In the waiting room, Lucas sat down on a chair. He was looking at the screen in the room. Currently, Seth Thornheart was fighting Brutus Maximus. It looked quite even. The two of them had the same elements after all. They both had fire as their natural element and wind as their additional. Therefore this match would be won by the person who had a better affinity over their elements. Casting speed, mana control and mana output all played a role too. It was because the powerhouses dominated in these areas that they were able to end the matches quickly. But now two powerhouses were up against each other. So it would take a lot longer than before.
3 minutes later Seth Thornheart immerged victorious. This was much faster than Lucas had anticipated. So far the average fight time between people of equal strength was 10-15 minutes. But this fight was done in 4. Clearly, Seth Thornheart is a lot stronger than Brutus Maximus. That is just based on time. If you actually watched the fight. It would be clear to you that Seth Thornheart was in control. He was always one step ahead of Brutus Maximus and in the end, Brutus Maximus lost.
Once the match was over. Brutus Maximus was teleported away. Seth Thornheart stayed waving to all 180000 of his voters. It was a mixture of those who voted at home and those that were watching in the arena. After a while, Ivys Vinnay appeared on a screen, " Wasn't that exciting!? The quarterfinals and now the semifinals are now over. We only have two contestants left. The dark powerhouse, Lucas Lightningstorm. And the number one powerhouse Seth Thornheart. In 30 minutes these two are going to battle it out to see who will be dubbed The King of The First Years! Please use this time to go to the bathroom and get the snacks you need. You will not be allowed to stand up once the match starts. To ensure you don't walk in front of other people spoiling their immersion of the show. So see you in 30 minutes... To the contestants. Please use this time to strategize and regain any lost mana. That will be all."
When the screen disappeared so did Seth Thornheart. However, unlike before he wasn't transported to the waiting room with Lucas. He was teleported to another room somewhere within the Colosseum.
In the stands, some people went to the bathrooms and went to buy snacks. While others sat and discussed who they thought was going to win this tournament.
" This is definitely Seth Thornheart's tournament. There is no way he going to lose to some kid from the sticks."
" As much as I think Seth Thornheart is going to win. You can't deny that Lucas Lightningstorm is a worthy opponent. Look how far he has come and not by luck."
" Like he said. Lucas Lightningstorm is definitely not someone to be mocked. Yes, he comes from outside the walls. But he has beaten multiple nobles. He even took down royalty. You saw how he dominated Silvya Rouge."
" You forgot something. He can also control more elements than Seth Thornheart. Lucas Lightningstorm has wind, fire and water in his arsenal. According to his profile. They have even flagged earth as a possibility. There is no denying he is a genius. If only he had C rank potential. He would not need to fight in this tournament. "
" Exactly, his potential is only at E rank where Seth Thornheart is at A. Clearly Seth Thornheart is going to win."
" Don't be stupid. You know that that doesn't determine your strength. It just indicates where you could go. Yes, if your potential is A rank you will grow at a faster speed than someone who is only at E. But if you both at the F rank and of equal strength. Your potential doesn't factor. But what does factor is how they were raised. Seth Thornheart has been through multiple battle simulations and has had the best training his whole life. Where Lucas Lightningstorm hasn't. Since he is from outside the walls. They don't have the resources there. So, in the end, Seth Thornheart should win. Because he is more experienced."
" HUH! Seth Thornheart is more experienced than Lucas? Pffft we'll see about that."
After much discussion, 30 minutes had passed. Ivys Vinnay appeared on the screen again and said, " Now is the time you have all been waiting for. Please sit back relax and enjoy the show." As she ended her sentence fire erupted from the four corners of the ring again and fireworks exploded in the air. Once the fire stopped Lucas and Seth Thornheart were standing in the Arena. Once the crowd saw Lucas and Seth Thornheart they screamed in praise. The cheers were so loud it could be heard in a distant land.
Then the one-minute timer went off and the cheers stopped. Once the timer went off Seth Thornheart starting prepping his mana. Lucas did the same thing. But this time he did not get into position to do the Fire Dragon's Starting Speed Dash. Instead, he prepped his mana like a normal Mage. Once the timer ran out Seth Thornheart made the first move. Instantaneously a sizeable white magic circle appeared. Then he shouted, " wind scythe". And with a hum, five ginormous scythes made from wind emerged out of the magic circle one for one. Flying at breakneck speed. Lucas saw the scythes approaching him so he majestically lifted his palm towards the scythes. Moments later a white magic circle appeared. Once it did Lucas shouted, " Air cannon".This was a new spell Lucas had bought from Thea's shop when he woke up this morning. Once Lucas shouted, from the magic circle, compressed air was fired out. Like a breath attack from a dragon. When the scythes made contact with the compressed air, some of them were sent flying back to Seth Thornheart. But because there were more coming, the scythes coming from Seth Thornheart cancelled out the ones returning to him.
Immediately they both prepped their mana. And began the chant of their next spell. Because of Lucas's blessings, he was faster than Seth Thornheart by a few seconds. Lucas began his next spell by saying, " Tsunami". From a blue magic circle. Lots and lots of water came pouring out at a high speed. The water crashed as it hit the tiles. From the tiles, Lucas controlled it to move towards Seth Thornheart. Once it was in front of him, the water looked like it gained sentience as it structured itself in the shape of a giant wave. And then it crashed on top of Seth Thornheart. Seth Thornheart has a strong physique. However, it was not enough to keep himself standing after getting hit by such a large wave. He lost his footing and got swept away by the wave. While Lucas had time to breathe. He prepped his mana, then using his new found knowledge of science. He changed the water into ice. Freezing Seth Thornheart in place.
Seth Thornheart could not dodge the wave coming at him. The width was too great. He was also surprised by Lucas's cast time. He himself was confident in his own cast time. But Lucas surpassed him by far. Yet he kept prepping his mana until he got swept away from the water. Which later was turned into ice. Seth Thornheart was now trapped in the same ice Silvya Rouge trapped Lucas in. But Seth Thornheart had seen that match. Where Lucas fought Silvya Rouge. He anticipated Lucas could do the same. As such it did not take him long to break free. Using the mana he had prepped prior. Seth Thornheart emulated the monks from Lucas's world and self-immolated himself. Setting himself alight in flames that were so hot they had a mind of their own. Despite burning around him it never burnt him, only what surrounded him. Instantly melting the ice before Lucas could reinforce the bonds. Even when all the ice was melted around him. The fire raged creating steam and burning it away from him.
Once Lucas saw that his ice had been beaten. He cancelled the spell and the water disappeared. With the water, all the steam too. Now both parties could see each other properly. Seth Thornheart moved forward and so did Lucas and then they stopped. They were now 10 meters away from each other. Then Seth Thornheart said in an arrogant tone," Did you really think you could beat me with that!?"
" I did not know what to expect. I was just trying out a new found skill." Lucas replied.
" Some skill" Seth Thornheart mocked. " How do you plan on beating me now? Now that I have activated this fire I'm invincible. Any water attack will not work on me. Your fire and wind spells will only aid my own. "
" Aid you say... So you admitting your puny flames are sickly. "
" You and your sharp tongue. Let's see if you still feel that in a bit. Once I win and you become my lackey. I'll show you your place."
" Threats upon threats upon threats. I'm beginning to think you are too scared to fight."
" Huh. Let's end this charade."
" Sounds good to me."
Seth Thornheart was prepping his mana while he was talking to Lucas. He knew Lucas could cast spells much faster than him. So he distracted him by conversing with him. Then Seth Thornheart extended his right hand. From it, a vibrant red magic circle appeared. This magic circle was different from the ones Lucas had seen before. It had one more ring on the circumference. Making it look quite menacing. Once the magic circle appeared the temperature in the arena increased. It was blistering hot. The spectators had a shield protecting them from heat. Where the arena itself did not. So it was being damaged by the heat. The corners of the ring were melting. As well as due to spontaneous combustion there were mini fires all over the ring. Then Seth Thornheart shouted, " Cherthus attack!"
The tournament is almost over.