SWNOVELXO Chapter 16: Chapter 16 – The First Match: Cyrus vs Lina
The massive magic stadium roared with excitement as students and teachers filled the floating stands. Arcane banners danced in the wind, enchanted crystals projected every angle of the battlefield.
Principal Alden stood at the edge of the arena, his staff glowing faintly.
> Alden:
"Let the Grand Ranking Trials… begin!"
---
⚔️ Match One: Lina vs Cyrus
Lina stood at the center of the glowing arena, clutching her polished healing staff. Despite her delicate appearance and timid nature, her eyes held focus. She wasn't here by accident.
Across from her was Cyrus, towering with confidence, his fists sparking with raw mana. His expression was smug—sure of victory.
> Cyrus:
"Did they run out of real opponents? This won't take long."
> Lina (softly but firmly):
"We'll see."
The bell rang.
Cyrus lunged forward instantly, casting Power Jab, sending shockwaves with every punch. But Lina had already moved, weaving gracefully while casting Regenerative Mist, a spell that cloaked her in healing fog.
As the blows missed, she used the chance to plant Vital Seeds—small glowing sigils that released bursts of healing whenever triggered. She wasn't attacking, but she was building a trap.
> Raelyn (watching from the stands):
"She's not trying to overpower him… she's using the arena like a living spellbook."
> Karen:
"But will that work against someone like Cyrus?"
---
💡 Tactical Moves
Lina redirected her healing energy into Reflection Fields, small bubbles that absorbed a portion of Cyrus's attacks and reflected back pressure—not damage, but enough to stagger him.
For a moment, Cyrus was thrown off-balance.
Lina seized the opportunity to cast Regrowth Aura, speeding up her mana recovery and giving her a moment to breathe.
> Hibiki: "She's not bad at all! She's like, thinking ten moves ahead!"
> Show: "Come on, Lina… don't hold back now."
---
🌀 Cyrus Turns It Around
But it wasn't enough.
Cyrus growled and amped up his power—using his signature spell: Mana Thruster. His body glowed red, muscles enhanced by raw mana as he burst through her barriers one after another.
The field traps were shattered.
The healing pulses were overwhelmed.
Lina cast Sanctuary Circle, a desperate attempt to hold him back, but Cyrus broke through with a roaring Power Smash, sending her crashing to the ground.
She tried to rise—cast one last Healing Surge—but before she could, Cyrus was already there, arm raised for the final blow.
Alden raised his hand.
> Alden:
"Enough. The battle is decided."
---
💥 Victory
> Alden:
"Winner… Cyrus."
The crowd was silent for a moment. Then applause broke out—not just for the winner, but for Lina's incredible fight.
> Drake: "She held her own better than anyone expected."
> Lyra: "She's stronger than she looks."
> Raelyn (smiling faintly):
"That's the Lina I believed in."
Cyrus walked over, looking down at her.
> Cyrus:
"You didn't win. But you made me work for it. Respect."
Lina, bruised and exhausted, smiled weakly.
> Lina:
"Thanks. I'll get stronger."
---
Next up: Chapter 17 – Criss vs Raelyn, where raw stone meets calm, calculated light.
....
| TO BE CONTINUED