CHAPTER 99: SOPHISTICATED APPROACH.

The collision sent shockwaves through the arena as enhanced lightning speed met insane kinetic force.

Cassandra’s swords held against the impact, but the force drove her back several meters while Ren maintained his tactical positioning.

But Cassandra’s electrical enhancement allowed rapid recovery from impacts that would have devastated normal fighters. She immediately launched into a spinning assault, her twin swords creating a whirlwind of electrified steel that made conventional approach impossible.

SPARK! CLANG! WHOOSH!

Ren’s response required perfect timing and spatial awareness. He cast a mind arrow while simultaneously using his kusarigama’s chain to entangle one of Cassandra’s spinning swords.

The mental attack disrupted her concentration just as her weapon became trapped, leaving her vulnerable while her combat rhythm was broken.

BANG!

The weighted end of Ren’s kusarigama struck Cassandra’s solar plexus with precision that demonstrated years of weapon training. The impact was carefully calculated—enough force to wind her and disrupt her electrical enhancement, but not enough to cause serious injury.

Cassandra staggered, her electrical field flickering as her concentration wavered. But her combat training showed as she immediately attempted to discharge all her accumulated lightning in a desperate area-of-effect attack that would force Ren to retreat.

CRACK! WHOOSH!

But Ren had anticipated this exact response. His dual weaving capability activated, casting a space lock around Cassandra’s position while simultaneously preparing another mind arrow.

The spatial barrier contained her electrical discharge while the mental attack struck precisely as she was channeling maximum power.

He was using his space lock ability as a defensive technique?! That was simply insane!

The combination was devastating. Cassandra’s own lightning reflected back at her from the spatial barriers while the mind arrow disrupted her ability to control the electrical energy safely.

Her enhanced capabilities became a liability as chaotic lightning overwhelmed her nervous system.

CRASH!

Cassandra collapsed to one knee, her electrical enhancement shorting out from feedback overload. Ren’s kusarigama chain wrapped around her shoulders—not threatening, but clearly demonstrating that she was trapped and unable to continue fighting.

"Yield," she gasped, her electrical field finally dissipating completely.

CLANG!

Ren immediately withdrew his weapon and stepped back, offering her a respectful nod. "Your electrical enhancement was formidable. But enhancement systems become vulnerabilities when they can be overloaded."

Cassandra looked up at him with amazement and grudging respect.

She had been defeated through a combination of tactical weapon usage, spatial magic application, and strategic exploitation of her own abilities’ limitations.

"The mind arrow timing was perfect," she admitted with genuine appreciation. "You waited until I was channeling maximum power to disrupt my control."

The entire engagement had demonstrated magical combat at its finest—weapon skills enhanced by tactical magic usage, with victory achieved through strategic thinking rather than overwhelming force. The arena erupted in appreciation for both fighters’ capabilities.

As Ren walked back to the candidate observation area, the remaining fighters were reassessing their understanding of what made an opponent truly dangerous.

Raw magical ability and enhanced techniques were impressive, but tactical innovation combined with superior weapon skills created possibilities that conventional training couldn’t counter.

"Vera Amethyst versus Sertina," came the next announcement.

The battle between Vera’s aqueous transformation abilities and Shadow’s dimensional manipulation was brief but intense.

Vera’s capacity to liquefy parts of her body provided unique defensive options, but Shadow’s ability to move through solid matter and attack from impossible angles proved superior in direct confrontation.

Shadow’s victory was achieved through patient tactical positioning rather than overwhelming force, demonstrating the same kind of strategic thinking that had made her dominant throughout the tournament.

"Daria of Block B versus Lena of Block A."

The final elimination match showcased the difference between innovative thinking and methodical preparation.

Daria’s creative applications of fire magic overcame Lena’s systematic earth techniques through approaches that couldn’t be countered by conventional training.

When the elimination round concluded, eight candidates remained: Ren, Mirabella, Shadow (Sertina), Daria, and four other prospectives whose capabilities remained partially mysterious.

The arena atmosphere was electric with tension as the implications became clear. Eight candidates meant quarterfinals next, then semifinals, then a final confrontation that would determine ultimate advancement to the academy’s most exclusive programs.

Surprisingly, all the amethyst sisters had been eliminated before reaching this stage. It was mostly due to their bad luck, but still, this was definitely not good for the reputation of their family.

"The elimination round has concluded," the witch announced with obvious satisfaction, her voice carrying clearly across the arena filled with thousands of observers. "Eight candidates remain from the original thirty two who advanced to this final trial."

She gestured toward the remaining fighters with theatrical flourish. "You have each demonstrated capabilities that justify your advancement to this point. But tomorrow’s quarterfinals will test not just your individual abilities, but your capacity to evolve under the most demanding circumstances."

"Quarter-final matches will be determined by random selection immediately before combat commences," the witch continued.

"This will prevent overnight preparation based on specific opponent analysis, ensuring that your advancement depends on adaptability rather than predetermined strategy."

"You will return to your dormitories now," the witch commanded with maternal authority. "Rest well, eat properly, and prepare yourselves for magical combat at the highest levels your training has prepared you to achieve."

She paused, her ancient eyes sweeping across the eight remaining candidates with an expression that suggested she was seeing something beyond their current capabilities.

"Tomorrow will determine not just who advances to the academy’s Imperial Class, but who among you possesses the kind of excellence that transcends normal magical education entirely."

As the candidates began dispersing toward the arena exits, Ren found himself walking alongside several of his remaining opponents.

The relationships between competitors had evolved into something approaching mutual respect based on demonstrated capability.

"Impressive weapon work," Mirabella commented as they reached the main exit. "Most people would have tried to overpower her electrical enhancement with magic alone."

"Weapons and magic work best in combination," Ren replied calmly. "Each one covers the weaknesses of the other."

Elena nodded approvingly at his tactical philosophy. "Integration of physical and magical combat techniques. Sophisticated approach to comprehensive fighting capability."

Even Shadow offered a brief nod of acknowledgment as they separated toward their respective dormitories.

As Ren made his way back to his quarters, his mind was already processing the implications of tomorrow’s random matchups.

He had a long night ahead of him.