章 96: Sovereign's Tournament
Lucifer made his way to his resting room after the grueling battle royale finally ended. Collapsing onto the bed, he let out a deep exhale, his muscles eagerly seizing the chance to relax.
The battle royale hadn't been overly challenging; he just needed to stay cautious enough not to overexert himself.
Finishing first was expected.
Yet, even in victory, he couldn't ignore Ren, his closest rival. Ren had reached <White>-rank and secured second place without even using his Grade 6 art. That spoke volumes about his strength.
Among all his opponents, the most difficult to eliminate had been Luke Orden. Despite being at a lower mana rank——Luke had shown formidable talent. He was just a step behind the other Class A students, marking him as someone to watch.
However, the toughest battle Lucifer had faced in the royale wasn't with Luke but with Arthur. He hadn't expected Arthur to seek him out so early in the competition. In Lucifer's mind, their clash was something he had anticipated for the semi-finals of the Sovereign's Tournament, assuming they were on the same side of the bracket.
"What kind of monster has he become?" Lucifer muttered under his breath, ruffling his blonde hair in frustration.
Arthur had always been impressive, even managing to defeat Lucifer when the latter had limited himself to the same mana rank and refrained from using his Gift's active ability or his Grade 6 art. Yet, despite that, Lucifer never saw Arthur as a genuine threat.
Even when Arthur grew stronger after their harrowing experience at the Kobold Sea and unlocked his Gift, Lucifer remained confident in his superiority. But something had changed since Valentine's Day. Arthur's power had surged rapidly, almost inexplicably.
Their exchange during the battle royale had been brief, a fleeting clash like a comet streaking across the night sky. It wasn't profound, with both of them holding back, but it left an impression.
Lucifer Windward couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement for the tournament to come. Arthur had become more than just a competitor; he was now someone who could possibly excite Lucifer.
"Let's see how far you've really come," Lucifer whispered to himself, a determined grin spreading across his face as he prepared for what lay ahead.
__________________________________________________________________________________
The eight students who advanced from the battle royale to the Sovereign's Tournament were all from Class A. They were seeded based on their performance, which included how many students and mana beasts they managed to eliminate.
Lucifer claimed the first seed, followed closely by Ren, Arthur, Rachel, Jin, Ian, Cecilia, and Seraphina. These top eight were then slotted into a single-elimination tournament bracket according to their seeding.
As the massive electronic display revealed the matchups for the quarterfinals, the crowd's excitement reached a fever pitch.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Sovereign's Tournament!" Valerie's voice rang out with authority, "This is the pinnacle of martial arts and magic among the youth of our world. Today, you will witness the rise of a true genius, the one destined to become the Sovereign."
The audience erupted in cheers, anticipation thick in the air as the students prepared to face off in a contest that would define their futures.
"The first match will feature Seraphina Zenith, the princess of Mount Hua, against Lucifer Windward, the genius swordsman and heir to one of the Kings of the North," Valerie announced.
As Seraphina climbed the steps to the arena, she felt a subtle tremor of nerves. The weight of thousands of eyes on her, and millions more watching from screens around the world, was undeniable.
Though she was accustomed to public appearances and had learned to control her emotions from a young age, the sheer scale of the event was unsettling. The cheers and expectant gazes were overwhelming, amplifying her anxiety.
She wasn't just fighting anyone; she was up against Lucifer Windward, a formidable opponent whose skill and power far surpassed her own.
Lucifer was renowned as a genius long before he ever set foot in Mythos Academy, and Seraphina, now his fellow student, understood why. His talent was exceptional, far beyond the norm. While she too was a prodigy, Lucifer's brilliance eclipsed hers, much like Sun Zenith's did.
Her crystalline blue eyes grew steely as she faced Lucifer, whose blonde hair shimmered under the sunlight, almost as if he were basking in the applause.
With a focused gesture, Seraphina touched her spatial ring, summoning her sword. Its blade gleamed with a soft white hue.
She leveled the tip of her sword at Lucifer and said, "Let's have a good match."
Lucifer's playful demeanor faded as he nodded in acknowledgment. Valerie's voice cut through the tension, "Begin!"
Seraphina charged forward, her blade trailing plum blossoms with every swing. The swordsmanship of Mount Hua was rooted in a unique concept—the blossoming of the sword itself.
The plum blossoms were no mere illusion; they were a manifestation of her art, symbolizing her deep connection to Mount Hua's teachings.
As she unleashed her technique, it was clear that Seraphina's skill was not just inherited but a testament to her own extraordinary talent.
Seraphina's attack was a sight to behold—a dazzling display of swordsmanship that came from her Grade 5 art. Most would find such an assault nearly impossible to counter, but Lucifer's cold gaze remained unmoved. He lifted his sword, enveloped in a fierce, fiery aura that instantly incinerated the blossoms upon impact.
The arena's air crackled with energy as their blades met, the force of their clash sending a ripple through the crowd. The heat from Lucifer's sword was intense, searing through the space where the plum blossoms had been. His superior physique and mana rank gave him a distinct edge, making any direct confrontation nearly futile for Seraphina.
Determined not to be outdone, Seraphina tapped into her Gift, amplifying her control over ice mana. She felt the chill of her power as it spread through the ground beneath her feet, freezing it into a slick, glacial surface. With practiced ease, she slid across the ice, her movements graceful and fluid, like a skater gliding effortlessly over a frozen lake. She darted around Lucifer, her sword aiming for openings, striking from various angles with relentless precision.
Lucifer's eyes narrowed slightly as he observed her movements. "Ice magic isn't going to cut it, Sera," he said, his voice almost casual as he continued to deflect her attacks with effortless grace. The fire aura around his sword seemed almost alive, a constant barrier of heat that repelled her efforts.
Seraphina's heart raced as she saw Lucifer preparing something. Realizing she needed to up her game, she activated her Grade 6 art. Her sword's plum blossoms transformed, their hue shifting to a deep, violet shade, each blossom now imbued with raw, potent energy. The blossoms radiated a menacing aura as they surged toward Lucifer, intent on piercing through his defenses.
Just as the violet blossoms broke through his fiery barrier, Lucifer unleashed his counterattack.
[First Movement of the Myth of the Northern Peak: Frostfire Waltz].
In an instant, the arena was engulfed in a breathtaking display of elemental might. Flames roared and icy shards flew, their collision creating a stunning, chaotic ballet of fire and frost. The ground trembled beneath them as Lucifer's attack carved a path through Seraphina's defenses.
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