SWNOVELXO Chapter 15: Chapter 15 – Echoes Before the Storm
The six artifact shards began to glow simultaneously after all the teams returned. Without warning, they lifted from the table and formed a hexagonal ring of floating symbols, rotating mid-air.
A loud hum echoed through Arcane Academy as a beam of light erupted from the center, striking the ground.
Where the light hit, the landscape transformed—a colossal magic stadium rose from the earth, surrounded by glowing glyphs, fire pillars, and floating stands.
> Alden (calmly):
"The final round… will be held here."
The matchups shimmered across the sky in magical script:
1. Cyrus vs Lina
2. Criss vs Raelyn
3. Show vs Drake
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🌒 Later That Night – Pre-Match Preparations
The academy dorms were filled with whispers, tension, and glowing spell circles as students prepared for the battles of their lives.
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⚡ Cyrus vs Lina – Fear & Strategy
Lina sat alone on the infirmary garden bench, her hands shaking slightly.
> Lina (to herself): "I'm not a fighter… Why me…"
Sweat dripped down her temple as she imagined facing Cyrus, whose overwhelming power magic crushed nearly everyone. The memory of his last trial echoed in her mind—blasting through stone walls without blinking.
> Raelyn (approaching calmly):
"You don't need to fight like him. You're not a brawler, Lina… you're a lifeline."
He knelt beside her and drew a small magic diagram on the ground.
> Raelyn:
"Cyrus charges. You flow. Think of your magic as a river, not a shield. Time your heals and redirect the fight. He's not expecting that."
Lina looked up, her eyes a little more focused.
> Lina:
"You're… actually kind."
> Raelyn (smirking): "No. I'm smart. You just happened to need both."
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⛰️ Criss vs Raelyn – Calm Before the Collision
In a quiet cliffside grove, Criss practiced shaping large boulders into walls and projectiles. Stone shields, rock spears, and defense traps lined the area.
Raelyn walked by silently, reading a glowing book, seemingly uninterested.
Suddenly, Criss hurled a massive rock spear toward him.
Without looking up, Raelyn extended his hand, and a beam of light disintegrated it midair.
The two locked eyes—no words spoken.
> Criss:
"I've never beaten you."
> Raelyn:
"You still won't."
> Silence. Then they turned and walked away in opposite directions—knowing the battlefield would speak for them.
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🔥 Show vs Drake – Rivalry Ignites
In the training grounds behind the academy, Show stood amid flames, his hands glowing red-orange. Across the field, Drake stood motionless, arms folded, snow swirling around him.
Suddenly—BOOM!
A burst of fire collided with a wave of ice, the shockwave rippling across the training field. Trees froze. Ground scorched.
They kept firing—Fire Bullet vs Ice Fang, Inferno Slash vs Frost Spiral—neither gaining ground.
At one point, both leapt forward and clashed mid-air, fire sword against ice blade, sparks and frost crackling at the point of impact.
They landed, smoke rising, neither flinching.
> Show:
"I'm not the guy you buried in snow anymore."
> Drake:
"Then don't melt. Prove it."
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🌙 Midnight – All Teams Rest
Karen walked past Show, pretending not to look his way, but her eyes lingered a second longer than normal.
Lyra sat alone in the garden, hands brushing over icy petals she had frozen, thinking of Drake.
Lina lay in bed with her hands clenched on her chest, whispering Raelyn's strategy over and over like a spell.
In the shadows near the edge of the academy, Principal Alden and Professor Eldren stood watching the sky.
> Alden:
"They're growing fast."
> Eldren:
"Yes. But the storm hasn't arrived yet."
Far away, atop a cliff, a black cloak fluttered in the night wind. The mysterious man who once cast the Forest Illusion looked toward the Academy, his eyes narrowing.
> ???:
"It begins soon, Show…"
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> TO BE CONTINUED