Chapter 37 – Fire and Shadows
The air crackled with anticipation as the semi-finals were about to begin. The crowd buzzed with excitement.
Synoh stepped onto the battlefield, rolling his shoulders, eyes scanning the jungle-like arena. As he looked up into the stands, he spotted Captain Elara.
She waved at him with a confident grin.
Synoh blinked, surprised, then smiled and waved back.
The crowd erupted in cheer, chanting his name. "Synoh! Synoh! Synoh!"
Across the field, Mina readied her bow, her fire magic shimmering at her fingertips. Her gaze was sharp, focused.
"I won't go down easy," she muttered.
The battle began.
Mina immediately unleashed a flurry of flaming arrows, each one soaring fast and deadly. Synoh dodged, spun, and blocked, even managing to reflect one with a swift parry.
He tried to close the distance—but Mina was faster this time. She leapt back, using the terrain to her advantage.
"She's learning. That fight with Lux taught her well," Synoh thought.
Then, Fel's voice echoed in his mind.
> "Synoh. Enchant your body with my dark magic. Flow it through your limbs. Move like the shadows."
Synoh exhaled. "Let's try it."
Dark energy crackled along his arms and legs as he rushed forward, his speed nearly doubling.
Mina's eyes widened. "No way—!"
She fired more arrows, layered with fire—but Synoh slipped through them, a blur of shadows. He danced around the flames, relentless.
Eventually, Mina stumbled, her stamina drained. Synoh closed in with a controlled strike that knocked her weapon aside and stopped just short of her chest.
She dropped to her knees, gasping.
The crowd roared.
Mina looked down, frustrated. "I… lost."
But Synoh knelt beside her, extending a hand. "You didn't lose. You held your ground like a warrior."
From the stands, Edward cheered, arms crossed, smirking proudly. "That's my partner."
Mina smiled, taking Synoh's hand as the crowd applauded her resilience.
---
Next up: Lux vs. Yuta.
As they stood opposite each other, the energy was electric.
"Let's do this," Lux said, drawing his sword glowing with light magic.
Yuta grinned. "Looks like our students are watching."
In the audience, Kel shouted, "Go Master Lux! Show him who's boss!"
"Master Yuta's way cooler!" Mel shot back.
The siblings started arguing, drawing laughs from nearby spectators.
Lux smirked. "Looks like we've got something extra to fight for."
Yuta cracked his knuckles. "Then I'm going all out."
Both fighters lowered into their stances.
> "Let's see who's stronger—once and for all."