“Dual Spirits: Rising Beyond the Ranks”

Many spectators in the podium were expecting a intense battle today, because six prodigies from six great clan has entered the arena. A crowd had gathered, their murmurs rising like a rolling tide as twenty-one contestants stood beneath the majestic pillars that marked the boundary of the arena. Among them were six prodigies, each a beacon of power representing one of the great Spirit Clans. Today, the Trials of Fate would begin.

 Headmaster Arden, robed in black and gold ceremonial attire, strode to the center of the arena. His piercing gaze swept over the contestants, lingering briefly on the six prodigies before settling on the iron chest at his side. The air crackled with tension.

"Today, is the day one of the contestants get their hands on legendary item "soul gem"," headmaster Arden announced, his voice resonating across the arena." Each of you will place their hand on this blue orb, once you touched the orb it will glow and show random number. Those with matching numbers will face one another in battle. One among you will advance without contest, chosen by fate itself."

Kieran, adjusted the daggers in his hands, feeling the familiar warmth of the "Nyxviper," his venomous serpent spirit. The weight of the crowd's eyes pressed down on him, but his focus remained sharp. Around him, the other contestants whispered in hushed tones, eyeing the prodigies with a mixture of awe and dread.

Valen Gryphorn, the Gryphorn Clan's prodigy, stood to Kieran's left. His spirit, Gravalon, was a towering stone golem known for its unmatched defensive capabilities. Next to him was Eira Frost, the pride of the Frost fang Clan, her glacial-blue hair shimmering like ice under the sun. At her side prowled Cryos, an ethereal lynx whose fur glistened with frost.

Beyond them stood Darius Flint of the Radiant Pheonix Clan, a blazing figure of raw power. His spirit, Ifrit the Inferno Eagle, perched on his shoulder, wings of fire flickering ominously. To Kieran's right was Darious Obscura, the shadowy prodigy of the Obsidian Shadow Clan. , Sable Panther, a shadow panther, circled above him like a living silhouette. It look menancing and is very huge.

And finally, Zara Stormwing, the youngest, representing the Thunderdrake Clan. His spirit, Tempest fang, a wyvern of lightning, coiled at his feet, sparks dancing along its wings. These two completed the prodigy circle

"Let the matchmaking begin" The announcer's voice reverberated across the coliseum, triggering a deafening roar from the crowd.

One by one, the spirit user's approached the orb, placing their hands upon its surface. Numbers flickered above their heads, each glowing symbol determining their opponents. Kayn pressed his palm to the orb. A cold sensation washed over him, and as he withdrew his hand, the number 11 glowed faintly.

REN stepped up next, his jaw tight. As he withdrew his hand, his eyes widened. His number didn't pair with anyone.

"A lone draw!" the announcer bellowed. "Contestant Ren advances directly to the semifinals by the will of fate!"

Kayn clapped Aric on the back. "Told you."

"I swear you rigged this somehow," Ren replied, though his grin betrayed his relief.

Kieran stepped forward and plunged his hand inside, withdrawing a disc emblazoned with the number seven.

Across the arena, Valen Grayford lifted his token with a smirk. Seven.

"Looks like fate wants us to settle this,"Valen" said, cracking his knuckles.

Kieran met his gaze, killing intent flickering in his eyes. "Guess so."

The arena floor trembled as Valen stepped forward. The sigil of Gravalon pulsed on his forearm, and with a guttural roar, the golem materialized behind him. The creature loomed over Kieran, standing nearly three times his height, its body forged of living stone.

Kieran exhaled slowly, summoning "Nyxviper". The venomous serpent coiled around his arm, its molten eyes locking onto Gravalon.

Headmaster Arden raised his hand. "Begin!"

Valen wasted no time. Gravalon surged forward, slamming its massive fist into the ground. The impact sent jagged stone spires shooting toward Kieran. He leaped aside, Nyxviper started spitting out with a poison that seared through the stone.

"Too slow!" Valen roared, bringing his fists down. Gravalon mirrored his movement, creating a hammer of earth that crashed toward Kieran.

Kieran twisted mid-air, his blades igniting in twin arcs of poisonous fog. Venom Arc! With a single slash, he cleaved through the hammer, shattering it in a burst of green liquid. Strong venom melted the Gravalon's arm, but the golem seemed unbothered, its defense was absolute.

"Gravalon, reinforce," Damon commanded. The golem slammed its hands into the ground, forming a solid wall of rock.

Kieran grinned. "Nyxviper's descent." Kieran used his trump card, before Valen could pull any other tricks. "Kieran, when did you become this cautious and taking such gamble," said Valen in high pitch. There are many eyes watching this and he dares his strongest skill Infront of the everyone. Forget it, this is not worth it thought Valen and decided to be remain on defense and trying to endure Kieren"s final attack. 

This move had a huge drawback in exchange for more battle power, the consumption of mana will be several times higher. Such, moves only used in near life and death situation, where such move decide the outcome of their battle.

Kieran started going through great changes. Nyxviper's form merged with Kieran, his entire body engulfed in scales and cover in venomous mist. His twin blades crackled with enhanced by coated strong poison. Kieran surged forward in a streak of light, slicing through Valen's defenses like paper. This shows that not only "kieran's" battle power, but also his speed incresed by several folds. as for blows, those were no joke, it clearly shows he got strong since; their previous encounter. But he cannot show his power or the entire plan will fail. Good thing! this fool used his full power, now I can just admit defeat and let him be centre of attention.

The wall crumbled, and Gravalon staggered back.

Damon gritted his teeth. "Gravalon, full guard!"

Kieran didn't let up. His next strike sliced across Valen's chest, stopping just short of a killing blow.

Kieran stared towards defeated Valen and said, in cold voice.

"Yield," Kieran said, poison simmering down. Valen hesitated before raising his hand. Crowd broke in cheers and struck awed by Kieran's powers. As for the Valen, he didn;t look much dissapointed. Acting like nothing happened, as if he was not the one who battle against "Kieran." No one knows what he was thinking.

Winner: Kieran Vale, after concluding first match announcer introduced the new challengers in next battle.

Eira and Draven faced each other in the ice-laden arena. Cryos prowled at Eira's side, while Sable Panther circled around Draven.

Draven attacked first, shadows pooling beneath his feet as Sable Panther dove like a streak of black lightning. In a split of second Sable Panther appeared before Eira.

However, Eira remained calm. "Cryos, Ice Shroud."

A burst of freezing mist engulfed the field, and Sable Panther's form slowed, encased in frost trapping him on ground. Draven pushed forward, unleashing Shadow Spiral, a vortex of claws and fangs.

Eira countered with Frozen Lance, shards of ice piercing through the spiraling shadows, cutting the attack apart. From this attack Sable Panther got stunned for a moment. As a result, Eira used these moments for her advantage and prepared for a finishing move.

Darious became more viligant, and instantly decided to attack. According to this plan, if his Sable Panther collide with Cyros. It can create a shock enough to shatter the ice.

Unfortunately, he was fully focused on "Cyros" and forgetting about "Eira." She was hiding in frost fog, which covered the arena and caught Darious by suprise.

In a final strike, Cryos lunged, its icy fangs snapping shut around Darious. The match was decided.

Winner: Eira Frost

As the first round concluded, six tamers advanced, including Kieran, Ren, Eira and Kayn. Ren watched from the upper decks, his lucky draw granting him a reprieve for now.

Kayn glanced at the six remaining prodigies. Not one of them had drawn numbers for the first round.

"They're sizing up the competition," he thought, feeling the weight of unseen eyes.

From the highest balcony, the cloaked figure smirked beneath his hood. His eyes lingered on Kayn before drifting to Ren. "The boy got lucky… but luck runs out."

During the break, Kayn and Ren reconvened near the training grounds. "The prodigies are holding back. None of them fought in the first round," Kayn noted, tossing a pebble between his fingers.

"Let them watch. It's us they'll have to face in the next," Ren replied confidently.

Behind them, the cloaked figure stepped into view. "A word of advice," he began, his voice carrying the weight of age and mystery. "Beware the prodigies. Some of them… don't intend to fight fair."

Kayn's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"

"Just a watcher," the man replied, vanishing into the crowd as quickly as he had appeared.

The second round awaited, and with each passing minute, the tension within the arena thickened. The real battles had yet to begin.