Chapter 15: Battle of Two Mages
As the teams prepared for their first match, Lila took a moment to approach Drakar. Though he had stepped in at the last moment, she was grateful for his presence. He stood apart from the others, adjusting the straps of his armor with a quiet focus. Lila hesitated for a brief second before stepping closer. "Thanks for stepping in back there," she said, offering a grateful smile. Drakar barely glanced at her, his golden eyes cool and unreadable. "No need to thank me. I'm not here for gratitude." His voice was calm, almost indifferent, but there was a hint of resolve behind his words, a weight that suggested his involvement had deeper reasons.
Lila studied him for a moment before nodding. She sensed he wasn't one for unnecessary words. "Still, it means a lot. Let's win this." Drakar didn't respond right away. Instead, he finished adjusting his armor before giving her a small nod, acknowledging her words in his own way. Then, without another word, he turned his attention to the warm-ups, stretching his wings slightly before folding them neatly behind him again. The air around the training ground buzzed with energy as both teams finished their preparations. The spectators—other adventurers from the guild—gathered along the edges of the field, eager to watch the matches unfold. Some murmured excitedly, placing bets on who they thought would win, while others whispered about the tension between Raedon and Drakar.
Raedon stepped forward, his commanding voice cutting through the chatter. "Alright, first match! Qyra, you're up." From the Rising Heroes, Lila turned to Seraphine, meeting her friend's eyes with encouragement. "Sera, it's your turn. You've got this." Sera nodded, though the nervousness in her expression was evident. She wasn't the most confident fighter, and going up against Platinum Edge felt intimidating. Still, she took a deep breath and walked to the center of the field.
Across from her, Qyra moved with effortless grace, her steps light and measured. She carried herself with quiet confidence, her soft silver hair flowing gently behind her. Her expression was calm, almost soothing, and when she met Sera's gaze, she offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. Let's have a good match." Sera fidgeted, gripping her staff tightly. "Y-yeah. I'll do my best." With both mages in position, Lila and Raedon yelled "Begin!"
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The opening moments were cautious. Sera and Qyra both started at a distance, sending out probing attacks to test each other's defenses. Sera conjured fiery blossoms that floated forward, curling like miniature explosions as they drifted toward Qyra. In response, Qyra summoned beams of radiant light, dissolving the fiery constructs effortlessly. She didn't counterattack aggressively, instead waiting to see how Sera would react.
Neither seemed willing to go all out just yet. It was a game of patience, of reading the opponent's rhythm before making a decisive move. "Are you okay?" Sera asked hesitantly, sending another wave of fire entwined with vines toward her opponent. Qyra easily deflected the attack with a shimmering barrier of light. "I'm fine. What about you?" "I'm fine too!" Sera replied quickly, though her voice wavered slightly.
The duel almost resembled a dance. Each spell was met with a precise counter, each movement careful and deliberate. Sera was determined to hold her own, but as the match progressed, the differences between their skill levels became apparent. Qyra's movements remained fluid, while Sera's started to falter. Her spells, once steady, grew slower, less controlled. Her breath came in quicker bursts, and a sheen of sweat formed on her brow.
Qyra noticed immediately. She had been observing Sera closely, reading her posture and energy. The hesitation in her movements, the slight delay in her spellcasting—it was clear that Sera was beginning to wear down. A flicker of hesitation crossed Qyra's features, but only for a moment. She knew what she had to do. Raising her staff, she unleashed a burst of blinding light that engulfed the field. Sera instinctively raised an arm to shield her eyes, momentarily disoriented. That was all the opening Qyra needed. With surprising speed, Qyra closed the distance between them. She moved elegantly, wasting no movement as she flicked her staff forward, gently knocking Sera's weapon aside.
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The match was over.
For a moment, there was silence. Then, realizing her defeat, Sera dropped to her knees, her shoulders trembling slightly. "I… I lost," she murmured, more to herself than anyone else. Qyra wasted no time in approaching her, extending a hand. "Are you alright?" Her voice was filled with genuine concern, free of mockery or arrogance. Sera hesitated, staring at the offered hand. Then, slowly, she reached out and accepted it, allowing Qyra to help her back to her feet. "I'm… I'm fine. I'm sorry, everyone. I couldn't do it." Lila stepped forward without hesitation, placing a reassuring hand on Sera's shoulder. "You did great. Don't be so hard on yourself." Adrian and Doran also moved closer, nodding in agreement. "Seriously, you held your own out there," Adrian said, offering a smile. "That's more than most could say against a Platinum Edge mage." Qyra, still standing beside Sera, nodded. "You fought well. You have potential—don't doubt yourself." Despite her disappointment, Sera managed a small, appreciative smile. She still felt the sting of defeat, but the support from her team softened the blow.
Meanwhile, from the sidelines, Raedon smirked. "One down," he remarked, his voice carrying over the field. "Let's see if the rest of you can do better." Lila clenched her fists. She refused to let that smug arrogance go unanswered. Their team had suffered an early loss, but the fight wasn't over yet. She turned to her team, fire burning in her eyes. "Get ready for the next round. We're not losing this."
Drakar watched silently from the edge, his golden eyes glinting with quiet contemplation. Though he hadn't fought yet, he was already analyzing the battle ahead. He could feel the tension in the air, the determination from both sides. Whatever happened next, one thing was clear—the real battle had only just begun. The Rising Heroes gathered, preparing their next fighter. Despite the setback, their resolve remained unshaken. The next match would decide everything. And they weren't about to back down.