The Grand Melee had finally arrived, and the air buzzed with an electric anticipation that spread throughout the academy grounds. The grand stadium, capable of holding tens of thousands of spectators, was alive with the hum of excited chatter and the roar of the crowd. Nobles, commoners, and students alike filled the stands, eager to witness the academy's finest clash in a spectacle of magic, skill, and raw talent.
The arena itself was a vast battlefield, designed to challenge the competitors with shifting terrain, enchanted obstacles, and various hazards that would appear as the matches progressed. The floor was a mix of grass, stone, and dirt, with large stone pillars strategically placed to provide cover or create barriers. Magical wards shimmered faintly along the edges of the field, ensuring that stray spells would not harm the audience.
Banners bearing the colors and crests of noble houses fluttered in the breeze. At the center of it all, the royal family's box stood as the most prominent seating area, elevated above the crowd and decorated with fine silks and gold trimmings. King Alduin Aldoria sat there, his violet eyes surveying the arena with a calm yet commanding presence. Beside him was Queen Eveline, her elegant features softened by a warm smile as she conversed with some of the nobles nearby.
Next to them sat their son, Prince Malcom, his young face a blend of curiosity and determination as he leaned forward eagerly in his seat. Selene, the princess, stood nearby, her violet eyes reflecting the same eagerness burning in her brother's gaze. Although she wore a regal gown for the occasion, it was well known that she would soon join the other students in the stadium to compete.
Opposite the royal box were the private seats reserved for the House of Aeloria. Thaddeus Aeloria sat with his wife, Lady Seraphine—known among her peers as Lady Sera. Thaddeus's expression was as stern and composed as ever, a man of noble bearing whose golden eyes mirrored a hard resolve. Lady Sera's black eyes, a stark contrast to her husband's, scanned the arena with quiet intensity.
A seat over from them sat Aric Thorne, the "Thorn of the Aelorias." His gaze was locked on the battlefield, his weathered face marked by lines that told tales of battles long since fought. Today, however, those lines carried a different kind of weight—a mix of anticipation and concern. Though his stern expression remained, a glint of eagerness shone in his eyes. He was ready to see what Lorian could do, despite Thaddeus's explicit instructions for his son to stay out of the melee.
The Thorn knew just how far Lorian had come and wondered whether the young Aeloria would reveal his growth or let his need for his father's approval hold him back. As he watched the students file into the arena, Aric allowed a slight smile to touch his lips.
Across the stands, murmurs rippled through the crowd as notable figures continued to take their seats. The anticipation was palpable; today, the academy's best would show the culmination of their training, and all of Aldoria would witness the spectacle. The stage was set for the Grand Melee, and soon the roar of the crowd would be drowned out by the clash of steel, the hum of magic, and the cheers for the victors.
Magister Orion stood before the grand assembly, his silver hair shimmering in the morning light and his silver eyes scanning the tens of thousands of people packed into the stadium. The anticipation in the air was palpable, the crowd buzzing with excitement for the first day of the Grand Melee. As a relative of the Varaketh family, known for their mastery of shadow magic, his presence commanded respect. Now, as he prepared to speak, the stadium quieted, eager to hear his words.
"Welcome, one and all, to the Grand Melee!" Orion's voice boomed across the arena, enhanced by magical amplification, reaching even the farthest reaches of the stands. "This is not merely a competition; it is a time-honored tradition that stretches back for generations—a testament to the strength and ambition of our academy's finest. It is here that the future leaders, champions, and defenders of Aldoria step onto the stage to prove their worth."
He gestured to the assembled students, each dressed in their academy uniforms with varying crests that displayed their affiliations, skill levels, and house allegiances. The students stood in a special section set aside for participants, waiting anxiously for the trials to begin.
"Today marks the beginning of a journey for these young warriors," Orion continued. "For some, it will be an opportunity to bring honor to their families, to their houses, and to themselves. For others, it will be the chance to forge a path to glory, to earn the recognition that may open doors to roles within the military or the nobility itself. Here, reputations will be made and broken, and those who rise to the challenge will be remembered for years to come."
He cast a glance at the seats of the academy professors. Each was filled except for one—Aldric's seat stood empty, a noticeable absence that stirred murmurs in the crowd. However, Orion gave no further attention to it and pressed on with his speech.
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"These trials are designed not just to test your skills but to push you to your very limits. To show the world what you are truly capable of." Orion's gaze swept across the crowd once more, his voice filled with solemn encouragement. "To the students gathered here, remember this: the path to greatness is not easily tread, but it is those who are unyielding in their pursuit of excellence who will carve their names into the annals of history."
With those words, Orion stepped back and took his seat, allowing the cheers of the audience to wash over the arena as he settled in among his fellow professors. The anticipation was still high, and all eyes now turned toward the center of the arena, where Lady Cerys was poised to explain the first stage of the competition.
Lady Cerys, with her long black hair and piercing red eyes, strode confidently onto the ground. As a Lord-ranked mage, her presence alone commanded attention. The air seemed to shimmer around her as she drew upon her gravity magic, exerting a subtle but unmistakable pressure that indicated her authority. The crowd quieted as she began to speak.
"Students, you stand at the threshold of your first test," Lady Cerys declared, her voice clear and strong. "The opening round of the Grand Melee will be a qualifier. To separate the contenders from the rest, each of you will face an elite-level challenge. You will be pitted against either a single elite-ranked monster or a pack of creatures whose combined threat equals that of an elite opponent. Your goal is simple: defeat your assigned foe as quickly as possible."
She paused to let the weight of her words settle in. The expressions of the students varied; some were filled with determination, others with anxiety, as they began to grasp the enormity of the challenge ahead.
"The results will be determined based on your completion times," Cerys continued. "Only the top one hundred students with the shortest times will move forward to the next stage. There are over three hundred of you competing today, and there will be no second chances. If you fail to defeat your opponent, you will be eliminated from the tournament."
The stadium buzzed with murmurs as Lady Cerys's words resonated throughout the arena. The magical barriers around the perimeter began to shift and divide, creating separate arenas where each participant would soon face their assigned challenge. Summoning circles etched into the ground began to glow, preparing to call forth the creatures that would test the students' mettle.
"There is one final rule," Lady Cerys added, her tone growing sharper as she looked out at the young mages. "For this qualifier, should any student's life be in complete mortal danger, I will immediately intervene and put a stop to the fight. However, let it be known that disqualification will be the price of my intervention. I will not halt a fight for broken bones, blood loss, or other injuries unless it is determined to be fatal. Emergency healers are readily available and standing by, but understand this: once I step in, your chance in the tournament is over."
With her final words, Lady Cerys stepped back, and the first group of students took their positions at their designated arenas. The qualifying round was about to begin, and soon, the arena would erupt into a spectacle of magic, combat, and the indomitable will to win.
As the crowd hushed in anticipation, the first name was announced with a booming voice that echoed across the arena.
"Zephyr Nimbus!"
Zephyr stepped forward with a confident stride, his gaze fixed on the arena's center. The gate opposite him creaked open, and a frost drake emerged, its icy blue scales shimmering under the bright sunlight. The elite-rank beast let out a chilling roar, a plume of freezing mist billowing from its maw, its reptilian eyes locking onto its prey.
Lady Cerys raised her hand, and the signal to begin rang out.
Without hesitation, Zephyr summoned a burst of wind magic, propelling himself forward in a blur of motion. The frost drake lashed out with a stream of icy breath, but Zephyr sidestepped, using the wind to carry him effortlessly around the attack. As he darted past the drake's flank, his blade sliced through the air, creating a deep gash along the creature's scaled neck.
The drake roared in pain and fury, whirling to strike with its powerful tail. Zephyr leapt high, a gust of wind lifting him above the swinging limb as he prepared a concentrated vortex in his hand. The moment his feet touched the ground, he released the whirlwind toward the beast's face, forcing it to rear back in disorientation.
Seizing the opening, Zephyr launched himself toward the frost drake's chest, his wind-imbued blade shimmering as he drove it deep into the creature's heart. The force of the magic coursed through the wound, tearing apart the drake's insides and extinguishing the faint blue glow in its eyes. It collapsed to the ground with a final, shuddering breath.
As the crowd erupted in applause, the magical scoreboard flickered to life, displaying his time: One minute and twenty-six seconds. A hush fell over the arena as the significance of the time sank in—finishing in just over a minute was no small feat, especially against an elite-rank creature like the frost drake. The speed and precision of Zephyr's victory sent murmurs of admiration and awe rippling through the stands.
Lady Cerys nodded approvingly. "Zephyr Nimbus: One minute, twenty-six seconds. A commendable performance," she announced, her voice echoing across the arena. For the participants, it was a stark reminder of the level of skill they would need to reach if they wanted to secure a spot among the top 100. To dispatch a monster of that caliber so quickly required not only raw power but expert control and composure—qualities few could boast.
Zephyr returned to his place among the students, his expression cool but satisfied. He had set an impressive benchmark, one that would undoubtedly put pressure on the next participants. As he glanced back at the arena, a slight smirk tugged at his lips. The Grand Melee had only just begun, but he had already shown that he was a force to be reckoned with, and anyone hoping to best his time would need to bring their very best—or risk falling short.