Adrien's eyes fluttered open as Sister Ruby's warm voice filled the room. "Rise and shine, Adrien!" She flung open the windows, letting sunlight flood in.
"Morning, Sister," Adrien replied, his voice laced with sleep.
Sister Ruby's gentle smile greeted him. "You must have been exhausted from yesterday's activities. I've prepared a warm bath for you, and breakfast is almost ready. Take your time to freshen up, dear."
Adrien's gratitude was palpable. "Thanks, Sister. You're an angel!" He swung his legs over the side of the bed and headed to the bathroom, feeling invigorated.
—-
As the carriage sent by Cassandra arrived, Sister Ruby's voice trembled with emotion. "Remember, kids, winning or losing doesn't define your worth. You're strong and capable, no matter what. But I've prayed for your success, and I have faith you'll be selected."
Adrien smiled, grateful. "Thanks, Sister."
Noah's yes welled up with tears. "I'll miss you guys."
Lily reassured him, "Don't worry, buddy. We'll visit often."
"Pinky promise?" Noah asked.
Lily smiled, touching his tiny pinky. "Pinky promise."
Sister Ruby's voice cracked as she continued, "Always send letters, come visit, and know you're welcome here. With your magical communicators, stay in touch...and please, be safe. May the Lord be with you."
The group hugged her tightly before boarding the carriage, bound for the stadium. Thousands of spectators and hundreds of participants thronged the venue.
"Whoa, so many people!" Lily exclaimed.
Kade whistled. "And only 50 will be selected...wow."
After registering at the gate, they joined the other participants. Adrien pulled out a worn badge, gifted to him by a champion when he was a child.
"My lucky charm," he whispered, pinning it to his shirt.
-
Daniel Ayushman , the charismatic host, strode onto the stage, his voice booming through the stadium.
"Ladies and gentlemen of Elysia, welcome to the most anticipated event of the year – The Championship Selection Exam! I'm your host, Daniel Ayushman , and I'm thrilled to introduce this epic competition."
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause as Daniel continued.
"Today, 200 talented youngsters from across the nation will vie for a coveted spot among the magic champions. Only fewer than 50 will be selected, so luck will certainly play its part!"
The audience's excitement grew, with shouts and whistles filling the air.
"Before we delve into the rules and competitions, it's my honor to introduce our distinguished guests – the highest-ranking mages in the land, our esteemed captains!"
The crowd gave a standing ovation, applauding wildly
Adrien's eyes shone with anticipation. "I've heard the captains are legendary."
Lily's excitement matched his. "I've heard they're majestic."
Daniel's voice boomed through the stadium once more. "Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for the captain of the Spade Champions, Raya Ignatius!"
The crowd erupted into applause as Raya gracefully took her seat.
Adrien's eyes widened in surprise. "That's her – the one who gave me this badge years ago!" He showed his friends the worn badge on his shirt.
Next, Daniel introduced, "Please welcome the captain of the Heart Champions, the enchanting Melody Adel – a masterful mage and renowned musician!"
Lily squealed, her eyes sparkling. "Oh, I adore her music! She's my idol!"
Adrien grinned. "Must be nice to be multitalented."
Daniel's voice continued, "And now, please welcome the captain of the Jacks Champions, the legendary 'King of the Wind,' Captain Benjamin Zephyr!"
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause as Captain Zephyr strode confidently onto the stage.
Kade's eyes widened in awe. "Now we're talking! Look at him – pure aura!"
Next, Daniel introduced, "Fourthly, put your hands together for the captain of the Diamond Champions, the mighty 'King of the Ocean,' Captain Sean Galanis!"
The audience applauded warmly.
Finally, Daniel announced, "behold the captain of the Clubs Champions – the enchanting Lady Mei Qian, where beauty, brains, and power entwine!"
The crowd's cheers and whistles intensified.
Adrien's eyes shone with admiration. "Wow, she's breathtaking!"
Kade's gaze turned dreamy. "She's like a rose planted in the most exquisite garden, nurtured by the finest gardener and kissed by a queen bee's nectar."
Adrien chuckled. "We get it, bro – you're smitten."
Lily teased, "Kade's love-struck!"
Kade's face flushed, but his grin remained.
Daniel's voice boomed once more, "And now, it's our honor to introduce the illustrious captain of the Queens Champions, Her Grace, Lady Krystal Kratos, Duchess of Elysia!"
The crowd's applause was thunderous as Lady Kratos took her seat, her regal presence commanding attention.
Adrien whispered, "She's the Duchess?"
Lily nodded. "Yes, and she's as cold as ice. She's the most beautiful woman in the kingdom "
Daniel concluded the introductions, "And last but not least, please welcome the esteemed captain of the Kings Champions, Lord Maximus Chryses!"
The audience erupted into cheers and applause as Lord Chryses stepped forward, exuding gravitas.
Adrien breathed, "Whoa, he looks majestic and serious."
Kade's eyes widened. "I heard he's the strongest champion."
Lily's voice filled with awe. "That's amazing."
As the captains took their seats, the atmosphere pulsed with anticipation.
Daniel's voice filled the stadium once more. "Now that our esteemed captains are seated, let's proceed to the rules of the competition. The challenges will be divided into five stages. To succeed, you must defeat your opponents and accumulate points. Only the top 50 players will have the honor of standing before our captains and potentially earning a spot among the elite champions."
Adrien's determination surged. "This is it. I can do it. I will become an elite champion."
Daniel continued, "And now, participants, get ready for your first challenge! Your objective is to protect the mannequins from any threats they may face. The player who saves the most mannequins will earn the highest points. Good luck!"
The crowd's anticipation grew as the participants prepared for the first challenge.
The starting beep echoed through the stadium, and the competitors surged forward, unleashing their magic to protect the mannequins from simulated threats. This challenge mimicked real-world scenarios, testing the future mages' ability to save lives.
The captains observed intently, assessing the participants' skills.
Lily expertly wielded her feline magic, rescuing numerous mannequins with swift elegance.
Kade matched her pace, showcasing his own mastery.
When the challenge concluded, Daniel announced the results.
"And the winner, with an astonishing 1 million points, saving 200 mannequins in just 2 minutes, is... Sachika!"
The crowd erupted into applause as the mysterious masked girl stepped forward.
"Second place, with 500 thousand points, saving 200 mannequins in 10 minutes, goes to... Lily Nekomori!"
Adrien beamed with pride. "Good job, Lily!"
Kade grinned, determination burning in his eyes. "The next one's mine."
The rankings sparked whispers among the participants, especially about the enigmatic Sachika.
"Next challenge,you must make sure you dove down or block anything that's thrown at you,go!"
The purpose of this challenge is to test how mages can use defense against huge attacks
The competitors are attacked with many different kinds of attacks,some go down and some manage to dodge the attacks. Kade using his earth magic manages to block and dodge faster as he's able to destroy the attacks
"At first place ,managed to dodge 500 attacks within 5 minutes,Kade Stanley. And at second place,dodged 500 attacks but in 6 minutes is Adrien"
"I was too close " Adrien said. "Too close but not first,I'm gonna show you who's boss Adrien " Kade said
"We'll see" Adrien said
The third challenge commenced, a high-stakes 1v1 tournament where only the strongest would prevail. The stadium echoed with clashes of magic and willpower.
As the battles raged on, the field narrowed to four remaining contestants: Adrien, Lily, Kade, and Sachika.
The first semifinal match pitted Lily against Sachika. In a breathtaking display, Sachika's super speed overwhelmed Lily in under a minute.
Lily's thoughts reeled. "How did she...? Her speed is beyond awesome!"
Next, Adrien faced Kade. The air crackled with tension.
"I'm glad I get to fight you," Kade said, grinning. "Yesterday, you said we'd see who's stronger. Well, Adrien, I'll show you what the future elite champion is capable of!"
Kade unleashed a flurry of attacks, but Adrien countered with ferocity. His eyes blazed with determination.
"I guess the real future elite champion will win," Adrien declared, his voice low and fierce.
As Adrien transformed into his fiend form, the crowd gasped. Shock and horror rippled through the stadium.
"He's a monster!" someone shouted.
"How can they allow this?" another spectator demanded.
"Disqualify him! Execute him!" voices cried out.
Sachika's eyes narrowed, intrigued by Adrien's transformation.
The captains' expressions turned grave, their faces etched with concern.
Kade's gaze locked onto Adrien, memories flooding his mind. They were children, dueling with sticks, wrestling in the grass. Neither ever yielded, their matches always ending in stalemates.
A grin spread across Kade's face. "Wait, this is ridiculous. Adrien's not inferior; he's my equal. I want him by my side in the top 50, as my champion rival."
Determination solidified in Kade's eyes. "If I win, he'll fall behind. No, I won't let that happen. He's coming with me!"
With a swift motion, Kade deliberately yielded, allowing Adrien to claim victory.
Adrien's eyes narrowed, confusion etched on his face. "Why'd you do that, bastard? I would've won on my own."
Kade chuckled, clapping Adrien's back. "You ungrateful ass, this wouldn't have ended otherwise. We'd still be battling."
Adrien's expression softened, understanding dawning. "Thanks, Kade."
Their friendship and mutual respect shone brighter than any competition.
The fourth challenge commenced, sword fighting, where victory depended on disarming one's opponent.
"Begin!" Daniel shouted.
The participants clashed, steel ringing against steel. Swords flashed in the sunlight, some clattering to the ground as contestants were disarmed.
As the dust settled, only three remained: Adrien, Kade, and Sachika.
Adrien and Kade exchanged a knowing glance, planning to join forces against Sachika. But before they could act, Sachika's eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief.
With an elegant sweep, she raised her sword, slicing through the air. An invisible force burst forth, sending Adrien's and Kade's swords flying from their grasp.
The crowd gasped, awestruck. The sound of shattering steel echoed through the stadium.
Everyone rose to their feet, applauding Sachika's breathtaking display.
"Unbelievable!" Lord Maximus Chryses exclaimed.
"Her swordsmanship is unmatched," Lady Krystal Kratos observed.
Adrien and Kade stared at each other, then at Sachika, their faces etched with admiration.
Daniel's voice boomed, "And the winner of the fourth challenge is... Sachika!"
Daniel's voice boomed, "The final challenge begins! Face the mighty monsters and emerge victorious. Remember, they won't kill you, but will incapacitate those who fail."
The stadium's gates burst open, unleashing a horde of fearsome creatures. Participants clashed with the beasts, some triumphing while others faltered.
Kade summoned an Earth Giant, its massive rock fists crushing monsters with ease. The captains watched, impressed.
Adrien drew inspiration from Kade's display, but before he could act, the largest monster swooped in, its jaws wide open. Adrien was swallowed whole.
"Lily screamed, "Adrieeeen!"
Kade's eyes widened. "Oh no!"
Daniel announced, "Adrien has been swallowed by the largest monster. He has 5 minutes to escape or forfeit."
The audience laughed, thinking Adrien's fate was sealed.
Kade shouted, "Come on, you scumbag! Snap out of it and get out of there!"
Lily's voice trembled, "Adrien, please..."
Sachika's gaze lingered on Adrien's predicament, her expression unreadable.
Adrien, trapped inside the monster, gathered his thoughts. Escape seemed impossible, but he refused to give up.
Inside the monster's stomach, Adrien's thoughts raced. "I won't give up! Not now, not before I become an elite champion. Elysia's future depends on me."
Determination ignited within him. With a fierce roar, Adrien tore through the stomach lining with his bare hands.
Lily and Kade, who had rushed to his rescue, stumbled back in awe.
"Did he just rip it off?" Lily asked, incredulous.
Adrien emerged, fully transformed into his Vyltari form. Eyes blazing, he unleashed a maelstrom of fury upon the remaining monsters. His movements were a blur as he ripped them apart.
The crowd gasped, stunned by the display.
Daniel's voice boomed, "Incredible! Adrien has single-handedly defeated 100 monsters in just one minute!"
Kade and Lily beamed with pride, basking in Adrien's triumph.
The audience erupted into applause, but amidst the cheers, whispers of unease spread.
"Some say he's too powerful," a spectator murmured.
"Is he still human?" another asked.
Lord Maximus Chryses watched intently, his expression unreadable.
Sachika's gaze never left Adrien, her thoughts hidden behind an enigmatic smile.
Adrien stood tall, chest heaving, as the dust settled.
Daniel's voice filled the stadium. "The selection exam has concluded. Now, the top 50 will be chosen. Each captain will vote, raising a green flag to accept or a red flag to decline. Please step forward."
The top 50 participants stood at attention, awaiting their turn.
"Kade Stanley, step forth!" Daniel announced.
Kade proudly took his place. Six out of seven captains raised their green flags, with Lord Maximus Chryses being the sole dissenting voice.
"Six green flags! Impressive, Kade. Which squad will you join?" Daniel asked.
Kade smiled. "I was chosen by the Jacks suit when I discovered my magic. I'd be honored to join the Jacks Champions."
The crowd applauded as Kade took his place among the Jacks.
Next, Daniel called, "Lily Nekomori."
Lily stepped forward, taking a deep breath. Five out of six captains raised their green flags, while Lord Maximus and Captain Benjamin Zephyr raised red flags.
"Five green flags! Well done, Lily. Choose your squad," Daniel said.
Lily's face lit up. "I'm a Heart mage, so I choose The Heart Champions."
Melody Adel, the Heart Champions' captain, beamed with pride. The audience applauded, welcoming Lily to the Heart Champions.
Adrien's turn loomed, his fate hanging in the balance.
"And next, Sachika!" Daniel announced.
Instantly, seven out of seven green flags were raised
"Sachika, which squad—"
Before Daniel could finish, Sachika's gaze locked onto Raya, captain of the Spade Champions. With a decisive nod, Sachika pointed at Raya and walked away.
Daniel chuckled. "I guess she's chosen Spades."
The crowd applauded, welcoming Sachika to the Spade Champions.
Daniel's voice boomed once more. "Lastly, Adrien!"
Adrien took a deep breath, steeling himself. He stepped forward, his heart pounding.
You can do it, believe in yourself, he thought, drawing strength from his inner resolve.
The captains' eyes narrowed, their faces expressionless. Adrien's fate hung in the balance.