The sun rose gently over the horizon, marking the start of a new day. The elemental tournament was fast approaching, and the atmosphere at the academy was electric. All the students, from first-years to third-years, were abuzz with excitement. Alaryc, accompanied by Jake, Alicia, and Sylvaria, made his way to the grand amphitheater where the instructions for the selection trials would be given.
Upon entering, the four friends were struck by the enormity of the hall. Hundreds of students were gathered, noisily discussing their strategies and chances of advancing through the trials. At the front of the room, the headmistress stood tall, surrounded by several professors, all wearing serious expressions.
The headmistress addressed the crowd, her voice amplified by a spell:"My dear students, the elemental tournament is a tradition that tests your skills, intelligence, and teamwork. Today, you will face the selection trials to determine who will represent our academy. Prepare yourselves, for only the most deserving teams will advance."
The trials were announced:
The Elemental Ascent: A magical mountain where participants must overcome obstacles tied to their elemental weaknesses.
The Fusion Labyrinth: A team-based trial where students must combine their elements to open pathways and defeat magical creatures.
The Power Duel: A one-on-one combat test to assess individual mastery of the elements.
Alaryc and his friends were immediately assigned to the Elemental Ascent.
The Elemental Ascent
The magical mountain was an imposing structure that seemed to defy the laws of physics. Each step drained the participants of their energy. Alaryc, always leading, used his light element to illuminate their path.
Jake was the first to face a challenge. A barrier of flames blocked their progress."Let me handle this," he said confidently. He used his fire to manipulate the barrier and create a passage, but the flames grew stronger with each attempt. Alaryc intervened, combining his shadow with the fire to absorb the excess energy, allowing them to move forward.
Farther up, Alicia encountered a zone where water instantly turned to ice. Using her affinity with water, she manipulated the ice to form a stable bridge. Sylvaria, on her part, used her wind element to stabilize the structure, earning the admiration of even the observers.
Finally, they reached the summit. The headmistress, watching from afar, noted their cohesion and creativity with a satisfied smile.
A New Mystery
As they descended the mountain, Alaryc once again noticed Maria, who seemed to isolate herself but had also completed her ascent. Intrigued, he approached her."Impressive," he said. "You always seem to succeed on your own. How do you do it?"
Maria looked at him with piercing eyes and simply replied:"I don't need others. But you, Alaryc, you're different. I can tell you're hiding something."
Before he could respond, Maria walked away, leaving Alaryc puzzled.
Toward the Next Trials
Back at the academy, the results were posted: Alaryc's team had passed the first trial with flying colors. The four friends began to mentally prepare for the next stages. Alaryc, however, couldn't shake his thoughts about Maria. Who was she really? And what did she know about him?