Storm waved as the crowd cheered while slowly making his way to the gate that led to the waiting area.
He cast a quick glance at Aurora's position.
She was averting her eyes and pretending to still be upset.
But her proud grin betrayed her true feelings.
We walked down the stairs, and as he entered the waiting area, he heard the sound of angry shouting.
"That matchup was not fair at all, and I demand a rematch with a different opponent!"
"We can't do that, Calahan.
The results stand and you have been disqualified!" Replied the Official.
"You pit me against someone from the Arcanium!!
How are any of us supposed to beat that!!"
"He can be bested!
You managed to disable his strongest skill with a simple trick from your staff.
It's your own fault for not being able to capsize on it at the end!
"There's no rule against the Arcanium participating in the events!
"My father will be hearing about this!!" Yelled Calahan.
He gave Storm a hateful gaze, before storming out of the room.
"Don't pay any attention to him. Some brats just can't stand to lose."
"This sort of thing happens often?" Asked Storm.
"All the time! They think because 'mommy' or 'daddy' occupies some prestigious position, they can do what they want and throw their weight around."
The official shook his head.
"Please go take a seat while we match the remaining contestants for the next round.
Storm watched the board that showed the 4 remaining combatants move the names around.
After a moment, it stopped shuffling and Storm saw that he was paired with a mage called Tempus Stormcaller.
The exact same mage he saw fighting when he and Aurora first entered the arena.
He and his opponent both inspected the other at the same time.
This match had the potential to go either way.
They were both Electromancers, so it was down to whoever had the most control over their element.
As well as their selection of secondary magic schools to draw from.
Storm regretted not staying until he saw how the match ended, that information could have been the difference between winning or losing now.
As a dragon with lightning as his natural element, Storm had the strength advantage, but his opponent wasn't unskilled in the art either.
"First match!! Tempus Stormcaller vs Sebastian Hawthorne!!" Called the official.
Without another word, the man turned around and walked through the door towards the arena above.
"You should go join him. Tempus doesn't like to be kept waiting. "
Storm left without another word and made his way to the top.
"The next match is Tempus Stormcaller, Instructor of Electromancy at the Mysterious Magi's tower in Haran!
Located in the Haradin Desert.
The man that sunk the pirate fleet Of Bloody Roberts singlehandedly!!
Against Sebastian Hawthorne!!
Mysterious Master Mage from the Arcanium!!
Place your bets!!"
After 10 minutes, the bets were placed and the match was officially started.
Both combatants started with a bolt of lightning, and the two attacks connected in the center of the arena.
They began pushing against each other. Storm was suprised by the amount of power his opponent possessed.
Storm was a lightning dragon however.
His authority over the element was absolute.
Storm's eyes glowed as he placed more power into his attack and after holding for another minute.
His opponent's resistance gave out and he was sent flying as Storm's lightning struck the man.
The man got up without a word and dusted off his robes, before taking his position again.
A fierce gale formed around the man and lifted him into the air, and a large sphere of water formed in front of the man as the second round began.
He fired the sphere at Storm and he frantically called up a barrier to block it.
The sphere shattered against the barrier, but an invisible force hit Storm and sent him flying.
As he slowly got up he asked Mimereus what happened.
"He's combining his elements into a single attack.
You're only focusing on blocking one of them, leaving the other one to continue unobstructed.
Make the following alterations to your barriers!" Suggested Mimereus
He gave a series of quick instructions as Storm took his position again and the 3rd round started.
This time, when his opponent attacked again, Storm was prepared and his barrier blocked the attack properly this time.
"Two can play at that game!!" Thought Storm.
He combined his lightning with his light magic, causing his lightning to turn into a solid gold color.
His opponent tried to redirect or stop the lightning, but it resisted his attempts to control it and continued unopposed.
Sending the man flying for a second time.
Despite the setback, the man seemed unfazed and was even grinning as if he was enjoying the challenge that Storm provided.
As they faced off again, Storm had an idea.
Tempus fired the first attack of lightning, but Storm pressed down on it with his authority and it fizzled to nothing before even reaching Storm.
Storm countered with several light energy bolts, but Tempus blocked each one with a water barrier.
Storm must have lost focus at the last bolt however, because it completely missed the mage and continued flying past him.
He seemed suprised and prepared to counterattack, when the bolt suddenly twisted through the air and flew at Tempus's exposed back.
The 3rd and final hit was registered, and the announcer called a winner.
"SebastianHawthorneadvances to the finals!!!"Shouted the announcer.
Both combatants left the battleground and returned to the fighting pits.
As Storm waited, he saw Tempus approaching him with purpose.
"Is he going to throw a tantrum to?" Thought Storm.
There was a tense silence as they stared at each other, before a grin crossed Tempus's face and he held out a hand for Storm to shake.
"That was an impressive display, Hawthorne!"
"Thank you , Stormcaller! You werepretty impressive yourself!" Responded Storm.
"If you ever find yourself in Haran, look me upand we can compare notes on the subject!
And if you ever grow tired of the political intrigue at the Arcanium!
Seek me out! I'll be sure to put in a good word for you at the tower!!" Suggested Tempus.
"I'll remember!!" Replied Storm.
The truth was that Storm didn't consider it for a moment, but he pretended to show interest in order to keep the discussion civil.
Without anotherword, Tempus turned around and left the arena.