The ground trembled. Dust kicked up in violent clouds as a massive elephant, eyes wild with rage, charged forward. Leon sprinted across the field, dodging shattered debris and crackling energy, eyes locked on the girl trapped beneath towering rocks.
She struggled to move, her body pinned. Her eyes, however, burned with fury—not fear. Gritting her teeth, she muttered, "This is not how it ends."
Electricity surged around her. Bolts arced from her skin, snapping through the air. Her eyes glowed, electric-blue and radiant. With a scream of power, she unleashed the built-up energy in a blinding explosion. The rocks shattered into dust. The elephant, mid-charge, skidded as chunks of stone exploded around him.
She vanished.
No—she moved, faster than the eye could follow. Blurs of her image streaked across the battlefield. To the elephant, it seemed like there were a dozen of her, all over the place.
"Whoa..." Leon muttered, awestruck. "She's insane."
Finn grinned. "I can't wait for my turn."
Fanny crossed her arms, watching intently. "That girl's got some serious nerve."
The elephant, confused and growing agitated, slammed its trunk into the ground. The impact raised more rocks, sending them flying, but the girl dodged easily, zipping from place to place like a lightning bolt. From each location, she hurled electric bolts, searing through the air.
The elephant roared. It summoned a wall of massive stones to shield itself, but she was too quick. Her bolts came from every angle—left, right, overhead, beneath. The beast grunted, sweat pouring down its thick hide as several bolts struck true.
The girl smiled. Her body crackled with raw power as she began charging her final attack.
Then the elephant reared.
With an earth-shaking roar, it brought its massive front legs down with devastating force. The ground split open. A tidal wave of stone erupted in all directions, covering the arena in a choking storm of dust and debris.
The crowd fell silent.
Smoke hung heavy in the air. Everyone waited.
As the dust settled, they saw her—unconscious, crumpled beneath shattered stone.
Selena Ma'am raised her hand. "Winner: the Earth Elephant."
Leon stared in disbelief. "She was so powerful... and still lost?"
Finn clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Don't think too much. Just give your best when it's your turn."
Leon smirked. "Wow, that's surprisingly wise."
Finn's chest puffed out in pride. "I try."
Medics rushed in to carry the girl away. Workers began clearing the field. Selena Ma'am's voice echoed again.
"Next match!"
Leon glanced at the lineup. One of the twin bullies stepped forward.
Finn scowled. "So it's that bastard's turn."
"Yeah... and his brother's still waiting. They must be strong."
The boy walked confidently onto the field. The gate opened again.
A graceful deer stepped out, its marble glowing green on its forehead.
Isla gasped. "Wow... it's beautiful."
Leon narrowed his eyes. "Healing and wood magic."
Selena Ma'am raised her hand. "Ready? Begin!"
The boy sliced his palm. Blue blood spilled onto the ground, and a cold aura surrounded him. He launched an ice attack at the deer. The deer dodged, light on its hooves.
With a stomp, the deer summoned thick roots that surged from the earth.
The boy grunted, freezing and shattering them with a single punch.
Leon nodded. "He's powerful."
The boy launched sharp icicles. The deer jumped, but a few cut into its flank. He grinned.
Then, with a glow from its marble, the deer healed. Wounds closed in seconds.
Finn's jaw dropped. "If it keeps healing, he can't win."
The boy cursed. "Stupid deer!"
Roots burst forth again—thicker this time. He froze some, but they kept coming. They wrapped around him. He struggled, trapped.
With a cry, he summoned jagged ice rocks that burst from the ground, slicing the roots. He broke free, panting.
Then he conjured a massive ice crystal. The deer couldn't dodge in time—pinned beneath the weight.
The boy ran forward for a finishing blow, but suddenly the deer's eyes flared bright green. A storm of roots exploded from the earth, engulfing the boy.
It charged.
Just as it neared, the boy's eyes gleamed. He unleashed a hidden barrage of gigantic ice shards.
Leon gasped. "It was a trap. He waited."
The ice struck the deer, wounding it deeply. The boy didn't hesitate. He punched it hard, sending it crashing to the ground.
Selena Ma'am raised her voice. "Stop! You win."
But he didn't.
He formed one last ice crystal, aiming it at the deer's heart.
A sharp burst of water shot from the stands, obliterating the ice.
All eyes turned.
Selena Ma'am's voice was cold as ice. "I said stop."
The boy froze.
Finn spat. "These brothers are both bastards."
The boy was escorted out as the deer was taken to the medical wing.
Two more matches followed. Both students lost.
Then—
"Fanny, you're up!"
She stepped onto the battlefield, rolling her shoulders. Isla cheered. "You got this!"
Fanny grinned, pumping her fist. "Let's go!"
The gate opened. A monstrous lion stepped through, its red marble glowing.
Leon's eyes widened. "Fire element. This lion's powerful."
Fanny cracked her knuckles. "Finally, some fun."
"Ready? 3... 2... 1... Go!"
The lion wasted no time. It hurled a fireball straight at her.
Fanny's eyes went wide. "So fast—!"
The blast raced toward her.