Round One - Combat Coordination

The atmosphere in the Hunter Association Arena was electric as the tournament entered its opening round. Hunters and spectators filled the grandstands, cheering on their favorite teams, their voices reverberating through the massive arena. At the center, multiple teams of C-rank and B-rank Hunters, each poised and battle-ready, awaited the start of the tournament. Sirius, Luna, and Ron stood in their corner, absorbing the energy and sizing up the competition.

"Look at the lineup," Ron muttered, eyeing the other teams. "They brought in some heavy hitters."

Luna nodded, her gaze fixed on a particularly fierce-looking team across the arena. "I recognize some of them from the Association's leaderboards. We're in for a real challenge."

Sirius, focused and calm, observed their surroundings, using Orion's Eye to scan their competitors' strengths and abilities. Among them was Leon Blackwood, the B-rank Hunter known for his Beast Suppression talent and fire-based attacks. Leon caught Sirius's gaze, offering a smug grin and a mocking salute. The silent promise of an intense rivalry fueled Sirius's determination.

"Remember," Sirius said, steadying his teammates, "we trained for this. Stick together, cover each other, and stay aware of your surroundings. We've got this."

With a sharp whistle, the tournament's first round—Combat Coordination—began. The goal was simple: eliminate as many teams as possible while keeping your own team intact. It was a ruthless melee where coordination and adaptability were key to survival.

The blaring horn signaled the start, and the arena instantly erupted into a cacophony of war cries and clashing weapons. Teams dashed toward each other, Hunters brandishing swords, bows, and spears while others activated their talents to gain an edge. A team of three mages released a barrage of fireballs and ice shards, creating a storm of deadly projectiles that lit up the battlefield.

Sirius activated Orion's Eye for a clear view of the battlefield, taking stock of his surroundings. He spotted a group of Hunters approaching them from the left, each one wielding daggers and moving with eerie stealth.

"Left side! Two with Stealth and Dagger Mastery," he shouted, immediately alerting Ron and Luna.

In response, Luna fired a volley of ice arrows at the incoming team, freezing one in mid-step. The others scattered, but Sirius took advantage of the confusion, summoning Abyssal Devil Tiger and Fenrir to guard their position.

The Abyssal Devil Tiger leaped down from their platform, a massive black-and-red blur of raw power. With a bone-rattling roar, it pounced on the lead Hunter, its razor-sharp claws ripping through his defenses and pinning him to the ground. Fenrir darted through the melee like a shadow, his fangs flashing as he tore into the leg of a second attacker. The Hunter shrieked, collapsing as Fenrir landed a fatal strike, his jaws snapping shut with merciless precision.

Ron, meanwhile, activated his Rock Skin Armor and charged forward, his fists encased in rock. He smashed through the ranks of an approaching team, sending Hunters sprawling with powerful blows. One opponent, wielding a long spear, thrust it toward Ron, only to have it shatter against his armored forearm.

"Is that all you got?" Ron laughed, grabbing the broken spear and using it to knock the Hunter off balance. He followed up with a devastating punch, the force of his Colossal Might sending his opponent flying back into the crowd.

As the battle intensified, Sirius spotted Leon on the opposite side of the arena. Leon's smirk faded as he lifted his hand, and Sirius felt a familiar, ominous pressure settle around him—Beast Suppression. Leon's eyes narrowed, focusing on the Abyssal Devil Tiger as he attempted to seize control of the powerful beast.

Sirius quickly felt the struggle through his link with the tiger as it faltered, a snarl escaping its lips. The beast's red eyes flickered, caught in a tug-of-war. Sirius gritted his teeth, activating Abyssal Emperor to deepen his bond with the tiger, pouring his willpower and dark energy into their connection. The Abyssal Devil Tiger roared, shaking off Leon's influence with a surge of strength, and turned its predatory gaze back toward the battlefield.

Leon's scowl was replaced with a look of irritation as Sirius shot him a defiant smirk. His attention diverted, Leon didn't notice an approaching competitor until it was too late—a bolt of electricity struck him from the right, forcing him to redirect his focus.

Holding the Platform

Returning his attention to the team's immediate threats, Sirius assessed that a large group was beginning to converge on their position. "They're trying to overwhelm us. Luna, get ready with Nyra for close support. Ron, raise barriers around us."

Ron nodded, slamming his hands into the ground. A barrier of jagged rocks shot up around them, creating a partial barricade. Sirius leaped to the top of the barrier, taking in the situation with Orion's Eye.

He noticed an archer in the distance taking aim at Luna. "Incoming from above!" he called out.

Luna reacted instantly, commanding Nyra, her wolf, to leap in front of her. The wolf's thick coat absorbed the brunt of the arrow, growling as Luna countered by launching a barrage of ice-tipped arrows. The archer barely had time to dodge before a second volley froze him in place, sealing his movements with sheets of frost.

Meanwhile, Fenrir and the Abyssal Devil Tiger acted as front-line defenders, keeping opposing Hunters at bay with swift, lethal attacks. Fenrir darted between opponents, his teeth and claws ripping into flesh, leaving a trail of downed foes in his wake. The tiger, with its formidable strength, tore through groups of Hunters, each swipe of its massive paws breaking through armor and sending its victims reeling.

An elite Hunter wielding dual swords approached, attempting to flank them from the left. Sirius summoned his Aurora Starblade and met the attacker head-on. The two clashed, blades ringing out as they tested each other's skill. The Hunter spun, trying to disarm Sirius, but Sirius countered with Lightning Strike, channeling arcs of electricity through his blade. The surge of energy coursed through his opponent, stunning him just long enough for Sirius to land a powerful blow.

With a quick glance, Sirius noticed that Luna was engaging another team solo. She summoned Mira, her owl, to scout above while Nyra charged ahead, taking down any enemy attempting to sneak up on her. Luna fired a piercing arrow that struck through a shield-bearer, the force shattering the man's guard and sending him tumbling backward.

"Keep it up!" Sirius encouraged, feeling the energy of their combined efforts.

A Clash with Leon's Team

Near the end of the round, Leon's team finally made their move, closing in on Sirius, Luna, and Ron from multiple angles. Sirius's summons immediately sensed the increased tension, their instincts sharpening as they prepared to face the new threat.

Leon stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Sirius with cold determination. Beside him were two teammates: Cassandra, a telekinetic with a penchant for manipulating weapons mid-air, and Taro, a defensive powerhouse with the talent Iron Bulwark.

Ron stepped forward, ready to meet Taro head-on, while Luna squared off against Cassandra. The moment crackled with tension as the two teams stared each other down, sizing up their opponents.

Leon made the first move, summoning a whip of flame and lashing it toward Sirius. Sirius dodged, summoning Raven to distract Leon while he moved into close range. Raven split into a murder of crows, swarming around Leon and forcing him to fend off the relentless barrage of talons and beaks.

Meanwhile, Ron charged Taro, his fists like boulders as he aimed a punch at Taro's iron-coated chest. Taro barely flinched, absorbing the impact and retaliating with a sweeping kick that Ron narrowly avoided.

"You're tough, but let's see how you handle this," Ron muttered, raising his hands and manipulating the ground beneath Taro's feet. The floor cracked, and jagged rocks shot up, attempting to unbalance Taro. But Taro grinned, stomping down hard and shattering the rocks, then lunged forward, nearly landing a blow that forced Ron to roll out of the way.

On the other side of the platform, Luna was locked in a standoff with Cassandra, who manipulated several daggers in mid-air, sending them flying at Luna from every direction. Luna countered by summoning Ice Shields, each one intercepting the daggers with a satisfying clang. Nyra darted around Cassandra, drawing her attention and allowing Luna to land a well-aimed ice arrow that struck Cassandra's shoulder, sending her staggering back.

Amidst the chaos, Sirius closed in on Leon. With the Aurora Starblade glowing in his hand, he activated Explosive Flames, sending a wave of fire crashing toward Leon. But Leon countered with his own wall of flame, the two forces meeting in a fierce explosion that sent both Hunters skidding back.

Leon grinned, clearly enjoying the challenge. "You're full of surprises, Starblade. But this ends now!"

He raised his hand, focusing his Beast Suppression talent once again, this time targeting Fenrir and Raven simultaneously. Sirius felt the pressure mount, sensing his connection with his summons weakening.

Focusing, Sirius activated Abyssal Emperor once more, channeling his dark energy to strengthen his bond with his summons. Fenrir and Raven roared in unison, shaking off Leon's suppression and lunging toward him. Fenrir clamped down on Leon's arm, forcing him to break his concentration, while Raven's crows swarmed him, blocking his line of sight.

With Leon momentarily incapacitated, Sirius seized the opportunity. He summoned his Oblivion Lance and launched forward with Thunder Piercer, aiming directly at Leon's defenses. The lance crackled with electric energy as it broke through Leon's weakened barrier, striking him squarely in the chest and sending him flying backward.

As the horn sounded to end the round, Leon's team was defeated, and Sirius, Luna, and Ron stood victorious amidst a field of fallen opponents.

The crowd erupted into cheers as the announcer declared them the winners of the first round. Despite the grueling battle, Sirius and his team felt exhilarated. They had not only survived but had emerged as one of the tournament's strongest teams.

Leon pushed himself up from the ground, his eyes narrowing at Sirius. He gave a curt nod, a silent acknowledgment of Sirius's strength. "Don't get comfortable, Starblade. This is just the beginning," he muttered as he walked away.

Sirius watched him go, feeling both pride and determination. The first round had been a fierce test of their skills, but he knew that the battles ahead would only get tougher. As they left the arena to prepare for the next challenge, he looked to Luna and Ron, confident that, together, they could face whatever came their way.