The Tournament (Part 4)

Once again Will was able to crush his opponent with no contest. At the end of this round of fighting only 8 students remained however there seemed to be an announcement before the fighting continued. On the one large stage that remained Alfyr stood while he projected his voice with mana.

"We were going to hold a loser's tournament from the last 8 eliminated to discover the top 10, however this has changed. The headmasters and a few teachers have come to the agreement that this year of students are exceptional and that there are 4 students who just lost who deserve the same price as the top 10. So, know the hidden reward will be given to the top 12 students and we will begin the remaining fights without a loser's tournament at all. I was also told if anyone has any problems with this to talk to Headmaster Xarhan directly."

The hushed whispers that had been spreading across the teachers seating was instantly extinguished with this last sentence. Caxon wondered what the price could be for them to add 2 more people to the prize pool without any warning. But thinking that this was probably a ploy from Xarhan to give more materials to the common people he assumed that he could probably afford to give every student a massive price if the politics weren't in the way.

"Now we will continue the tournament, William Ravilot and Uqora Medinton please come on stage for the next fight."

Now that there was only one stage the fights would go slower but everyone would be able to see the final fights without missing any details because they were trying to watch more than one at a time.

The first fight was Will against a female student who used a staff as their weapon.

As they both got on the stage the staff user looked a little nervous after seeing Will's previous fight but he had not completely given up hope yet.

"Fighters prepare yourselves...Begin!"

As the fight started Will once again through a wave of water with his sword, however since the student this time expected it no teacher interrupted the fight. All of the new teachers that had recently arrived, including the headmasters were surprised that a student could achieve this high-level attack after only being in the academy for 2 weeks.

Uqora covered the slim metal pole she was using as a weapon in mana and swung at the incoming attack. As the attacks collided a large amount of water was sprayed into the air and the student was forced to take multiple steps backwards to counter the force of the attack.

Will did not let his attack being blocked affect him as he once again sent a wave towards his enemy while he charged in. This time the wave of water was not as accurate since Will did it on the run so instead of blocking Uqora dodged to the side and prepared for Will who was still charging at her.

As the two engaged in a close quarter combat with their weapons Caxon was once again surprised at their skill level. He had been watching Uqora and Will but since neither of them had a very challenging opponent so far, they hadn't shown their full skill.

As the countless strikes from each fighter were blocked before sending their own counter attack it was clear Will had the advantage. Caxon knew that it would be incredible for any student to beat Will but it was still impressive to see how well Uqora was standing against him.

Will soon realize that it would take him a while before he was able to make a decisive victory and end the fight against Uqora if he didn't do something so he had to think of a different way to win the fight.

Will momentarily backed off as he looked for an opening in Uqora's stance, glad to get a needed breather she let him disengage without pushing her attack.

Uqora's staff focused on defense, and since she had already blocked his most powerful attack there wasn't much he could do. She was also just as fast as him so he wouldn't be able to run to her side or back without her easily turning to face him directly.

As Will was thinking of this he suddenly had inspiration as he once again started to try and break past his opponent's defense. The fight was the same Will had the advantage but it would be a long time before he would be able to actually end the fight.

As they exchanged blows Quora suddenly felt something behind her but seeing her enemy still striking at her from the front she couldn't even turn to look at what it was. Suddenly she felt like someone had pushed her from the back as a wave of water washed over her. Losing her balance and falling forward she could not block against the sword the was now pointing at her face.

The crowd went silent for a second as everyone calmed themselves from another of Will's dominating performances.

To be able to manifest enough mana to turn it into an element and attack from behind you opponent was not easy. Doing this while in the middle of a fight was not something a hollow core mage was supposed to be able to do, this was only slightly less impressive than Will's ability to form an elemental sword wave. When taking into account the fact that he could do both it was absolutely incredible.

In the teacher's seating no one dared to whisper most of them were upset that this student had come to the national academy at such a time since it showed something they were very unwilling to admit. At the front of this section two old men sat next to each other one smiling while the other tried to contain his rage.

"That boy looks familiar for some reason but I can't quite place him mhhm... Anyways you know I hate to say it Sanaroth but I told you so. Do you still think me a fool for this little competition?"

The headmaster for the National academy used every ounce of his strength not to kill the promising student in front of him who he blamed for all his current problems.

"Yes, your foresight is outstanding, I apologize."

As the headmasters talked to each other Caxon was more concerned about Will's continuously growing set of skills.

However, he did not have long to think about it since it was soon his turn, he made his way to the stage as he prepared for his next fight.

Across from him was the spear user who he thought should be second place in this tournament.

"Fighters prepare yourselves...Begin!"