The Golem Mage

”The draw for the second round and the battle format is out!” Selene announced as she burst into a luxurious living room that is attached to different rooms.

All members of the War God Academy team looked up from whatever they were doing and eagerly approached Selene, keen to find out who they would be facing next.

When they checked the realm levels of the remaining academy team members, it gave them quite a fright.

However, after thinking about it for a moment, they realized that every team they had defeated so far had been strong, not weak or equal to them in strength.

And the feeling of emerging victorious against such formidable teams was exhilarating, surpassing even the excitement of hearing the crowd’s cheers.

”Are we the first match this time?” Lucas asked.

”No, we’re not,” Selene replied.

”That’s better, opening the competition was quite awkward, thankfully, we’re not first this time,” Arthur said with relief.

”Talk as if you actually participated in the fight, my ass was handed to me out there,” Endrick said, reminiscing about how his powers had been duplicated and used against him more effectively than he had ever managed, that experience against Liam had motivated him to train harder to become more adept at controlling his affinity element.

”The first battle is between Holy Grail Academy and Bloodline Academy, followed by Battle Mage Academy versus Witches & Wizards Academy, Onyx Academy versus Gate Academy, and finally our match: Vajra Academy versus War God Academy,” Selene explained

.

”That’s the draw for the second round, each team will pick five members to fight…” Selene was explaining when Arthur interrupted.

”Is this not almost like last time, always five fighters? Why do they not make the numbers a little bit higher?” Arthur suggested.

Arthur had expressed his concern because he believed he might never have a chance to participate if only five mages were allowed to compete, he knew that Alec would always choose the squad he believed would secure victory, and Arthur wanted to show Alec that he could also contribute to overcoming challenges, even if they were in the squad as reserve team at the first place.

”Please don’t interrupt me, you don’t need to worry because if there are serious injuries, almost every team will end up fielding their full line-up at the third rounds,” Selene reassured him firmly.

She went on to explain the battle format, saying,

”Each team will send out representatives to initiate the fights, the winner can then decide to continue by facing the next mage from the defeated academy, or they can step down and allow another team member to take over if they feel they aren’t in a position to continue.”

”However, you should be prepared for real pain, as this won’t be like the magical space of the Colosseum, In the grand arena, every injury is critical, as it determines if you can continue fighting or not,” Selene elaborated, her tone conveying the seriousness of the situation.

”Until all five members of one team are defeated, that is when we get a winner ,” Selene added, clarifying the important aspect of the battle format.

Alec, on the other hand was sensing a discrepancy in the rules due to the qualification of the War God Academy team,

”Why aren’t they implementing safer methods? People could end up losing their lives, if we fight like we did in he first rounds.”

”Typically, it’s not as harsh as you might think, a referee oversees the matches and is responsible for stepping in and stopping the fight if they believe one of the combatants has emerged as the winner, however, I don’t want you to rely too heavily on the referee being on our side, as they might also harbour biases and disregard the rules a little to their will,” Selene explained, cautioning Alec.

”But you shouldn’t worry too much, as long as your team defeat their opponent thoroughly, ensuring they are unable to rise again, the referee will have no choice but to declare it a victory for us ,” Selene concluded, her voice laced with conviction.

”That will be all for now. The first match is scheduled to start tomorrow, and I encourage all of you to go witness and experience first-hand the distinct superiority of the Great 8 compared to the other academies,” Selene announced before exiting the room.

”Finally, we have arrived at this point, all that remains is for us to take the stage and captivate the crowd with our unwavering determination,” Alec murmured to himself, making his way towards a side of the room covered by what appeared to be a water magic barrier.

Through the barrier, Alec could glimpse the magnificent and expansive battle ring.

The arena resembled a colossal building, with eight distinct houses arranged at the angles and the central arena serving as the focal point.

The arena had a seating capacity for thousands of spectators, which astounded Alec.

It was incredible to fathom that this arena was specifically constructed to accommodate the top eight academies for this competition, and when they were at the capital.

Within the castle of the Zero Clan’s Lord Enforcer, around twenty mages stood bowing before him while he sat upon his icy throne.

”My lord, we are aware that they have vacated the inn and have moved towards the arena building, as well as paid the requisite fees, this implies that your plan to swindle their coordinator of all their money did not succeed,” an high-ranking enforcer of the Zero Clan, positioned beside the ice throne, conveyed to the Lord Enforcer.

”That was initially my intention when I targeted that bastard Alec of the Blaze Clan, His father was responsible for the death of my first child, even if I never believed they could qualify for the top eight, I still wanted to prevent them from entering the arena, so I could exact my revenge and, in some way, alleviate the pain I have endured,” the Lord Enforcer responded, his voice filled with vengeful determination.

”But since I cannot kill a man who is already dead, I will just take his son’s life but now, not only do I have the opportunity to take his son’s life, but to shape a better future for my other child, and all I must do is sacrifice the potential of another child from the inner branch of our clan.”

”Thus, I am prepared to face the challenge, I understand that they are currently at the arena which makes it much harder, but I have made a deal that grants us twenty minutes to infiltrate their building without encountering any guards.”

” I have given up a great deal for this opportunity, remember, if you cannot kill Rae’s son, prioritize the capture of Pale and retreat. For now, he remains our top priority.”

”Do you understand?” the Enforcer Lord asked, his piercing gaze fixed upon the high enforcer.

And the high enforcer nodded in response, raising his right hand to his face, as he conjured an ice mask, as it reflected his cold demeanour.

”Move out. We must complete the mission without any conflicts or complications within the time frame provided by the guards, on this occasion, I will not participate in the attack, but Instead, I will be the lookout, ensuring the smooth escape of everyone once the mission is accomplished,” the high enforcer declared.

As The twenty mid enforcers before him nodded in agreement.

Out of the twenty gathered mid enforcers, three were Tier 6 while the rest were Tier 5.

”Now, let us proceed!” the high enforcer ordered.

Each of them retrieved a mask and placed it over their faces before disappearing from the palace in a flash.