The semi-final arena loomed before us, an intimidating expanse of rivers of lava and jagged platforms that seemed ready to collapse into the bubbling lava below. Geysers erupted at irregular intervals, sending sprays of fire into the sweltering air. The heat shimmered, visible to the naked eye.

Both teams looked at the other. Today opponent was the Pyrestone Academy team. Their leader, Calder, exuded confidence. Stocky and broad-shouldered, his fiery red hair seemed to mirror the blazing rivers around us. Beside him stood three teammates: a wiry boy with sharp eyes who balanced a pair of twin fire-blades; a tall, composed girl ; and a smaller boy with a perpetual smirk, a fire-whip coiled around his wrist.

“Well, this is cozy,” Aaron quipped, tugging at his collar. “Nothing like fighting fire maniacs in a furnace to start the day.”

Jace smirked. “At least it’s not boring. I was worried we’d get another dull arena.”

“Focus,” I said, cutting off their banter. “This is Pyrestone’s home turf, and they know it better than we do. Their strategy will revolve around using the lava flows to isolate us. Mira, you’ll be key to keeping us connected. Aaron, Jace—your job is to keep their mages off balance. Elaine, I need you watching for eruptions and keeping the air clear.”

Mira adjusted her grip on her staff, her voice steady despite the heat. “If I can stabilize the platforms, we’ll have room to maneuver. Just give me a window to work.”

“Got it,” Elaine said, tying her hair back and scanning the field. “I’ll prioritize keeping the battlefield manageable.”

Aaron grinned, glancing at Jace. “Ready to break their rhythm, Sparky?”

“Always,” Jace replied, cracking his knuckles. “Let’s make it loud.”

On the opposite side, Calder and his team seemed equally prepared. His voice, loud and commanding, reached us even over the roar of the lava. “Remember, control the field. Force them to react, and they’ll fall apart.”

The smaller boy with the fire-whip smirked in our direction. “Think they know they’re toast already?”

The wiry one with the fire-blades chuckled. “Let’s show them why they shouldn’t play with fire.”

The tall girl, however, was silent, her molten orbs glowing brighter as she concentrated.

The starting signal rang out, and the battle began.

Calder slammed his hands into the ground, summoning a towering wave of lava that cut the arena into scattered platforms. His team followed immediately: the fire-blade wielder leapt onto a nearby platform, spinning his weapons in a whirlwind of flames, while the whip-wielder sent fiery tendrils slashing across the battlefield. The tall girl conjured searing fireballs, launching them with pinpoint precision.

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“Here we go!” Jace called, diving to avoid a sweeping arc of fire.

“Mira, we need stability!” I shouted.

Mira planted her staff firmly, reshaping the crumbling edges of our platform into solid stone. “Hold on, I’ve got it!” she yelled, her brow furrowed in concentration.

Aaron countered the whip-wielder’s attack with his own flames, forcing him to back off, but the clash left scorch marks on our footing. “This guy’s a slippery one,” he muttered.

“Work together!” I reminded them. “Don’t get drawn into their rhythm.”

Jace darted forward, sending a bolt of lightning arcing toward the fire-blade wielder. The enemy deflected it with a spinning blade, but the effort left him exposed. Aaron seized the opportunity, launching a quick fireball that sent him scrambling.

Calder wasn’t idle. With a sharp gesture, he redirected a lava flow to sever our escape route, his grin widening as it forced Elaine to leap to a smaller platform.

“Elaine, status?” I called.

“Still here!” she replied, a gust of wind bursting from her hands to push back a sudden eruption. “But they’re not giving us room to breathe.”

“Mira, adjust the flow!” I instructed.

“On it!” Mira shouted, sweat dripping down her face. She raised her staff, redirecting the molten river back toward Pyrestone’s position. The platforms rumbled as her magic reshaped the battlefield.

Calder scowled, realizing what was happening. “Focus fire on the geomancer!” he barked to his team.

The tall girl hurled fireballs directly at Mira, but Elaine intercepted them with precise bursts of wind. “You’re not getting to her,” Elaine said, her tone calm but firm.

Jace and Aaron took advantage of the distraction. “Let’s take down their leader,” Jace suggested.

“Right behind you,” Aaron agreed.

Together, they launched a combined assault—lightning and fire merging into a brilliant, explosive arc. Calder barely managed to summon a barrier, his teeth gritted as it flickered under the strain.

“Mira, now’s your chance!” I urged.

Mira raised her staff again, her hands trembling from the effort. The largest lava flow veered sharply, cutting through Pyrestone’s formation and forcing them to retreat. Calder stumbled, his control faltering.

“Elaine, finish it!” I called.

Elaine summoned a powerful gust of wind, sending debris flying toward their already scattered formation. Jace and Aaron followed up with another coordinated attack, the explosion lighting up the arena.

When the dust cleared, Calder was on one knee, his protective barrier shattered. Mira’s final act was to trap the remaining Pyrestone mages in solid stone pillars, immobilizing them.

The whistle blew, signaling the end of the match.

Aaron let out a cheer, slapping Jace on the back. “Told you we’d turn up the heat!”

Jace smirked, sparks still crackling faintly around him. “Not bad for a furnace.”

Mira slumped to one knee, exhausted but smiling. “We did it.”

Elaine extended a hand to help her up. “We are qualified for the final.”

I stepped forward, nodding in approval. “You worked together, stayed sharp, and adapted. Well done.”

The crowd erupted in applause as we exited the battlefield, victorious.

The team returned to the quarters, their faces flushed from the heat and the thrill of victory.

I stood in the doorway, watching them with pride. “Celebrate. Rest. Tomorrow, the finals await.”