[INT. ILLUSION WORLD – LIGHT SCHOOL CAMP – MORNING]
The sun filtered through fractal leaves, casting soft beams onto the forest clearing. All ten members of the Light School team lay sprawled across the grass and broken ground, still breathing heavily from their last battle.
Veloria stirred first. She sat up and glanced toward the tree line — where Lyrion stood alone, keeping watch, eyes narrowed with unwavering focus.
His injuries were wrapped. His exhaustion was visible. But he hadn't slept.
> Veloria (softly, to herself):
"He stood guard the whole night…"
Behind her, the others began to stir — groaning, stretching, blinking through aches and fatigue.
> Ray:
"Ugh… Feels like I got run over by a divine bull."
> Rika (half-joking):
"You practically did. Twice."
They all chuckled weakly.
> Kairo:
"How is Lyrion still awake?"
> Aria:
"He never sleeps when someone else is in danger."
Veloria glanced toward Lyrion again, warmth in her gaze.
> Veloria (murmuring):
"He never changes."
---
[SFX: Resonant Chime – A Divine Signal]
Suddenly, a shimmering glyph formed midair, and a divine voice echoed across the realm.
> Divine Board (announcing):
"Congratulations. This team has passed the first round."
The announcement repeated throughout the Illusion World — not just to them, but to every team still within it.
> Divine Board:
"As of this moment… the Illusion Realm will close."
The air shimmered around them. The sky rippled. The terrain collapsed into light.
---
[EXT. DIVINE STADIUM – RETURNING PLATFORM – MOMENTS LATER]
The Light School team reappeared in a glowing beam of energy — rising into the stadium's center platform.
The crowd roared.
> Announcer (projecting):
"From the School of Light — all ten participants have passed the first round!"
The divine board lit up, showing a breakdown:
Light School: 10 participants passed
Time School Group A: 6 participants
Time School Group B: 6 participants
Space School Group A: 10 participants
Elemental School Group A: 10 participants
Living Creation Group A: 9 participants
Nonliving Creation Group A: 9 participants
> > Total Participants Advancing: 60
> > First Round Complete
---
[INT. STADIUM – GODLY BALCONY]
Each of the divine couples watched in calm silence.
> Light Goddess Lyria (smiling):
"All ten… They exceeded even our hopes."
> Time God Aion:
"They survived not just combat — but doubt, betrayal, and illusion."
> God of Elements Kaion:
"This is the kind of trial that turns potential… into divinity."
---
[EXT. STADIUM CENTER – CROWD NOISE SETTLES]
The announcer stepped forward once more. His cloak fluttered in the celestial breeze, eyes glowing with new energy.
> Announcer:
"Now that sixty of you remain… prepare for the next test."
> "Round Two will begin in two days."
> "It will be a Duo Battle."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd and among the students.
> Announcer (firmly):
"Each participant must choose a partner of the opposite gender."
> "Form your pair. Trust your partner. Your survival will depend on it."
The crowd exploded in excitement — cheers, shouts, and speculation roaring across floating platforms.
---
[INT. LIGHT SCHOOL GROUP HUDDLE – MOMENTS LATER]
All ten members of the Light School stood together, exchanging glances.
> Rika:
"Opposite gender partners, huh…"
> Kairo (teasing):
"Well, that narrows some choices."
> Aria:
"Two days to pick the right person. It's more than combat — it's trust."
Lyrion, silent until now, nodded.
> Lyrion:
"We choose not just for strength… but for unity."
> "This round will test bonds. Let's make sure ours don't break."
They all nodded — smiles flickering across tired but proud faces.
The first round was over.
But the true competition had only just begun.
---
[INT. SHADOWED OBSERVATION DECK – ZYREN'S BALCONY]
Deep above the stadium, unseen by mortals, Zyren stood watching the glowing divine board.
> Zyren (muttering with a smirk):
"So they still pass."
"It'll be interesting to fight them…"
His generals stood behind him in silence, the tension between them growing like a storm.
---
TO BE CONTINUED…