The atmosphere inside the Midgar Academy Coliseum had reached a fever pitch. The fourth and fifth matches had showcased some extraordinary skills—Claire Kagenou's unearthly power and Princess Ceara's mysterious intervention had left the crowd in awe. Yet, now it was time for the 9th match, the match that would set the stage for what was perhaps the most anticipated encounter of the day: Cid Kagenou and his team.
Cid stood in the center of the arena, his expression as calm and unreadable as ever. His dark cloak fluttered in the breeze, a perfect reflection of his true nature—quiet, subtle, and ever-present in the shadows. Cid had no intention of showing his true strength.
His team was made up of individuals who, like him, were capable but preferred to remain in the background, unnoticed, especially in a place as overwhelming as the Coliseum.
Beside him stood Po Tato, the nervous but well-meaning member of their team, and Maryn, whose lack of experience was clear, but whose determination was hard to deny. Together, they stood as a team, united by their shared goal of completing the Final Evolution Test—but Cid had his own reasons for wanting to go unnoticed in this match.
The voice of the announcer rang out, resounding through the arena. "9th Match—Cid Kagenou and Team vs. Thorin Sablestar's Squad."
The moment the names were called, the crowd's energy shifted. There was a murmur of excitement and speculation. Cid's team wasn't a well-known one, and they had hardly made a name for themselves in past academy events. But in this match, their underestimated potential was about to become part of a larger plan—one that would shape Cid's legacy in ways no one could predict.
The Battle Begins: Unseen Forces at Play
As the gates of the arena creaked open, the atmosphere was thick with tension. On the opposite side of the field, Thorin Sablestar, the leader of the opposing team, stepped into the arena. He was a towering figure, clad in reinforced armor, and his weapon—a massive war hammer—rested comfortably on his broad shoulder. Thorin was no stranger to combat. He was a respected fighter, known for his brute strength and indomitable spirit.
Behind him stood his teammates: Bain, the agile swordsman, and Lira, a magician with a reputation for manipulating the elements. Together, they made for a dangerous team—one that would test Cid Kagenou's resolve and skill.
Cid's team, by contrast, looked like a mismatched group of novices, hardly a serious threat. But beneath the surface, Cid was playing a careful game—one that would deceive even the keenest observer. He knew what to show and what to hide, how to seem weak while calculating every move in the shadows.
The referee for this match, as with all others, was Princess Ceara Volcan, though to the untrained eye, she appeared nothing more than a dispassionate judge overseeing the proceedings. However, as the match began, the mysterious princess's eyes seemed to follow Cid's every movement with an intensity that few noticed.
As the bell rang, signaling the start of the match, Cid made no move to attack. Instead, he casually stepped back, allowing Po Tato and Maryn to engage first. Bain, ever eager for action, rushed forward, his sword drawn and glowing with a sharp edge of magic. The clash of their weapons echoed through the arena, and Po Tato stumbled back, trying to regain his footing.
It was clear that Thorin Sablestar's team was overpowering. Bain's swordsmanship was precise, and Lira's magic was ruthless—casting blinding bolts of lightning and swirling windstorms around the arena. It was a classic display of strength and strategy.
However, Cid Kagenou was not concerned. He had anticipated this. His role was never to be a warrior—he was the shadow, the strategist. Cid would let his team struggle, let them believe they were losing, until the moment was right.As the match continued, Cid's team began to falter. Po Tato had been knocked back several times by Bain's relentless attacks, and Maryn, while holding her own, was clearly outmatched by Lira's magic. It was only a matter of time before they were overwhelmed. The crowd had begun to murmur in disbelief. Everyone believed that Cid's team was about to lose.
And then, the moment arrived.
Cid took a step forward, his hands still tucked into his cloak. The entire arena seemed to hold its breath, the tension rising as if it were palpable in the air.
Without warning, Cid unsheathed his sword—but he didn't attack. Instead, he allowed his presence to fill the arena, an almost imperceptible aura of power swirling around him. It was subtle at first, but then, the pressure began to build, a sensation that was felt by everyone watching, from the spectators in the stands to the combatants on the field.
Princess Ceara Volcan watched with narrowed eyes. Something was off. The air around Cid seemed to shift, and she could feel the disturbance in the magical currents.
Thorin Sablestar advanced on Cid, swinging his war hammer with deadly intent. Cid, with a mere flick of his wrist, sidestepped the attack, allowing the hammer to pass dangerously close to his body. But there was no panic in his movement—no sign of fear or weakness. Instead, he seemed to move with the grace of a shadow, each movement calculating, deliberate, and effortless.
In that instant, Po Tato and Maryn regained their momentum. Bain and Lira were too focused on Cid's seemingly weak form to realize that the tide was changing. Po Tato, now emboldened by the shift in the battle, landed a clean blow to Bain, knocking him off balance. Maryn, casting a quick defensive shield, blocked Lira's lightning spells and sent a counterattack of her own.
The battle was no longer a hopeless one.
Cid smiled faintly beneath his hood as Thorin charged again. This time, Cid didn't step aside. Instead, he moved with deliberate slowness, calmly drawing his blade as if time itself had slowed for him. The clash of their weapons resonated in the air, but it was Cid's blade that shone brightly, cutting through Thorin's defense with a precise strike to his shoulder. Thorin staggered back, his war hammer falling to the ground with a deafening thud.
The crowd gasped in unison. Cid Kagenou, the quiet underdog, had won.
As the match came to an end, Princess Ceara Volcan stepped forward, her expression unreadable as she raised her hand. The battle was over, and Cid's team had emerged victorious—not because of overwhelming strength, but because they had strategized, deceived, and bided their time.
Cid turned to his team, his expression still unreadable. He had played the perfect role, allowing his team to almost lose before revealing the true depth of his strength.
But even as the crowd cheered, there was a sense of unease in the air. The students couldn't help but wonder: what was the true power of Cid Kagenou?
As the crowd began to disperse and the next match approached, Princess Ceara's eyes lingered on Cid for a moment longer than necessary. There was something about him—something that didn't fit with the narrative that was unfolding in the arena.
For now, the test was over, but the true game had only just begun.