After 12 months of a stable life, the exciting part of Obedin City came again.
The whole city was attracted to the prospects of the graduation battle of their most famed mystic academy, it was like the new year's celebration to the city.
Citizens of Obedin City took pride in the mystic academy, it was their symbol of honor and this most important event of the academy was also the most important ceremony of the city each year.
The graduation battle did not only mark the emergence of new mystic warriors that would protect the city, but it also marked the emergence of new heroes.
At this age and time, though mystic warriors were not as mysterious as in the old era anymore, they were still revered and were seen as superheroes.
For the introduction battles of this ceremony, it was unrealistic for every citizen of the city to attend since they had other things to do. It was the semifinals and finals that always had the most attendance each year.
Not just physical attendance, the semifinals, and finals of the graduation battle were usually broadcasted through the internet.
This meant that a lot of people had access to it.
After the graduation battle every year, the winners almost always emerge to become celebrities. Not like celebrities of old, but they would be well known and opportunities in the mystic pathway would be more open to them.
This was the reason why every student took the graduation battle seriously. To most of them, the graduation battle meant more to them than their lives.
Most fought to escape their old status, mostly poverty, others fought to prove themselves to the world, while a few others fought to keep the name of their family relevant in the city.
Rex was one of the few students that fought to escape his old status of poverty, this was his best opportunity to change his life for good.
Having not awakened mystic energy before, he could only be pessimistic, but after awakening mystic energy and even acquiring a living sword, Rex was confident of his chances of emerging from the tournament with a good rank.
As the whole city bubbled in excitement due to the start of the tournament, and as spectators stormed towards the academy, Rex and his friends also left.
Having gone to the academy previously to check the battle fixtures, Rex and his friends already understood the format of the tournament.
They already knew that the first phase of the tournament was divided between battle domain departments and that the sword battle domain department would be going against the knife battle domain department.
The first phase of the tournament would last 3 days with students of each department going against each other following the format.
Every year, only 200 students out of the final-year graduating students were nominated to participate in the graduation tournament.
Following the current tournament format, after the department battles of the first phase, half of the students will be eliminated, leaving only 100.
On the 4th day of the tournament, the second phase of the tournament which was free for all would start. The massive battle would be for only one day where a majority of the students will be eliminated, leaving only 8.
To every student, the second phase was undoubtedly the hardest phase of all. The variables involved were too much, and the stakes at hand were big too.
Any student that survived the second phase could be said to have won it already. Being among the special 8 to qualify among 200 students, it was inevitable that they were at the top of all the participating students.
After the 8 students qualified, the third phase of the tournament which was the quarter-finals would start 2 days later and also end in one day.
After that, came the semifinals, then the finals.
Having understood the tournament format, Rex and his friends felt the pressure to qualify. It was hard, but the challenge only ignited their competitive spirit more as they were eager to show what they could do.
In their special green uniform that distinguished them apart as students participating in the tournament, Rex and his friends quickly arrived at the academy.
On arriving, Rex quickly confirmed the crowd that was larger than during normal academy days. Today was a special day, and the crowd proved it.
Rex and his friends didn't follow the crowd, they entered the academy through a special pathway that took them directly to their department hall.
On arriving, the dignified Master Fixten was already in the hall.
This powerful Master of the sword domain department did not say much to his students.
He just addressed the 20 students from his department that were to participate in the battle of which only 19 were present, giving them common advice and some crucial reminders.
After that, he finally dismissed them.
Rex alongside his 2 friends followed his course mates as they all went outside to the single-battle arena to spectate the first battle of the tournament.
The single-battle arena for the 1-on-1 battle was luxuriously built, and there were 4 of them in the academy. The battle arena B was designated for the contest between the sword domain and knife domain departments.
The arena was built flat in a hexagonal shape and was cut off from the rest parts of the academy, separated by a huge hole filled with water.
The 2 students for the first battle were transported to the arena through a smart elevator. The 2 students for the first battle were a girl from the sword domain department and a boy from the knife domain department.
Once the 2 students came on stage, cheers erupted everywhere as the expert commentator invited for the tournament finally made his presence known.
"Welcome everyone, welcome spectators both far and wide".
"Once again, we are about to witness the start of the most popular event in Obedin City, the graduation tournament!"
"Now, I hope you brought some popcorn and a nice soft drink because we're all about to go on a rough and exciting ride".
"Our first competitors today are a boy and a girl".
"The first battle is between Quinn Dame and Olivia Beryl!"
The cheers reached a crescendo as the bell to signify the start of the first battle was finally rung.
Gong!
…
Once the battle started, both students revealed their specialties.
Surprisingly, both of them already awoke mystic energy which balanced the starting ground for both sides. Olivia Beryl of the knife domain department wielded a wind mystic ability while Quinn Dame a fire mystic ability.
Perhaps, it was due to the pressure of the tournament but both students showed impatience as they lunged at each other once the bell rang.
Like the wind, Beryl took the initiative as she rushed to the side of her opponent at a superhuman speed. Her pale brown hair waved behind her as her knives stabbed at her opponent with unerring accuracy at a fast speed.
Before she could hit him though, she felt the temperature rapidly rising.
Clang!
Quinn was not only able to block on time, but he retaliated also, not giving his opponent the opportunity to take advantage of her mystic ability and escape again. He tied her down with his sword's longer reach.
Surprisingly, Quinn's control over his mystic energy already grew so much that he could not just increase temperature, but could summon real fire.
Once he conjured fire that descended, bombarding their position, the outcome was already decided.
Beryl struggled, trying to take advantage of her superior speed to escape but Quinn's superior control made sure that the raging fire always kept her trapped.
Once he got his opportunity, he ruthlessly cut with his sword at her neck. She was unable to parry on time, as the sword dug a few inches in.
The next moment, a powerful force stopped the sword.
"And we have our first winner".
"Quinn Dame is the winner of the first battle".
The girl could only clench her teeth and leave, feeling disappointed while Quinn basked in the cheers and glory that victory brought.