A roar of cheers erupted from the stands.
The announcer's voice boomed once more, cutting through the noise. Well then! Our first battle will be between Ren Torvain from Norwyn and Darin Korran from Velros! Please enter the battleground!
A boy with calm, focused eyes stepped onto the packed earth. Ren Torvain moved with a quiet confidence, his hand resting easily on the hilt of his katana.
Remember the rules! the announcer reminded them, his voice echoing. If either of you breaks even one of them, you will be disqualified from the exam. He looked between the two competitors. Now... begin!
The signal was given. Darin, a boy with a wild look in his eyes, shot forward without a second thought. Most in the crowd expected a Water or Wind Art Style from him, judging by his shorter, quicker katana. But to everyone's surprise, he skidded to a halt, reversed his grip, and stabbed his blade deep into the earth in a vertical stance.
Darin: Art Style: Earth! First Form: Life Stone!
The ground trembled. A split second later, massive, sharpened stone spikes erupted from the soil directly beneath Ren's feet, shooting upward with terrifying speed. It was a brutal, opening move designed to end a fight instantly.
But Ren was no beginner. He didn't panic. Gripping his own katana lightly with both hands, he held his ground and spoke his command with unnerving calm.
Ren: Art Style: Air! Second Form: Skyglass!
The air in front of him shimmered, coalescing into a transparent, hexagonal barrier that looked like super-hardened glass. The earth spikes shattered against it harmlessly, fragments of rock scattering across the arena. The defensive move was flawless.
While Darin was momentarily distracted by the failure of his attack, his stance faltering for just a heartbeat, Ren made his move. His form shifted in a blur. He instantly switched to an offensive posture, sliding his katana back toward his wrist so the blade ran parallel to his forearm, edge facing backward—a stance promising immense speed.
Ren: First Form: Sky Rend!
There was no visible projectile, no grand fireball. Just a subtle distortion in the air, a whisper of cutting force that crossed the distance between them in an instant. Darin's eyes widened a fraction before he was thrown backward, a clean, shallow gash appearing across his chest. He hit the ground, stunned and defeated.
The announcer didn't need a count. And just like that, Ren Torvain wins the match!
A wave of excited chatter swept through the crowd. Many hadn't even seen what happened.
Student 1: Whoa! Did you see that wind slash?! That was insane! I didn't even see Ren move!
Student 2: Tch. Flashy, sure... but Darin was wide open after that Life Stone move. He practically asked to be cut. Amateur.
Student 3: That's what he gets for underestimating his opponent. Ren read him like a book.
The announcer's voice called out again. With that, Ren Torvain wins the fight! Now, on to the next battle!
Four more matches took place in quick succession, a blur of fire, water, and steel. Each victory was met with cheers, each loss with groans of sympathy. The atmosphere was a mix of thrilling spectacle and grim anticipation.
As the fourth defeated contestant was helped from the arena, a knowing look passed between some of the older spectators.
Student 3: Don't get too excited over these earlier fights... he said, nudging his friend and nodding toward the competitor's entrance. Look who's coming in next.
The announcer stepped forward, his voice dropping to a more dramatic, reverent tone. The entire training ground seemed to hold its breath.
Announcer: And with that, we arrive at today's final match! The next person to step into this arena... I don't think there's a single soul here who doesn't know his name! The scion of fire and conquest! Please welcome one of the direct descendants of the Five Noble Families... Lucien Valehart!
A path cleared instantly as every head turned. And there he was, emerging from the shadow of the entrance, his light red hair like a flame in the sunlight, his molten gold eyes already scanning the arena with bored superiority.
Everyone's attention was now completely, irrevocably, fixed on Lucien Valehart.