The lottery's whims would determine fates – no contestant could guarantee facing weaker opponents. Some might draw Ethan himself in the opening round, spelling instant elimination.
Magical and martial academies formed opposing tides in the crowd, their clearly demarcated boundaries resembling rival armies.
"They're here!" Finn's whisper carried electric tension.
From both factions emerged last tournament's elite. Three mages approached from the arcane contingent, while seven warriors strode forward under Ethan's golden-maned leadership. Trailing them stood Jack, his burning gaze locked on Kael – the humiliation of their prior duel etched in his clenched fists.
Kael dismissed the glare with a shrug.
"Last year's top ten," Finn murmured. "Only three mages made the cut. The rest..." His gesture toward the warrior contingent said everything.
Kael's scrutiny fell on four standouts. Beyond Ethan's obvious dominance, three others radiated danger – their power levels indistinct even to his enhanced perception, suggesting parity with his own capabilities.
One specimen dominated his attention – a bare-chested berserker dubbed Golden Lion Eli. Chainmail hung loosely over corded muscles as his feral stare devoured Amelia. The warrior contingent's uncrowned queen met his gaze impassively, her reputation as a hypothetical top-ten contender undisputed despite last year's absence.
"Who's that beast?" Kael inquired.
"Eli – last tournament's runner-up." Finn's voice dropped. "Rumor says he's grown strong enough to challenge Ethan now."
Kael mentally cataloged the threat.
Behind Eli emerged a mage whose earth-toned robes parted to reveal delicate features. The magical contingent erupted in shrieks as he lowered his hood – their star spellcaster basking in adoration.
"DYLAN! DYLAN!"
"ETHAN! ETHAN!"
"GOLDEN LION! GOLDEN LION!"
The amphitheater quaked with frenzied cheers as last tournament's luminaries emerged. Leading the mage contingent stood Dylan – third-ranked prodigy recently returned from scholarly travels.
"Behold Dylan," Finn muttered, "the Arcane Academy's former crown jewel."
Kael studied the earth-toned mage, whose gaze suddenly snapped upward as if sensing scrutiny. Their eyes clashed across the roaring crowd. Dylan offered a diplomatic smile and nod – recognition between rising stars.
"Three titans dominate last tournament's podium," Finn advised. "Berserker Ethan, Golden Lion Eli, Earthshaker Dylan. Watch them closely."
He gestured toward two others: "Then there's Mad Andrew and Dark Knight Carlos – last cycle's fourth and fifth."
Kael grimaced. Only one mage among the top five confirmed the arcane arts' decline in influence.
The former champions' entrance climaxed with Ethan's fanfare – golden-maned idol surrounded by adoring beauties. Finn watched with bitter envy until Amelia's own legion of supporters roared. Her aloof detachment contrasted starkly with the frenzy, icy gaze fixed on the hovering Mirrorstone Crystal.
"Competitors! Approach for the lottery!"
Vesper's gravelly bark cut through the din. The lecherous professor cradled a rune-carved chest, its interior rattling with enchanted tokens. "Line up orderly now!"
Kael smirked at the familiar scoundrel's officious act. Ten thousand spectators held collective breath as the Mirrorstone Crystal zoomed in on trembling hands drawing fate's verdict.
Ethan stepped forward first. His hand dipped into the lottery chest, retrieving a glowing crystal card marked Sector 2, Slot 15.
"Contestant Ethan: Sector Two, fifteenth match!" Vesper announced. The Mirrorstone Crystal zoomed in, projecting Ethan's magnified image – his faint smirk triggering another tsunami of cheers.
Finn crossed himself dramatically. "Gods willing, don't let me draw Sector Two. Maybe I'll slip into the top eight if..."
Kael snorted at his friend's nervous rambling. With Ethan dominating Sector Two, its championship seemed predetermined.
The lottery progressed. Golden Lion Eli drew Sector 1, Slot 24, his growl of approval shaking the podium. Earthshaker Dylan's Sector 4 assignment earned a courtly bow toward the mage contingent. Murmurs of disappointment rippled through crowds hoping for early clashes between titans.
"Current champions have all drawn separate sectors!" Finn groaned. "No epic showdowns till quarterfinals."
When last year's top ten concluded their draws, Vesper beckoned newcomers. Kael approached the chest under the professor's exaggerated wink.
Kael glanced at his crystal slip: Sector 1, Slot 13. He shrugged indifferently.
Finn whooped, brandishing his own token. "Hah! Sector Seven! No monsters in my bracket!"
Amelia raised her card with an alabaster hand – Sector 8, Slot 18. "The stars align!" Finn crowed. "Neither of you in my sector! Top eight here I—" His grin froze mid-sentence. "Wait... Kael, your sector..."
"Sector One," Kael confirmed mildly. "Same as Golden Lion Eli."
Finn's eyes bulged. "You're sharing brackets with last year's runner-up? Poor bastard never stood a chance!"
Spectators murmured pityingly. Kael met their gazes unflinching – luck meant nothing where true strength reigned.
Across the arena, Eli's laser-focused gaze swept over. The Golden Lion snorted dismissively before turning away. Only Dylan warranted his attention among mages.
Kael smirked. Let the brute underestimate him. Their clash would settle everything.
As the last contestant drew their fate, Archmage Austin's voice boomed: "Let the Martial-Magic Tournament COMMENCE!"
The roar of ten thousand throats shook Emberfire Isle.