Chapter 46: The Final Round

The atmosphere in the arena was thick with anticipation. The roar of the crowd was deafening, yet it felt distant, as if I were in a bubble. My body was a little sore from the previous rounds, but I pushed the discomfort aside. I had a singular focus now. The final round was upon me, and it was do or die.

As I walked to the center of the arena, my thoughts wandered for a moment. My time here had been a mix of emotions. Doubt, pride, fear, and exhilaration. But above all, a sense of purpose had formed inside me. I wasn't just the lazy, pampered princess of the elves. I wasn't even just the daughter of Gaia. I was Aria Velanova, a force in my own right.

The announcer's voice boomed, drawing me from my thoughts. "And now, the final round of the tournament! The victor of this round will be crowned the champion of the Academy Games! This round will test every bit of strength, skill, and strategy you possess. Prepare yourselves!"

I took a deep breath and glanced at my opponent. They were tall, dark-haired, and silent, standing with an air of quiet confidence. They were a student from a powerful kingdom far to the east, and word around the academy was that they were a prodigy in combat. This would be the toughest fight yet.

The bell rang, signaling the start of the battle. I didn't waste any time. Instantly, I summoned a burst of light magic to surround myself, creating a barrier of radiant energy. My opponent, quick as a shadow, immediately launched an attack, their blade flashing in the sunlight. It was a battle of speed versus power.

I sidestepped just in time to avoid a deadly strike aimed at my ribs. The ground beneath me cracked as they planted their foot, preparing for another assault. My heart pounded in my chest, but my mind was clear.

This was my moment.

I gathered the surrounding energy, feeling the natural world around me pulse with life. The trees, the earth beneath my feet, the winds—they all responded to my call. A tendril of vines shot up from the ground, wrapping around my opponent's legs and pulling them off balance. He staggered back, eyes widening in surprise.

"Impressive," he muttered, regaining his footing. "But it's not enough."

He dashed toward me again, but this time I was ready. I channeled more light magic into my fists, my hands glowing with blinding energy. He swung his blade, but with a swift movement, I deflected it, sending a wave of energy that knocked him off course.

"Is that all you've got?" I taunted, a grin pulling at the corner of my lips. There was something exhilarating about this fight, something that lit a fire inside me. I wasn't just fighting for the title—I was fighting for me.

The ground beneath us trembled as my opponent prepared a counterattack, this time drawing on some sort of dark magic that I couldn't immediately identify. It pulsed with a dangerous, ominous energy, and I instinctively braced myself.

With a roar, he unleashed a shockwave of dark magic, the air vibrating with the force of it. The blast knocked me backward, my feet sliding across the ground as I struggled to maintain my balance. My barrier flickered, nearly collapsing under the pressure.

But I wouldn't let it. Not now.

The moment of vulnerability passed, and I retaliated. I let the power of the light and nature flow through me, weaving together an attack more powerful than anything I had summoned before. My magic surged in a brilliant spiral, wrapping around me like a storm, taking the form of a massive, radiant tree. The branches shot toward my opponent, each one imbued with the energy of the earth itself.

He was fast, but not fast enough. With a cry of desperation, he tried to break free, but the vines tangled around him, binding him to the ground. He struggled, his magic clashing with mine, but the force of my attack was overwhelming.

I stood tall, watching as the light surged around us, illuminating the arena in a blinding flare. It was over. My opponent was pinned to the ground, and I was the last one standing.

The crowd erupted in cheers, their voices blending into a roar of approval. But all I could hear was my own heartbeat, the pounding rhythm of my triumph. I had won. Not just the tournament, but a victory for myself. A victory over the doubts that had plagued me for so long.

The announcer's voice echoed across the arena. "Aria Velanova wins the final round! The Champion of the Academy Games!"

I couldn't help but let out a laugh, my breath coming in uneven bursts. I had done it. I had truly done it.

But as I made my way to the center of the arena, I was greeted by none other than Liara, who was beaming with pride. She rushed over and grabbed my arm, pulling me into a tight hug. "You did it! You're amazing!"

I grinned back, my heart still racing. "I couldn't have done it without you, Liara."

She pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes, her face softening. "I always knew you had it in you. You're more than just a princess, Aria. You're a legend in the making."

I didn't know about being a legend, but in that moment, standing in the middle of the arena, I felt something I hadn't felt in a long time: pride. Real, genuine pride. Not because of who I was born to be, but because of what I had become.

The rest of the academy students flooded into the arena, lifting me up in celebration. But amidst all the cheers and applause, I spotted a familiar face among the crowd. Gaia. My mother, watching from the stands with a proud smile on her face.

I hadn't noticed her before, but now that I did, I felt an overwhelming sense of warmth. She was here, watching me.

And that was all I needed.

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