved the perfect counter to his fire. She exploited his longer casting tis with swift, precise attacks, weaving wind and lightning together in perfect synchrony. The victory, however, drained her energy, and she went on to lose her next match to Aurora Silverwood... one she had expected to win. Still, she managed to take the rest of her matches.
Phoebe lost to Cassian Maximus Steel but won the rest. Ophelia finished the day with two losses, two draws, and one victory. Izumi won one match, drew two, and lost two.
As for Maíra, she managed one win, one draw, and three losses... but unlike before, she didn’t feel disheartened. She had accepted her place among the top twenty-five. After witnessing the sheer power of the other contenders... especially the Dragons and Fairies... she understood her limitations and resolved to train even harder once the tournant was over.
The next day proved a true test for the group. Eleanor faced Phoebe in a tightly contested match that ended in a draw when ti ran out. Neither had fought at full strength; both held back, wary of injuring the other. Eleanor went on to win all her remaining matches, and Phoebe likewise claid victory in hers.
Marsha, however, fell to Barrock Deepdelver Ironhide in a hard-fought bout but dominated her other matches... including those against Ophelia and Maíra. Ophelia had fought bravely but lost, while Maíra chose not to fight Marsha at all.
Ophelia finished the day with three losses and two wins. Izumi managed one win, one draw, and three losses. Maíra mirrored her previous day’s results... one win, one draw, and three losses.
The following day, Eleanor faced Marsha and lost after an intense match, though she won all the others. Marsha later drew with Cassian Maximus Steel but lost to Phoebe, who was in exceptional form. Marsha won her remaining matches nonetheless. Phoebe swept through the day undefeated. Ophelia lost to Eleanor but triumphed in her other bouts. Izumi earned one win and suffered four losses, while Maíra again recorded one win, one draw, and three defeats.
On the final day, the group entered the arena in high spirits. Thanks to their ticulous study of the previous days’ match recordings, they had developed a clear understanding of each opponent’s strengths and weaknesses... and it showed. Their coordination, adaptability, and tactical precision improved markedly, each exploiting flaws with far greater effectiveness.
Eleanor lost to Aurora Silverwood after a long and gruelling duel but won the rest of her matches. Phoebe, Ophelia, and Marsha each claid victory in all their bouts. Izumi lost only one match, winning the rest, while Maíra drew one, lost one, and secured wins in the remaining contests.
By the end of the day, the group was content. They hadn’t bothered to calculate the official scores, but each of them knew, with quiet confidence, where they stood on the leaderboard... and how far they had co.
Cadets were instructed to proceed to the dining hall for lunch. The final rankings would take so ti, as several cadets had earned the sa number of points and needed to be ordered according to their battle histories.
After lunch, all cadets were summoned to the auditorium in the academic building. When they arrived, the sergeants were already waiting. The cadets were directed to sit on the ground floor, while the first floor, the upper gallery... was reserved for the faculty.
Eleanor and her friends took their assigned seats, each marked by cadet number. When she turned to glance at the first floor, she saw rows of professors and instructors seated above. Among them were Professor Seren Rhosyn Starglimr from the Departnt of ntal Arts, Professor Jiro Heinrix Frostspire from the Departnt of Wilderness Survival, and Professor Novalyn Riven Thunderwing from the Lightning School. Several others wore professor’s robes she didn’t recognise.
She also spotted Instructor Arrichion from the School of Mixed Martial Arts, along with a few other instructors from the Combat Departnt whom she had seen before but never formally t.
In the section reserved for senior officials sat a number of familiar figures: Supre Judge Solon, Colonel Richard Sharpe, Colonel Rudolph George, Dr. Simin ydani, Dr. Manuel Villacorta, and Dr. Alan Aragon, all seated among others clad in indigo, teal, white, and black robes.
At the very front, Sergeant Major Soren Volkan Ironclaw sat alongside the other sergeants. He suddenly rose and barked, "Cadets, attention! No one stands unless called."
Imdiately, every cadet straightened, sitting with rigid backs... the formal attention posture of the academy.
As if on cue, the Principal of the Academy, Professor Aurelius Halveth Draconis, entered the auditorium. He wore his customary golden robe, his presence commanding instant silence. Behind him walked General Maximilian Veers and Professor Sylphania Jovienne Angélique. The trio moved with calm authority towards the stage at the front.
Three chairs had been prepared there in advance. The Principal took the centre seat, and the General to his left.
After the Principal took his seat, the Chief Sergeant gave a sharp command, "Cadets, at ease."
He and the other sergeants then sat down, and the cadets relaxed slightly into their seats.
Professor Sylpha stepped gracefully to the podium and addressed the hall. "Ladies, gentlen, and cadets... good afternoon. Thank you for attending the closing ceremony of this grand competition. This ti, determining the final standings proved difficult, as several cadets achieved the sa scores. However, after careful deliberation, we have finalised the ranking of the finalists."
"Before we announce the results," she continued, smiling faintly, "I would like to invite our Principal to share a few words with the cadets."
She turned towards the stage. "Ladies and gentlen, Professor Aurelius Halveth Draconis, Principal of the Ascendance Academy of Midgard."
Professor Draconis rose to his feet. He stood well over six feet tall, broad-shouldered despite his age. His long white beard and equally long hair frad a face of quiet authority, lending him an aura both noble and formidable.
He strode to the podium, his steps unhurried, and when he spoke, his voice filled the auditorium... deep, resonant, and commanding.
"This marks the closing of your Primary Term," he began. "Soon, you will journey to Vanaheim to begin your path as Ascendants. If tradition holds, many of you will return here for the Interdiate Term. Thus, this will be my final address to you as Primary Term cadets."
He paused, letting his words settle before continuing. "I trust you have learned well from your professors and instructors. Rember their lessons... not as rules, but as the foundation upon which you must build. You are venturing into the unknown, into a realm where everything may rise against you. No one will stand between you and the dangers ahead. You will be on your own."
He drew a slow breath, his gaze sweeping across the hall. "Be brave," he said slowly, yet with the weight of command behind every word. "And return with glory to Midgard."
He looked out over the rows of cadets and said, his tone softening, "I won’t take any more of your ti. Your class teacher, Professor Sylpha, will now announce your results. May Midgard live forever!"
Then, in a voice that echoed through the vast hall, Professor Aurelius thundered, "All hail Lord Yggdrasil!"
"All hail Lord Yggdrasil!" the professors, staff, sergeants, and cadets roared in unison, the sound reverberating like a solemn oath.
The Principal returned to his seat, and Professor Sylpha stepped once more to the podium. "Before declaring the results of the grand competition," she began, "I will first announce several other awards. You will also see the nas displayed on the screen behind the stage. When your na is called, please co forward to receive your achievent certificate from our Principal. I would kindly request General Maximilian Veers to assist the Principal in this ceremony."
She paused briefly, then said, "Staff, please bring the certificates."
A white-robed staff mber appeared from behind the stage, carrying a large tray stacked neatly with envelopes. She placed it carefully on the table before the Principal, bowed respectfully, and withdrew.
Professor Sylpha continued, "First category, Discipline. This category was determined and evaluated by our sergeants. From positions one to three... Cadet numbers 10156598, 10156595, and 10156623. You will be awarded one thousand, eight hundred, and five hundred points respectively. Please co to the stage to receive your certificates."
Behind her, the great screen flared to life, displaying the results in text...
Most Disciplined Cadets of the Term:
Rank 1: Aria Nightwind (Cadet 10156598)- 1000 Points
Rank 2: Izumi Tsuki Kuroda (Cadet 10156595)- 800 Points
Rank 3: Phoebe Juno Solstice (Cadet 10156623)- 500 Points
The trio rose from their seats and walked up to the stage amidst polite applause. Each received a certificate from the Principal, exchanged a formal salute, and posed for a brief photo... the mont captured by one of the academy staff mbers.
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