After the eliminations in the first stage, the atmosphere in the arena grew tenser than ever. The headmistress appeared once more in the center of the arena, hovering slightly above the ground with an imposing aura surrounding her. She waited for silence before speaking.
— Congratulations to all who passed the first stage. However, the path ahead is far from easy. Only the best will have the honor of representing the academy.
She scanned the crowd, her voice resonating with authority:— For this second stage, you will be divided into four teams of three members. Each team will face another in a series of trials that will test your strategy, coordination, and mastery of your powers.
A murmur rippled through the remaining students. Some seemed excited, others nervous.
— The teams will be assigned by random draw, she continued. No personal choices. This test is designed to assess your ability to work with anyone.
With a wave of her hand, glowing spheres appeared in front of each student. Each contained a number corresponding to their future team.
The Teams Announced
Alaryc grabbed his sphere and saw the number 2 glowing inside it. He looked around to identify his teammates. Alicia and Jake, his close friends, were placed in other teams. However, he was relieved to see that Maria, the student with the three elements he had analyzed earlier, was part of his team.
The other member of the team was a large boy named Kellan, known for his mastery of the earth element. Though not talkative, he seemed dependable.
— Alaryc, Maria, and Kellan. Team 2, announced the headmistress, confirming the teams.
The Instructions
Once the teams were formed, the headmistress resumed speaking:— Each team must defend their crystal while attempting to destroy the opposing team's. However, in this stage, it's not just about combat. You will be evaluated on three aspects: strategy, defense, and offense.
A hologram of the arena appeared above the headmistress, displaying varied terrains: forests, rocky plains, and even an aquatic zone.
— Each team will be placed in a different environment. You will have twenty minutes to prepare your strategy before the battles begin.
The Battles Begin
Team 2 was assigned to a rocky terrain, ideal for Kellan with his earth element. As soon as they arrived, Alaryc took the lead.
— Listen, our best advantage here is Kellan. We need to use the terrain to our benefit, he said.
Maria nodded but seemed distant.— And you, Maria, what are your strengths?
She replied briefly:— I'll handle the attack.
Kellan added:— I can create barriers to protect our crystal, but it'll take time.
After devising a plan, the team took their positions. Alaryc, with his agility and shadow mastery, was in charge of scouting and quick attacks. Maria focused on ranged assaults, combining fire and water to create devastating steam explosions. Kellan stayed near the crystal, building stone walls for protection.
An Intense Battle
When the battle began, their opponents, Team 4, displayed an aggressive strategy. Their leader, a girl wielding the air element, used tornadoes to try and break through Kellan's defenses.
— They're testing us, Alaryc muttered.
He melded into the shadows and counterattacked, catching the fire user of the opposing team off guard. With Maria supporting him, their assaults became more coordinated.
As the battle progressed, Team 2 gained the upper hand. Kellan erected a stone fortress around their crystal, making any intrusion nearly impossible.
In the final minutes, Alaryc and Maria combined their powers for a decisive attack, destroying the opposing team's crystal with a devastating fusion of fire and shadow.
The headmistress's voice echoed through the arena:— Victory for Team 2.
A Moment of Rest
After the battle, Alaryc exchanged a glance with Maria. For the first time, she smiled at him.
— You're pretty good, she admitted.
Kellan, though exhausted, gave a slight nod:— Good teamwork.
The second stage continued, but Team 2 advanced with renewed confidence, ready to face the challenges ahead.