The arena fell silent, anticipation thick in the air. The petite girl from the dwarven kingdom, seemingly out of place, stepped forward with an air of confidence that belied her appearance. Her eyes held a determination that betrayed her innocent facade.

As the signal sounded, I closed the distance between us, and the crowd erupted in cheers. The dwarven girl moved with unexpected grace, her steps light and agile as she weaved around. She harnessed the power of the wind, creating a swirling vortex around her. The gusts of wind whipped through the arena, causing the sand to dance and obscure the vision of the spectators.

In contrast I had a more imposing presence. With a wave of my hand, I summoned dark, shadowy tendrils that snaked out toward her. But she was quick, using the wind to her advantage, she darted aside, avoiding the inky projectiles. The shadow tendrils, which had seemed so menacing, found nothing to grasp.

The dwarven girl, still riding the currents of the wind, closed in. Her hands, surrounded by a whirlwind, struck with incredible force. Each punch and kick were delivered with precision, and the wind-enhanced strikes made her blows more potent than they appeared. She targeted my midsection, seeking to weaken me with a flurry of strikes.

Holy shit.

I struggled to keep up with her speed. Invoking my own wind magic, i created a barrier of swirling air around me, which deflected some of her blows. However, her speed and agility proved to be a challenge. She danced around me, her strikes a whirlwind of fury. With a concentrated effort, I unleashed a surge of dark energy, momentarily repelling the dwarven girl and creating some distance between us.

She took a moment to regain her composure, her chest heaving from the exertion.

Gathering my dark magic, I created shadowy projectiles that shot toward the. She responded by summoning a powerful gust of wind that deflected the projectiles away. Her control over the wind was impressive to say the least.

‘Do you need my help?’ Rye voice echoed in my head.

No i’m fine buddy. Let’s end this swiftly.

I channeled his dark magic with even greater focus. As the dwarven girl closed in for another strike, I released a surge of shadowy energy that engulfed her in an inky vortex.

Over the past few days, I was indulging in spell to spell, using the grimoire that Mr. Rinehall had given me. And this was one of them.

She fought to maintain her balance, her wind magic working overtime to counteract the darkness that threatened to consume her.

Using a sudden burst of energy, I unleashed a barrage of shadowy projectiles that cut through the swirling winds and struck the girl directly. She cried out in surprise and pain as the dark magic surrounded her. The crowd gasped, not expecting such a sudden turn of events.

The girls wind magic faltered, and she stumbled backward, her movements slowing. I seized the opportunity and, with a powerful gesture, summoned a final, concentrated burst of dark energy. It hit her head-on, sending her sprawling to the sand.

The arena fell silent, the cheers and excitement replaced by a stunned hush. The girl lay on the ground, panting and defeated. Her wind-enhanced speed and hand-to-hand combat skills had been impressive, but the main character's mastery of dark magic had proven to be the decisive factor.

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With the battle swiftly won, I extended a hand to help to her feet. She accepted the gesture, and there was a mutual respect between us. And soon enough the crowd erupted into applause.

I extended the arena, and I saw Hanz waving in my direction. As I approached, he spoke with a light-hearted tone, clearly taken aback.

"I didn't know there were children in the tournament."

I shook my head, "I wouldn't underestimate her or anyone in the tournament. She was just as fast as you when you use your elemental lightning."

Hanz's expression shifted from surprise to concern, his laughter fading. "You're just joking, right?"

I paused and then replied, "I wish," as I continued walking past him. The young girl had demonstrated her exceptional skills. It was a reminder that in the world of magic and combat, age and size didn't always determine one's capabilities.

Selina Stellars P.O.V

As I brushed my hair in the full body mirror Irene spoke “Well, we have no doubt the boys will make it through this little elimination round, why don’t we do something fun for the first day?”

I glanced at her reflection in the mirror, intrigued by the idea. "Like what?" I asked, eager to hear her suggestion.

Myla also Turning her attention it Irene interested as well.

Irene's eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned against the dresser, considering her proposal. "Well," she began, "we could explore the nearby market. There are always interesting things to discover, and I've heard there's a renowned potion shop that might have some unique finds."

The prospect of a day of exploration and adventure sounded appealing to me. "That sounds like a fantastic idea," I replied with a grin. "A little break from the intensity of the tournament could be just what we need. Besides, it might be a chance to pick up some useful potions or magical items for our devlopment."

After agreeing to Irene's idea, the three of us made our way to the bustling archipelago market. The air was filled with a symphony of sounds—vendors haggling with customers, the enticing aroma of street food wafting through the air, and the lively chatter of visitors from various academies.

The market was a vibrant and colorful spectacle. Stalls and carts were adorned with all manner of goods, from magical trinkets to exotic spices. The architecture of the archipelago created a unique atmosphere, with wooden walkways and bridges connecting different islets, making the market feel like a maze of wonders.

We strolled through the market, taking in the sights and sounds. Myla's eyes sparkled with interest as she examined intricately crafted jewelry, while Irene couldn't resist sampling some of the delectable street food on offer. As for me, I was on the lookout for the renowned potion shop that Irene had mentioned.

After some time, we stumbled upon a peculiar-looking stall tucked away in a corner of the market. It was unlike any of the other shops. The merchant's wares were laid out on a colorful rug, surrounded by lush potted plants that seemed to thrive in the archipelago's climate.

The merchant himself was an eccentric character with a long, flowing beard that almost touched the ground. He wore robes adorned with charms and talismans, and his eyes held a mischievous glint.

"Welcome, travelers!" the merchant exclaimed with a theatrical bow. "I have potions, elixirs, and concoctions of all kinds. From remedies to rare curiosities, I have it all."

Irene couldn't hide her excitement and approached the stall, her eyes scanning the array of bottles and vials on display. "This is incredible," she marveled. "What's your most unique or unusual potion?"

The merchant stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Ah, my most unusual offering is a potion said to reveal hidden truths. It allows you to see the true intentions of others, but be warned, the revelations can be quite surprising."

I was intrigued by the prospect and decided to purchase one of these truth-revealing potions. Myla, on the other hand, was drawn to a potion that claimed to enhance one's connection with the natural world.

The transaction complete, we thanked the eccentric merchant and continued our exploration of the market, each of us with a newfound sense of curiosity and anticipation. The archipelago market had proven to be a treasure trove of surprises, and our day of adventure was far from over.