Thirty minutes have passed since the start of the battle. Participants are starting to forfeit, deeming it hopeless to break through Eitel''s defense. The audience roared, their voices rising like a wave and crashing down in anticipation as the fight between the top students grew closer.


    A loud noise split the air, echoing in every participant''s ears as one of the enemies, with Champion class strength, ripped a massive chunk of the ground free, the rumble of tearing earth reverberating beneath their feet. With a swift motion, he hefted it above his head, dust and debris cascading around him, before hurling it with all his might toward Eitel


    With no difficulty, Eitel summoned his raw geistkraft, a radiant burst of energy that shattered the projectile mid-air, sending jagged chunks of debris scattering in all directions. His lips curled into a smirk, pride swelling in his chest—until the sharp clang of metal rang behind him.


    The challenger''s dagger, aimed at his back, was deflected, but the realization that someone had gotten so close sent a jolt of alarm through him. He barely had time to react before the Champion, who had been preparing his next attack, hurled another massive chunk of earth toward him. Busy parrying the first attacker''s strikes, Eitel had no choice but to leap off the hill.


    As soon as his feet left the ground, a member of Hochmut swooped down, slamming into him with a force that sent him flying into the distant wall.


    The Champion and his members clashed with Hochmut''s forces. Watching his members handle the battle for him, Hochmut smirked and made his way toward the hill. As he walked, a barrage of swords rained down from above, interrupting his path. Looking up, to everyone''s surprise, Eitel had once again climbed to the top of the hill without anyone noticing.


    Yawning, Eitel taunted every participant still at the bottom. "Didn''t I declare it? That I would defeat every single one of you, including the top students."


    The emcee, his voice faltering, glanced at the crowd as they erupted into whispers of disbelief. "What''s happening?" he wondered aloud. To everyone''s surprise, it was Eitel dominating the battlefield, leaving Hochmut scrambling to regain control. Gasps echoed through the audience, their faces reflecting a mixture of shock and admiration.


    "Let''s move shall we?"


    "Ohhh! It seems Anneliese Furstin''s group is finally moving. Everyone, blink with just one eye; you don''t want to miss a moment of the spectacle as we approach the climax!" The emcee shouted with utmost excitement.


    The champion''s teammate and his enemies briefly stop their clash as someone approaches them.


    "All of you, come at once; you''ll make for a good demonstration of my excellence." As his shadow rises and darkens, Schatten taunts his targets.


    Anneliese, activating her technique, walked toward Eitel as if ascending a staircase made of shimmering air.


    "Well aren''t you elegant, ms. Furstin?" Eitel muttered.


    "It seems you weren''t all talk when you said you were planning on beating me." Anneliese replied.


    "Don''t be conceited, I won''t be satisfied with defeating just you." Declared by Eitel.


    "Interesting, the academy''s failure versus the academy''s top one huh?" Said by Hochmut with a smug on his face.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    "You seem to be very delighted to be called the top one," Eis said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "but just a reminder: you got that title by default because Heizen dropped out."


    "Teaming up with two powerhouses got to your head, huh? It looks like there''s no one else but me to discipline a dog."


    .


    .


    Interrupting the battle of the seven, they opted to eliminate a top student, Schatten, first. Three of Hochmut''s followers surrounded Schatten, attacking him all at once. However, mid-strike, Schatten disappeared, resulting in friendly fire within the three.


    Schatten then emerged from the champion''s back, with a shadow at his side shaped like a wolf''s head with sharp teeth. The champion tanked the bite of the shadow, while his companion responded with a water elemental attack.


    In the dimly lit arena, shadows danced across the walls as energy crackled in the air. Before he could even fire his attack, adrenaline surged through him, but he was quickly interrupted and rammed by a bull-shaped shadow, knocking the breath from his lungs. Outclassed by Schatten, the remaining fighters exchanged anxious glances before deciding to work together to take down their powerful foe.


    As the enemies closed the distance, their menacing footsteps echoing in the tense air, Schatten, uttered his skill.


    [Ausdehnen.]


    Schatten''s shadow suddenly grew larger, encircling his enemies. Shocked by his skill, fear flickered in their eyes as they scrambled to escape the impending darkness. But it was too late. As they scattered, a ball of shadow appeared at the back of each of Schatten''s enemies'' heads. Raising his hands, Schatten snapped his fingers, and numerous wolf-shaped shadows burst forth, obstructing their path. The champion, realizing the shadow was closing in, punched one of the wolf-shaped shadows, creating a fist-shaped hole in its torso. But as the shadow retaliated, it wrapped around his body, leaving him immobilized. The rest, desperate to avoid the same fate as their fallen leader, found themselves trapped in the inescapable grasp of Schatten''s skill.


    Schatten gathered the remaining shadows, weaving them together like threads in a tapestry, his focus unwavering as he left the immobilized enemies untouched. The dim light flickered and twisted around him, dark tendrils coiling and merging until a massive silhouette began to take shape behind him. It loomed larger than life, a tyrannosaurus forged from the very essence of shadow.


    [Zerstorer.]


    As the creature formed, its jagged teeth glinted with a menacing sheen, and powerful legs thudded into existence, shaking the ground beneath the onlookers'' feet. The air grew heavy, a palpable tension settling over the battlefield as the shadows writhed and pulsed, creating an aura of dread that seeped into the hearts of those who dared to witness.


    The few remaining warriors felt their courage falter, their breaths hitching in their throats as they beheld the monstrous shadow, an embodiment of primal fear and raw power. The ground trembled beneath the weight of the shadowy beast, and a low, rumbling growl reverberated through the air, a sound that seemed to echo the very heartbeat of the darkness itself.


    With a single, swift motion, Schatten directed the colossal shadow forward, its massive jaws opening wide, ready to unleash chaos upon the immobilized foes. The tyrannosaurus-shaped shadow surged forward, a harbinger of doom that would crush all who stood in its way.


    Before Schatten could unleash its destructive capabilities, all of the enemies who stood in his way surrendered, their faces pale and eyes wide with terror. Whispers of fear rippled through their ranks, each warrior acutely aware of the imposing shadow looming behind Schatten, a monstrous silhouette that promised chaos. Despite the safety mechanism of the match—designed to protect them from the crushing weight of the shadowy tyrannosaurus—they couldn''t shake the dread that gripped their hearts. The instinct to survive overshadowed their bravado, and one by one, they raised their hands surrendering, their resolve crumpled like a paper.


    Watchers erupted in cheers, their voices rising in a cacophony of excitement as they witnessed the spectacle unfold. Businessmen, eyes gleaming with opportunity, jotted down notes furiously, envisioning potential ventures inspired by Schatten''s display. Professors stood with mouths agape, their scholarly minds racing to comprehend the extraordinary phenomenon before them. The atmosphere crackled with energy, a blend of anticipation and admiration as the crowd absorbed the sheer power and artistry of Schatten''s mastery over shadow conjury.


    "Just as how I would expect it."


    "As always you seem to never end with these surprises, Schatten."


    "That being said, I''m actually nowhere near able to produce such a monstrosity without it being a bluff." Schatten unexpectedly revealing it was but a display.


    "Don''t misunderstand me; the next time I do that, it won''t be a mere party trick." Declared by Schatten with unwavering resolve in his words.


    "The match is far from over, everyone! The sheer spectacle Schatten displayed was indeed marvelous. However, we still have fights to tune in to, so keep your buttocks fresh as we witness yet another marvelous display of geistkraft from the two top students!"


    Countless swords and spears made of geist rained down from above as Anneliese and Eitel clashed with their respective geistkraft, the air filled with the sharp crackle of magic and the dazzling sparkles of light that erupted like fireworks. Standing at the top of the hill, Eitel continued to unleash a relentless barrage of projectiles, his determination palpable in the tightening of his jaw. However, Anneliese defied gravity, suspended in the air, a serene expression on her face as she gazed down at him. With a flick of her wrist, she controlled the incoming projectiles, sending them spiraling back toward Eitel, each one a testament to her skill and resolve.


    With only 20 minutes left, the tension heightened. As the audience leaned forward, their eyes wide and breathless, each heartbeat echoing the urgency of the moment. Murmurs of anticipation rippled through the crowd as they clutched their seats, eager to see who would emerge victorious from the fierce clash.