The next day, the academy was abuzz with excitement. The announcement of the five students who would represent the academy in the Elemental Tournament was scheduled for later in the afternoon, and the entire student body was alive with speculation. Alaryc and his friends were no exception, their anticipation building as they gathered in the dining hall for breakfast.
Jake leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "You think we all made it? I mean, the competition was tough, but I think we have a good shot."
Alicia stirred her tea, her expression thoughtful. "It's hard to say. Everyone gave their best. Even if one of us doesn't make it, we should be proud of what we've accomplished."
Silvarya, still recovering from the strain of the previous day, nodded. "It's not just about being chosen; it's about learning from this experience. But..." She glanced at Alaryc, her tone teasing. "I'm pretty sure someone here is already a guaranteed pick."
Alaryc smirked but remained silent. Instead, he turned his gaze to the window, watching the sunlight play across the academy grounds. The past few days had been intense, and his thoughts were already on the challenges ahead.
Jake broke the silence. "Whatever happens, we've gotta keep pushing ourselves. This tournament isn't just a game—it's a chance to show the world what we're made of."
Before anyone could respond, Maria approached their table. Her crimson hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her emerald eyes were sharp with determination. "Morning, everyone," she said, her voice carrying a hint of competitive edge. She looked directly at Alaryc. "I hope you're ready for what's coming."
Alaryc met her gaze evenly. "Always."
Maria nodded, satisfied, before turning to leave. Silvarya watched her go, her expression unreadable. After a moment, she spoke up. "She's strong, but she's too confident. That could be her weakness."
Alicia glanced at Silvarya, concern flickering across her face. "We'll all need to stay focused. Confidence is important, but overconfidence can lead to mistakes."
Jake grinned. "And that's why we'll stick together. No matter what."
As breakfast wrapped up, the group decided to head to the training grounds to burn off some of the nervous energy. Alaryc suggested they practice their individual techniques, knowing they needed to refine their skills further before the tournament.
The Training Grounds
The sprawling training grounds were alive with activity. Students of all years were sparring, practicing spells, and refining their techniques. Alaryc and his friends found a quieter corner to train.
Jake focused on his fire-based attacks, unleashing a series of rapid bursts of flame that lit up the air around him. Alicia practiced her precision with water spells, conjuring orbs of water that she directed at moving targets with pinpoint accuracy. Silvarya, still regaining her strength, worked on combining her earth and water elements to create defensive barriers and offensive attacks.
Alaryc, meanwhile, stood apart, his mind on the shadowy sphere he had used during his duel with Silvarya. He needed to understand its full potential—and its limits. Closing his eyes, he concentrated, summoning the shadow element within him. The air around him grew dark, and a faint sphere began to form, but he quickly dissipated it, unwilling to draw too much attention.
Maria, watching from a distance, smiled to herself. "He's holding back," she muttered.
The Announcement
As the afternoon approached, students gathered in the grand hall for the announcement. The atmosphere was electric, with whispers and speculation filling the air. The directress, standing on an elevated platform, raised her hand for silence. The room fell quiet instantly.
"Today," she began, her voice resonating throughout the hall, "we honor the efforts and growth of all who participated in the selection process. Each of you has shown incredible promise. But as you know, only five can represent the academy in the Elemental Tournament."
She paused, letting the anticipation build, before reading the names:
"Alaryc Valbrun." A wave of cheers erupted from the crowd as Alaryc stepped forward, his expression calm but his eyes shining with determination.
"Maria Ravenhart." Maria walked to the front, her confident stride earning murmurs of admiration and envy.
"Kallen Stormforge." The muscular earth mage received a thunderous applause as he joined the others.
"Alicia Rivers." Alicia's eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly composed herself and stepped forward, greeted by loud cheers from her friends.
"And finally... Silvarya Dawnwillow." Silvarya's face lit up with a mixture of shock and joy as she joined the group, earning a proud grin from Jake and Alicia.
The directress smiled warmly at the five students standing before her. "You are our academy's champions. Represent us with honor, strength, and unity. Rest tonight—tomorrow, your journey begins."
As the crowd dispersed, Jake clapped Alaryc on the back. "Looks like we're not fighting each other this time, huh?"
Alaryc chuckled. "Not yet, anyway."
Silvarya glanced at Alaryc, her expression unreadable. "Congratulations, Alaryc. Try not to get too far ahead of yourself."
He met her gaze, a slight smile on his lips. "Same to you."
The day ended with the five chosen representatives preparing for what lay ahead. Each carried their own hopes, fears, and determination into the night, ready to face the trials to come.