"More hunting?" Kael asked knowingly.

"Probably. Need to keep advancing, and sitting around wastes time."

The tournament would continue tomorrow with semifinals and finals, but tonight represented opportunity for additional power gains without public observation.

Two Transcendent warriors, peak-Elite rank approaching Transcendent threshold, 2nd Order Supernatural Physique, and multiple powerful aspects and techniques.

My capabilities were accumulating rapidly, each daily reward and advancement compounding previous gains.

Kyle wanted to face me in the finals, wanted to prove his Phoenix bloodline superiority and reassert dominance.

He had no idea what he was actually preparing to fight.

***

Semifinal 1: Kyle Reinhardt vs Sarah Jones - Primary Arena

The tournament's penultimate day began with electric anticipation. Only four competitors remained, and today would determine who faced each other in the championship match.

Sarah Jones entered the primary arena with visible determination mixed with nervous awareness. She was a solid fighter who'd advanced through patient defensive tactics and grinding victories, but facing Kyle Reinhardt represented an entirely different challenge level.

Kyle approached from the opposite side with confident composure, clearly viewing this as an obligatory step before the real fight he wanted - the finals against me.

The referee positioned between them. "Semifinal match. Standard rules apply. Ready?"

Both nodded.

"BEGIN!"

Kyle didn't waste time with cautious probing. He manifested his Phoenix wings immediately and launched a devastating fire assault designed to end the fight quickly and efficiently.

Sarah responded by raising earth barriers - thick stone walls that had successfully defended against previous opponents' attacks.

Against Phoenix fire, they lasted perhaps ten seconds.

The golden flames burned through stone like it was paper, the divine fire's inherent superiority to conventional elements making Sarah's primary defensive strategy worthless.

She tried pivoting to offensive earth manipulation, creating stone projectiles and attempting to restrict Kyle's movement through ground manipulation. Her techniques were competent and her tactical thinking was sound.

But Kyle was simply operating with advantages she couldn't overcome.

He moved with fire-enhanced speed that made evasion impossible, his attacks coming from multiple angles simultaneously while his regeneration meant he could ignore the few strikes Sarah managed to land.

The fight lasted approximately six minutes before Kyle delivered a final overwhelming fire blast that shattered Sarah's defenses completely and sent her crashing unconscious into the arena barrier.

"Winner: Kyle Reinhardt!"

The crowd applauded, though the reaction was muted - everyone had expected this outcome. Sarah had fought respectably but never stood realistic chance against a Phoenix bloodline heir.

Kyle left the arena looking barely challenged, his expression already focused on the upcoming finals rather than celebrating the semifinal victory.

Semifinal 2: Adrian Blackwood vs Kael Frost - Primary Arena

When my match with Kael was announced, we both made our way to the arena as required by tournament protocol, even though the outcome was already determined.

The referee positioned between us, beginning the standard pre-match procedures.

Before he could complete his instructions, Kael raised his hand clearly.

"I forfeit this match," he stated loudly enough for the crowd to hear.

The crowd murmured with mixed reactions - some disappointed at being denied a fight, others respecting the pragmatic decision.

The referee nodded acceptance. "Forfeit acknowledged. Winner by forfeit: Adrian Blackwood!"

Polite applause followed as we both left the arena, Kael heading toward the spectator section while I returned to the competitor area.

Elen met me with understanding expression. "Smart move. No point revealing capabilities unnecessarily."

"Exactly. The finals will be revealing enough."

Finals Preparation

The announcement echoed across the amphitheater with dramatic weight:

"The tournament finals will commence in one hour! Competitors Adrian Blackwood and Kyle Reinhardt, please prepare for championship match!"

The crowd's energy immediately intensified, conversations becoming animated as spectators discussed the upcoming clash. This was what everyone had been waiting for - the two most dominant first-year students finally facing each other with everything on the line.

As the preparation period began, tournament officials approached both Kyle and me with an unexpected request.

"The Headmaster has requested both finalists provide brief commentary for the audience before the match," the official explained. "Traditional for championship fights - gives spectators insight into competitors' mindsets and builds anticipation."

I nodded acceptance, recognizing this as standard practice for high-profile matches.

Kyle and I were directed to a raised platform near the primary arena where magical amplification would project our voices clearly across the amphitheater.

The moment we stepped onto the platform together, the crowd's excitement reached fever pitch. Students from all years filled every available seat, faculty members positioned themselves for optimal viewing, and even some external observers - likely guild scouts and noble family representatives - occupied special guest sections.

An instructor serving as announcer activated the amplification enchantments and addressed the crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen, students and faculty! We are moments away from the First-Year Arena Tournament championship match! Before we begin, both finalists will share their thoughts!"

He turned to Kyle first. "Kyle Reinhardt, representing Elite Class A and bearer of Phoenix bloodline heritage. You've dominated every opponent with overwhelming power and legendary regeneration. What are your thoughts entering this final match?"

Kyle stepped forward, his voice carrying clearly across the arena with confident intensity.

"This tournament has proven what many already suspected - that natural talent and legendary bloodlines cannot be overcome by simple effort or technique," he began, clearly directing subtle jabs at me. "I've faced strong opponents, but none have pushed me to my limits. Today's match will demonstrate the gap between those born for greatness and those who merely work hard."

The crowd responded with mixed reactions - his supporters cheering enthusiastically while others bristled at the arrogant implications.

The announcer turned to me. "Adrian Blackwood, heir to Blackwood Duchy and the 'uncrowned king' of first-years. You've shown dominant performances including a decisive victory over Seraphina Luminaire. Your response?"

I stepped forward calmly, meeting the crowd's attention without theatrical flourish.

"Tournaments reveal truth," I said simply. "Not about bloodlines or birthright, but about who prepared properly and who executes effectively when it matters. Kyle's Phoenix heritage is impressive, but advantages mean nothing if you can't capitalize on them against someone who won't be intimidated."

I glanced at Kyle briefly. "Today we'll discover whether legendary bloodlines actually make you invincible, or if that's just comfortable mythology people tell themselves."

The crowd erupted with excitement at the direct challenge, the rivalry and competitive tension now explicitly acknowledged by both participants.

Kyle's expression tightened slightly, clearly not appreciating the dismissive tone regarding his Phoenix advantages.

"Big words from someone who's never faced someone at your own strength," he countered. "Beating others doesn't prepare you for Phoenix fire."

"I guess we'll find out," I replied evenly.

The announcer recognized the building tension and moved quickly to conclusion.

"There you have it! Confidence from both competitors! The championship match begins in thirty minutes! Prepare yourselves for what promises to be the most significant first-year tournament final in academy history!"

As we left the platform, Kyle and I exchanged one final look - his carrying absolute certainty in his bloodline superiority, mine completely unbothered by his confidence.

The crowd's excitement was palpable as the thirty-minute countdown began.

This was it. The culmination of everything that Adrian's work represented. If he failed here, then he wouldn't survive the future encounters.

"Ready?"

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