"Impossible! This is so unbelievable!" Captain Amir's voice thundered through the coliseum, cutting through the stunned silence that had fallen over the crowd. "It's a draw between the two teams!"
His words lingered in the air, hanging heavy with disbelief as the crowd tried to make sense of what they had just witnessed. All eyes flicked between the two shattered crystals—symbols of a battle that had ended in mutual destruction.
"Wait... did the third-year students just lose?"
"No, you moron! Didn't you hear Amir? It's a tie!"
"Same thing, you dingus! A tie with second-years is a loss!"
"How in the hell did the lowerclassmen manage a draw?"
"Are we seriously looking at the birth of a powerful new generation?"
"Guess we can't deny it now. They just went head-to-head with the third-years and didn't get flattened. That's history right there."
"Don't forget something crucial. There was that one time second-years dominated the intra-academy tournament and won it all."
"Oh yeah, when Kael competed, right? That monster soloed the third-years."
"Exactly. Ever since then, no second-year has gotten close… until now."
"But again, this isn't a win. It's just a tie. Let's hear what Amir says next."
In the viewing booth, Lucian let out a surprised laugh, unable to hide the shock laced with admiration in his expression.
"Even though my gut still says it's not over yet… what I just saw was epic. Did the second-years just pull off a draw?" Lucian asked aloud, chuckling in disbelief.
"I warned you, didn't I?" Amir smirked, arms crossed. "Told you not to underestimate them. Everyone—including the crowd—already dismissed them. And now? They've shaken up the academy."
"Yeah, I'll admit it. I was wrong," Lucian said, leaning back and placing his hands behind his head. "I thought each new generation got worse. But clearly… I was wrong."
Amir's eyes gleamed with a spark of mischief. "That brings us to the real question. What do we do now?"
Lucian narrowed his eyes. "You have something in mind?"
"I do. But I need your approval," Amir said, a sly grin forming.
"Go ahead. Let's hear it."
Meanwhile, down in the stands, Grey stood frozen, eyes wide and mouth slightly open, completely floored by what had just transpired.
"Did you… did you know they were this strong?" Max asked, his own gaze locked on the two destroyed crystals, disbelief etched across his face.
"I mean…" Grey began, his voice barely above a whisper. "I knew they were powerful—but this strong? I expected them to give the third-years a hard time, but a draw? This just blew my mind." A proud smile spread across his face as he watched the unconscious students being carried away for healing.
"Who would've thought they could manage something this insane without you?" Noir said from within Grey's consciousness, watching through his host's eyes.
'I'm still in shock,' Grey admitted inwardly.
"Alright!" Amir's voice boomed once more, commanding everyone's attention. The atmosphere instantly shifted as silence descended on the coliseum once again.
Even those being treated in the medical bay sat up—or tried to—as a communication mage projected the scene using a large green crystal.
A holographic image shimmered into view, broadcasting Amir's words in real time to all corners of the arena and the healer's chambers alike.
"We've reached a conclusion about how to proceed," Amir said. "Honestly, I'm proud of both years for putting on an unforgettable match. I warned everyone not to underestimate the second-years, and today, they proved me right.
That said, the final spots for the inter-academy tournament must still be decided. And because of that, we're doing something special tomorrow!"
As he spoke, a massive holographic board flared to life in the center of the coliseum—so large that even those in the farthest rows could read it clearly.
[TOMORROW'S SPECIAL ONE-ON-ONE MATCHUPS]
"No interruptions. No teammates to save you. No second chances," Amir declared. "Just you, your opponent, and the battlefield. This is your final chance to earn a spot in the inter-academy tournament. Only five students per academy are allowed to participate. Win tomorrow, and that spot is yours."
The moment he finished, murmurs erupted from the stands before quickly escalating into cheers as the crowd began to file out of the coliseum, still buzzing with excitement and speculation.
Grey remained rooted in place, his body tense. He clenched his fists as his eyes scanned the names on the board.
'Has Amir lost his mind?! Vince against DAVE?! That's suicide!' Grey thought in disbelief. 'Of all the matchups… why pit them against each other?! He knows there's bad blood between them! What is he thinking?! One of his sons could die!'
The scene wasn't much better at the second-years' infirmary.
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!" Scarlet's voice rang out, echoing off the clinic walls. The hologram had just flickered off, but her anger had only just begun.
"Dave and Vince?! Is Captain Amir trying to get someone killed?!"
"M-M-Me and Dave?" Vince whispered, voice trembling, lips pale. His mind flashed back to the last time they'd fought—how Dave had pummeled him into near-death before Grey stepped in to save his life.
"This is crazy…" he muttered, hands clenched.
"I swear, old age must rot your brain," Raze growled. "Because that lineup is pure garbage! Dave will rip Vince to shreds! No offense, man, but you're toast."
Vince's head snapped toward him. "You talking about me? Have you seen your own matchup? Dante's literally gonna bury you six feet under!"
"Not my fault your butt head old man thought it'd be cute to pair me against the number two among the third-years!" Raze snapped back.
"Yeah?! Well I'm up against the number one! And he's not just any upperclassman—he's my brother!" Vince yelled, eyes wild with frustration. "
"Well, at least he's your biological brother!" Raze retorted. "I don't even stand a chance, and I'm expected to show up smiling tomorrow isn't a damn execution!"
"A brother who's been waiting for an opportunity ! Now he's got one—handed to him on a silver platter!" Vince retorted angrily.
Just then, the clinic door slid open with a sharp hiss.
"What's with all the noise?" came a familiar voice.
"Grey?!" Raze and Scarlet called out in unison, eyes widening at the sight of their friend stepping into the room.
Hey Magus Legion! Uhm... How do I say this🤧 but see, there's this category that's in the WSA competition. It's the 'Book of the year' category and all Magus Supremacy needs is just your supports.
I know that our little group isn't as big as the top authors yet but it doesn't have to be. I just need your supports y'all so my book can at least occupy the top 10 or top 5 spots.
I will be communicating how to go about it in the .