The Brackets Begin to Move
The main hall buzzed with restless anticipation. Dozens of students from both the Hero Class and the Auxiliary Cadets gathered around the glowing matchup board. Dozens of screens flickered, preparing to reveal the first-round lineup.
A sharp electronic chime rang out.
Tournament Bracket Initial Display — Activated
Names began appearing one by one. Students leaned forward, hearts pounding.
But then surprise spread through the crowd.
"What? Some slots say 'Pending'…"
"Why isn't the opponent listed yet?"
A student from the Auxiliary Cadets frowned.
"Of course it's not final yet… we still have double our class size. We need to fight among ourselves first just to qualify."
Another scoffed, irritation clear.
"Yeah, but why are their matchups already shown? Especially his?"
He pointed sharply toward the board.
Matchup Display — Round 1
Match Fighter 1 Fighter 2
1 Raze Arcwell (Hero Dept.) Opponent: Pending
2 Astra Noire (Hero Dept.) Bam Relic (Hero Dept.)
3 Rain Lancelot (Hero Dept.) Opponent: Pending
A wave of voices exploded instantly.
"Raze got the first match!?"
"Convenient… he gets an easy warm-up."
"Special admission privilege, huh?"
"Can't even fight someone strong on day one?"
Roger stepped forward, expression dark.
"Say that again. I dare you."
One auxiliary cadet sneered.
"Please. A powerless kid gets handed the first match slot and a mystery opponent? Suspicious much?"
Rain stepped in quietly.
"Tournament order is random. Stop looking for excuses."
But the cadet shot back—
"Easy for you to say. You're already in Hero Class. Some of us fought for years for a chance—and he gets in for free."
The hall grew tense. Some students murmured in agreement, others glared at the accuser.
Raze finally spoke, voice calm but powerful.
"If anyone believes I don't deserve my place, then beat me in the arena.
Complaining in a hallway won't prove anything."
Silence fell for a moment.
Then angry determination lit the faces of several cadets.
"Fine. We will."
Auxiliary Cadet Pre-Selection Begins
The announcement screen continued:
Auxiliary Cadet Preliminaries — 3 Days
Only the top qualifiers earn entry into the main tournament.
Full Tournament Bracket Releases After Preliminaries Conclude.
Immediately, tension exploded through the hall.
Some cadets withdrew instantly.
"Damn it… I'll never beat those monsters."
"No point. We'll just get destroyed."
But others stepped forward, eyes burning.
"We fight. This is our chance."
"Hero Department or nothing."
Back with Raze's Group
Bam cracked his knuckles.
"Looks like they're fired up. This tournament's gonna be fun."
Zack smirked.
"I hope the guy Raze gets isn't some weakling. Would be boring."
Roger nudged Raze with a grin:
"Hey, man. First match! You ready to show off a little?"
Raze took a slow breath.
"It's not about showing off. It's about proving myself again. I'll face whoever stands there."
Astra stopped walking and looked over her shoulder.
"People want to see you break, Arcwell.
If you lose the first match… they'll never stop talking."
Raze met her gaze steadily.
"Then I won't lose."
A slight smile tugged at Astra's lips.
"We'll see."
Three Days Later — Brackets Finalize
The hall filled again, the tension thicker than before. Sweat, bruises, and exhaustion marked the cadets who survived the brutal internal fights.
The digital board pulsed to life:
All combatants finalized. Full bracket now displayed.
The crowd leaned in—
Scrolling down…
Stopping at Match #1…
The opponent slot flashed:
Opponent for Raze Arcwell: …
The suspense tightened the room.
Everyone held their breath—
The name began to appear one letter at a time—
T
O
B
E
R
E
V
E
A
L
E
D
The board glitched—intentionally frozen.
Gasps echoed across the hall.
"What the hell?"
"Is this a joke!"
"Why is his opponent still hidden!?"
Celeste stepped forward, her voice cutting through the chaos.
"The academy will announce the full bracket at the opening ceremony.
Prepare yourselves. The tournament begins next week."
The whispers intensified—
"Why only his matchup concealed?"
"Who is he fighting?"
"A secret challenger…?"
Raze stared at the frozen board, feeling something shift in his chest.
Whoever it was…
They were coming for him.
**************************
The morning broadcast chimed across Lionel Academy.
"Attention, all students. Tomorrow morning, the Opening Ceremony for the Dawnforge First-Year Grand Tournament will be held."
Excitement rippled through the campus.
Roger leaned back in his chair dramatically.
"Tomorrow's the big day! I can already feel destiny calling my name."
Zack snorted.
"Destiny doesn't call idiots."
Bam grinned.
"Doesn't matter who I get—my fists are ready."
Rain smiled softly.
"I hope everyone fights safely."
Raze just shook his head, but a faint smile tugged at his lips.
The day passed in buzzing anticipation.
◆ ◆ ◆
The Next Day — Opening Ceremony
The massive Dawnforge Stadium—built in honor of Dawnforge Leonel, the academy's founder and the strongest hero of his era—was packed to capacity.
Students. Teachers. Media drones.
Everyone had gathered.
Raze entered with his class and immediately spotted Luna among the second-years. She waved subtly, flashing him a proud smile.
Then the arena lights dimmed.
A spotlight illuminated Principal Ricardo Leonel, floating gently to the center using his levitation Nexas.
His voice boomed:
"Students of Lionel Academy… the world is watching us."
A hush spread over the stadium.
"Just weeks ago, five heroes fell. A wound like that does not heal easily. Fear has spread. Doubt has risen."
The students lowered their eyes.
"But heroes do not pause. We rise."
His tone sharpened.
"That is why the Dawnforge First-Year Grand Tournament will be held now. Not later.
Not when things are safe.
But now—when the world needs proof that a new generation stands ready."
Whispers broke out—surprised, impressed, anxious.
Luna exhaled softly.
"…So that's why."
Celeste Ardyn, standing behind the principal, nodded in agreement.
"This is a chance," she murmured to herself, "for them to show the world their strength."
Principal Leonel raised his hand.
"The Hero Class match roster was already released yesterday. Today, we reveal the Aux Cadet qualifiers—and finalize the full bracket."
The giant holographic screen burst to life.
◆ ◆ ◆
The Tournament Bracket Appears
The screen displayed the previously known Hero Class internal matchups, then shifted to reveal the Aux Cadet challengers.
As the combined bracket formed, students leaned forward.
"Here we go…" Roger whispered.
"Let's see," Astra said calmly.
"To be expected," Rain murmured.
Finally—
Official First-Year Dawnforge Tournament Bracket
Originally Scheduled Match 1
Raze Arcwell (Hero Class)
vs
Voxen Hale (Aux Cadet Rank #2)
Murmurs passed through the stadium.
Roger: "Dude you are fighting the Aux cadet 2nd rank in the first match"
Bam: "Opening the tournament man, that's going to be rough"
Astra glanced at Raze.
"Well Raze, show them what you can do"
But before more reactions could spread—
A tall, sharp-eyed Aux Cadet stepped forward.
Voxen Hale.
He raised his voice calmly:
"Principal Leonel, I have a request."
The crowd went silent.
Leonel turned. "Speak, Voxen."
Voxen pointed directly at Raze.
"If I am to face Raze Arcwell… I want the match moved."
Gasps erupted.
Voxen continued:
"Everyone treats fighting a Nexasless student as underwhelming. So let me prove them wrong."
The tension thickened.
"Let our fight be the final match.
The climax.
No noise. No interruptions.
Just me and him."
Even Celeste raised an eyebrow.
Zack whispered, "This dude is either brave… or insane."
Roger: "He's provoking our boy!"
Principal Leonel looked to Raze.
"Arcwell. Your answer?"
Raze locked eyes with Voxen.
No fear.
No annoyance.
Just quiet confidence.
"…I accept."
The stadium exploded.
Leonel nodded.
"Then it is decided. The final match of Round One—Match 13—will be Raze Arcwell versus Voxen Hale."
The bracket reshuffled.
New Match Order
Match 1 — Astra Noire vs Bam Relic
The stadium went WILD.
Zack: "Why start with a WMD-level fight!?"
Roger: "Because it's AWESOME!"
Astra sighed.
"I suppose breaking Bam immediately is not ideal."
Bam grinned.
"Try me."
Match 2 — Rain Lancelot vs Cero Vale (Aux Rank #1)
Match 3 — Zack Kreiger vs Selene Ward
Match 4 — Roger Castellan vs Naomi Crest
Match 5 — Felix Cinder vs Juno Farsight (Aux #3)
Match 6 — Mira Goldhart vs Arven Rooke (Aux #5)
Match 7 — Kaine Kaiser vs Dray Vexon (Aux #4)
Match 8 — Alren Frost vs Tessa Lume (Aux #7)
Match 9 — Gray Howitzer vs Nero Strayde (Aux #6)
Match 10 — Final Match
Raze Arcwell vs Voxen Hale
The stadium buzzed with electricity.
People were already calling it:
"The Dark Horse Finale."
"Nexasless vs Rank #2."
"The Fight Everyone Wants to See."
Roger slapped Raze's back.
"You're the finale! That's—like—main protagonist energy!"
Astra added quietly:
"I will stay to watch. Don't disappoint."
Rain smiled gently.
"Do your best. I believe in you."
Even Celeste looked at him with pride:
"Arcwell… you have earned your stage."
Final Announcement
Principal Leonel raised his voice one last time:
"You all have the rest of this week—and the weekend—to train.
Next week… the Dawnforge Tournament begins."
Cheers shook the stadium.
Bam: "TRAINING TIME!"
Zack: "I'm gonna fry someone."
Roger: "Momentum Shift supremacy LET'S GO!"
Astra: "I hope this isn't a waste of my time."
Rain: "Let's all try our best."
Luna watched Raze from the stands, smiling softly.
"…Show them, Raze. Show them what Arcwells are truly made of."
Raze looked up at the giant bracket.
His name.
Voxen Hale's name.
The final match.
He exhaled.
"…Let's begin."