Skipping to thest first round was Ruby and the final four sis pup. They were pretty unlucky to fight every top contender for the top spot.


    Ruby magic had two properties, one of the few rare magic worldwide. She calls her magic destruction mes, which have the power of fire and destruction.


    While Ruby''s magic was strong, in the end, her mes would be her weakness against me. But, just by guessing, Ruby would probably be the best student in her country.


    I wonder why she was transferred here but sending her to Avaris was risky. It would be a pity if she was assassinated before I could fight her on the big stage.


    With the final battle about tomence, people stared at Ruby closely. Some of our ssmates believed Ruby was someone more powerful than Reba.


    This tournament would tell which of the two was more powerful. Thest pup of the four was shaking needlessly.


    Even if she gave up, no one here would me her. So, starting, Ruby summoned her purplish ck mes to the pup.


    The pup then tried her best to create a metal wall. But, with Ruby''s magding, the wall was decimated.


    "I give!" The final pup shrieked in terror. It wouldn''t be good to be hit by Ruby''s mes.


    The other three siblings were d that she wasn''t harmed. Finishing the fight, the first round was officially over.


    There were now twenty people left over the forty that were eliminated. So most of the fights here would be much more challenging.


    Before starting the next round, everyone who was going topete was given ten minutes of extra rest.


    In those ten minutes, I talked to Livie while observing the condition of thepetitors. Most of the people who had fought had recovered, while almost half were still tired.


    The matches couldn''t be dyed, so our teacher started the round. The second in the first match would be Gold against a dead tired ssmate.


    The energy level the two gave out had already determined who would win this fight alone. So even if they were both perfectly inplete form, Gold''s opponent''s chances were already slim.


    Starting the match, Gold had already started a sh as the battle began. Her opponent was already in a tough spot, making each sh harder for her to win.


    Gold here had no reason to prolong the fight. Instead, using her magic, she amplified her speed, giving herpetitor more pressure.


    Unable to stop Gold''s consistent attack, she eventually got hit and went down for the count. And with that, the first match of the second round was over.


    Gold was looking in good condition. However, she spent little energy on her first two fights. If this keeps up, I wouldn''t be surprised if she wins.


    With the next match on the way, I was up against Reece. It was a shame that I was up against someonepetent.


    Reece probably would have made it higher in the ranks if she hadn''t fought me. But I could use this battle as a chance to act weaker.


    If I use enough mana, I act like I didn''t have enough mana for my match in the semi-finals. As long as I got third, that was all it mattered.


    "Good luck." Livie had said as I went to the battle court.


    Looking at Reece, I could tell that she was serious. Reece, always on Reba''s side, had a stoic face. Whenever I saw her, I could never tell what she was thinking.


    Facing each other, none of us exchanged any words. The battle had started, and Reece had set up a defensive barrier made of cotton.


    Limiting my attack to a second-rank mage, I fired a beam testing the defense mechanism of Reece''s cotton barrier.


    Upon contact, my beam caused a small hole in the barrier. Seeing that my magic could destroy Reece''s guard, I prepared a second attack.


    Reece, who had seen her magic destroyed, quickly frowned in frustration. Was she only going to stall for making me waste my mana? She had already used enough mana from herst battle.


    There wasn''t a need to rush. Instead, I decided to y with Reece a bit. Seeing me smile, Reece felt something terrible wasing.


    Firing a beam, Reece tried her best to block my move. Without stopping, I kept on shooting a beam at the same spot.


    I had already shot ten attacks toward the exact location. Reece was already pale from the amount of mana drained from her move. It wasn''t long before she ran out of mana. I wondered how much longer she could hold out.


    "It ismendable for you to make me waste my mana, but I''m going to finish this battle with my next move. Surrender now, or face the pain." I had warned her.


    Looking at Reece, it didn''t seem like she intended to give up. "I see, so that''s your decision."


    Charging my attack, Reece felt the amount of mana I would use. After I finished charging, Iunched my attack. Reece used all of her mana to block my attack. Gritting her teeth, blood came out of her mouth.


    My charged beam had broken her defense before my attack couldnd. Our teacher interfered with my attack.


    Narrowing her eyes, our teacher looked at me funny, weirdly. Since the teacher had blocked my move, it meant that I had already won.


    Checking out Reba, I could see her a bit worried for Reece. But, even if Reba "liked" me, Reece was someone Reba had known for ages.


    After this battle, I could use an excuse for giving up in the semi-finals. If the other semi-final fighters decided to fight, that would be even better.


    With my battle over, I went back to Livie. "Do you need help with recovery?"


    I shook my head, telling her I didn''t. She doesn''t know the plot that our teacher had set up. I could only tell her after thispetition was over.


    Now that two battles were finished, there were eight more to go.