Charles lay unconscious with numerous wounds on his body. Some parts of his body were also buried in the sand. Meanwhile, senior Darryl stood staring at Charles not far from where Charles lay. Senior Darryl looked quite exhausted and also had several wounds on his body.

  "I did manage to defeat Charles, but I didn't expect him to be quite strong. It seems I shouldn't underestimate first-year students," said senior Darryl.

  Then, Mr. Elgin returned to the tournament arena and immediately announced the results of the match.

  "The mens' academy tournament match between Charles Estella San Fulgen and Darryl Lachman........., Darryl Lachman win," said Mr. Elgin.

  "How could this be possible?!?!?!,"

  "Previously, Princess Chloe lost, and now Prince Charles has lost."

  "It seems it's indeed difficult for first-years to win against their seniors. Although they've defeated some of their seniors before, this round is the top 8, and the students who qualify are the strongest in their year."

  "Her Majesty the Queen must be sad to see her son and daughter lose, especially since they lost unconscious with numerous wounds," said the audience.

  Other staff members began to arrive to carry Charles, who lay unconscious, to the treatment room. Senior Darryl was also led by a staff member to the treatment room, as he also had several wounds.

  -

  The arena had now turned into a sea of ??sand. It needed to be repaired and restored to its original state. Therefore, the next match had to be postponed for a few minutes.

  In the special audience seats where Her Majesty the Queen was seated.

  "It's truly regrettable, Your Majesty. Your son and daughter failed to advance to the semifinals," said Duke Remy.

  "It's truly unfortunate, but just getting to this stage is already a great achievement for both of them, after all, they're still first years. I just can't bear to see them unconscious and injured like that. Luckily, I didn't bring Carol. If she came along and saw her two older siblings unconscious with so many wounds, she would have been very sad," said Queen Kayana.

  "That's right. I never asked about Princess Caroline all this time. Is she well, Your Majesty?" asked Duke Remy.

  "She's very healthy. She's currently focusing on studying and training on her own with the teachers at the palace. She's determined to enter this academy too, but she might not be able to enter until six years later, when she's 17," said Queen Kayana.

  "I see," said Duke Remy.

  "I'm going to the infirmary again to visit Charles this time. I'll be back when the next match begins. If you'll excuse me, Lord Duke," said Queen Kayana.

  "Please go, Your Majesty," said Duke Remy.

  Queen Kayana, Commander Oliver, and the other knights left the audience seats.

  -

  In the waiting room for the first-year participants.

  "So now there are only three of us left?," Irene said.

  "But the first-year participants will be reduced to two because I'll be facing Rid in the next match. And I'm sure Rid will advance to the semifinals," Enzo said.

  "Why are you always so pessimistic, Enzo? When we competed in the second exam, you seemed pessimistic when you faced me," I said.

  "I'm not pessimistic, I'm just self-aware. The proof is that I completely lost against you in the second exam," Enzo said.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  "Hmm, I see," I said.

  "And also, the first-year participants could be down to one, depending on the outcome of your fight against Princess Amelia, Princess Irene," Enzo said.

  -

  A few minutes later, the match resumed. This time it was a match between Senior Gretta and Senior Vanina.

  "I can't believe I have to face senior Gretta in this round of 8. Please don't be too harsh when fighting me, Senior," said Senior Vanina.

  "Ahahahaha, relax, Vanina. I'll fight you gently," said senior Gretta.

  Then their match began. The match was quite intense.

  About 10 minutes later, the match was over. Senior Gretta managed to render senior Vanina unconscious with numerous wounds on her body. Senior Gretta won the match.

  Then the match was temporarily suspended due to break time.

  -

  After the break, the match resumed.

  "We have entered the final match for mens in this round of 8. As you can see in the match chart in the projection, the participants who will compete in this final match are Rid Archie from the first year against Enzo William San Angela from the first year,"

  "Let's welcome these two participants," said Mr. Alan.

  The audience began cheering at the arrival of these two participants. Then the two of us entered the tournament arena. We were both first years. We emerged from the same hallway. We then faced each other.

  "Please don't be too harsh when fighting me, Rid," said Enzo.

  "If I don't fight you hard, does that mean you'll be the one fighting me hard this time?" I asked.

  "Are you two ready?" asked Mr. Elgin.

  "Ready!" we both said.

  "Then, the match begins," said Mr. Elgin.

  I immediately shot toward Enzo, at the same time Enzo also shot toward me.

  ~Flame Sword Art: Great Flame Slash~

  ~Rumbling Electric Slash~

  We clashed.

  The clash of our attacks caused a large explosion. After the exchange, we both took a few steps back to prepare for our next attack.

  "I'm not sure I can win against you, Rid,"

  "But that doesn't mean I won't fight back," Enzo said.

  "You're saying the same thing you said in the second exam," I said.

  Enzo then pointed the tip of his sword, which was coated in electric magic, at the tournament floor.

  ~Electric Magic: Electrical Conductor~

  The electric magic that had been imbued in his sword began to flow to the arena floor and towards me. Seeing the electricity about to spread to where I was standing, I immediately jumped high and charged towards Enzo. Enzo was shocked by my action.

  "What was with that jump?" Enzo said, shocked.

  I immediately prepared my attack before charging at him.

  ~Flame Sword Art: Flame Explosion Slash~

  I aimed my attack from midair at Enzo. Enzo immediately raised his sword, which had previously touched the arena floor. Because of this, the electric magic that had been imbued in the arena disappeared. After raising his sword, Enzo prepared to block my attack with his own.

  ~High Voltage Slash~

  As our two attacks made contact, a powerful explosion erupted from the impact. The explosion was created by my attack. And also because of the reaction between fire magic and electricity. The explosion sent Enzo flying several meters back. He already had several burns on his body from the explosion. Meanwhile, I wasn't injured at all.

  "As expected, you're very strong, Rid,"

  "Let's continue this match, even though I'm not sure I can win," Enzo said.

  -

  About 10 minutes later.

  Enzo lay unconscious with numerous injuries, especially burns, on his body. Mr. Elgin immediately announced the results.

  "The mens' academy tournament match between Rid Archie and Enzo William San Angela.........., Rid Archie wins," Mr. Elgin said.

  The audience cheered.

  "That guy's amazing, isn't he?"

  "He's only a first-year, but he's already performing this well,"

  "He hasn't had a single injury since the round of 32, and now he's made it to the semifinals," the audience said.

  The other staff members began to come to the arena to carry the unconscious Enzo to the treatment room. As Enzo was being carried to the treatment room, I kept watching him, thinking about something.

  "Just like the second-year exams. Enzo doesn't seem serious in this match. He looks like he's holding back his true strength. Plus, he keeps insisting he'll lose against me,"

  "Why does he always emphasize that when we're about to compete? What's his purpose?" I thought.

  Before returning to the first-year participants' waiting room, I glanced at the special bench where Her Majesty the Queen was sitting. But I wasn't looking at Her Majesty the Queen, but at Duke Remy, who was beside her. When I looked at him, he was also looking at me with a sharp gaze.

  -

  After that, the match resumed.

  "We are now in the final match for the womens in this top 8, and also the last match of the day. As you can see in the match chart on the projection, the participants in this final match are Amelia Laterza San Quentine versus Irene Emerald San Lucia. Let us welcome these two," said Mr. Alan.

  The audience began to cheer. Since this was a match between the Duke's two daughters, the crowd cheered even more enthusiastically than usual. Then Irene and Princess Amelia entered the arena. They faced each other.

  "We'll face each other again, Princess Irene," said Princess Amelia.

  "Yes," said Irene.

  "The last time we fought, I won decisively against you. Do you think I'll win decisively again this time?" asked Princess Amelia.

  "That won't happen. This time I will be the one to win and avenge my previous defeat," said Irene.

  -To be continued