The tournament began with multiple combat rings operating simultaneously to process the large bracket efficiently. I positioned myself where I could observe several key matches while waiting for my own fight with Seraphina, which had been scheduled for later in the day to maximize spectator attendance.

Kyle Reinhardt vs Jason Mark - Ring Two

Kyle's match drew considerable attention despite not being the headline fight. Of course, his power and status in the academy was known.

People wanted to see how he'd handle his next opponent, even though they knew that he would win.

Jason Mark entered the ring with visible determination, clearly aware he was the underdog but refusing to be intimidated. He was a solid fighter - good fundamentals, respectable combat instincts, and the mental fortitude required to advance this far despite coming from a lower-tier class.

The referee signaled start, and both competitors engaged immediately.

Clash! Strike! Exchange!

Jason fought intelligently, using defensive positioning and tactical retreats to avoid Kyle's superior speed and technique. He wasn't trying to win through overwhelming offense - instead, he was attempting to frustrate Kyle's rhythm and create opportunities through patience and precision.

For the first few minutes, the strategy appeared somewhat effective. Jason managed to avoid serious damage while landing occasional strikes that demonstrated he belonged in this tournament.

But Kyle was simply operating on a different level.

Around the five-minute mark, Kyle shifted tactics because he began predicting Jason's defensive movements with uncanny accuracy.

Each exchange saw Kyle's attacks coming closer to connecting despite Jason's best evasive efforts. The pressure accumulated relentlessly until Jason made an inevitable mistake - overcommitting to a dodge that left him briefly off-balance.

Kyle exploited the opening instantly with a combination strike that broke through Jason's guard and connected solidly with his chest, sending him sprawling backward.

Jason tried to recover and continue fighting, showing commendable resilience, but Kyle pressed the advantage without mercy. Three more rapid exchanges ended with Jason on the ground, unable to rise quickly enough to defend.

"Winner: Kyle Reinhardt!"

The crowd applauded respectfully. Jason had fought well and lost honorably against a superior opponent. Kyle had demonstrated efficient dominance without revealing more capabilities than necessary - exactly the same calculated approach he'd used against Marcus.

Total fight duration: approximately eight minutes.

Kyle left the ring with barely a scratch, conserving energy for subsequent matches while providing minimal intelligence about his true limits.

Emmet Stone vs Richard Thorne - Ring Four

Emmet's match began shortly after Kyle's concluded, and I moved to observe from a better vantage point.

Richard Thorne was genuinely skilled - one of the stronger students from Kyle's Elite class with solid bloodline advantages and formal combat training. He wielded a sword with competent technique and approached the fight with tactical awareness rather than reckless aggression.

Unfortunately for Richard, he was facing Emmet.

The referee signaled start, and Emmet moved with his characteristic silent intensity.

Engage! Pressure! Dominate!

What struck me immediately was how Emmet's continued improving even since our last sparring session. His blade work was exceptionally refined - each strike precise, each defensive movement minimal, each tactical decision optimal.

Richard fought admirably, using everything in his arsenal to create advantages. He attempted feints, tactical retreats, aggressive combinations, defensive counters - demonstrating versatility and adaptability.

None of it mattered.

Emmet dismantled every strategy with his powerful bloodline and combat experience.

Clash! Deflect! Counter! Strike!

The fight lasted about two minutes.

When Emmet finally decided to end it, the conclusion came swiftly. A perfect counter sequence that Richard couldn't possibly defend against, followed by a precise strike to the chest that knocked him unconscious instantly.

"Winner: Emmet Stone!"

The crowd's applause carried genuine appreciation for the display of pure technical excellence.

Emmet left the ring without visible emotion, his expression as stoic as ever. But I detected subtle satisfaction through his body language.

Elen Brightwater vs Catherine Wells - Ring Three

Elen's match was the last of the three I observed before my own scheduled fight.

Catherine Wells was from our class, which meant she'd witnessed Elen's capabilities firsthand during training sessions and previous tournament matches. That familiarity could theoretically provide tactical advantages - knowing an opponent's preferred techniques and common patterns allowed preparation of specific counters.

In practice, it didn't help much.

The referee signaled start, and both water mages immediately began manipulating the moisture in the arena air.

Surge! Clash! Control!

What followed was essentially a demonstration of why Elen ranked first in theoretical knowledge. Her water manipulation was simply more refined, more efficient, more creative than Catherine's competent but conventional approach.

Catherine attempted various tactics - creating ice barriers for defense, launching pressurized water strikes for offense, manipulating humidity to disrupt Elen's control. All textbook techniques, all properly executed.

Elen responded with innovations that showed her superior understanding of magical theory. She created water constructs with complex geometries that Catherine's simpler techniques couldn't effectively counter. She manipulated temperature gradients to create tactical advantages. She even demonstrated a technique I hadn't seen before - using water vapor to refract light and create optical illusions that confused Catherine's targeting.

The finishing sequence came when Elen created multiple simultaneous ice constructs that attacked from different angles, overwhelming Catherine's ability to defend all directions at once. Frozen bindings wrapped around Catherine's limbs, immobilizing her completely before a concentrated water strike knocked her unconscious.

"Winner: Elen Brightwater!"

The crowd applauded enthusiastically. Elen had demonstrated both technical skill and tactical creativity, showing why she deserved her reputation as one of the tournament's top contenders.

She left the ring looking satisfied but not overconfident, clearly aware that future opponents would be significantly more challenging than Catherine.

Three matches, three victories for the expected favorites. Kyle, Emmet, and Elen had all advanced without serious difficulty, each demonstrating why they were considered elite-tier competitors.

Now it was my turn.

The announcement echoed across the arena: "Main ring - Adrian Blackwood versus Seraphina Rosewood! All spectators please direct attention to the primary arena!"

The crowd's energy shifted immediately, conversations intensifying as everyone moved to get the best view possible of what promised to be the day's most significant fight.

Time to face the uncrowned queen and see which of us deserved the title more.

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