Day One of the Dawnforge Tournament had already shaken the stadium twice.
Astra Noire's overwhelming victory in the morning. The roaring cheers that still echoed through the air. The shockwaves from her meteor feat still hanging over the entire Academy.
And now—
As the sun dipped slightly westward, signaling the second match of the day…
The announcer's voice thundered across the arena:
"Second Match — Rain Lancelot vs Cero Vale!"
The crowd erupted instantly.
Hero Class Rank 4 vs Auxiliary Cadets Rank 1.
Water vs Barrier. Calm grace vs Quiet brilliance. A match no one could predict.
◆ ◆ ◆
Pre-Match Tension
Rain stepped onto the platform, her blue hair flowing like a quiet river, her expression serene but sharp.
Behind her, her classmates cheered:
Roger waved frantically. "RAIN! Freeze him! But, uh… politely!"
Bam grinned. "Show him why you're Rank 4!"
Raze simply offered a nod."You can win this."
Rain smiled softly.
Across the arena, Cero Vale walked up — a lean, shy boy with messy brown hair and soft eyes.He bowed deeply to Rain.
"I… apologize in advance if my defense becomes overwhelming."
Rain blinked. "You don't need to apologize before a fight."
He rubbed the back of his neck. "It's a habit."
Despite his awkwardness, everyone knew the truth:
Cero Vale was terrifying when he got serious.
In any other academy, he would enter Hero Class easily. His Nexas — Barrier Construct — was powerful, flexible, and extremely hard to counter.
The tension thickened.
The referee raised his hand.
"Begin in 3… 2… 1— START!"
◆ ◆ ◆
The Arena Freezes
Rain thrust her hand forward.
Water spiraled around her, forming several liters at once — the maximum she could currently summon.
With a flick of her wrist—
SHRRRING!
It all crystallized into dozens of small, dense ice spheres — each one hard as steel.
The audience murmured:
"She condensed them instantly!" "Her ice control is insane!"
Rain unleashed the barrage—
FWISH! FWISH! FWISH!
Cero reacted instantly.
He raised both palms.
BOOM—!!
A massive translucent barrier erupted in front of him, taking the full brunt of the icy bullets.
They shattered harmlessly against his shield.
Rain narrowed her eyes.
As expected.
Cero stepped forward, lifting his hand again.
A second barrier snapped into existence—
and slammed Rain backward.
She slid across the arena floor, boots scraping.
"Rain!!" Roger yelled.
Cero spoke softly, almost apologetically:
"My barrier can push with force equal to its density.
I can't attack… but I can repel."
Rain stood, breath steady.
"You're strong."
Cero's cheeks flushed slightly.
"Thank you. But… I'm not done."
◆ ◆ ◆
Cero's Counterattack
Cero raised both arms.
DOOM—!
A semicircle barrier formed behind Rain.
Her eyes widened.
It pushed—Hard.
Rain was hurled toward the ring's edge.
The crowd gasped.
"He's forcing a ring-out!" "That's how Auxiliary Cadets fight — efficiency over flashy power!"
Rain skidded across the arena floor—
But before she crossed the boundary—
She stomped her foot—
CRRRRRRK!
A spike of ice erupted from beneath her, forming a tiny pillar—
A foothold.
But not just a foothold—
She shaped it instantly—
Into a floating platform.
A condensed ice pad that hovered using her Hardwater manipulation, giving her a low, imperfect but functional flight.
The audience exploded.
"RAIN CAN FLY!?""No—she's creating her own platform!" "That's genius!"
Cero stared, stunned.
"What…? You can do that… at your level…?"
Rain exhaled softly.
"I can't truly fly. But I can stay in the air long enough."
She raised her hand.
Her floating ice pad spun her around like a dancer.
Water formed behind her.
Then—She condensed it again.
This time—
One large sphere. Dense. Heavy. Deadly.
A mini glacier compressed into a projectile.
Cero swallowed hard.
"That's… not good."
◆ ◆ ◆
Final Clash — Frost vs Barrier
Rain hurled the condensed ice boulder.
Cero slammed both palms outward.
BARRRRRRIER—!!
A massive barrier dome erupted to block the attack.
The two forces collided—
BOOOOOOOM!!!
Ice cracked. Light bent. The arena shook.
Cero grit his teeth as fractures spider-webbed across his barrier.
"I… can hold… I can—"
Rain whispered:
"Break."
Her ice platform launched her downward like a hammer from above—
She punched the ice boulder mid-air—
SHATTER—!!!
Fragments fired like bullets into Cero's weakening barrier.
CRAAAAACK—!!!
The barrier exploded.
Cero's eyes widened—
Rain landed, sliding forward—
She flicked her wrist—
THWACK!!
A final condensed ice sphere tapped Cero in the chest.
He stumbled…
Lost his footing…
And fell backward out of the arena boundary.
The bell rang.
"Winner — Rain Lancelot!!"
◆ ◆ ◆
Aftermath
The stadium erupted.
"RAIN WON!!""That final attack was insane!" "She used her ice platform so well!"
Cero stood up, brushing dirt from his uniform.
He approached Rain with a small smile.
"You were incredible.
Even my strongest barrier… you broke it."
Rain nodded politely.
"You forced me to use my best technique. Thank you."
Cero bowed deeply.
"You deserve Hero Class Rank 4."
Roger jumped onto Rain like an excited puppy.
"RAIN!! YOU WERE AWESOME!! That flying thing—TEACH ME!"
Rain laughed softly.
"I don't think you can freeze water, Roger."
Bam slapped Cero's shoulder.
"Dude, you nearly won. Respect."
Raze smiled a little.
"That was a smart adaptation, Rain."
Rain looked at her classmates — at their pride, their cheers, their joy.
For the first time in a long time…
She felt seen.
◆ ◆ ◆
And thus, the second match of Day One ended with another exhilarating victory.
Astra Noire and Rain Lancelot both advanced—
Setting the stage for a Dawnforge Tournament that was already burning hotter than anyone expected.
*************************
Day Two of the Dawnforge Tournament arrived with a nervous excitement that buzzed through the entire stadium like static electricity.
Yesterday had delivered two unforgettable spectacles: Astra Noire's god-like display of raw power tempered by impossible kindness, and Rain Lancelot's graceful, strategic mastery that turned gentle water into an overwhelming force.
The cheers still echoed in everyone's minds. Viral clips of Astra redirecting a meteorite—and Rain's improvised ice flight—dominated every screen across Vornis.
Today, expectations soared higher than ever.
Students crowded the entrances, whispering predictions. Parents clutched signs. Pro heroes in the VIP boxes leaned forward with professional interest.
Even the teachers seemed unusually alert—Celeste Ardyn's silver eyes scanning the crowds as if sensing something beyond the excitement.
When the announcer's voice finally thundered through the massive arena, the entire stadium shook with anticipation.
"FIRST MATCH OF DAY TWO—ROGER CASTELLAN VERSUS NAOMI CREST!!"
The cheers exploded like fireworks—deafening, colorful, unstoppable.
Speed versus Defense.
Momentum versus unbreakable barriers.
Unpredictability versus calm precision.
No one could confidently predict the winner.
This was chaos meeting serenity.
And the stadium couldn't wait.
◆ ◆ ◆
Pre-Match Moments
In the Hero Class waiting area, the atmosphere crackled with energy.
Roger Castellan bounced on his toes, rolling his shoulders and spinning his arms like a windmill.
"Alright! Day Two opener! Let's start with some fireworks, baby!"
Zack Kreiger rolled his eyes, arms crossed. "You're gonna get trapped in a box and cry for help in thirty seconds."
Bam Relic, still bandaged from his war with Astra but grinning wide, pounded his chest lightly. "Nah, Roger's got tricks. This'll be fun."
Rain Lancelot smiled softly, hands clasped. "I hope it's a good, fair match… and no one gets hurt too badly."
Raze Arcwell adjusted the straps on his new dark-blue combat suit one final time—the one Kael Forgebound had crafted specifically for him. It fit perfectly, lightweight yet reinforced, moving like a second skin.
He looked at Roger quietly.
"You ready?"
Roger flashed a thumbs-up. "Born ready, man. Momentum Shift supremacy incoming!"
Naomi Crest entered the waiting area quietly—pale pink hair falling in gentle waves, amber eyes warm but focused. Rank 11. Soft-spoken. Often overlooked in the shadow of flashier abilities.
But those who knew her Nexas feared it.
Light Barrier—manifesting solid constructs of pure condensed light. Walls, domes, shields, platforms—anything she imagined, as long as it was made of light.
She bowed politely to the group.
"Good luck, everyone."
Roger grinned back. "You too! Just don't trap me in some weird fortress thing, okay?"
Naomi blinked innocently.
"…I can't promise that."
The group laughed—tension easing slightly.
Even Astra, watching from her seat, allowed a faint curve to her lips.
The referee's call echoed.
"Contestants to the arena!"
◆ ◆ ◆
Naomi Seizes Control Instantly
Roger strode out first—waving to the roaring crowd, feeding off the energy like fuel.
Naomi followed calmly, steps measured, hands folded in front.
The arena barrier shimmered to life—reinforced fields containing the battlefield.
Roger cracked his neck, crouching low.
"Let's make this fun!"
The referee raised his hand.
"Begin in—3… 2… 1— START!"
Before Roger could even push off the ground—
FWOOOOM!!
A massive vertical wall of shimmering light erupted directly beneath him—launching him upward and backward like a catapult.
"GYAAAH—HEY!! I wasn't ready!"
He tumbled mid-air, flailing comically.
The crowd burst into laughter mixed with gasps.
Naomi did not smile—she simply raised both hands with quiet focus.
SHRRRRR—!!
Barriers materialized everywhere in perfect synchronization:
A tall curved wall blocking his left landing zone.
A slanted shield cutting off the right.
A horizontal panel descending from above like a closing trapdoor.
A rising floor barrier pushing him toward a prepared corner.
It was brilliant. Precise. Merciless.
Roger twisted mid-fall, trying to land running.
CLANG!
He bounced off the curved wall.
Dodged sideways—
THUD!
The slanted shield redirected him.
He leaped high—
BAM!!
The descending panel slammed him downward like a flyswatter.
The crowd roared in amazement.
"She's shutting him down completely!"
"Roger can't even get a sprint going!"
"She's predicting every move!"
Naomi spoke softly, voice carrying gently over the noise.
"You rely on building speed through open space, Roger Castellan.
So… I simply won't give you any."
Her hands closed gracefully.
SHOOOM—!!
All barriers converged inward—compressing into a perfect, glowing cube around Roger.
Six seamless walls of condensed light—harder than reinforced steel, unbreakable by conventional force.
A flawless prison.
Roger pressed against the walls, testing.
Solid. Unyielding.
He looked around at the glowing enclosure.
"…Well. This is unfortunate."
Outside, Naomi inhaled deeply—slight tremble in her breath betraying nerves.
"I'm sorry, Roger… but I must win too. This is my chance to prove I belong here."
She formed a massive flat barrier above the cube—ready to descend and crush it downward, forcing Roger out of bounds for a ring-out victory.
The audience leaned forward collectively.
This was it.
Roger was trapped. Out of options.
Unless…
◆ ◆ ◆
Roger Begins to Think
Inside the cube, Roger stopped pushing.
He crouched low, touching the floor panel.
A slow grin spread across his face.
"Ohhh… Naomi. You messed up big time."
Naomi's eyes widened slightly.
"…What…?"
Roger whispered to himself, eyes gleaming.
"Momentum Shift doesn't need open space to build speed…"
He jumped straight upward—hard.
BOING!
He hit the ceiling panel and bounced back down.
Then up again—harder.
BOING! BOING!
Each impact reversed direction instantly.
The confined cube became his personal accelerator.
BOING! BOING! BOING!
He ricocheted faster and faster—floor to ceiling, ceiling to floor.
A blue blur inside the glowing prison.
The crowd's murmurs turned to gasps.
"He's accelerating INSIDE the cube!?"
"He's turning her trap into a speed chamber!"
"That's absolutely insane!"
Naomi frantically reinforced the walls—pouring more energy, light blazing brighter.
But Roger was already blurring—hitting speeds that vibrated the barriers.
A passive effect of his Momentum Shift activated fully:
The faster he moved, the denser and tougher his body became—muscles condensing, bones reinforcing, skin hardening to withstand the G-forces.
Roger grinned mid-bounce, voice echoing.
"Thanks for the boost, Naomi! You basically supercharged me!"
◆ ◆ ◆
Prison Break
With one final, earth-shaking leap—
CRAAAAAAACK—!!!
Roger exploded upward—blasting straight through the reinforced top panel.
Shards of condensed light scattered like radiant fireworks.
He soared high above the arena—momentum carrying him in a perfect arc.
The stadium ERUPTED into pure pandemonium.
"HE BROKE THE PRISON FROM INSIDE!!"
"THAT BARRIER IS TOUGHER THAN STEEL!"
"HIS BODY SURVIVED THE IMPACT—HE'S A MONSTER TOO!!"
Naomi stared upward, hands still raised—shock clear on her gentle face.
Roger hovered at the peak for a dramatic second, panting but triumphant.
Then smirked down at her.
"Appreciate the assist! That cube was the perfect launcher."
◆ ◆ ◆
Momentum Reversal — The Finishing Move
Roger flipped forward mid-air.
He still carried massive vertical momentum.
Now he whispered:
"Shift—Forward conversion."
All that upward speed…
Instantly redirected horizontally.
He became a living projectile—blue-white streak screaming across the arena.
Naomi scrambled—hands flashing.
WHAM!!
Roger smashed through her first hastily raised barrier—shards exploding.
CRACK!!
The second shattered like glass.
BOOOOM!!
The third collapsed in a burst of light particles.
Naomi poured everything into one final defense—her strongest personal barrier directly in front of her.
Light blazed brighter than the sun. Air vibrated. The entire arena held its breath.
Roger roared through the wind pressure:
"FINAL BREAK!!!"
BAAAAAAAAAAM!!
The barrier exploded into a thousand radiant shards—beautiful, harmless fragments raining down like snow.
The force wave rippled outward, rattling spectator shields.
Naomi staggered backward—boots sliding across the floor.
Roger stopped his fist a mere inch from her chest—perfect control despite the velocity.
Wind howled around them.
Silence fell for one stunned heartbeat.
Then—
"WINNER — ROGER CASTELLAN!!"
The stadium detonated—cheers, screams, applause blending into thunder.
◆ ◆ ◆
Aftermath
Naomi stood frozen for a moment—breathing hard, eyes wide.
Then she approached slowly, still trembling from the impact shockwave.
"You… broke everything I made. My strongest defenses. And still… held back at the end."
Roger scratched his cheek sheepishly, deactivating his Nexas—body returning to normal.
"Hitting people full force isn't my style. Breaking stuff? That's more fun."
Naomi smiled—small, sincere, eyes shining with respect.
"It was an honor to fight you."
She bowed deeply.
Roger returned an exaggerated bow. "Same! You're scary good with those barriers. Next time, I'll need an even bigger boost!"
From the participant area:
Bam slapped Roger's back hard enough to stagger him. "Dude, you literally punched LIGHT. What even are you!?"
Zack smirked. "Not bad, speed freak. That comeback was actually cool."
Rain clasped her hands. "You were amazing, Roger! So creative!"
Raze smiled faintly. "You turned her greatest strength into your weapon. Smart."
Even Astra nodded subtly from her seat. "Adaptability under pressure… commendable."
Celeste watched from above, silver eyes thoughtful.
"Another victory born from ingenuity. This class… is special."
Naomi received warm applause as she left the arena—respect earned, not pity.
Roger waved to the roaring crowd, soaking it in.
"And that's how you do it! Momentum King advances!"
The announcer's voice boomed over the excitement:
"That concludes the explosive first match of Day Two! Prepare for the next battle!"
◆ ◆ ◆
But the Day Was Far From Over
With the stadium still buzzing from Roger's impossible comeback, the energy refused to dip.
Day Two had opened with pure chaos—and delivered one of the most memorable victories in tournament history.
Roger Castellan—once seen as comic relief—had proven his Nexas wasn't "low-tier."
It was limitless with creativity.
And as medics checked Naomi (minor strain, nothing serious), the crowd chanted both names.
Respect filled the air.
The Dawnforge Tournament marched on—with its fifth victor decided.
And the matches ahead promised even greater fireworks.