Chapter 18: The Tournament's End
The next three days passed like a fleeting ghost, but a destructive one.
Only 48 students remained, the survivors of the "Lightning Massacre" caused by Elias.
During the individual matches, Elias turned into an unstoppable machine. He didn't use the costly Lightning Robe, but settled for small deals with the entity to enhance his speed and reflexes, crushing his opponents one by one with terrifying efficiency, saving his precious gold coins for the real battle ahead.
And now, the promised day had arrived. The Qualifier Finals.
Professor Valeria entered the lecture hall with her usual military stride.
Silence fell immediately. Student whispers about Elias's power and Cedric's might vanished, replaced by heavy anticipation.
Valeria stood behind the podium, scanning the hall with a sharp gaze before saying:
"As you know, the qualifiers were supposed to continue until 64 students remained. But... exceptional circumstances reduced the number to 48."
She looked towards Elias for a moment before continuing:
"After the elimination rounds, only three students remain qualified for the final."
She held a paper and read the names in a booming voice:
"Celine von Arcadia."
"Present." The Princess's voice came calm and confident.
"Cedric von Ignis."
"Present." Cedric replied with a tone carrying a challenge, his eyes burning.
"And finally... the student who tipped the scales of the tournament, Elias Reinhardt."
"Present." Elias's reply was cold, as if announcing his presence in a regular class.
Valeria continued: "Since the number is odd, and the tournament system requires a final confrontation, we decided to hold a draw to determine who qualifies directly for the final and awaits the winner of the other two."
Suddenly, a slender white hand rose in the air.
"Professor Valeria."
"Yes, Your Highness?"
Celine stood with dignity, and said in a voice clearly heard by everyone:
"I wish to withdraw from the tournament."
Gasps of surprise filled the hall. Students whispered in astonishment: "Withdraw? The Princess? Why?"
Valeria raised her hand to silence them, looking at Celine seriously:
"Are you sure about this decision? Withdrawing means giving up the chance for first place."
Celine smiled a mysterious smile: "Yes, I am sure. I have my own reasons."
She sat down calmly, leaving the hall in a state of shock.
Valeria nodded: "Very well, the decision is yours."
Then she turned to the remaining two, a ghost of a smile appearing on her face:
"So, it is settled. The final will be today... between Cedric von Ignis and Elias Reinhardt."
The two exchanged a quick glance. A glance enough to ignite the air between them.
"Everyone, head to the First Training Arena. The finals will begin in half an hour."
In the First Training Arena, the atmosphere was charged with electricity.
The stands, though not fully packed, were buzzing with excitement. Professors, students, and even some guests, everyone was watching.
Elias sat in his usual corner, eyes closed, isolated from the noise around him.
In his mind, complex calculations were running.
(I only have 300 gold coins left. I have to be careful. I can't waste them here. I need them for the war, for the bargaining of annihilation, and for expenses...)
He opened his eyes slightly, to see Cedric's burning gaze piercing him from the other side.
(He seems ready to die to win. Good... I'll use that to my advantage.)
"Competitors, step forward!"
Valeria's voice came down from the center of the arena.
Elias got up and walked with steady steps. On his way, he glimpsed Charlotte sitting in the professors' seats.
She waved to him enthusiastically, a worried smile on her face. Elias ignored her outwardly, but felt a slight prick in his chest.
He reached the center of the arena, standing opposite Cedric.
Valeria said, standing between them as referee:
"The rules are simple. Fight until knockdown or surrender. Tools are allowed, magic is allowed. Killing is prohibited. Is that understood?"
"Understood."
"Understood."
The two stepped back, taking combat stances.
(Deal?)
The entity's voice came in Elias's head, sarcastic as usual.
Elias whispered in his mind: (I want comprehensive physical enhancement, and the ability to use ice magic until the end of the match.)
(200 Gold Coins.)
(No. I won't pay coins. Take something else.)
The entity laughed: (Oh? You're starting to learn the art of true bargaining. Fine... how about your happy memories with Charlotte? Plus sense of taste for five hours?)
Elias's heart stopped for a moment. Selling memories? The only memories that make him human?
(No. I won't sell memories.)
He asked flatly: (How much life do I have left?)
(7 years and 72 days.)
Elias closed his eyes for a moment, then said firmly:
(Take three days of my life.)
The entity whistled impressively: (Hehehe... it seems selling that old memory left a bitter taste in your mouth, huh?)
Then his tone changed to terrifying seriousness:
(Agreed. Make it an exciting match... my dear partner.)
Elias felt a chill run through his veins, as if his life was being drawn out drop by drop, replaced by immense icy power.
"BEGIN!"
With Valeria's shout, Cedric launched like an arrow.
A massive fireball shot from his left hand, while he swung a flame-enveloped sword with his right.
"Elias Reinhardt! Today I will show you that relying on tricks will never make you great!"
Elias dodged the fireball with a fluid movement, raising his sword to block Cedric's strike.
CLANG!
Elias's arm shook. The blow was heavy. Heavier than he expected.
(Three days weren't enough... his physical strength is monstrous.)
He retreated back, striking the ground with his hand. "Ice Spikes!"
Ice spears shot from the ground towards Cedric, but the latter didn't retreat.
With a touch of his flaming sword, he melted the ice like butter, continuing his advance.
"Second-tier spells don't work on me! Is this your limit without your damn robe and your luck?"
Elias ignored him, rushing towards him, coating his sword in a layer of sharp frost.
Swords clashed. Fire and Ice. Red and Blue.
It was a violent and fast fight. Cedric attacking with ferocity and anger, and Elias defending with coldness and precision, looking for an opening.
"Your strength is good, but you lack art! You swing your sword like a kitchen knife!" Cedric mocked as he delivered a kick that pushed Elias back.
Elias wiped blood from his lip, and said with provocative calm:
"You talk too much... do Ignis family members fight with their mouths?"
Cedric's eyes ignited with rage. "You... I'll show you!"
Cedric retreated and raised his hand high. Mana gathered around him terrifyingly.
"Watch closely. This is true magic!"
He drew a magic circle in the air. "Hell Butterfly!"
A huge butterfly formed of concentrated fire, launching at insane speed towards Elias.
Elias didn't panic.
"Ice Wall."
A thick wall of blue ice rose before him.
The butterfly collided with the wall, exploding into a dense cloud of hot steam that covered the arena.
Cedric exploited the zero visibility and rushed into the steam, only to be surprised by Elias right in front of him, holding a round shield of ice in his left hand and a sword in his right.
"Expected it!" Cedric shouted as he brought his sword down.
Elias blocked the blow with the ice shield which cracked, but held.
The fight continued between them in turns with sword skills.
Elias attacks, Cedric blocks. Cedric attacks, Elias blocks.
Sometimes Cedric landed decisive blows on Elias due to his superiority in sword arts, but Elias dodged or blocked with the shield.
When Elias noticed a gap in Cedric's defense, he seized the opportunity to deliver a quick strike to Cedric's chest, forcing him to retreat.
Breaths came in gasps. The two stood meters apart, both realizing the end was near.
Cedric smiled, flames dancing around him. "I know you've been preparing a spell from the start. So have I."
Elias nodded silently.
"This spell is my trump card. I was saving it for a worthy opponent, and it seems you are... acceptable."
The arena glowed with bright red light.
"Fifth-tier Magic... Phoenix of Hell!"
A giant bird of pure fire emerged, its cry sounding like burning wood, diving towards Elias.
In response, Elias gathered every atom of cold in his body.
"Fifth-tier Magic... Falcon of Frost!"
A transparent blue falcon launched, leaving a trail of falling snow behind it.
The two beasts collided in the center of the arena.
BOOOOOOM!
A massive explosion shook the stands. Fire and ice mixed in a vortex of destruction, and a storm of dust and steam covered everything.
The audience screamed with insane enthusiasm. Professors stood on their feet. And Charlotte clutched her heart, eyes fixed on the dust cloud.
Moments passed that seemed like an eternity.
The dust began to clear slowly.
Two silhouettes appeared.
One standing, and the other... kneeling.
Cedric was standing, his clothes torn and his body covered in burns and bruises, but he was smiling triumphantly.
Meters away, Elias was kneeling on one knee, breathing with extreme difficulty, his sword planted in the ground to support him.
Valeria looked at the two, confirming Elias's exhausted state.
She raised her hand and announced in a voice that echoed through the arena:
"The winner... Cedric von Ignis!"
The stands exploded with applause and cheers. It was a match for history.
Cedric looked at his trembling hands, then at the defeated Elias.
(I... I did it. I won!)
Elias rose slowly, wiped the blood from his mouth, then turned and left the arena silently, without looking back.
In the corridor leading to the exit, Charlotte intercepted him, tears in her eyes.
"Elias! You're bleeding! We must go to the infirmary immediately!"
Elias tried to evade: "No nee—"
Cough! Cough!
He coughed violently, and dark drops of blood splattered on the floor.
Charlotte gasped, grabbing his arm with indisputable force.
"You are going to the infirmary whether you like it or not! Move in front of me or I'll beat you there myself!"
Elias looked at her wearily, a faint sarcastic smile on his lips:
"Beating an injured person you're worried about?"
"Of course! When he's a stubborn idiot like you!"
Elias was silent for a moment, then surrendered to her warmth: "...Fine."
He walked beside her towards the healing center, and while she scolded him gently, his mind was somewhere else entirely.
(Three days of my life weren't enough to defeat him completely... his power is growing terrifyingly.)
A mysterious, cold glint shone in his dead eyes.
(But... losing here was necessary. Winning would have attracted too much unwanted attention before the journey.)
He looked forward, towards the horizon Charlotte couldn't see.
(Everything is going according to plan. I'll finish treatment, and start moving towards Houston. There... the promised time will come.)
