The Calm Before the Clash
The sky above the Imperial Magic Academy was painted in streaks of rose gold as sunset approached. The stadium, once filled with thousands of spectators during the team battles, now felt quiet and almost sacred.
I stood near the edge of the dueling platform, staring at my reflection in the smooth obsidian tiles. My heart pounded—not out of fear, but excitement… and maybe a sprinkle of dread.
"You'll be fine," Sage said, adjusting his cloak as he handed me a potion. "Unless your opponent is a dragon. Then you're not fine."
"Comforting," I muttered.
"He meant well," Luna added with a giggle. "Sort of."
Aria slung her bow over her shoulder. "Just remember to breathe. And if you explode again, try to aim away from the audience this time."
"Thanks. Truly inspiring."
---
The Final Round
The announcer's voice boomed across the field. "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! The final event of the Imperial Magic Games — the Solo Showdown! A test of strength, strategy, and… style!"
Students screamed. Magical fireworks exploded overhead. And then the spotlight hit me.
"In this corner, Crown Prince of Claus Kingdom, Wielder of the Fourfold Flame — KIAN EVERVEIL!"
I stepped forward, feeling my nerves spark with each step. The cheers were surreal. I saw Amy waving from the audience. Vinny held a sign that read: TURN HIM INTO TOAST, KIAN!
"And in the opposing corner—"
A hush fell.
"—The Prodigy of Wind, son of the Headmaster himself… LYSANDER GALESTRIDE!"
He appeared in a flash of swirling air, calm and elegant. His silver-blue hair shimmered, and his robe fluttered without any wind touching it.
"Let's have a clean duel," he said, stepping onto the platform. "And try not to melt the floor."
"I'll do my best."
"You won't."
"Oh, it's on."
---
Round One: Wits and Wind
A bell rang — and Lysander moved.
He vanished.
Literally.
"Where—" I turned just in time to catch a blast of wind knocking me backwards. I rolled and skidded but kept my footing.
Okay. So he was fast.
I countered with a burst of water magic, spinning it into a spiral to track air currents.
His form shimmered — I aimed ice spears forward.
Blocked.
A cyclone erupted in front of him, scattering my attack like leaves. But the frost lingered on the ground — and that gave me an idea.
Lysander leapt into the air.
I slammed my hand on the frost — converted it to fire, instantly creating steam — then turned it into a wind-powered updraft.
A geyser shot up, catching him mid-flight.
He twisted midair, but his sleeve caught fire.
The audience gasped. I winced.
He landed hard, patting out the flame.
"…Interesting," he muttered. "You're more than chaos in a robe."
"Thanks?"
"But you're still not ready."
---
Round Two: Clash of Magic
Lysander spun his staff, casting a tempest barrier that pulled everything inward.
I tried to resist — but the pull was unreal.
He lunged, aiming a blow at my chest.
I snapped both hands forward — fire and ice, forming a dual-shield.
Clash.
The platform cracked.
The crowd went silent.
Then the wind cracked like thunder — and we were both launched to opposite ends of the arena.
Smoke filled the air.
My breath was ragged, magic flaring wildly around me. I felt fire in my limbs, water in my veins, wind in my bones.
He rose too, blood on his lip but grinning.
"We're not so different," he said.
"I'm cooler," I replied, raising one brow.
"Debatable."
---
Final Move: Quadra Nova
No more games.
I focused.
All four elements surged to my hands — not wild this time, but balanced.
Ice formed armor around my arms.
Fire wrapped my legs in propulsion.
Wind shaped into wings.
Water coiled around like a serpent.
Lysander narrowed his eyes. "He's forming a spell combo…"
The announcer screamed, "WHAT IS THIS?!"
I raised my hands and muttered, "Quadra Nova…"
A spinning vortex of the four elements formed a sphere above me — swirling like a small planet.
Lysander launched forward, a bladed gale in his hands.
I hurled the orb.
It collided midair.
Explosion.
Light.
Silence.
---
Aftermath
When the dust settled, both of us were on the ground, singed, coughing, and somehow still laughing.
The crowd went absolutely wild.
"DRAW!" the announcer declared.
"WHAT?!" Vinny shouted. "NO! I DEMAND A REMATCH BETWEEN THE REMATCH!"
Lysander chuckled as he offered me a hand. "Not bad, Everveil. You've got potential."
"High praise coming from the shiny wind prince."
He helped me up. "But next time, I win."
"Dream on."
---
Award Ceremony and… an Omen
Later that evening, we stood before the Headmaster, surrounded by floating lights and the entire school.
"For ingenuity, strength, and unexpected entertainment," the Headmaster said, "we award both finalists the Crown of Arcanum — the highest student honor."
Applause erupted.
But just as I reached for the glowing crown hovering above…
A chill spread through the air.
The lights flickered.
Then— a voice whispered in the wind.
> "The seal cracks… and soon, chaos shall rise."
Only I seemed to hear it.
My hands trembled. I looked at the others. They smiled, cheering.
But I… I wasn't smiling anymore.
The Demon Emperor stirred again.
And this time… I felt it.