In the waiting room. The other people felt fear. They were scared as to what they were going to do when they faced a powerhouse. Because it seemed even with fire as your natural element and preparation. It was still impossible to take out Silvya Rouge. Her opponent had a fire aura and she still got frozen instantly. If even heat couldn't beat the cold. How do you beat the ice?. She was just way too strong. She was talented, the quintessence of a natural mage. The ordinary couldn't even dream about beating her.

Then she teleported back into the room. And everyone stared at her like she was a monster. Like she was an anomaly in the world of magic. Silvya Rouge just harrumphed and began speaking to her friends. Ignoring everyone else and their opinions.

Next moment, two other people teleported out of the waiting room. This was none other than Brutus Maximus. Like both powerhouses before him. He thanked the spectators for voting for him. And then after 10 seconds, the match began. Brutus Maximus is a very intimidating person. Not only was he smart but he was strong too. This is a deadly combo. Once the match started Brutus Maximus fired his spell first at his opponent. He screamed " Incinerate!" and a huge flame shot out a magic circle and went straight to his opponent. His opponent was still midway in his chant. Next moment he was roasted by the flame. Screaming in anguish as he rolled on the ground. Brutus Maximus looked at his opponent with pleasure. He revelled in the sound of pain. It was even better when he caused it. Brutus Maximus enjoyed this site for as much as he could until his opponent was teleported.

When Brutus Maximus teleported to the waiting room everyone sucked in a large breath of air. They thanked their lucky stars that they did not have to face him yet. As well as their hearts ached for the person who was going to face him next. Once things had settled another two people teleported into the ring and the matches began. These matches were a lot longer because the people were of equal strength. As much fun as it was to see mages fight. The crowd never got as loud as when the powerhouses were fighting. In the waiting room, the biggest discussion was the powerhouses. Nobody underestimated their other opponents but facing a powerhouse plagued their minds. They really did not how to fight one. Silvya Rouge's ice seemed too cold to counter. Brutus Maximus was brutal and his fire was just as much. Even though he was seen as the weaker one based on votes. He was the scariest to the contestants. Then there is Seth Thornheart the most likely to win. His mana control was impressive and he was cunning too.

By now round 2 had started of test 3. And just like before the powerhouses ended their opponents with ease. They were frozen, burnt or cut. Whatever countermeasure was thought of was thwarted in a matter of seconds. Tactics can win you a battle but when the power gap between two people is too big. Tactics mean nothing. Such was the case here. This caused the other contestants to feel depressed. Everyone wanted to strive for first place but they knew that was impossible. So they decided they would do the best between themselves. The ordinary would battle the ordinary. And concede against the ones that were impossible to win against. Once they made this decision their hearts ached. No one likes knowing you are not good enough to compete for number one. That it's not a matter of whether you win or lose. It's a matter of you will never even get there. Everyone hearts ached at that realization. But then they looked at Lucas and this relieved them somewhat. They remembered his bet with the powerhouses and thought, " At least we get something good from this." They were happy that even if they could not win. When one of the powerhouses do win. At least they get to see a show.

It was at this moment that another two people teleported onto the field. It was none other than Lucas and his opponent. Finally! It was Lucas's turn. Lucas looked around at the crowd and they were quiet. Obviously, this match didn't fancy their attention. As most of them switched their Lacrima's to another station. Which wasn't surprising Lucas only had one vote from some mysterious person. Whereas his opponent had 3. Very little in the grand scheme of things. Then Lucas looked at his opponent it was a short plump guy. He looked at Lucas like he had won the jackpot. Like Lucas was a free win. His opponent looked into the sky and thanked the Gods. Then wiped a small tear off his left eye. This didn't bother Lucas at all. In fact, this was perfect for Lucas. There was something he had never tried before. Something he has wanted to try since he was a kid. Now that his opponent was underestimating him. It was the perfect opportunity to try this risky move.

Seconds later Lucas began prepping his mana while the timer was going off. He ran his mana through every fibre of his body. Then he got into position. He lowered his upper body. Then he felt the ground below him. He imagined himself as a perpendicular extension of the earth. He was now ready he was just waiting for the timer to say he could go.

His opponent on the other side was wondering what Lucas was up to. " What are these queer movements?" he thought. But decided to pay no mind to a person that was going to lose soon. If Lucas wanted to throw the match so early then that's his problem. He would do what he would do. So he prepped his mana and got ready for the battle. Still frowning at Lucas standing in an abnormal position for a mage. But just scoffed it off.

Eventually, the timer turned 0:00. So Lucas's opponent smiled he was confident in his cast time. And by the looks of Lucas's position, there was no way he be could faster than him. It was certain that he would win. He began his chant, " Chariots of firzcxzxc..." That's all Lucas's opponent could say. Before he was kicked in the stomach, with a tremendous amount of force. Making him mince his words.

Once the timer ticked 0:00 Lucas got over his last minute nerves. And then visualized himself breaking free from Earth. Breaking any tie he had to gravity. Then he yelled, " Fire Dragon's leap, starting control leap." Thumping his feet hard into the ground. The ground cracked at the amount of force that was exerted. Leaving a black scorch mark on the broken tiles. With that Lucas disappeared into a blur. When he reemerged he was in front of his opponent. His opponent hadn't even noticed the sheer speed Lucas was moving at. Then Lucas whipped his leg, roundhouse kicking his opponent in the abdomen. Lucas kicked with so much force that his opponent was folded over on his leg. Spewing a mouthful of blood on Lucas's pants and on the tiles. Once Lucas had reached 3/4th's of the motion of his kick. He accelerated his kick by kicking harder. His opponent that was folded over on his leg. Was launched like a rocket into the air. Then Lucas yelled, " Fire Dragons' leap, Control dash." With that Lucas disappeared leaving behind an afterimage. Appearing 5 meters behind his opponent that was on his way outside of the ring. Lucas prepped his mana into his upper body and fused it into his muscles. Once his opponent was within in arms reach. Lucas stretched his right hand out. Touching his opponents back. Stopping his momentum. Then Lucas took his right hand and thumped it into the ground, breaking the floor into a bowl-like shape. Because of this, all the dust of the earth raised and you couldn't see anything.

Once the dust had settled you could see Lucas dusting his clothes off. Standing over his opponent's unconscious body with a smile on his face. Lucas was so happy this move had worked. Lucas saw this move in one of his favourite anime. And as the Chuninbyuu he was there was no way he wouldn't try it. In a tournament setting no less.

The audience that was actually watching were left flabbergasted! What just happened!? Nothing makes sense anymore! First, everything was perfect. When the countdown was over. Then all of a sudden Lucas moved 10 meters in a matter of split seconds kicking his opponent. Next, he disappears again. Appearing behind his opponent smashing his opponent into the ground. This all happened so fast! In the time it takes you to move your head from one side to the other. Lucas's opponent had already been defeated. Lying on the ground dead or alive. What was this ungodly power!? Was it human!? Is Lucas an undercover demon because that's happened before. But then they realised that Lucas's speed wasn't brought about by magic. But rather by a warrior skill. When they realised that their eyebrows furrowed, they wondered whether Lucas got the memo. This was a Mage's tournament, not a Warriors one. This triggered them. But deep down they thought Lucas's movements were amazing.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Inside a luxury box, an old man was elated, " OOOH! Such speed! Such control over mana. Such strength. High battle sense. And he has previously shown intelligence. Could this be a future battle mage? Tell me who he is?"

" Sir, this is none other than Lucas Lightningstorm from the sticks. According to our initial tests. He was flagged as someone who shouldn't be able to cast elemental magic. But so far he has used wind magic as well as fire. His control over it also seems to be superior to most. I have questioned the staff who facilitated test 2 when he first revealed the wind and fire element. But they say it's because our equipment wasn't designed to test people with his skin colour. He is an abnormality thus the results are incorrect. Therefore we don't know whether he can cast earth and water spells until he reveals that to us or not. He is indeed a genius in this tournament and a definite dark house. No pun intended. However, in the grand scheme of things, he will never really amount to anything. The tests say that he will only ever reach E rank. So even if he is hailed king now. Eventually, most people will take him over. "

" Aaah I see the E ranks are none other than cannon fodder. Maybe we will make him the general of an E rank independent squad. That way he can at least survive the war by sacrificing his soldiers for his own life... Lightningstorm hey... What a conceited surname! Change the statistics on his profile. If he wins and the public finds out that we never revealed his strengths. There will be an outcry."

On the battlefield, Lucas's opponent disappeared. Then Lucas waved to the crowd. It was not because Lucas thought they cared. But because somewhere out there someone voted for him. And he wanted to thank that person. Once Lucas was done Lucas was teleported back to the waiting room. Once he got their everyone else took a deep breath. They too had seen Lucas's battle. There was only one screen in the waiting room and because of Lucas's bet. Of course, they would be watching his battle to see if he would win or lose. When Lucas teleported it was dead quiet as they eyes glanced over Lucas. Lucas just rolled his eyes and then looked at Silvya Rouge and said, " that's two." Smiling in a way that showed his superiority.

Silvya Rouge's pretty and sweet face immediately turned sour as she glared Lucas. This time her friend didn't budge in. Because her previous statement was Lucas had no bite. Unfortunately after seeing his fight. You would have to be blind to think the same thing.

After Lucas looked at Silvya Rouge Lucas looked at Brutus Maximus and smirked. Brutus Maximus was struggling to hold his temper back but he was successful. Afterwards, Lucas looked at Seth Thornheart and did the same. But Seth Thornheart seemed unperturbed by the developments and was in his own thoughts as if nothing happened. When Lucas saw Seth Thornheart's calm nature he nodded his head in approval.

Soon after another two people teleported into the arena. And so on and so on. Until round 3 started. When Silvya Rouge and Seth Thornheart went on stage their opponents conceded immediately. Brutus Maximus's opponents conceded the second they were teleported. As a result, they were instead teleported away and not into the arena. They wanted to make sure they do not enter the arena with that guy. Yes, there was medical mages to heal their wounds. But fighting with him could lead to death. Necromancy is an illegal subclass (Dark class) as such your death meant your death.

Then it was Lucas's turn again. This time there were more people watching Lucas's match as they had heard of his "ungodly speed." Inside the waiting room, the powerhouses were watching attentively. Even Seth Thornheart was watching. He tried to act nonchalant but he too saw the problem Lucas posed. The old man in a luxury box was watching too. All eyes were now on Lucas as his previous actions had garnered attention. Now was the time for them to assess his worth. Was he good enough to be called a dark house? Was he on the level of the powerhouses?

Lucas and his opponent got teleported to the arena and then the countdown went off. His opponent started prepping his mana. While Lucas did the same as last time. He crouched into his position. His opponent saw Lucas's movements but he had seen it before. So he never scoffed at it. In fact, if anything he felt fear pumping through his blood. It really looked like Lucas had kicked that guy hard. And then he was still sent face first into the solid ground. Was that about to become him now. He wondered would Lucas make him a cripple. He couldn't be a cripple! His parents were depending on him. He began considering if he should concede. He wouldn't concede if he was fighting a proper mage. Because they couldn't cripple you easily. He blamed his luck. If this was last years exams. He would be considered one of the powerhouses. What the heck happened this year? Where did these monsters appear from?

He was still in thought when the clock sounded off. It was then that he realized that he hadn't prepped his mana properly. Because he was in thought. He then realized that he had already lost. The window of opportunity is minute as Lucas could appear in front of you in split seconds. He had already missed that window. Once he realized that he screamed, " I give up!" At this moment Lucas appeared in front of him. Ready to kick him in the gut. But when Lucas heard, " I give up." He retracted his foot and just stood in front of him. And then he walked a few steps back. Then he bowed his head to his opponent showing him his respect. Lucas admired the fact that his opponent conceded. Sometimes you just can't win a fight. There is nothing wrong with conceding. Better than then losing miserably and maybe getting injured. Conceding takes character and this guy has it. Also, Lucas saw that his opponent wasn't ready. Due to him being in his thoughts. But Lucas was not going to easy on him. He would still capitalise on his opponent's mistakes even if he didn't need to.

Lucas's opponent already knew he was going to lose because of his blunder. In fact, he thought he would lose with or without the blunder. That is what caused the mistake. He was not going to risk the chance of becoming a cripple over pride. So he conceded. But even though he knew that was the case. It was a hard pill to swill. He bit his bottom lip until blood dripped onto the floor. Then he teleported off the field. At this moment the crowd went nuts at the prospect of a new powerhouse. Even though this could mean they could lose their money on a bet. This would make the rest of the battles more interesting. So it was worth it. He was now dubbed the dark powerhouse. Combination of a dark horse and a powerhouse. They accepted him as a powerhouse because his opponent conceded early. This was the case for the previous powerhouses. Their opponents conceded immediately. It was now clear Lucas was on the same level as them. Lucas waved his hands at the crowd showing them his gratitude and then he was teleported.

Lucas teleported into the waiting room. But this time Lucas didn't even taunt them. He already knew that they were feeling the pressure. It would be boring if he broke them too soon. Silvya Rouge was already en route as she scowled at Lucas. Lucas wondered maybe he pushed her too far. But he ignored her looks. Took a page out of Seth Thornheart's book and played the nonchalant look.

Moments later more people disappeared and round 4 began. The same thing happened. Once the powerhouses entered the ring the rest immediately conceded. The dark powerhouse's opponents yielded immediately too. Round 5 came and the same things happened. By now it was already night time. It was finally time to call it a day.

" I trust you all have a had a fun day. Thank you for your support today. The first part is finally over. We have 8 contestants left. Tomorrow we will start off with the quarterfinals. Then semifinals and then finals. Tomorrow we will crown a King or Queen of the first years. We will also reveal the rewards for the participants tomorrow. So come prepared. Think long and hard as to who you think is going to win. You will only get one chance to vote. Will it be the powerhouses? Or maybe the newly emerged dark Powerhouse. Polls close at the start of the first match of the quarterfinal. See you tomorrow."

With that everyone in the Arena disappeared in groups one for one.