After a few months of training, the grand competition will finally begin. All the inhabitants of the continent come to see the talent that will lead the world one day.

The grand arena stood as a towering coliseum of shimmering white stone, etched with ancient runes that hummed faintly under the sunlight. The banners of four great academies—Astoria, Xareth, Bahamoth, and Zaimlere—fluttered high above the stands, each representing their respective houses. Excitement buzzed in the air, the murmurs of the crowd mixing with the occasional chant of academy names.

This was the Annual Grand Competition, a celebrated event where students from across the empire gathered to prove their worth in combat—duels of honor and team battles of strategy. Victory here was more than just personal glory; it cemented an academy’s reputation for the year to come, and the champions were heralded as the finest of their generation. It was an opportunity to earn prestige, recognition, and perhaps even the favor of powerful individuals who could shape the future of an academy or its students.

Astoria, despite its rich history, had long been the subject of mockery. Its emphasis on balance and discipline was often derided as a weakness compared to the raw ferocity of Xareth, the physical dominance of Bahamoth, or the tactical ingenuity of Zaimlere. The students of Astoria were known for their patience and strategy, but many dismissed them as underdogs, unworthy of competing with the more aggressive academies.

“Same story every year,” Lydia muttered, her arms crossed as she glared at a group of Xareth students whispering and pointing at their team. “They look at us like we’re nothing.”

Lydia had always been proud of her academy, but the constant derision from others gnawed at her. As a skilled fighter herself, she had often found herself battling against stereotypes, but this was a battle that felt personal. Astoria was no longer the underdog she had grown up with, and it was time to show everyone just what they were capable of.

Helena adjusted the ribbon of her uniform, her voice calm yet resolute. “Let them laugh. It makes their defeat all the more satisfying.”

Helena, ever the composed strategist, wasn’t bothered by the ridicule. She knew the true strength of Astoria lay in its approach to training—discipline, balance, and control. They weren’t meant to be flashy or loud; they were meant to endure. And, as always, Helena was confident that Astoria’s time would come.

Shouta, standing between the two, remained focused on the arena. His hands gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, the sunlight reflecting off its polished surface. His expression was steely, eyes narrowed with determination. “Ignore them. We’re here to win, not to trade insults.”

The tension in their team was palpable, yet beneath the nerves was a shared determination. This was their moment to prove themselves, not just to their critics, but to the world. The weight of expectations pressed down on them, but they were ready. Shouta felt it deep within him—the quiet, steady thrill of knowing that he was finally stepping into the arena of champions.Lydia had molded him into something more than just a fighter; he was a warrior with purpose.

The First Duel: Shouta vs Aven of Zaimlere

The announcer’s voice rang out, amplified by magic. “Ladies and gentlemen! The next duel is Shouta of Astoria versus Aven of Zaimlere!”

The crowd erupted into cheers and jeers as Shouta stepped into the arena. His opponent, Aven, was tall and lean, wielding an enchanted spear that shimmered faintly with electric energy. His posture was arrogant, his eyes cold as he sized up his opponent.

“You’re about to learn the hard way why Astoria doesn’t belong here,” Aven taunted, twirling his spear effortlessly. His words were laced with disdain, but his eyes held a glint of anticipation, eager to break the underdog spirit of the Astoria team.

Shouta met his gaze with calm intensity. “I prefer actions over words. Let’s see if you can back yours up.”

The magical barrier around the arena pulsed, signaling the start of the match. Aven wasted no time, charging forward with a burst of speed. His spear struck like lightning, each thrust sending shockwaves through the ground. His style was aggressive, focused on overwhelming his opponent with speed and power.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Shouta danced around the strikes with precision, his blade moving in a blur as he deflected Aven’s attacks. The clash of steel against enchanted metal echoed through the arena, a symphony of battle that filled the air. Aven’s movements were swift and unpredictable, but Shouta’s calm demeanor allowed him to remain a step ahead, his body flowing with the rhythm of the fight.

“You’re quick,” Aven admitted, his expression growing serious. He hadn’t expected his opponent to be so skilled at evading his attacks.

“And you’re predictable,” Shouta countered, dodging a wide swing and closing the distance. With a swift upward slash, he struck the haft of the spear, disarming Aven in one clean motion. The enchanted spear flew from his hands, landing several feet away.

The crowd fell silent, their eyes wide in disbelief. Aven staggered back, weaponless, and raised his hands in surrender. The announcer declared Shouta the winner, and the arena erupted into applause.

From the stands, murmurs spread like wildfire. The underdog from Astoria had claimed victory. Those who had laughed at Astoria’s chances were now staring in stunned silence, and the seeds of doubt began to take root. Could Astoria really be a force to reckon with?

Team Battle: Astoria vs Xareth

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting golden hues across the arena, the announcer called for the next event: the team battle. Representing Astoria were Shouta, Lydia, Helena, and Althea, while Xareth fielded a team led by Darius, a notorious dark mage known for his ruthless tactics.

The two teams stood at opposite ends of the arena. The Xareth students smirked, their confidence bordering on arrogance. They had seen Astoria’s victory in the duel and were ready to take them down a notch.

Darius sneered from across the field, his dark eyes scanning the opposing team. “You should’ve stayed in the stands, Astoria. This will be over quickly.”

Lydia stepped forward, her sword drawn. “Big talk for someone about to lose.”

The tension between the teams was palpable, and as the magical barrier pulsed once again, the battle began.

Chaos erupted almost immediately. Xareth’s team unleashed a barrage of dark spells and enchanted projectiles, forcing Astoria onto the defensive. The dark energy that Darius had summoned filled the arena with a sinister aura, but Astoria’s team wasn’t shaken. They had faced worse in their training.

“Helena, shields!” Shouta shouted.

Helena, standing at the rear with her staff raised high, cast a shimmering barrier that deflected the incoming attacks. The shimmering wall of light flickered as dark magic collided with it, but Helena held firm, her resolve unshaken.

Lydia charged forward, meeting two opponents head-on. Her blade moved with deadly precision, forcing them back with each strike. Her movements were fluid, her focus honed by years of training under Master Orlin. She was a whirlwind of motion, a storm of steel that left her opponents no room to breathe.

Meanwhile, Shouta’s focus was on Darius, who stood at the rear, casting powerful spells. Dark tendrils of energy lashed out, but Shouta countered with his own magic, weaving through the attacks to close the distance. The air crackled with the energy of the battle, and Shouta’s sword glowed with an ethereal light as he prepared to strike.

“You’re persistent,” Darius said, his voice laced with disdain. “But persistence won’t save you.”

Shouta’s blade glowed brighter as he struck, the force of the blow shattering Darius’s protective spell. With a final slash, Shouta drove his sword into Darius’s side, knocking him off balance. The rest of the Xareth team fell quickly after that, overwhelmed by Astoria’s precision and teamwork.

The battle raged on, with Helena and Althea providing support from the rear, their spells disrupting Xareth’s formation. In a final coordinated effort, Astoria overwhelmed their opponents, securing a hard-fought victory.

The crowd erupted into cheers and disbelief. Against all odds, Astoria had triumphed over Xareth. This was more than just a victory in the arena; it was a statement. Astoria was not to be underestimated.

As the dust settled and the victors stood tall, a sudden, chilling scream echoed across the arena. All eyes turned to Darius, who clutched his chest, his body writhing in agony.

A dark aura enveloped him, his features twisting and contorting into something monstrous. His skin darkened, and his eyes glowed crimson.

“What’s happening to him?” Althea whispered, her voice trembling.

“This… this is forbidden magic,” Helena said, her face pale.

“No,” Shouta said grimly, stepping forward. “It’s worse. He’s becoming an infernal.”

Darius, now fully transformed into a towering demon, let out a guttural roar that shook the arena. Without warning, he unleashed a wave of dark energy, sending students and spectators scrambling for safety.

“Lydia, cover the crowd! Helena, Althea, with me!” Shouta commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos.

Lydia nodded, rushing to shield the fleeing spectators. Meanwhile, Shouta and the others faced the infernal head-on.

The battle was brutal. Darius’s demonic strength was overwhelming, his attacks tearing through barriers and shaking the ground. Helena and Aria cast binding spells, trying to restrain him, but he broke free with ease.

Shouta’s sword glowed brighter as he poured his energy into it. “Power without control is destruction,” he said, his voice steady.

He evaded Darius’s wild strikes, countering with precise slashes. With a final burst of magic, he drove his blade into the demon’s chest.

Darius let out a deafening scream as his form reverted, collapsing to the ground. The arena fell silent, the air heavy with tension.

Professors and investigators rushed into the arena, examining Darius’s lifeless body. The whispers of “forbidden magic” and “Arcronis” spread like wildfire among the crowd.

“This changes everything,” Helena said, her voice filled with unease.

Shouta looked at the bloodstained ground, his grip tightening on his sword. “Whoever is behind this, they won’t stop here.”

“I will talk this to my father,Emperor Qinlin”.Add Althea

To be continued…