Violet Vs Kartes

The duels continued after Kaelith and Valen's battle, keeping the crowd enthralled. Corin's match came next, pitting him against another Class A student. It wasn't even a contest—Corin dominated with ease, leaving his opponent no chance to retaliate.

Then it was Ethan's turn.

As soon as the duel started, Ethan showcased his mastery with the sword. Each movement was precise, fluid, and calculated. His blade seemed to dance in the air, striking with purpose and elegance. The audience gasped in awe, utterly captivated.

"How is he so skilled?" someone murmured.

Unbeknownst to them, Ethan's skills were the result of countless battles and experiences from his past life. The techniques he displayed weren't just for show—they were born from years of practice and survival. His combat instincts and swordsmanship could rival the likes of Maruti and Esdeath.

With a final, swift strike, Ethan claimed victory. The crowd erupted into cheers, and Violet jumped up from her seat, clapping enthusiastically. Ethan gave her a small smile, brushing his hair back as he returned to the sidelines.

Finally, it was time for the next match—Sylvania versus Sestina Clarence, a battle of mages.

The air grew tense as the two girls took their positions on the arena stage. Both wielded wands, and the crowd murmured in anticipation. A duel between mages was always a spectacle, showcasing not only raw power but also creativity and skill.

"Begin!" the referee announced.

Both Sylvania and Sestina immediately raised their wands, their voices ringing out as they chanted spells.

Sestina's choice was clear—she was forming a *Wind Blade*, its sharp edges promising a decisive strike. But Sylvania was quicker. While Sestina was still halfway through her incantation, Sylvania's spell was already complete.

A translucent ball of water materialized out of thin air, shimmering like liquid glass. With a swift motion of her wand, Sylvania sent the water ball flying toward Sestina.

Before Sestina could react, the orb engulfed her head entirely.

The effect was instantaneous.

Her vision blurred, and she gasped, struggling to breathe. Panic set in as she clawed at the water, but it wouldn't budge. The lack of oxygen broke her concentration, and her incomplete spell backfired. The backlash sent a sharp jolt of pain through her body, forcing her to stumble backward.

In mere seconds, her breaths faltered, and her legs gave out.

"Stop!" the referee shouted, stepping forward to intervene. With a wave of her hand, the water dissolved into mist, freeing Sestina.

"Sylvania wins!" the referee declared.

The crowd burst into applause, amazed by Sylvania's quick thinking and skill. Sestina was helped off the stage, still coughing and trembling from the ordeal.

"Yay! Did you see that, Ethan?" Sylvania's voice rang out, brimming with excitement. She jumped in the air, her face glowing with pride as she looked toward him in the audience.

Ethan smiled warmly, nodding in approval.

Violet clapped loudly, her cheers echoing above the crowd. "Sylvania, you're amazing!" she shouted, her face lighting up with joy.

Sylvania beamed, her victory solidifying her as one of the most promising mages in the academy.

As the cheers from Sylvania's victory died down, Violet's name was called next. The crowd's excitement reignited as she stepped into the arena.

She was up against Kartes, a fellow Class A student. Kartes stood tall with shoulder-length hair and a fierce expression. The scar on his neck added to his intimidating presence. His weapon of choice was a dagger-like sword with a sharp, gleaming tip, perfect for close combat. Kartes often referred to himself as a berserker, relying on brute force and relentless attacks to overpower his opponents.

In contrast, Violet entered the arena with a weapon that drew gasps from the crowd—a massive greatsword nearly as tall as her and visibly heavy. She rested it casually on her shoulder as though it weighed nothing.

But the secret lay in her magic.

Using her gravity magic, Violet manipulated the sword's weight, making it light enough for her to wield effortlessly. Of course, the real power of her greatsword was revealed when it struck an enemy, as the gravity magic ensured it hit with devastating force.

"Begin!" the referee announced.

Kartes wasted no time.

He charged forward like a bull, his dagger-like sword gleaming in the sunlight. But it wasn't just blind aggression; Kartes was smart. He knew Violet's gravity magic gave her a clear advantage in prolonged battles. He needed to close the distance and end this quickly.

Violet, however, was prepared.

"Gravio, 10x!" she shouted, her voice steady and confident.

An invisible force surged through the air, and Kartes suddenly felt like the weight of the world was pressing down on him. His knees buckled, and he crashed to the ground, gasping for breath.

But Kartes wasn't one to give up easily. He roared in defiance, veins bulging on his neck as he gritted his teeth. With sheer willpower, he forced himself to stand, taking shaky but determined steps toward Violet.

Then the pressure vanished.

Kartes froze for a moment, realizing what had happened.

"Heh... I see," he said, a smirk forming on his lips. "You can't manipulate gravity across the whole field, can you? You're just targeting small areas."

Violet didn't respond. She simply smiled—a quiet, confident smile.

Raising her greatsword, she charged forward, her boots kicking up dust. The crowd held their breath as the two fighters rushed toward each other.

"No more tricks, huh?" Kartes taunted, tightening his grip on his weapon as he prepared to strike.

But just as their weapons were about to clash, Violet jumped.

"Zero gravity!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the arena.

Kartes's eyes widened in surprise as Violet soared into the air, higher than anyone expected—nearly 2.5 meters above the ground. Her zero-gravity spell allowed her to defy physics, making her movements both unpredictable and swift.

Kartes's attack missed entirely, and he looked up, realizing he had fallen into her trap.

"Graviol, 20x!" Violet yelled, her voice filled with determination.

At that moment, the gravity around her body and sword multiplied by twenty times. Her descent was rapid, like a meteor hurtling toward the earth. The sheer speed and force were terrifying to behold.

Kartes gritted his teeth, refusing to back down. He planted his feet firmly on the ground, raising his dagger-like sword to block her strike.

**BAM!**

The clash sent shockwaves rippling across the arena. The ground beneath Kartes cracked from the raw energy of Violet's attack. Dust and debris flew into the air, obscuring the fighters for a moment.

When the dust settled, Kartes was still standing, but his knees were trembling, and sweat dripped down his face. The strain of holding back Violet's immense power was evident.

The crowd erupted into cheers and gasps, amazed by the display of skill and strength from both combatants.

Kartes clenched his teeth, his arms trembling as he struggled to hold his ground. Violet's power was far greater than he'd anticipated, but he refused to give up.

With a roar, he pushed back against her greatsword and managed to shove her away, creating some distance. He took a deep breath, his eyes sharp and calculating now.

"You've got some tricks, Violet," Kartes admitted, spinning his blade with renewed focus. "But let's see how you handle this!"

He lunged again, his movements quicker this time. Violet narrowed her eyes, watching him carefully. She didn't react immediately, allowing Kartes to close the distance.

Just as he was about to strike, she smirked.

"Gravio: Inverse!"

At once, the gravity around Kartes flipped, pulling him upward instead of holding him down. His body lifted off the ground uncontrollably, his arms flailing as he tried to regain balance.

"What the—?!" Kartes yelled, his face a mix of shock and frustration.

Violet didn't give him a chance to recover. She slammed her greatsword into the ground, using her magic to propel herself upward like a rocket. Within seconds, she was face-to-face with the floating Kartes.

"You're not the only one who can fight up close," Violet said with a grin.

"Gravio: 5x!" she shouted, increasing the gravity on her own body slightly to add weight to her swing. Her greatsword moved like a thunderous arc, slamming into Kartes's weapon.

The force of her strike sent Kartes spinning through the air, but Violet wasn't done. She quickly adjusted the gravity field again.

"Gravio: Zero!"

Her body became weightless, allowing her to dart through the air with precision. She appeared behind Kartes in an instant, her greatsword poised for another attack.

Kartes managed to block her swing, but the impact was too much. His weapon was knocked from his hands, and he crashed to the ground as Violet canceled the inverse gravity spell.

The audience gasped as Kartes struggled to get back on his feet, but Violet didn't let him.

"Gravio: Full Force!" she shouted, slamming her greatsword into the ground. A localized wave of gravity pulsed outward, pinning Kartes to the ground with a crushing force.

He groaned, his body unable to move under the intense pressure. His fingers twitched, but he knew it was over.

"Winner: Violet Vondarion!" the referee announced.

The gravity field vanished, and Violet rested her greatsword on her shoulder, flashing a confident smile toward the audience. She glanced at Ethan, who was cheering from the stands, and gave him a small wave.

"Well, that was fun," she said, turning to Kartes. "You put up a good fight, but gravity's on my side."

Kartes chuckled weakly. "Yeah... no kidding."

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"The next is Esdeath Crimson From Class B versus Gilbert Rhe from Class A", Refree Announced.

The referee's voice boomed across the arena, announcing the next match. All eyes turned to the stage as Gilbert Rhe made his entrance. His massive frame, standing at an imposing 6.5 feet tall, commanded attention. His bulky body, thick arms, and round belly gave him a menacing presence, while his bald head gleamed under the sun.

Despite his average-looking face, Gilbert was well-known among his peers in Class A. His title, "Magic Lover," was a testament to his dedication to raw magic. Unlike many others, he refused to rely on essence stones, firmly believing that magic alone surpassed all other forms of power.

He entered the arena with heavy, deliberate steps, each one sending faint vibrations through the ground. Excitement gleamed in his eyes as he flexed his gauntlets, his chosen weapon. The crowd murmured in anticipation.

The referee called again, asking Esdeath Crimson to step forward.

A wave of anticipation washed over the crowd. By now, nearly everyone had heard of Esdeath and Maruti's incredible performance during the First Round of competition. They were the duo who had managed to outsmart the academy's top students, including Ethan, Violet, and Sylvania. They had even defeated the prodigious Kaelith, and more notably, the high-status Princess Ravenna.

The audience sat in eager silence, every eye on the arena, waiting for Esdeath's appearance. Her reputation had already spread like wildfire, and now, her moment to prove her strength was here.

The referee's voice broke the silence once more, but this time, there was an edge to the announcement. "Esdeath Crimson, if you do not step into the arena, Gilbert will be declared the winner by default!"

Then, out of the shadows, a figure emerged.

The crowd's murmurs stopped as Esdeath Crimson stepped onto the arena. Her presence was cold, eerie, and unshakable. Her long, jet-black hair fell freely behind her, framing her pale white skin that almost seemed too delicate for sunlight. Crimson eyes burned with a quiet intensity, their gaze unyielding as they locked onto Gilbert.

Why the rush?" she said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm going to win anyway."