Match of No-match

The stone courtyard was cool under Elara's bare feet as she stepped into the ring of students gathered for magical combat training.

The sky above was a patchwork of gray clouds, throwing a somber shadow over the academy grounds. The air buzzed with tension as students whispered and exchanged glances, their excitement palpable.

At the center of the courtyard stood their instructor, Zerock, a towering man with grizzled hair and scars that mapped his muscular arms like a grim testament to his experience. His voice was deep and rough, like gravel scraping steel.

"Pair up!" he barked. "Let's see what you're made of."

The matches begin with the instructor pairing one-on-one. The fights were rough, brutal and ruthless. Elara held her breath as the men and women pitted against each other and their supporters cheered and booed on them. The noise was deafening and she had to put her hands on her ears.