While Vince was getting his arse handed to him by a third-year Earth mage, Raze found himself locked in a tense standoff with a lightning-affinity student from the same year. His heart skipped several beats as the student's next move shattered the stillness.
"Fine! By the time I'm done with you, you'll be humiliated—and begging for mercy!" the student roared, his eyes glowing a piercing white, lips curling into a sinister grin.
A shockwave of raw energy burst out from the student, slamming into Raze and forcing him back a few inches, his arms raised defensively as sparks danced across the air.
"Hey! Isn't this going too far? Maybe we can… talk things out?" Raze said nervously, swallowing a lump in his throat as the energy began to settle.
The student now radiated a soft white glow. His eyes burned with white-hot power, his hair fluttered wildly in the air, and a confident smile curled his lips.
All around him, one hundred lightning arrows materialized, crackling ominously as they pointed directly at Raze, who gulped again—third time in three seconds.
"Bro, are you sure you don't wanna talk this out?" Raze asked, his voice strained, lightning dancing across his body, eyes locked on the formidable opponent before him.
"Die!" the student barked, snapping his fingers.
The arrows launched forward at breakneck speed.
"Curses!" Raze cursed, kicking off the ground. A thunderous bang echoed as he took off, weaving frantically across the battlefield with the arrows hot on his tail.
One arrow almost clipped him, but he dove to the side, letting it slam into the earth with a deafening explosion.
Another zipped toward his ribs, but Raze skidded to a halt and bent backwards, narrowly dodging it. The sparks singed his skin, but he gritted his teeth and powered on.
He sprinted around the arena like a madman, drawing jeers from the impatient crowd.
"Thought it was a shatter war, not tag!"
"Come down here and dodge a hundred arrows yourself!" Raze shouted back, lightning enveloping his hand as another arrow neared.
He whirled around, caught the arrow mid-air, and with a powerful spin, hurled it into the oncoming barrage.
The explosion that followed crackled through the air as several arrows detonated mid-flight.
"Not bad... but you forgot—there's still more," the student taunted as another dozen arrows materialized around Raze.
Before he could react, they hammered into him with brutal force. Agonizing jolts tore through his body. He screamed, hands clutching his blonde hair as sparks danced across his scalp.
"ARGHHHH!" he cried out. Even in pain, he straightened his hair with trembling hands.
"What... you care about your hair more than your life?" the student asked, blinking in disbelief. He paused, lowering his hand instead of launching the remaining fifty arrows.
"Y-You fool..." Raze panted, smirking through bloodied lips. "Appearance… matters more than anything."
Crackling with electricity again, Raze staggered upright and wiped the blood from his chin, his glare sharp and unwavering.
"Now I know you're the fool," the student muttered. With a snap, the rest of the arrows soared toward Raze.
'I really wish I had Earth magic right now,' Raze thought grimly, eyes flicking to the ground as the projectiles neared.
"Damn it!" he cursed. Lightning surged through his arms as he slammed both fists into the earth.
The ground trembled violently, and a large stone slab erupted into the air. Twisting his hips, Raze kicked the slab forward with force, hurling it toward the incoming barrage.
The arrows collided with the slab, carving a hole through it as they lost momentum, their speed halved.
But Raze was already gone, dashing to the side. The arrows struck the spot where he once stood, kicking up a cloud of dust.
When the dust cleared, he was crouched a few meters away, blood trailing from his lips. But the lightning student—he had vanished.
The ominous sound came from behind.
Raze spun around, but too late—an electrified fist slammed into his face, hurling him across the battlefield. He tumbled violently, pain radiating through his limbs.
"ARGH!" he shouted. Something in his arm snapped, and he hit the ground hard, body twitching from the electric shock.
Just as he tried to rise, a deafening BOOM erupted behind him. His eyes widened in horror as a massive golem raised its stone foot, preparing to stomp Vince.
"Damn it! VINCE!" Raze yelled—but another explosion interrupted him. The Earth student's foot connected again, launching dust into the air.
As it settled, Raze sighed in relief—Vince was okay.
'I guess he's alright… now, let me—'
His thought froze as a powerful gust erupted near him. The lightning student had reappeared, a blur of motion, and was now in front of him again.
"Focus on your fight!" the student barked, driving an uppercut into Raze's chin and lifting him off his feet. A follow-up lightning burst sent him crashing near Vince's battlefield.
Raze groaned, spewing blood. His hand twitched—then touched something.
Suddenly, his body began to change. Eyes widening, he realized what he'd touched: the golem's foot. Only it wasn't made of earth anymore—it was flesh.
The real student had dropped the golem's foot disguise.
A smile tugged at Raze's lips as his body surged with new energy. A luminous butterfly floated gently down and rested on his head. His wounds began to close.
'Thank you, Vanica,' he thought, glancing toward the mist where Vorden and Vanica were encased.
He turned to face the lightning user, who was charging up another attack.
"One quick question," Raze said, stepping forward with a renewed gleam in his eye. With each step, his smile grew.
"What is lightning weak to?"
"What is this, an interview?" the student retorted, annoyed.
"Just answer," Raze replied, twirling his finger nonchalantly.
"I'm glad you know what will be bringing you down." Raze grinned. Earth began swirling around his hand.
"A dual-elementalist?!" Lucian blurted out, sitting upright in shock.
From the stands, Grey smirked, arms folded as he leaned back casually.
'I never doubted you, Raze. I knew you'd find a way to win. My only concern… is Vince.'
"How about we go for round two?" Raze said, earth gathering beneath his feet.
And then, with a low rumble, he launched forward—faster, stronger, and with the element that could tip the scales.
So many explosive fights are still to come in this tournament! Stick around and support your favorite warrior!
Even I, the author, have no idea who will win 😅—so cast your vote below:
Team B (Second Years) or Team B (Third Years)? Who would win? Lemme hear your thoughts and opinions guys!
Let the war begin! ⚔️🔥