My 5th Reincarnation: I Was Born in Another World as a Demon - TWOB 4

The World Academy Battle Tournament registration hall took Raegan's breath away despite his centuries of experience. Ancient magic pulsed through the crystal dome overhead, while enchanted fountains played with multi-colored mana. Students from academies worldwide gathered beneath floating banners representing their schools, the air thick with anticipation and competitive energy.

 "Look at that team's spirit-bound weapons!" Fin's eyes sparkled as he pointed out different groups. "And those students are actually floating!"

 "The mana signatures are incredible." Luna's ears twitched constantly, trying to process the overwhelming variety of energy patterns. "Some of these teams have power levels I've never encountered before."

 The registration area is split into two sections: team battles and solo division. As Raegan approached the solo registration desk, the temperature suddenly plummeted. Frost crackled across the crystal windows, and several nearby fountains froze solid.

[Vivaan : Presence Detected]

Power Level: Extraordinary

Mana Type: Pure Ice

Control: Perfect

Warning: Ancient Bloodline

A hush fell over the crowd as a young woman approached. She moved with the fluid grace of a master swordswoman, twin blades of pure ice materializing at her hips with each step. Her blue hint of silver-white hair caught the light like fresh snow, and her ice-blue eyes held the confidence of someone who had never needed to question their power.

 "Zia Frost-Heart," whispered awed voices around them. "Magnus Academy's Ice Princess!"

 Even Ace stopped writing in his notebooks, staring openly. "The granddaughter of Arch-Mage Magnus himself. They say her ice magic exceeds even theoretical limitations. The calculations required for dual-wielding ice element manipulation at that level should be impossible…"

 Zia's gaze fell on Raegan, a flicker of interest crossing her perfect features. "Another solo division entrant? From Barthopia, no less. I've heard interesting rumors about their mysterious transfer student."

 Before Raegan could respond, darkness swept through the hall like a physical force. The very air seemed to distort as four figures approached in perfect formation. Their matching black uniforms bore the crest of Drakmire Academy, but something about their synchronized movements felt wrong.

[Vivaan - Analysis]

Team Size: 4

Formation: Unnaturally Perfect

Mana Signature: Corrupted

Threat Level: Critical

"Viktor Drak," Aria whispered, her royal training evident in how she controlled her reaction. "Drakmire's combat enhancement division commander's son. Their enhancement mana…" She didn't need to finish. Luna's fur was standing on end, her natural mana sensitivity clearly disturbed by whatever power the Drakmire team was using.

 Viktor moved to the front of his team, purple energy crackling around his form. His eyes held an unnatural glow as he surveyed the registration area, lingering first on Zia, then on Raegan.

 "The famous Frost-Heart," his voice carried strange harmonics, "and Barthopia's unknown champion. How fascinating."

 "Still experimenting with powers you shouldn't touch, Viktor?" Zia's tone could have frozen fire. The temperature dropped further as ice crystals began forming in the air around her. "Your academy's 'enhancements' are an insult to true mana."

 "Says the one born into power," Viktor's smile didn't reach his glowing eyes. "Some of us have to push boundaries to achieve greatness. Evolution requires… sacrifice."

 The tension between them was electric. Raegan watched carefully, noting how both fighters unconsciously shifted into combat stances. Various other teams backed away, creating a clear space around the three of them.

 "The preliminary matches begin tomorrow," the nervous registrar announced, trying to break the moment. "Solo division brackets will be posted this evening."

 As the Drakmire team moved away, their movements still unnaturally synchronized, Luna shuddered. "Their mana… It's wrong. Like it's been twisted into something it shouldn't be."

 "Father warned about Drakmire's experiments," Aria added quietly. "But I never imagined…"

 Raegan remained silent, processing what he'd observed. Between Zia's unprecedented natural talent and Viktor's artificial enhancements, the tournament was shaping up to be far more than a simple school competition.

 "You know," Vivaan commented in his mind, "for a school tournament, these power levels are rather concerning."

 "Sometimes," Raegan thought back, "the most dangerous battles are the ones that look simple on the surface."

 As they headed to their preparation room, frost still melted from Zia's presence while unnatural shadows lingered in Drakmire's wake. The tournament hadn't even begun, but already the stage was set for something far bigger than anyone had planned.

 Later that day... The Drawing Board was set.

 Their preparation room in the tournament complex felt like a war council chamber. Aria had transformed one wall into a tactical display using light mana, while Ace's calculation boards floated in organized chaos around them. Luna sat cross-legged on the floor, her eyes closed as she processed the various mana signatures she'd encountered, and Fin was unusually quiet as he maintained his blade.

 "Let's address the obvious," Aria began, projecting images of their major competitors. "The power level at this tournament exceeds anything we expected. Zia Frost-Heart alone has more raw mana energy than some entire teams."

 "The calculations don't make sense," Ace muttered, his diagrams growing more complex. "Her ice manipulation should require at least triple the mana cost we observed. You can even buy an Ice-type skill on the Divine Skill System. Either the Magnus bloodline operates on different mana principles, or…"

 "Or our understanding of mana's limits is wrong," Luna finished, her eyes opening. "But the Drakmire team concerns me more. Their mana feels… corrupted. Enhanced beyond what their bodies should be able to handle. There isn't anything on records or on DSS (Divine Skill Store)."

 Raegan listened silently, his centuries of combat experience analyzing every detail. Vivaan's interface was busy processing probability scenarios:

[Tournament Analysis]

Solo Division Threats:

Zia: Natural power beyond limits

Viktor: Artificial enhancement, unstable

Other competitors: Data insufficient

Team Battle Concerns: Drakmire's unnatural coordination. Power gap between schools. Political undercurrents.

"We need to rethink our strategy," Aria continued. "In team battles, we'll likely face enhanced opponents like Drakmire's squad. Their synchronization is perfect, but that might be their weakness. Too perfect, too rigid."

 "Like a crystal," Ace brightened, grabbing a fresh notebook. "Perfect structure, but introduce the right stress points…"

 "And it shatters," Fin finished, finally speaking up. "My chaos style might actually work in our favor. They won't be prepared for unpredictable patterns."

 Luna's tail swished thoughtfully. "I can track their mana flows, find weaknesses in their enhancement. Whatever they've done to achieve that power, it can't be stable."

 Raegan nodded, carefully considering how much of his own ability he could safely display. "We'll need to be unconventional. Most teams here will be prepared for standard tactics. They won't expect very normal combat abilities used in very abnormal ways."

 "And what about your solo matches?" Aria turned to Raegan. "Zia's ice mastery is legendary, and Viktor's enhancements make him unpredictable."

 "One match at a time," Raegan replied diplomatically, while Vivaan added privately: 'Try not to counter ice magic with techniques you learned four lifetimes ago.'

 As they continued planning, Raegan felt a familiar tension building - the same he'd experienced before major battles in his past lives. This tournament was more than just a competition. Between Zia's unprecedented power and Drakmire's dangerous experiments, something bigger was brewing.

 "Remember," Aria concluded as they prepared to rest before tomorrow's preliminaries, "we have advantages they don't expect. Luna's mana reading, Ace's tactical adaptability, Fin's controlled chaos, and Raegan's… unique approach."

 "Very normal unique approach," everyone corrected automatically.

 Tomorrow would begin with team preliminaries, followed by the first solo division matches. As his friends retired to their quarters, Raegan stayed behind, studying the tactical displays.

 Vivaan chimed in, 'Now you just have to remember not to show off any combat techniques that hadn't been invented yet in this world. Or explain why you seemed to know exactly how to counter legendary ice magic that was supposed to be unprecedented. Just another normal school tournament.'

Next day... The tournament arena fell silent as Arch-Mage Magnus took the central stage. His presence made the very air heavy with power, though his appearance was deceptively simple - an elderly man with kind eyes and a gentle smile that somehow carried more authority than any display of force could achieve.

 "Young warriors," his voice carried effortlessly to every corner of the vast arena, "you stand here not just as representatives of your academies, but as the future of this world itself. This tournament exists not to prove superiority, but to share in the joy of advancement and growth."

 Raegan found himself genuinely impressed. In all his lives, few leaders had commanded such natural respect.

 "The rules are simple," Magnus continued. "Team battles will be fought in full-contact matches, with victory achieved through either surrender or ring-out. Solo division follows similar rules, with the addition of technique scoring. But remember - no victory is worth the cost of your honor, and no defeat can take away your worth."

 The Arch-Mage gestured, and massive crystal displays materialized, showing the bracket arrangements. "The rewards for this year's champions include rare skill cards, ancient mana texts, and…" his eyes twinkled, "a few surprises I've personally prepared."

 As the ceremony concluded and the first matches were announced, Raegan found himself sharing a viewing box with his team - and unexpectedly, Zia Frost-Heart. The ice mage sat slightly apart from the others, trying to maintain her dignified appearance while clearly interested in their group's dynamic.

 "That team's enhancement magic is unstable," Luna commented, watching a particularly aggressive match below.

 "Their formation has seventy-three potential breaking points," Ace added, surrounded by floating calculations.

 "But their dramatic entrance was pretty cool!" Fin insisted. "Though not as cool as what we've planned, right Raegan?"

 "Very normal plans," Raegan replied automatically, making Zia raise an eyebrow.

 The ice mage finally spoke, her voice carrying unusual concern. "Be careful of Viktor. The mana Drakmire Academy is using… It's not just enhancement. It's something darker."

 Raegan turned to her with a slight smile. "Actually, you'll be the one facing him first." He pointed to the solo division brackets. "And if you win, well… you'll be dancing with me."

 Zia's perfect composure cracked for the first time. A blush crept across her cheeks, making her look less like the legendary ice princess and more like a normal academy student. "I… that's not… I mean…"

 Small ice crystals began forming in the air around her as she flustered, one of them bonking Fin on the head.

  "Ow! Even her embarrassment is dangerous!"

  "I look forward to our match," Raegan added cheerfully, enjoying the sight of the mighty Frost-Heart becoming increasingly flustered.

 "You… you…" Zia stood abruptly, more ice crystals materializing randomly. "Just don't lose before then!" She turned and sprinted away, leaving a trail of frost that caused several other students to slip.

  "Did you just fluster the granddaughter of the greatest mage in history?" Luna asked incredulously.

 "Very normally," Raegan replied, while Vivaan added a comment: 'Smooth. Though maybe don't make the ice princess lose control during the battle. It might trigger your demon core.'

 As they watched Zia's hasty retreat, Fin was already composing what would surely become an overly dramatic tale. "The day the ice princess melted! The legendary moment when…"

 "We should probably start preparing for our match," Ace interrupted, though he was hiding a smile.

 From his position on the central platform, Arch-Mage Magnus watched the interaction with twinkling eyes, a knowing smile playing across his ancient features. Something told Raegan that very little escaped the old mage's notice - which meant being extra careful about displaying any techniques that wouldn't be invented for another few centuries.

 As Raegan examined the participants with Luna, a group of fire users nearby were showing off their purchased flame skills, creating a spectacular but ultimately hollow display. Next to them, a Thunder Element user was literally making his entrance music with lightning.

 "They're all so flashy," Luna whispered.

 Raegan nodded. "Welcome to the difference between having skills and understanding them."