The second semester at Star Academy began with an atmosphere of heightened anticipation. After months of training, dungeon missions, and intense experiences, the cadets were finally about to face the practical portion of their examination. Only the top fifty would pass the combat test, and the title of the semester's top cadet would be awarded to the victor of the final duel. Everyone knew this would be a fierce battleground for pride, power, and recognition.
The theory exams had ended a week prior, and while many cadets fared well, the practical exam was the true test of skill. It would be a tournament-style format, where cadets faced off one-on-one. The arena was a wide, rune-inscribed platform floating above the academy's grand coliseum. Energy barriers surrounded the stage to protect spectators from the destructive mana that would soon be unleashed.
The bracket was drawn, and the fights began.
Fight 1: Mira Kisaragi vs. Leon Hartwell
Mira, the daughter of Reina Kisaragi—the master of the Poison Guild—stepped onto the stage with a silent calm. Her opponent, Leon, was a sturdy shield user, known for his defensive prowess. The moment the match started, Mira flicked a small, toxin-infused dagger forward. Leon blocked it easily, but that was merely a feint. With a spin, she vanished in a blur, reappearing behind him.
Using her illusion step technique, she landed a series of pressure-point strikes. Within seconds, Leon was immobilized, unable to move due to mild paralysis. Mira smiled and bowed. "Checkmate."
Fight 2: Taro Blaze vs. Ivran Drest
Taro exploded onto the field with brute force. Unlike the refined fire mages, Taro's style leaned into his martial roots. With his fists blazing, he punched through Ivran's stone wall spell and knocked him out in under a minute. The crowd roared at the sheer intensity. It was clear Taro's raw power had only grown since the last semester.
Fight 3: Sylvia Estelle vs. Zanna Moonlight
Sylvia wielded her spear like a symphony of storm and grace. Her opponent, Zanna, was a quickwind archer. Sylvia blocked each arrow with precision, closing the distance and ending the match with a radiant arc of her spear, surging with light mana. The glow from her final strike lit up the entire coliseum.
Fight 4: Kain Vagor vs. Gerald Flameveil
Kain drew his Phantom Blade, the air around him chilling instantly. His opponent, Gerald, a dual blade fighter, charged at him. But Kain's elegance in swordplay stood unmatched. He dodged the first strike, countered with a swift cross slash, then followed up with Frost Mirage—an ability that summoned illusory blades of ice. Within seconds, Gerald was overwhelmed and knocked out cold.
Kain walked off the stage, glancing at the next bracket.
Fight 5: Lee Yujin vs. Velson Dreadclaw
Yujin, calm and unreadable, stepped forward. Velson was a heavy axe user known for his berserker strength. As soon as the match began, Velson roared and charged. Yujin didn't move. Then, in the blink of an eye, he activated Divine Perception. Time seemed to slow from his point of view.
He sidestepped the charge effortlessly, aimed Demon Howl, and fired non-lethal mana rounds with pinpoint accuracy. Each bullet struck a joint, disabling Velson's movements. Yujin twirled the guns and holstered them in one fluid motion. The fight lasted less than ten seconds.
The audience was speechless.
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Semifinals:
Mira vs. Sylvia was a clash of strategy. Mira used illusions and poisons to control the space, while Sylvia kept her at bay with her radiant spear and wind steps. After a prolonged battle, Sylvia landed a decisive blow with her Radiant Crescent strike.
Taro faced Kain in a brutal showdown. Fire against ice, fists against sword. Taro's Infernal Break cracked the stage, while Kain's Frostveil Dance created mirages of cold steel. In the end, Kain outmaneuvered Taro with calculated swordplay, ending the fight with a mid-air spinning slash that stunned everyone.
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Final Match: Yujin vs. Kain
The crowd fell silent. Two of the academy's top cadets now stood opposite each other. Kain, calm and battle-hardened, drew Phantom Blade. Yujin activated Demon Howl, his eyes glowing faintly as Divine Perception kicked in.
They clashed.
Kain's sword slashed with freezing intensity, each strike trailing frost. Yujin dodged, spun, and countered with gunfire and mobility. His movements blurred as he danced around the stage. Kain adapted, creating frost shields mid-combat. Yujin responded by switching to close combat, using explosive rounds to disarm Kain temporarily.
Just when it seemed like Kain would land a clean hit with Frost Fang Slash, Yujin created an opening with his Mistake Solved dodge technique and landed a final mana-charged bullet directly on Kain's chest plate, knocking him back and signaling the end of the match.
Yujin stood victorious, breathing lightly. Kain smiled from the ground, acknowledging his rival.
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Final Rankings:
1st Place: Lee Yujin
2nd Place: Kain Vagor
3rd Place: Sylvia Estelle
4th Place: Taro Blaze
5th Place: Mira Kisaragi
As the crowd erupted in cheers, Headmaster Arcan Ludien stepped forward and declared, "This semester's champions have shown the might of our future. But greater trials await beyond the academy's walls."
Yujin, while accepting his medal, saw it again—Mistake Solved 7/50. His thoughts wandered. The battles were growing harder, and the unknown civilization hadn't shown its true
face yet. But he knew one thing for sure:
This was only the beginning.