Chapter 27: Tournament(3)

The Grand Arena was still buzzing with excitement after Luciel's stunning victory. The crowd's cheers had subsided, but the tension in the air was palpable. The other academies, their instructors, and even the Divine Council were left reeling from what they had just witnessed. Luciel's display of mana resonance had sent shockwaves through the tournament, and now, everyone was scrambling to make sense of it.

In the VIP box, the members of the Divine Council were deep in discussion. The green-haired man who had first recognized Luciel's mana resonance was pacing back and forth, his expression a mix of awe and concern. "A first-year with that level of control... it's unheard of. Gabriel, what have you done to that boy?"

Gabriel, seated calmly with his hands folded, smiled faintly. But his smile wasn't one of innocence—it was the smile of someone who knew exactly what he had done. "I merely... accelerated his growth. Luciel's potential was always there. I just helped him unlock it."

The green-haired man stopped pacing and turned to face Gabriel, his eyes narrowing. "Unlocked it? Don't play coy with us, Gabriel. We know you're not exactly a saint. What did you do to him?"

Gabriel's smile didn't waver, but his tone grew colder. "I forcefully opened his soul core. It was a risky procedure, but the results speak for themselves. His life's order rose exponentially, and his control over mana reached a level far beyond his rank."

The other council members exchanged uneasy glances. Forcibly opening a soul core was a dangerous and controversial practice, one that could easily result in death or permanent damage. The fact that Luciel had not only survived but thrived was nothing short of miraculous.

The golden-haired head of the Union, Aurelius Soldrake, leaned forward, his purple eyes gleaming with interest. He had been silent until now, but his presence commanded attention. "Forcefully opening a soul core... that's a bold move, even for you, Gabriel. But there's more to it, isn't there? Luciel didn't just survive because of your intervention. He survived because he already possessed something... unique."

Gabriel's smile faltered for the first time, his sharp blue eyes locking onto Aurelius. "You sensed it too, didn't you?"

Aurelius nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Divinity. I can feel the embers of it burning inside him. It's faint, but it's there. That's why he survived. His body was already attuned to something far greater than the average awakened."

The other council members gasped, their eyes widening in shock. Divinity was a concept few understood, and even fewer possessed. It was the mark of a being who had transcended the limits of mortal power, and in the entire Human Domain, only Aurelius had ever achieved it—during the final moments of the Unification War, when he had pushed himself to the brink of death to unite humanity under the Union.

Aurelius continued, his voice low but carrying an edge of intrigue. "I attained my divinity through years of struggle and sacrifice, but Luciel... he was born with it. Or perhaps it was awakened within him. Either way, it's there. And it's growing."

Gabriel nodded, his expression serious now. "I sensed something similar to your divinity within him when I first took him as my student. That's why I took the risk. I knew he could handle it. And now... he's proving me right."

The green-haired man shook his head, his voice tinged with disbelief. "You're playing with fire, Gabriel. Divinity isn't something to be trifled with. If Luciel loses control..."

"He won't," Gabriel interrupted, his tone firm. "Luciel is stronger than you think. And with the right guidance, he'll become something the Human Domain has never seen before."

Aurelius leaned back in his seat, his purple eyes gleaming with a mix of curiosity and caution. "We'll see, Gabriel. But remember, divinity is both a gift and a curse. If Luciel can't handle it, the consequences will be catastrophic."

The students and instructors of the other academies were equally stunned. In the Solaris Academy section, Cyrus, the sound-based prodigy, watched the arena with narrowed eyes. "Mana resonance... at C+ rank? That's insane. How is that even possible?"

His instructor, a stern woman with sharp features, placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't let it rattle you, Cyrus. Control is one thing, but strength is another. Luciel's impressive, but he's not invincible. Focus on your own abilities."

In the Lunara Academy section, Selene, the elegant third-year leader, was deep in thought. Her younger sister, Elara, had been carried off the arena after her crushing defeat, and Selene's icy blue eyes burned with a mix of frustration and curiosity. "Luciel..." she murmured. "You're full of surprises. But don't think this is over."

Her instructor, Jade, stood beside her, her expression calm but calculating. "Selene, don't let this distract you. Luciel's control is remarkable, but his strength is still limited. If he gets ganged up by everyone he might still lose."

In the Aetheris Academy section, Antares was seething. His amber eyes glowed with barely contained anger as he glared at the arena. "Mana resonance? That's just a cheap trick. I'll show him what real power looks like."

His instructor, Master Gale, sighed. "Antares, don't underestimate him. Luciel's control is on another level, and if you're not careful, he'll use it to dismantle you. Focus on your own strengths, and don't let your arrogance blind you."

Antares scoffed but said nothing. His pride had been wounded, and he was determined to prove himself against Luciel.

Back in the Celestia Academy section, Professor Jadestar stood with her arms crossed, her crimson eyes fixed on Luciel as he stepped off the arena. Her expression was unreadable, but there was a glint of pride in her gaze. She had always known Luciel was special, but even she hadn't expected him to reach this level so quickly.

"Mana resonance at C+ rank," she murmured to herself. "Gabriel wasn't exaggerating when he said Luciel was a prodigy. But..."

Her thoughts trailed off as she considered the implications. Luciel's control over mana was extraordinary, but his strength was still far below that of an S-rank awakener. While he could dominate opponents like Elara with ease, stronger opponents would test his limits. Professor Jadestar knew the tournament was far from over, and Luciel's true challenges were yet to come.

She turned to Kaelith, who was standing nearby with a faint smile on his face. "Kaelith," she said, her voice firm. "What do you think?"

Kaelith crossed his arms, his blue eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Luciel's control is unmatched, but his strength is still limited. If I were to fight him right now, it would probably take me at least five minutes to knock him out... if I didn't hold back at all. But that's not the point. What he just showed us is that he's capable of things no one else at his rank can do. The real question is... how far can he go?"

Professor Jadestar nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Indeed. Luciel's potential is limitless, but potential alone won't win him the tournament. He'll need to push himself harder than ever if he wants to survive what's coming."

As Luciel walked away from the arena, the cheers of the crowd faded into the background. His golden eyes were distant, his expression unreadable. He had won the match with ease, but there was no sense of triumph in his demeanor. If anything, he seemed... detached.

Katharine approached him, her red eyes filled with concern. "Luciel," she said softly, her voice trembling slightly. "Are you... okay?"

Luciel glanced at her, his gaze cold and distant. "I'm fine," he said simply, his tone devoid of emotion. "There's still more to do."

Katharine hesitated, her heart aching at the change in him. The Luciel she had grown to care for—the kind, determined boy who had opened up to her—seemed to be slipping further and further away. "Luciel..." she whispered, but he was already walking away, his mind focused on the challenges ahead.

...

As the first round of the First-Year League concluded, the attention of the crowd shifted to the Second and Third-Year Leagues. The battles were fierce, with students from each academy showcasing their skills and strategies. However, the most shocking moment came during the match between Kaelith of Celestia Academy and a top student from Lunara Academy.

Kaelith stepped into the arena with his usual calm demeanor, his blue eyes scanning the crowd with a faint, unsettling smile. His opponent, a third-year from Lunara Academy named Darius, was one of the strongest in his year, known for his mastery of wind-based techniques and his ability to outmaneuver even the most skilled opponents. Darius entered the arena with confidence, his expression determined as he prepared to face the legendary Kaelith.

The match began with Darius launching a barrage of wind blades, his movements swift and precise. But Kaelith didn't even flinch. With a single wave of his hand, he summoned a barrier of crackling purple lightning, effortlessly deflecting Darius's attacks. The crowd watched in awe as Kaelith's control over his element seemed almost effortless.

Then, Kaelith made his move. His body surged with energy, and the air around him crackled with power. The arena trembled as he unleashed a devastating lightning strike, the sheer force of it sending Darius flying out of the ring. The crowd erupted into cheers, but the real shock came moments later.

The announcer's voice boomed through the coliseum: "Winner: Kaelith of Celestia Academy! And... it seems we have a surprise! Kaelith has officially broken into the A-rank!"

The announcement sent a wave of disbelief through the stadium. The other academies' instructors and students exchanged stunned glances, their expressions a mix of awe and despair. A-rank awakeners were rare, even among seasoned veterans, and Kaelith's advancement placed him in a league of his own. The strongest third-years from other academies were at most in the B-rank, making Kaelith almost a full rank ahead of his peers. This wasn't just a gap—it was a chasm.

In the Lunara Academy section, Selene, the third-year leader, clenched her fists, her icy blue eyes burning with frustration. "A-rank... how is that even possible? He was already a monster at B-rank. This changes everything."

Her instructor, Jade, sighed, her expression grim. "With Kaelith at A-rank, the Third-Year League is as good as lost. No one in our academy—or any academy—can match him now. He's not just a student anymore; he's an elite among all awakeners. We'll need to focus on the Second-Year League if we want any chance of winning."

In the Aetheris Academy section, Orion, the third-year leader, watched the arena with a mix of admiration and frustration. "A-rank... I knew he was strong, but this is on another level. I'll have to give it everything I've got if I want to stand a chance against him."

His instructor, Master Gale, placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't let it shake you, Orion. Kaelith's strength is undeniable, but you've trained just as hard. Focus on your own abilities, and don't let his advancement distract you."

Even in the Solaris and Terranova Academy sections, the mood was somber. The instructors and students knew that Kaelith's advancement had effectively destroyed any hope of winning the Third-Year League. The strongest third-years from other academies were all in the B-rank, and even they paled in comparison to Kaelith's overwhelming power. He wasn't just a student anymore—he was an elite, a force to be reckoned with even among seasoned awakeners.

As the first round of the Third-Year League concluded, the other academies were forced to confront the harsh reality: Celestia Academy's dominance was nearly unshakable. With Luciel dominating the First-Year League and Kaelith reigning supreme in the Third-Year League, the only remaining hope for the other academies was the Second-Year League.

In the Celestia Academy section, Professor Jadestar watched Kaelith's match with a faint smile. "A-rank... impressive. But I expected nothing less from you, Kaelith. Now, the real challenge begins."

Kaelith stepped off the arena, his expression calm but his eyes gleaming with determination. He knew that his advancement had sent a clear message to the other academies: Celestia Academy was not to be underestimated.