THE ONE WHO WE COULDN'T SAVE

Axel leaned casually against a pillar, watching both sparring matches with his arms crossed. "Man, they're really going at it," he said, his tone impressed. "Cauis is pulling out his Aetherglow Alisan must've pushed his buttons." His eyes shifted to Dylan and June's fight. "And look at those two… It's like watching a storm and a wildfire collide."

Izzy nodded, a wide grin on her face ."They're putting on a real show. Makes me wanna jump in and show them how it's done!"

She clapped her hands together, laughing. "That blast from Cauis almost made Alisan fly! And June's spears? Brutal. She's not messing around!"

A crowd of onlookers had gathered around the training ground, murmuring among themselves. A Drakkin warrior with silver scales folded his arms, watching intently. "Those are some serious skills," he muttered to another onlooker. "Especially that Aetherglow. Not many can wield it like that."

A pale skinned Arcahna nearby whispered to her companion, her multiple eyes blinking in unison. "The girl with the ice magic her control is impressive. She'll be a strong contender in the tournament."

Several beastkin children had gathered at the edge of the arena, cheering and pointing excitedly. "Did you see that? He just dodged her ice spears like it was nothing!" one exclaimed, tail wagging furiously.

Axel smirked, gesturing toward Alisan and Cauis as they locked in a final clash of energy. "Think they're trying to impress each other?"

Izzy laughed. "Oh, totally. That's got 'date duel' written all over it."

The sparring matches finally came to a close, Alisan and Cauis exchanging a handshake, both catching their breath. Dylan and June walked back toward the group, their playful rivalry still lingering in their smiles.

"That was some warm-up," June said, wiping sweat from her forehead.

"You call that a warm-up?" Cauis teased. "We should've charged the spectators admission fees."

Dylan chuckled, tossing a glance at Axel. "Don't think you and Izzy are off the hook. We're all going to need a proper warm-up before this tournament kicks off."

Izzy rolled her shoulders. "Oh, I'm so ready. Just tell me when and where."

Axel grinned. "This tournament might end up being way more fun than I thought."

The air crackled with energy as the crowd thickened around the sparring arena, whispers turning into a low hum of excitement. Word had spread quickly two high-level mages and combatants were putting on a display that could rival even some of the main tournament matches.

Among the onlookers, a tall elf with silver hair narrowed his eyes, arms crossed as he studied the fights with keen interest. "If they're joining the tournament, this just got a lot more interesting," he muttered.

A beastkin with a lion's mane grinned, his sharp teeth glinting. "I hope I get to fight one of them. That girl with the ice magic? I want to see if she can freeze me before I can rip through her defenses."

The Drakkin warrior from earlier leaned toward his companion, his golden eyes gleaming. "The Aetherglow user… He's dangerous. That kind of power isn't something you see every day. If we face him, we'll need to stay on our toes."

Back in the arena, Alisan tightened her grip on her staff, her eyes locked on Cauis. She could feel the lingering pulse of his Aetherglow energy in the air, like a beacon of raw power. Her breathing was steady, but her pulse quickened.

"Looks like we've drawn a bit of a crowd," Cauis said with a smirk, his aura still glowing faintly. "Ready to show them what else you've got?"

Alisan raised her staff, her eyes glinting with determination. "I think we've shown enough for now. Can't reveal all our tricks before the tournament, can we?"

On the other side, Dylan and June stood side by side, catching their breath as the tension from their spar gradually faded. Dylan glanced at the growing audience and lowered his voice.

"Looks like we've made a bit of an impression," he said with a sly grin. "Think we'll have some friendly competition… or enemies by the time this tournament kicks off?"

June's lips curled into a slight smile, her eyes sharp. "A little of both, I'm sure. Either way, I'm not planning to lose."

Izzy nudged Axel with her elbow, lowering her voice. "You feel that too? These people are already sizing us up like prey."

Axel didn't flinch, his eyes locked on the crowd. "Good. Let 'em try something. Makes things more fun when they underestimate us."

As the group began to leave the training grounds, the whispers and glances followed them, tension lingering in the air like an unspoken challenge. The tournament had already begun at least in spirit and every step closer to registration brought them deeper into the storm of rivalries, alliances, and magic-fueled duels waiting ahead.

The sun rose over Valthorne, its golden light spilling across the city's towers and casting long shadows over the streets. The tournament grounds were alive with energy, spectators filling the stands as vendors called out their wares enchanted snacks, glowing drinks, and magical trinkets.

In the preparation hall, Alisan stood in front of a large mirror, adjusting her robes. Her staff leaned against the wall beside her, humming softly with magic. Cauis leaned casually nearby, arms crossed, his ever-present smirk on his face.

"You nervous?" Cauis asked, raising an eyebrow. "Your match is first."

Alisan grinned as she tightened the grip on her staff. "Not at all. It's just a warm-up, right?"

Outside, an announcer's voice boomed across the arena.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Valthorne Magic Tournament! First up, we have a promising new face Alisan, a powerful mage with control over Rapture magic! Her opponent… the beastkin brawler, Rhogar of the Ironclaw Tribe!"

A towering beastkin with dark fur and gleaming golden eyes stepped into the arena. He cracked his knuckles, his claws extending as he gave Alisan a toothy grin. "Let's see if you can keep up, little mage."

Alisan took a deep breath and stepped into the arena, the cheers of the crowd washing over her like a wave. She could feel their excitement, their curiosity about the newcomer. But all she focused on was the pulse of her magic beneath her skin, ready to be unleashed.

In the stands, June and Dylan watched intently, their eyes scanning the battlefield. Izzy leaned forward, her excitement barely contained. "This guy looks tough, but Alisan's got this."

Axel crossed his arms, nodding. "Yeah, but it's her first match. Let's see how she handles it."

The announcer's voice cut through the noise. "Let the match… BEGIN!"

Rhogar wasted no time, lunging toward Alisan with terrifying speed, his claws glowing with an earthy green light.

Rhogar lunged toward Alisan, his claws tearing through the air like a blur. Alisan barely managed to raise her staff in time, deflecting the first strike. Sparks of magic crackled around them as the impact forced her back a step.

"Fast," Alisan muttered, eyes narrowing.

Rhogar smirked, circling her. "You'll need more than fancy spells to win this."

He launched another series of rapid strikes, each one aimed to overwhelm her. Alisan sidestepped, her staff spinning defensively, deflecting his blows with precision. The arena floor trembled beneath Rhogar's powerful footwork, the crowd leaning forward in anticipation.

A burst of green energy surged toward her, and for a moment, Alisan was forced on the defensive, creating a shield just as the attack struck. The impact left cracks in her barrier, and Rhogar pressed his advantage, his claws glowing brighter.

"You're good," Rhogar said, grinning, "but you're running out of room to run."

Alisan wiped a bead of sweat from her brow, her expression sharpening. "Who said anything about running?"

She twirled her staff, planting it firmly into the ground. Magic surged outward in a brilliant display of shimmering light. The air around her warped, and suddenly vines of radiant energy sprouted from the ground, wrapping around Rhogar's legs and rooting him in place. His eyes widened in surprise.

"What—?!"

Alisan raised her staff, her voice calm but commanding. "Rapture: Bind."

The vines tightened, glowing with intense power. Rhogar struggled, his muscles straining, but the magic held firm. Alisan didn't let up, pouring more magic into the spell until it erupted into a dazzling burst of light that sent Rhogar flying back across the arena.

He hit the ground with a thud, rolling to a stop. Groaning, he pushed himself to one knee, panting heavily. Alisan stood tall, her staff glowing in her hand, her breathing steady.

"Still think I'm just about fancy spells?" she said, her tone cool but playful.

Rhogar chuckled, wiping the dust from his face. "Alright… you're the real deal." He stood and gave her a respectful nod before raising his hand in surrender.

The crowd erupted into cheers, the announcer's voice booming through the arena. "The winner Alisan! What an impressive display of magic from this rising star!"

In the stands, Izzy pumped her fist. "Knew it! She totally wiped the floor with him!"

"Not bad," Axel said with a smirk. "She's definitely got some fire."

June clapped slowly, a small smile on her face. "Told you she'd be fine."

Dylan leaned back, watching Alisan leave the arena with a confident stride. The next few matches flew by in a blur of magic and fierce combat.

A towering Drakkin warrior unleashed torrents of flame against a nimble elven mage, only for the elf to outmaneuver him with a well-placed frost spell that froze the arena floor and sent the Drakkin skidding out of bounds.

A Beastkin brawler fought against an Arcahna spellcaster, ducking and weaving through strands of web like magic. With a powerful leap, the Beastkin delivered a crushing blow, knocking the Arcahna out cold.

A human swordsman squared off against a heavily armored knight, their clash of steel echoing through the arena. The knight's shield absorbed several strikes, but the swordsman's swift footwork allowed him to land a decisive blow, winning the match with a clean sweep.

"Not bad," Axel muttered, leaning back. "These guys know what they're doing."

Izzy grinned. "They'll put up a good fight, but I've got my money on our crew

. Especially June. Watch, she's gonna make this look easy."

Dylan crossed his arms, eyes glinting with interest. "Easy, huh? Guess we'll find out soon."

The announcer's voice echoed again, snapping their attention back to the arena.

"Next match: June versus Swyler of the Arcahna!"June stood up, adjusting her cloak. "Looks like it's my turn."

Dylan glanced at her with a playful smirk. "Don't freeze him too hard."

June chuckled softly. "No promises."

The arena hushed as she made her way down the steps, the air almost buzzing with anticipation.

The Arcahna on the opposite end eyed her with a calculating gaze, his spider limbs shifting restlessly behind him.June stepped into the arena, her eyes locking with Swyler's. His pale, almost silver skin reflected the sunlight, and the spider limbs on his back twitched in anticipation.

He gave her a slight nod, acknowledging her with a calm, confident demeanor.

"May the best mage win," Swyler said, his voice smooth and quiet.

"Agreed," June replied, summoning a shard of ice to her fingertips.

The match began with a burst of movement. Swyler was fast his spider limbs allowed him to glide effortlessly across the arena floor, weaving between June's ice projectiles with unnerving precision.

June clenched her fists, summoning a wall of frost to cut off his approach. "You're quick," she muttered, eyes narrowing. "But I think the person I love is way faster."

Swyler raised a brow, intrigued. "Is that so? Guess I'll just have to catch up."He extended one hand, threads of dark, web like magic shooting toward her.

June sidestepped the attack, countering with a barrage of ice spears that forced Swyler into a defensive spin, his limbs deflecting some of the shards with practiced ease.

"Not bad," Swyler said, his voice calm despite the tension. He spun low, sweeping with his leg to knock June off balance. She barely caught herself, conjuring a blast of frost beneath her feet to slide out of reach.

"You'll have to do better than that," June shot back, her breath visible in the cold air around her.

Swyler smirked and launched himself upward, his spider-like limbs propelling him into the air. He twisted gracefully, releasing a burst of dark energy mid-leap. The swirling magic rained down like a storm, forcing June to dodge with quick, calculated movements.

The ground trembled as Swyler landed with a heavy thud, barely avoiding the freezing magic. He charged again, faster this time, forcing June into close-quarters combat. Their magic collided in bursts of light and shadow, a whirlwind of ice and dark energy crackling between them.

June seized an opening, summoning a massive spear of ice and hurling it with precision. Swyler crossed his arms, his magic forming a thick barrier that shattered on impact, leaving him skidding back several feet.

For a brief moment, they stood still, both breathing hard, gauging each other.

"You're stronger than I expected," Swyler admitted, lowering his stance.

June gave a faint smile, readying her magic once again. "Same to you. But this isn't over."

With a surge of power, she unleashed a wide, freezing shockwave that engulfed the arena floor. Swyler tried to leap clear, but the frost caught his legs, slowing him down just enough for June to press her advantage. A final ice spear formed in her hand, and she thrust it forward, stopping mere inches from his chest.

Swyler froze, glancing at the icy weapon before raising his hands in surrender.

"Match goes to June!" the announcer declared as the crowd erupted into applause.