The Grand Arena thrummed with energy as the opening ceremonies concluded with a spectacular display of Qi fireworks from the Aether Spire delegation—bursts of pure light that formed swirling galaxies before dissolving into glittering stardust.
The announcer's voice boomed once more, amplified across the void and translated into a dozen languages.
"Individual elimination rounds begin! First bracket—Core Condensation and below!"
Names flashed on the massive holo-screens.
Platforms shifted slightly on magnetic rails, drawing closer to form a central battle ring surrounded by energy barriers.
Lian and Elara remained on the edge of the Stellar platform, unmoved by the excitement rippling through their delegation.
Kai bounced on his toes nearby, blue aura flickering.
Gorak cracked his knuckles, red Qi sparking.
Lirael adjusted her silver hair, calm but alert.
Blitz stood silent, claws sheathed, ears twitching at every announcement.
None spoke to Lian or Elara.
They didn't need to.
The first matches were called.
Lower realms first.
Stellar's opening fighter—a third-year human in Core Condensation Early—faced a Mechari from Ascendancy.
The ring lit.
Fight short.
Mechari's integrated plasma cannon overwhelmed.
Stellar lost.
Crowd roared.
Next rounds faster.
Iron Void's gravity user crushed a Celestial Harmony Luminari.
Thunderforge Brutari demolished a Nethari with thunder fists.
Void Edge Shadekin vanished and reappeared behind opponent—blade to throat.
Win.
Solaris fire user burned through defenses.
One by one.
Academies scored points.
Stellar held middle.
Then Lian's name flashed.
"Lian Yu — Stellar Martial Academy versus Rax'thar — Thunderforge Clan!"
Crowd murmur rose.
"The Scarred Ghost?"
"He's here?"
"Zero-talent rumor?"
"Watch."
Lian walked forward.
Calm.
Blade sheathed.
No aura show.
Elara watched side.
Blue cyber eyes steady.
Rax'thar waited center ring.
Brutari youth.
Red skin.
Bone ridges.
Core Condensation Peak.
Thunder Qi crackled around massive fists.
Grinned tusks.
"Fresh meat."
Lian stepped ring.
Energy barrier sealed.
Announcer: "Begin!"
Rax'thar charged.
Thunder step—ground shook.
Fist like meteor.
Red lightning wrapped.
Lian blurred.
Side.
Hammer blade drawn silent.
Counter slash—Qi edge faint blue.
Grazed arm.
Rax'thar roared.
Spin punch.
Thunder wave exploded.
Lian inside.
Hammer haft block.
Elbow to ribs.
Crack.
Rax'thar staggered.
Follow lightning uppercut.
Lian ducked.
Blur behind.
Blade flat to neck.
Qi burst internal—shockwave point blank.
Rax'thar flew out ring.
Barrier caught.
Down.
Unconscious.
Ten seconds.
Crowd exploded.
Stellar delegation cheered.
Kai wide eyes.
Gorak nodded respect.
Lirael whispered "Monster."
Elara no expression.
But blue glow brighter slight.
Next matches.
Elara called soon.
"Elara Voss — Stellar Martial Academy versus Krix'va — Nethari Hive Collective!"
Krix'va insectoid.
Chitin blades four arms.
Core Condensation Late.
Synced movement.
Poison Qi drip.
Elara walked ring.
Alloy legs silent.
Blade drawn no sound.
Begin.
Krix'va blitz.
Blades whirl.
Poison mist.
Elara steps no sound.
Blade parry perfect.
Counter cuts—chitin cracked.
Mist avoided.
Machine precision.
Four arms vs her two.
But she faster.
Silent.
Deadly.
Chitin shattered.
Krix'va down.
Eight seconds.
Crowd louder.
"Half-cyborg!"
"Stellar duo scary."
Lian watched side.
Void eyes calm.
Rounds continued.
Lian called again.
Void Edge Vorani—shadow step, illusion Qi.
Lian closed eyes brief.
Predicted.
Blur counter.
Illusion pierced.
Blade to throat.
Win.
Elara vs Solaris fire user.
Flames roared.
She silent.
Blade cut through.
Fire parted.
Win.
Bracket narrowed.
Lian and Elara advanced easy.
Opponents stronger.
But not enough.
Crowd chanted names.
"Ghost!"
"Cyborg!"
Stellar rose rankings.
Other academies noticed.
Scouts holo-noted.
Instructors watched intense.
Day one ended.
Lian and Elara back platform side.
Food brought.
Ate quiet.
No talk.
Just ready.
Tomorrow more.
Stronger foes.
Higher realms.
They spared no glance around.
Focused.
The tournament just started.
Their path clear.
Wins clean.
Silent.
Deadly.
The duo rose.
Unstoppable.