The Forsaken Heir

The following rounds saw a steady procession of third-year students stepping forward to confront their challenges. Each competitor entered their designated arena, facing off against an elite-level monster or a pack of creatures whose combined threat matched that level, all striving to secure a spot among the top 100. With each new participant, the tension in the air mounted, as every student aimed to surpass the formidable benchmark set by Zephyr Nimbus.

The crowd watched with bated breath as one third-year after another took their turn. Some fought valiantly, showcasing refined techniques and powerful spells, while others struggled against the fearsome creatures before them. Despite their best efforts, none managed to come close to Zephyr's time. His remarkable performance stood as the standard to beat, a feat that seemed almost impossible to match.

As the scoreboard flickered with updated results, the current second-place time was displayed: two minutes and four seconds. The name next to the time was Rhyssa Kilrift, Zephyr's second-in-command within his faction at the academy. Her battle had been fierce and efficient, her movements sharp as she dispatched a pack of shadow wolves. The beasts, known for their speed and viciousness, fell one by one as she wielded her dual blades with expert precision, channeling bursts of flame magic into each strike. When she finished off the last wolf with a sweeping cut that left a trail of burning embers, the crowd had erupted in applause.

Yet, despite Rhyssa's formidable display and her impressive time, she was still nearly forty seconds behind Zephyr. The gap was a stark reminder of his dominance, his swift and decisive victory over the frost drake setting a bar that seemed almost untouchable.

One by one, the remaining third-years took on their challenges, pushing themselves to the limit in an effort to secure a place in the top 100. Some managed to complete their battles with respectable times, while others struggled to scrape through. Several students were disqualified after Lady Cerys intervened to prevent fatal injuries, reminding everyone present of the high stakes.

The scoreboard continued to fill with names and times, but Zephyr's remained at the top, unchallenged. As the last few third-years completed their rounds, it became clear that his position was secure for now. Even the most skilled of his peers had failed to come within a significant margin of his time.

Rhyssa, standing among the other competitors, crossed her arms and watched as the final third-year participant finished their battle. She kept a close eye on the scoreboard, her gaze flicking to Zephyr's name above hers. Though satisfied with her own performance, she couldn't help but feel the frustration of falling short. It was one thing to be in second place; it was another to be so far behind the leader.

"Well, Zephyr," she muttered under her breath, "looks like no one's coming close to knocking you down just yet."

As the final third-year participant exited the arena, the crowd's attention shifted toward the section where the second-year students were gathered. There was a renewed buzz of anticipation as the next wave of challengers prepared to take their turn. The first name called for the second-years brought an immediate hush to the audience.

"Selene Aldoria!" the announcer's voice echoed across the arena.

There was a momentary pause as all eyes turned toward the princess. Selene stepped forward with a graceful confidence, her violet eyes gleaming with fierce determination. The young royal was already known for her exceptional talent, and as the daughter of the king and queen, expectations were always high. Today, she was prepared to exceed them.

The arena's gate creaked open to reveal Selene's challenge—a gryphon with fierce golden eyes and feathers tipped in flame. The creature screeched loudly, the sound reverberating through the stands as it unfurled its wings, scorching the ground beneath it with each beat.

Lady Cerys raised her hand to signal the start, and the moment the call came, Selene sprang into action. The air around her shimmered as she called upon her unique magic, the light from the arena bending and refracting through crystalline shards that appeared in the air. With a wave of her hand, she directed the shards toward the gryphon, the crystals glinting like stars as they cut through the air.

The gryphon lunged, flames bursting from its wings as it charged toward her, but Selene met its aggression with a calm and precise response. She raised her hand, summoning a barrier of jagged crystals that formed a protective dome around her, absorbing the brunt of the gryphon's fiery assault. The flames collided with the barrier, shattering some of the crystals but leaving her untouched.

With a sharp breath, Selene shattered the dome outward, sending crystalline shrapnel hurtling toward the beast. The gryphon twisted in mid-air, narrowly avoiding the worst of the attack, but Selene was already moving, using her magic to launch herself forward with a burst of speed. The crystalline shards reformed into a spear in her hand, glowing with a faint inner light.

She struck with precision, aiming for the gryphon's exposed flank. The spear pierced through its feathers, embedding itself deep into its side. The creature let out a pained screech, its wings beating frantically as it tried to shake her off. Selene held her ground, summoning more crystals to encircle the gryphon, binding its movements and pinning it to the ground.

With one final surge of magic, she caused the crystalline spear to explode from within, sending a shockwave through the beast's body that rendered it motionless. The entire encounter had been a seamless display of grace and power, each movement calculated and deliberate.

As the gryphon collapsed to the ground in defeat, the magical scoreboard flickered to life once more, displaying her time: one minute and twenty-four seconds.

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd as the realization sank in—Selene had not only bested the elite-rank gryphon but had done so faster than Zephyr's impressive time. The murmurs of astonishment quickly grew into cheers, and the stadium erupted in applause.

Lady Cerys nodded approvingly. "Selene Aldoria: One minute, twenty-four seconds," she announced, her voice carrying a note of respect. "A new benchmark."

Zephyr watched from the sidelines, his expression momentarily slipping into surprise before it hardened into a competitive glint. The princess had set a new standard, and her effortless victory over the gryphon was a clear statement that she was not to be underestimated.

Selene returned to the assembly of students, her chin held high as she allowed herself a small, triumphant smile. She had not only secured her place among the top contenders but had also thrown down a gauntlet to the others. The Grand Melee was far from over, but for now, Selene Aldoria was the one to beat.

Following Selene's breathtaking performance, the second-year students stepped up one by one, their faces marked with a mix of determination and anxiety. The arena gates creaked open again and again, revealing a variety of elite-ranked monsters waiting to challenge the aspiring competitors. The atmosphere was tense, and the bar set by Selene's time loomed over each of the participants like an insurmountable wall.

As the matches progressed, the reality of the Grand Melee's unforgiving nature became evident. A few second-years managed to complete their challenges with respectable times, securing their spots among the top 100, but for most, it was a different story. The roar of the crowd grew muted as one competitor after another struggled to overcome the powerful beasts.

A boy named Marcus faced a pack of shadow hounds and quickly found himself overwhelmed. The hounds coordinated their attacks, striking from multiple angles and leaving him desperately trying to keep up. Before he could finish off the last of the creatures, a particularly vicious hound sank its fangs into his leg, causing him to collapse. Lady Cerys intervened just before the final blow landed, disqualifying him and ensuring his safety. His limp form was carried off the field by emergency healers.

Next, a girl named Lydia stepped forward to take on a stone golem. She started off strong, her earth magic allowing her to temporarily immobilize the creature by binding its feet with jagged spikes. However, as the battle wore on, the golem's sheer durability and strength began to wear her down. When it broke free and landed a crushing blow to her shoulder, Lady Cerys called the match, disqualifying Lydia and sending her to the healers.

The disqualifications continued to mount as other second-years faltered in their trials. Several were pulled from their matches with broken bones or near-fatal injuries. Though the students had shown promise, few had the composure and skill required to face down an elite-level threat on such a grand stage.

Among the second-years who did manage to pass, none came close to matching Selene's time. The closest was a boy named Reynard, who defeated a flame drake in three minutes and thirty-two seconds—a respectable effort but still a far cry from the benchmark set by the princess. For most, simply surviving the encounter and securing a spot in the top 100 was the goal, even if it meant finishing with a slower time.

As the scoreboard continued to update, it was clear that Selene's performance remained the highlight of the second-year trials. The gap between her and the rest of her peers underscored the vast difference in skill, and it became evident why she was regarded as a prodigy.

The number of second-years advancing to the next stage slowly dwindled, leaving only a handful who had managed to impress the audience with their displays of magic and martial prowess. By the time the last second-year exited the arena, the stands were filled with murmurs of sympathy for the disqualified and cheers of encouragement for those who had persevered.

Lady Cerys stepped forward once more, her voice cutting through the noise of the crowd. "The qualifying rounds are unforgiving, but that is by design," she said sternly. "To move forward, you must prove that you are capable of standing at the forefront of our academy's best. To those who succeeded, remember that this is only the beginning."

As the final group of competitors took their positions, the first-year students stepped forward with a blend of anxious energy and steely determination. They had witnessed the challenges faced by the older students and knew the bar had been set exceedingly high. For many of them, this would be their first time confronting an elite-level opponent. Still, the opportunity to prove themselves in the Grand Melee was too significant to allow hesitation to take hold.

Lady Cerys glanced down at the roster and announced the first participant from the first-year ranks: "Julian Veldt!"

The crowd quieted as Julian strode forward into his designated arena. His expression was composed, but his eyes burned with fierce resolve. Before him emerged a massive stone guardian, its rocky frame creaking and groaning as it lumbered into position. With a rumbling growl, it hefted a boulder-sized fist and pounded the ground in challenge.

The signal to begin rang out, and Julian launched himself forward with a burst of speed, his earth magic crackling through the ground as he ran. He channeled the power of his family's ancient magic into the earth beneath him, causing a series of sharp stone spikes to erupt in the guardian's path, attempting to slow it down. The guardian stumbled slightly, and Julian seized the moment, directing a column of rock to surge upward beneath its feet, unbalancing the creature further.

As the guardian tried to regain its footing, Julian conjured a large stone hammer and swung it at the creature's head, the impact sending a shower of pebbles and dust into the air. He pressed his attack with unrelenting ferocity, using his earth magic to batter the guardian from different angles. The audience watched with bated breath as the minutes ticked away, Julian's movements growing more precise as he sought out weaknesses in the creature's stony form.

Finally, after a grueling three minutes and seventeen seconds, Julian delivered a crushing blow that shattered the guardian's core, causing the massive form to crumble into rubble. The scoreboard flickered, displaying his time. It was just behind Rhyssa's two-minute and four-second mark, placing him in fourth overall thus far.

The crowd erupted in applause, impressed by the first-year's performance. Julian gave a quick nod to Lady Cerys as he walked back to join the other competitors, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.

Next up was "Vivienne Valenwood!" Lady Cerys announced, her voice clear and steady.

Vivienne stepped forward gracefully, her emerald-green eyes gleaming with determination. Her opponent was a pack of vine fiends, their twisted, plant-like bodies writhing as they surged toward her, thorny limbs slashing at the air.

As the signal to begin was given, Vivienne extended her hands and summoned her magic. Thick vines erupted from the ground, forming a wall of greenery to block the fiends' advance. The vine fiends clawed at the barrier, but Vivienne was already in motion, weaving her plant magic into offensive strikes. She lashed out with a whip-like vine that snapped around one of the fiends, pulling it into the air and slamming it into another.

She kept moving, conjuring thorny roots that coiled around the fiends' limbs, restricting their movement. Her magic flowed with precision and creativity, using the very nature of the vine fiends against them. As she dispatched the last fiend with a burst of green energy that caused it to wither into a lifeless heap, the timer stopped at three minutes and twenty-one seconds—just behind Julian.

The crowd cheered for Vivienne, her performance a testament to the skill of House Valenwood. She returned to the waiting area with a satisfied nod, glancing at the scoreboard as her name appeared in fifth place overall.

Without delay, Lady Cerys called the next name: "Celeste Leclair!"

Celeste walked calmly into the arena, her expression serene as the gate across from her creaked open. A trio of water drakes slithered forward, their sleek bodies glistening with moisture and their eyes gleaming with predatory intent. The air around them was cold, and wisps of mist rose from their scales as they hissed in unison.

With a fluid motion, Celeste summoned her water magic, drawing from the moisture in the air and the ground. She created a swirling shield of water around herself, deflecting the drakes' initial lunges. The shield expanded outward, transforming into multiple streams that shot toward the creatures like spears, striking their scaled hides with enough force to draw blood.

The drakes retaliated, one of them unleashing a torrent of icy water at her, but Celeste responded with a wave of her hand, diverting the attack into a spiral that dispersed harmlessly around her. Her magic danced through the air with elegance and control as she crafted tendrils of water that coiled around the drakes, immobilizing them before freezing into jagged spikes that pierced through their bodies.

The battle lasted three minutes and fourteen seconds, just ahead of Julian's time but still behind Rhyssa's mark. As Celeste withdrew her magic, letting the frozen remains of the water drakes shatter and dissolve into the ground, the crowd erupted into applause once more. She bowed gracefully before returning to the other participants, her position on the scoreboard solidifying her among the top performers so far.

As the first-year trials continued, it became apparent that the gap in skill between the competitors was starting to show. Though a handful of students managed to pass their challenges, many more were disqualified by Lady Cerys when their fights spiraled beyond their control. The pressure of the event and the elite-level threats tested even the most talented students, and not all were able to rise to the occasion.