The second stage of the trials continued to push the teams to their limits. As the magical simulations progressed, the challenges grew increasingly complex. Every team advanced at their own pace, but an invisible tension hung over everyone: only the best teams would move forward, and elimination was inevitable for the others.
Alaryc, Maria, and Kael emerged from the portal after completing their previous simulation. They found themselves in a circular chamber where several other teams were waiting. The walls shimmered with magical light, and at the center of the room floated a massive crystal sphere.
The headmistress appeared before them, her imposing presence instantly silencing the room.— Congratulations to everyone who completed the first part of the second stage. But it's not over yet.
She gestured, and the crystal sphere projected images of the simulations from each remaining team. A deep voice echoed, explaining the next phase:— For the second part of this stage, each team will face another in a timed strategic battle. You must defend your crystal while attempting to destroy your opponent's. Teams that fail to protect their crystal will be eliminated.
The students exchanged uneasy glances. Fighting against each other meant some would be definitively removed from the competition.
Maria, ever calm, broke the silence within their team:— We need a strategy now. If we're disorganized, we'll be eliminated.
Kael nodded:— I can use my wind to slow them down and shield our crystal. Maria, you can create water and shadow barriers to cover our weak spots.
Alaryc added:— I'll focus on attacking their crystal directly. I'll fuse my elements to break through their defenses quickly.
The draw paired Alaryc's team against a formidable one: Eryndor, an earth specialist, Lyanna, a fire manipulator, and Ceren, a water master.
The battle began in a magical arena conjured by the Academy's system. Each team was assigned a crystal to defend, and a 10-minute countdown appeared in the air.
From the start, the opposing team showed aggression. Lyanna unleashed waves of fire to destabilize Alaryc's team, while Ceren created geysers to block their advance.
Kael used his wind to disperse the flames, while Maria summoned a water barrier to counter the geysers. Alaryc, focused, used his shadow element to move stealthily behind enemy lines.
— Their defense is solid, but they're underestimating our coordination, Maria murmured as she manipulated her elements.
Alaryc, combining fire and shadow, launched a surprise attack on the enemy crystal, creating an explosion of black flames that cracked their defenses. However, Eryndor responded quickly, raising earthen walls to block the assault.
With only two minutes remaining, Alaryc made a bold decision:— I'll use my elemental fusion to break their crystal once and for all. Cover me.
Maria and Kael shifted to defensive positions, blocking the enemy's attacks while Alaryc concentrated all his energy. Fusing fire, light, and shadow, he unleashed a devastating attack that reduced the opposing crystal to dust.
The battle stopped immediately. The deep voice echoed again:— Winning team: Alaryc, Maria, and Kael.
The opposing team, disappointed but dignified, left the arena.
As they returned to the waiting area, Maria murmured to Alaryc:— You took a big risk, but it paid off.
Alaryc smirked slightly:— That was just the beginning.