Chapter 8: Combat Session Results

As the duels ended, some students stood victorious while others caught their breath, processing their losses. Professor Valcroft scanned the group, noting each performance.

"Not bad," she admitted. "Some of you fought with skill. Others? You need work."

She then announced the results:

First Duel ... Professor Vaughn

Kaesy rolled her eyes....

Second Duel...Chrisha

Chrisha Van Dele smirked, standing tall as Aella Reeze Wilson sighed in frustration. "Next time, I'll win," Aella muttered.

Third Duel...Tie

Celsy Rielle De Obelia and Keisha Mayie Van Hanss had fought to a tie, neither willing to give the other an opening.

Fourth Duel....Rheem Rosie

Rheem Rosie Clain wiped her brow, victorious over Kim Lovie, who groaned. "You're way too fast," Kim admitted.

Fifth Duel...Briallea Cross

Winter Briaella Cross sheathed her weapon, nodding at Ella Kim, who admitted defeat.

Sixth Duel... Avrille Lentz

Avrille Lentz helped Mary Julieth Taylor to her feet after a hard-fought win. "You almost had me," Avrille admitted.

Seventh Duel.... Rachelle Hampton

Rachelle Hampton had bested Jhenny Sailish, who huffed. "You're lucky," Jhenny muttered.

Eight Duel...Cora Millie Clifton

Cora Millie Clifton had surprised everyone by outmaneuvering Leslie Tamayo. "I underestimated you," Leslie admitted.

Nineth Duel... Khierra Sky Smith

Khierra Sky Smith wiped her blade clean, victorious over Velia Lair Luther.

Tenth Duel...Yna Blair

Ynah Blair stood triumphant over Rayah Denise Van Goh, flashing a proud grin.

Eleventh Duel...Felia Owen Herrera

Felia Owen Herrera had claimed victory over Rosette Miyumi, who sighed. "I told you I don't like fighting," Rosette muttered.

Twelve Duel...Rey Vien Windsor

Rey Vien Windsor and Riyami Yuuki had fought intensely, but in the end, Rey Vien stood victorious.

Thirteenth Duel...Chezka Slovack

Chezka Slovack grinned, victorious over Charline Oneida, who was already strategizing a rematch.

Fourteenth Duel...Axel Devuncheek

Axel Devuncheek had bested Micko Lee, who grinned. "I'll get you next time."

Fifteenth Duel... Harvie Deogracia

Harvie Deogracia emerged victorious over Ruscell Montenegro, who clapped him on the back in good spirits.

Sixteenth Duel...Carl Perez

Carl Perez had managed to defeat Justin Pritz, who shook his head. "I won't lose next time."

Seventeenth Duel... Tie

Theodore Janssen and Kent Jeremiah Bainbridge had fought to a tie, neither willing to back down.

Professor Valcroft crossed her arms. "Remember these results. This is your starting point. What matters is how much stronger you become."

As exhaustion settled over them, the students barely had time to recover before they were ushered into the Arcane Hall for their second session—where a new challenge awaited.

Arcane Studies

After the intense combat training, the students barely had time to catch their breath before being led into the Arcane Hall—a vast chamber lined with towering bookshelves, glowing runes, and floating crystals that pulsed with raw magic. The ceiling stretched impossibly high, shifting between swirling constellations and ancient symbols, making it feel as though they had stepped into another realm entirely.

At the front of the hall stood Professor Alden Graves, an older man with silver-streaked hair and piercing blue eyes. His robe was embroidered with arcane symbols, glowing faintly as he moved. Unlike Professor Valcroft's sharp intensity, Graves exuded a quiet authority—one that commanded respect.

He observed the students in silence for a long moment before speaking. "Magic is more than a tool," his voice echoed through the hall. "It is an extension of your will. Some of you may believe you already understand it." He let his gaze drift over them, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "You don't."

A single motion of his hand, and suddenly, the room shifted. The walls expanded, the floor seemed to stretch into an endless void, and glowing symbols appeared in the air before each student.

"This is your first test," Graves announced. "You will cast your strongest spell—now."

Some hesitated, others reacted immediately. The air crackled as spells erupted throughout the hall—

Winter Briaella Cross conjured a strong energy making it into a nebula,while jagged spikes forming beneath her feet as frost crept outward.

Aella Reeze Wilson summoned vines, fullvof energy dancing between her fingertips.

Chrisha Van Dele infused her daggers with earth energy, the edges hard with a pulsating sharpness.

Keisha Mayie Van Hanss created an light so bright that, for a moment, it seemed the hall was filled with light figures.

Celsy Rielle De Obelia formed glowing sigils in the air, weaving complex magical sequences with expert precision.

Felia Owen Herrera summoned a gust of harmonic motion, sending objects floating and people calm around her.

Ynah Blair manipulated minds, the other mages doing what she commanded.

Rey Vien Windsor summoned a monster, standing undeterred before the students.

Axel Devuncheek reinforced his body with raw energy, his aura crackling with power.

Micko Lee attempted to paint magical beast in his minds and making it into reality, causing the crowds around him to distort slightly.

Leslie Tamayo released a pulse of energy, creating a water protective barrier.

Jhenny Sailish manipulated air, shaping it into tornado.

Magic filled the air, crackling, shimmering, and bending reality itself. Some spells were raw and unrefined, while others were executed with precision.

Professor Graves watched in silence. Then, with a flick of his wrist, the entire room shifted again—their magic suddenly resisted them.

"Control is everything," he said. "Your magic must obey you, even under pressure."

The students gasped as their spells wavered. Fire flickered, lightning fizzled, illusions distorted. Only a few managed to keep their magic stable—Winter's nebula remained strong pulling everything near it, Celsy's sigils held strong, and Aella's vines barely faltered.

Graves nodded approvingly at them before turning to the rest. "This is why you train. Strength means nothing if you cannot control it."

The session continued with more rigorous exercises, testing their limits, forcing them to adapt under pressure. By the time the lesson ended, many were exhausted—but they had learned one thing:

At Elitia Academy, magic was not just power. It was survival.