Following the most predictable Elite Eight in the Martial-Magic Tournament's history came the most fiercely contested semifinals.
The final four alone revealed this year's unprecedented intensity—a historic pinnacle of competition.
Ethan, the three-time reigning champion and living legend, had long been Flamecrest Academy's standard-bearer. To this day, his true power remained shrouded.
Amelia, Warrior Academy's First Beauty, wielded seventh-tier strength that rivaled her ethereal looks. Heralded by mentors as a once-in-a-century prodigy, she reigned as the academy's goddess.
Dylan, formerly the Mage Academy's top talent, now dazzled as a seventh-tier earth mage. His refined spellcraft this year positioned him as Ethan's closest rival for the crown.
Kael, the freshman phenom, had bulldozed through elite foes like Cruy and the Golden Lion. His recent solo dismantling of four Southkar Academy elites cemented his dark horse status. Though not yet seventh-tier, his performances eclipsed even the favorites.
Any of these four could have dominated past tournaments. Their convergence in a single year guaranteed fireworks.
"By popular demand," Vesper boomed, "we now draw the semifinal matchups!" He gestured to the colossal Mirror Crystal, its surface flickered with glowing names of the four finalists.
Kael and Amelia stood rigid, eyes locked on the rotating glyphs. Ethan and Dylan mirrored their focus—no opponent here would be anything less than catastrophic.
The crystal's spin slowed.
A hushed murmur swept through the crowd, eyes alight with anticipation.
The crystal screen flickered:
First Match: Kael vs Dylan
Second Match: Amelia vs Ethan
"What a staggering coincidence!" Vesper's grin sharpened. "The semifinals will crown both the Mage Academy's and Warrior Academy's ultimate champions!"
Indeed, Kael and Dylan—the Mage Academy's twin titans—would clash for magical supremacy. Across the arena, Amelia locked eyes with Ethan, the Warrior Academy's three-time king, their rivalry crackling like live steel.
Dylan adjusted his arcane cloak, anticipation flickering as he met Kael's gaze. The freshman's fingers flexed rhythmically around the Sacred Flame Scepter—clench, release, clench—before steadying. Dylan's earth magic mastery rivaled Kael's pyrokinetic genius, a testament to single-element specialization's brutal efficiency.
Amelia's starlit eyes hardened. Ethan stood like an unsheathed divine blade, his smile sharp enough to cut stone.
"By the gods!" Vesper roared, stoking the crowd's frenzy. "Our champions sharpen their blades without shedding blood! Could anything be more thrilling?"
Tomorrow's schedule promised carnage:
Morning: Mage Academy's reckoning—Kael versus Dylan.
Afternoon: Warrior Academy's apex duel—Amelia versus Ethan.
As the arena emptied, Kael squeezed Amelia's hand. "Glad we're not matched yet."
She nodded. "Beat Dylan. Secure top three. The Sacred Council's favor…" Her voice trailed off, but the stakes loomed clear. Victory meant ascension into the Council's inner circle—exactly as Zorath the Silent had promised.
"Rest well tonight. Hone yourself to perfection—tomorrow demands nothing less." Kael grinned, clenching his fist in confident resolve.
Amelia mirrored his gesture. "You've got this!" Her spirited fist-pump left nearby male students swooning.
Both retreated to their dorms, avoiding sparring. For semifinalists, peak conditioning trumped last-minute training.
As dusk settled, Kael meditated alone on his balcony, the Twilight of Lunar Shadows—a blood-red crystal orb—resting beside him. Though the artifact's true power resonated only with vampires, its mana amplification still aided his focus.
Just shy of seventh-tier. Combined with dual-casting and summons, my odds against Dylan are fifty-fifty… His gaze flicked to the orb's crimson haze.
"Scarlett."
Snap.
The Twilight's seal lifted. A vampiric countess materialized—pale limbs exposed by her knee-length black dress, porcelain skin glowing under moonlight.
"Master." Her address flowed smoother now, habit overriding pride.
Kael ignored her theatrical ensemble. To him, Scarlett remained a vampire first—no allure in her undead origins, even as her current human guise teased mortal desires.
"Your recovered strength?"
"Mid seventh-tier, Master." Scarlet preened, fangs glinting.
Mid seventh-tier? Impressive. Mere days absorbing the Twilight's energy had restored her beyond expectations. Given months, she might reclaim her true power—a prospect Kael welcomed. Bound by their blood pact, her might only bolstered his own.
"Precisely, Master. The Twilight of Lunar Shadows is my clan's sacred relic, infused with the essence of generations of Blood Emperors. With its power, I might even shatter the ninth-tier barrier—ascend to Marquis, perhaps Duke…" Scarlett's voice trembled with fervor. Her tongue flicked across crimson lips in a practiced, seductive gesture—wasted on Kael's indifference.
"Understood. Use the relic's energy freely." Kael waved dismissively. The orb's vampiric essence held no value for him, but empowering Scarlett as a living weapon? That was priceless.
Scarlett vanished into the orb, oblivious to Kael's silent triumph. Grow as strong as you like—every ounce of power you reclaim becomes mine to wield.
Dawn broke over Flamecrest Academy, gilding its towers in gold. Today would etch itself into history.