"Our first event... FIRST-YEAR INDIVIDUAL COMBAT!" Professor Vash’s voice bood across the arena.
The crowd’s roar intensified, anticipation building.
"And now, let us welco the REIGNING CHAMPIONS!" Professor Vash’s voice dropped to sothing almost reverent.
"For more than a decade, undefeated in overall house rankings, the house that sets the standard for excellence, SILVER CROWN!"
The eastern gates opened.
A senior student erged first, walking with asured dignity.
In their hands, they carried a bronze brazier containing sacred flas of the phoenix, shifting and dancing without consuming fuel.
Behind them ca the five Silver Crown first-year representatives.
Verelia Rithvale walked with perfect posture, her silver hair with blue streaks catching the light. Expression neutral, blue eyes forward, radiating cold competence.
Alaric Glimor moved with controlled ease, his bearing neither arrogant nor humble, just present, aware, calculating.
Elina Glimor held her head high, scarlet hair vibrant against her uniform, golden eyes sharp and focused.
Damien Korr walked with quiet confidence, his dark features set in concentration.
Kieran Draveris carried himself with the unconscious superiority of old nobility, pale hair perfectly styled.
All five wore matching ceremonial attire, deep blue blazers with the golden phoenix embroidered on the chest, silver threading along the edges marking their status as Silver Crown’s elite.
The uniforms were immaculate, expensive, designed to project dominance before a single blow was struck.
The crowd erupted. Silver Crown students scread support. Other houses watched with varying degrees of respect, envy, and determination to tear them down.
Professor Vash let the noise build before continuing.
"Led by the sacred flas of the phoenix, symbol of rebirth, strength, truth, and eternal glory! Silver Crown enters not just to compete, but to defend their legacy!"
The five students followed the fla-bearer around the arena’s periter in a ceremonial circuit. The flas cast dancing shadows, the phoenix seeming to move within the fire itself.
Once they’d completed the circuit, the senior led them to an elevated platform on the arena’s edge, a private viewing area far more luxurious than standard seating. The "Champions’ Room" it was called, reserved exclusively for the reigning tournant winners.
Plush seating, refreshnts, clear view of all three rings, enchanted to provide perfect acoustics.
Verelia and the others settled in, watching as the ceremony continued below.
Professor Vash’s voice rang out again. "Before we begin matches, let explain today’s structure!"
Magical projections appeared above the arena, showing tournant brackets and scheduling.
"Day One features our first-year competitors! Day Two will showcase second-years! Day Three belongs to third-years! Day Four highlights our fourth-years! And on Day Five..." she paused dramatically, "A SPECIAL EVENT that will be revealed after the initial rounds conclude!"
Excited murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"Now, the rules! Individual Combat is single elimination across multiple rounds! Victory is achieved through opponent yield, incapacitation, or referee stoppage! Lethal techniques are FORBIDDEN and will result in imdiate disqualification and potential Academy expulsion! Essence techniques are permitted within safety limits! Protective barriers will contain overflow but competitors are responsible for control!"
The three rings glowed brighter as additional safety enchantnts activated.
"And now, let us welco our OTHER HOUSES!"
The northern gates opened. "From IRON TALON!"
Nine students erged wearing Iron Talon’s colors, deep gray uniforms with silver claw emblems. They moved with disciplined precision, clearly well-trained and coordinated.
The crowd cheered, significant support from Iron Talon students, respectful acknowledgnt from others.
"From BRONZE SHIELD!"
Western gates. Nine students in bronze and brown, their shield emblems prominent. Mixed reception, Bronze Shield was respected but not feared.
"From COPPER THORN!"
Southern gates. Nine students wearing copper and dark green. The reception was more subdued, Copper Thorn was consistently the weakest house, though their representatives looked determined to change that perception.
Each house was led to their respective platforms, not as lavish as Silver Crown’s Champions’ Room, but still elevated positions with good views.
Once all houses were assembled, Professor Vash continued.
"The tournant structure has been carefully designed! Round One will feature matches BETWEEN the three challenger houses, Iron Talon, Bronze Shield, and Copper Thorn!"
Magical brackets appeared, showing the matchup structure.
"Round One consists of three matches:
Match One: Iron Talon vs Bronze Shield
Match Two: Bronze Shield vs Copper Thorn
Match Three: Copper Thorn vs Iron Talon"
The crowd processed this, so confused, others nodding in understanding.
"The TOP TWO houses from Round One will advance to Round Two! There, they will face Silver Crown’s representatives!"
Ah.
Silver Crown got a bye. The other houses had to prove themselves worthy of even challenging the champions.
So groaned at the obvious favoritism. Others accepted it as earned privilege.
"This ensures only the strongest challengers face our reigning champions!" Professor Vash declared. "Now, competitors to your positions! First match begins in FIVE MINUTES!"
The arena erupted in final preparations.
Students from Iron Talon and Bronze Shield moved to their designated rings. The others retreated to watch.
In the Champions’ Room, Verelia looked down at the arena floor with cold assessnt. "Iron Talon will win the first match. Bronze Shield lacks the aggression needed."
"Probably," Alaric agreed, watching competitors warm up below. "But Bronze Shield might surprise us. They’ve been training specifically to counter Iron Talon’s style."
Elina snorted. "Doesn’t matter. We’ll beat whoever makes it through."
"Confidence," Damien observed. "I like it."
Kieran said nothing, just watched with aristocratic detachnt.
The senior nodded, "Confidence is good, but don’t get over-confident—"
"Yeah, Yeah, we know." Damien interrupted yawning, as he leaned back, arms crossed under his head.
Alaric shifted closer to Elina, slinging his arm over her shoulders. Grinning.
"I’m happy we’re in a sa team sister."
"Well. I am not."
She hissed, elbowing him.
The senior just sighed, shook her head and turned her gazed outside.
Below, Professor Vash’s voice rang out one final ti before the matches began.
"Ladies and gentlen, beings of all races, WELCO TO THE TOURNANT!"
The crowd roared.
"Let the first-year Individual Combat BEGIN!"
The protective barriers solidified.
The first two competitors stepped into Ring One.
And the tournant officially started.
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