Valerie outlined the rules and structure of the mini-tournamt. Each team would face off in a series of 4 matches, with the objective being to either knock out or incapacitate all members of the opposing team. The matches would be timed, and points would be awarded based on performance and strategy.


    The winner would be found at the d of the mini-tournamt, based on the points each team has gathered.


    Our first match was against a team led by a studt named Victor, a good oppont known for his brute strgth and aggressive fighting style.


    "Ready?" Valerie called out, her voice carrying across the field. "Begin!"


    My and the oppont''s team quickly sprang into action. I discussed with my other teammates that we would go easy on the opponts for the first minute in order not to make them feel pressured and show their skills. But past the first minute, we would finish the match since we still needed points.


    Thus we just defded ourselves for the first and a half minutes and maybe the opponts ssed our inttion they wt all out in attack. They wouldn''t lose anything anyway.


    However, as the first and a half minutes passed, I gave a signal to L and Aria. The two nodded and unleashed spells at the same time.


    Aria bound them with Earth Bind while L used her new -star spell called re Burst. The spell was an area-of-effect (AOE) type, creating a dome of mes that exploded outward, gulfing Victor''s team. Thebination of being immobilized and the intse heat quickly incapacitated our opponts.


    Victor''s team members fell one by one, unable to withstand the assault. Within momts, the match was over.


    "Match concluded!" Valerie announced, her voice ringing through the training hall. "Team Adrian wins!"


    Our next three matches ded up in the same way, we were up against mid-ranking teams in all matches.


    "Match concluded! Team Adrian wins!" Valerie dered for the fourth time.


    With our matches ded, we retreated into the resting area waiting for the mini-tournamt to finish.


    Half an hourter, all the matches ded and the instructor announced the results.


    As the mini-tournamt concluded, we and the other four teams ded up gathering the same amount of points - a maximum of 0, 5 for each winning match.


    However, Emeric and his team were dered the winners based on the amount of time they had spt taking down their opponts. Honestly, I was a bit surprised since I expected Aurelius and his team to win. While I and my teammates didn''t focus on winning this mini-tournamt, I noticed Aurelius might have wanted to since they finished their first match in fifte seconds.


    But it seems they changed their thinking after seeing what we did. Well, good job in thinking about the bigger picture.


    Not like someone who seemed smug after taking the first ce. I noticed Emeric ncing at my side asionally while grinning.


    Seriously, man, ev you should know what would have happed if me and my team wt all out in all the matches. But there is no need to be provoked by his third-rate moves. Haha.


    However, there was a sse of disappointmt among us. We had hoped to face the strongest teams, including Aurelius and his team, but the random pairings had not giv us that chance.


    Maybe the same wt for the person in speaking, Aurelius had the same - not feeling fulfilled expression.


    Noticing my gaze, he looked in my direction and nodded with a smile that spoke many things. What I understood from it was ''let''s meet at the real evt'' or something with a simr meaning.


    After the announcemt, Valerie gathered us all again. "Good effort today, everyone," she said, her voice carrying authority and couragemt. "Remember, this was just a warm-up. The real tournamt will be much tougher. Use the feedback from today to refine your strategies and improve your teamwork."


    The ss ded and the studts dispersed.


    _____ ___ __


    The next day wt practically the same.


    The first and second sses had tests like yesterday.


    The first ss was Elemtal Maniption again, but we had a practical exam this time. Everyone was to showcase their mastery over their affinities and perform one -star and one -star spell.


    And man, how bad the situation was for me right th. Maybe remembering my situation, the instructor told me I just needed to show my aether maniption and control since I was affinityless.


    Taking a deep breath, I focused on my aether. It was always a challge to demonstrate my skills in a ss where everyone else had elemtal affinities. But I had worked hard to refine my control over aether, and I had to say, I leveled the most in this area during this semester.


    And I think I already caught up with main cast characters like Aurelius and Lyra in terms of aether control and maniption.


    Though I was still behind Aurelia and Aria.


    I extded my hand and conctrated, channeling my aether into a visible, swirling sphere of pure ergy. Manipting aether required precision and control, and I had honed these skills through countless hours of practice. The sphere hovered steadily above my palm, its surface rippling with the ebb and flow of ergy.


    "Impressive," Instructor Lyrmted, nodding in approval. "Now, show me your control."


    I nodded and began to manipte the sphere, making it expand and contract smoothly. Th, with a flick of my wrist, I split it into smaller orbs, each one orbiting the others in aplex pattern. This demonstration required fine control and conctration, and I was pleased with how smoothly it was going.


    Finally, I merged the smaller orbs back into a single sphere and dispersed it into the air.


    "Well done, studt Adrian," Lyr said. "Your control over aether is remarkable."


    "Now, let''s step onto spells. Show me your performance."


    I nodded and started by casting the -star spell ''Aether Control Enhancemt''. Since I had be using it practically every time I was free or training my aether maniption and control, so it has be easy like blinking.