The Competetion begins

The day of the competition had arrived. The sect's training grounds shimmered with energy, transformed into a grand arena where magic pulsed through the air like a living thing. Disciples gathered in the stands, some adjusting their robes while others practiced last-minute spells. The hum of enchantments being prepared mixed with excited chatter.

The early matches didn't disappoint. Firestorms clashed with barriers of shimmering ice, arcs of lightning danced across the arena, and one unfortunate disciple was sent flying into a levitation ward, where he remained suspended awkwardly until the teachers brought him down. The crowd's cheers echoed like thunder.

Meanwhile, I stood at the edge of the ring, gripping my katana. My palms were sweaty, and the faint glow of the runes etched along the blade offered little comfort.

Then came the moment I'd been anticipating.

"Next match: Amon versus Ling Fei!"

A ripple of excitement coursed through the crowd. Ling Fei was renowned for his mastery of Ironclad Binding Arts, an advanced form of reinforcement magic. He stepped into the ring with an aura of confidence, his robes fluttering as faint currents of mana coiled around him like a protective shield.

"Don't worry," he said with a smirk as we squared up. "I'll make this quick."

"Great," I replied, forcing a grin. "I've got a nap scheduled in the afternoon."

The gong rang, and Ling Fei struck immediately. His fists shimmered with arcane inscriptions, the Ironclad Fist Technique augmenting his limbs with an impenetrable layer of mana. Each blow came with a burst of pressure, the force of the strikes resonating through the arena like a war drum.

I raised my katana to block, activating the defensive ward inscribed into the hilt. A translucent barrier flared to life, absorbing the brunt of the first impact, but it wasn't enough. The second strike shattered the ward, and I staggered back, gasping.

"Shit, it's tough," I muttered, retreating to gain space.

Ling Fei didn't let up, weaving intricate symbols with his free hand to summon Chains of Suppression. Ethereal chains burst from the ground, aiming to bind me in place. I dodged, but the chains snapped at my feet, glowing with an ominous red hue.

Desperation pushed me into action. I funneled my magic into the katana, activating the gravitational runes etched along its blade. The weapon hummed, and a faint distortion rippled through the air around us.

When Ling Fei lunged again, his charge faltered. His movements slowed, his balance wavering as though the ground beneath him had turned to tar. The crowd gasped as he stumbled, his confident smirk replaced by confusion.

"What's happening?" he growled, straining against the unseen force.

"Gravity magic," I said, allowing a grin to slip through. "It's kind of my thing."

The crowd erupted in murmurs as I pressed my advantage. Each swing of my blade amplified the gravitational pull around Ling Fei, forcing him to expend more energy just to remain upright. His Chains of Suppression fizzled out, unable to maintain their form under the increasing strain.

With one final swing, my blade collided with his shoulder, the gravitational force sending him sprawling across the arena floor. His weapon clattered to the side, and the gong signaled the end of the match.

The crowd roared, their cheers washing over me like a tide. I stood there, panting, the katana trembling in my hands.

From the sidelines, Leeon clapped slowly, leaning casually against a stone pillar. "Not bad, Amon. You didn't explode. That's progress."

"Thanks," I said, forcing a shaky laugh. "Always aiming for the stars."

"Don't get comfortable," he warned. "You're up against Bai Hong next, and he's not going to fall for your little tricks."

"Bai Hong?" My stomach dropped like a stone.

Before I could process the information, the announcer's voice rang out. "Next match: Amon versus Bai Hong!"

Bai Hong stepped into the ring, his presence like a storm given form. His enchanted gauntlets pulsed with crimson energy, and a faint aura of heat rippled around him, distorting the air. He was a master of Flamebreaker Arts, a destructive blend of fire and physical reinforcement magic.

"You ready to lose?" he said, his voice booming across the arena.

"Lose?" I said, forcing a smile. "If I lose, that's your problem. I've got plans, like staying alive."

The gong rang, and Bai Hong charged with the force of an erupting volcano. His gauntlets flared, twin jets of fire trailing each swing as he unleashed a barrage of strikes. I dodged the first punch, narrowly avoiding the blast of heat that followed, but the second swing caught the edge of my robes, leaving a charred mark.

I stumbled back, frantically channeling magic into the katana. Bai Hong didn't let up, his movements a relentless blur of fire and force.

"This isn't going well," I muttered under my breath, barely evading another strike.

Desperate for an edge, I focused on a new technique I'd been thinking about a way to lighten my body using gravitational magic. I could manipulate the gravity of any object if my blade touched it, and the time it depended on the amount of mana used. So if I could reduce my own weight, I could increase my speed exponentially.

"Flash Step," I murmured, activating the spell. The air shimmered, and in an instant, I vanished.

Bai Hong froze, his eyes darting around in confusion. "Where did you-?"

I reappeared behind him, grinning. "Right here."

Swinging my katana, I aimed for his back, but Bai Hong was faster than he looked. He spun around, his gauntlets flaring as he deflected the strike with a burst of fiery energy.

"Is that all you've got?" he sneered, his grin matching the flames dancing around his fists.

The crowd roared as the battle raged on. For every move I made, Bai Hong countered with brute force, his Flamebreaker Arts pushing me to my limits. My refined gravitational magic was my only advantage, but his relentless offense was beginning to overwhelm me.