”Attention, everyone! We have compiled scores for all teams based on the quests you have completed.” The Principal called out. After that, whispers started to circulate about who would win. Everyone guessed that it would be team 3. The team consisted of Madeline, Henry, and Odin. All of them were third years in the academy and above level 30.
“I’ll start from lowest to highest.” He started naming all the teams until he reached Knox’s team. “Team 20 placed 15th,” Sara jumped for joy next to Knox. Getting 15th in their first year was undoubtedly impressive by usual standards. “Team 5 placed 3rd, Team 6 placed 2nd, and Team 3 got first. Please congratulate them on their achievement. A festival will be held tomorrow to celebrate everyone's good scores.”
*** *** ***
Knox, Jade, and Sara were among the hundreds of students from the academy, eagerly celebrating the grand and colorful festival that had taken over the campus. The vibrant decorations and upbeat music created an electrifying atmosphere that filled the air with excitement and joy.
As they walked around the festival, they couldn't help but feel proud of their team's achievement. They congratulated each other and were overjoyed to have placed high in the competition.
They decided to celebrate by trying some of the festival's delicious food. They tried everything from street tacos to cotton candy and even stopped to take a picture with the festival's mascot.
The festival lights illuminated the campus as the sun set, providing a stunning backdrop for the festivities. The trio watched a fireworks display that lit up the sky with bright colors and loud booms, making the entire festival seem even more magical.
After the fireworks, they joined a group of classmates to dance and sing along to the music played by the festival's live band. They laughed and joked around, enjoying each other's company and the happy atmosphere of the festival.
As the night went on, Knox, Jade, and Sara knew that this was a memory they would never forget. They were grateful for the opportunity to participate in the competition and to celebrate with their friends at the festival.
*** *** ***
Knox returned from his regular jog when he saw Sara standing in front of his dorm room, seemingly anxious.
Coming up from behind her, he greeted her, “Hi Sara, why are you here?”
“Eek!... stupid Knox, don't scare me like that.” She took a moment to catch her bearings. “For your question, I'm here to inform you of a tournament that’s coming up soon.”
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“A tournament?”
“Yeah, It’s one the academy organized for every team that got into the top 15 of the quest assignment.”
“So what you’re saying is we barely made it into this.”
“Well, I guess so… but this isn't a team tournament, meaning we won't be able to fight together like the previous assignment.”
“That is quite strange. Why would they make an assignment using teams but right after a solo tournament based on the teams.”
Sara nodded in agreement. "I know, it doesn't make much sense to me either. But regardless, I think it's still a great opportunity for us to showcase our individual skills and possibly even win some prizes."
Knox considered this for a moment before responding. "I see your point. It could be a chance for us to prove ourselves and stand out from the rest. Do you have any more details about the tournament?"
Sara pulled out a paper and opened it. "According to this, the tournament will consist of a series of challenges and tasks that will test our abilities in combat. The winner will receive a significant reward and recognition from the academy."
The prospect of winning ignited Knox's competitive spirit. "Alright, let's do this. We may be competing individually, but we can still support each other and root for our teammates. When does the tournament start?"
"It starts in two weeks, so we have some time to prepare and train. Let's begin practicing as soon as possible.
Knox nodded in agreement. "Agreed. Let's give it our all and show everyone what we're made of."
With that, the two teammates bid each other farewell and headed off to begin their preparations for the upcoming tournament. Knox went on to shower and head to bed.
As he lay in bed, he found himself thinking about the upcoming tournament. He knew that all the top 15 teams were going to be tough opponents, and he couldn't afford to underestimate any of them. To make matters worse, his own team was relatively new compared to most of the others in the top 15. Many of them had been around for several years, while his team had only just started. He realized that dwelling on these kinds of thoughts would only make him feel negative. So, he made a conscious effort to push them aside and quickly drifted off to sleep.
Knox threw himself into his training routine with unbridled enthusiasm and a fierce determination to succeed. Every day for the next two weeks, he focused intently on mastering his technique, pushing himself to the limits of his endurance and beyond. He spent countless hours honing his skills, refining his form, and building his strength and agility. As he trained, he maintained a laser-like focus on his goals, visualizing himself as a champion and imagining the thrill of victory.
Despite the long hours and grueling workouts, Knox found himself surprised at how quickly the time passed. Before he knew it, the tournament day had arrived, and he felt a mix of nerves and excitement as he prepared to compete. He meticulously reviewed his strategies and tactics, and visualized himself executing each move flawlessly. As he stepped onto the field, he felt a surge of adrenaline, knowing that all his hard work and dedication had led to this moment. He looked into the crowd to see Sara and Jade cheering him on.
Knox was pitted against a formidable opponent in his very first match. He was to face a second-year student named Levi, who had made a name for himself in the academy for his exceptional skill in water manipulation. Levi was feared and respected by his peers for his ability to summon water in various forms and bend it to his will.
Knox knew he was not as skilled in magic as Levi, but he was confident in his martial arts skills. As the match began, he began to circle Levi, waiting for an opportunity to strike. Levi was taken aback by Knox's approach, expecting him to use magic like everyone else.
Knox was lightning-fast, dodging Levi's water attacks and landing swift blows to his body. He blocked Levi's attempts to create a shield of water, staying close to him to prevent him from using his magic effectively. Levi was struggling to keep up with Knox's speed and agility.
Knox knew he had to end the match quickly before Levi could regain his composure. He pushed forward, landing a series of punches and kicks that left Levi reeling. Finally, he delivered a powerful ‘Double-tap’ roundhouse kick that knocked Levi off his feet.
The crowd erupted into cheers as Knox was declared the winner. Knox had won the match using only his skills. Levi was impressed by Knox's abilities and congratulated him on his victory.
Knox had proven himself to be a skilled fighter, and his victory had earned him the respect of his peers. The academy was abuzz with talk of the newcomer who had defeated a second-year student.