THE ASSASSIN'S FLAME

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

The arena reverberated with cheers and awe-struck whispers.

"Alethea's ice magic is unparalleled!"

"Unbelievable! She created an ice path in the midst of tornadoes!"

"Her connection with Prince Kieran is undeniable."

The crowd's enthusiasm was contagious, spreading to the royal box.

Queen Harper beamed with pride. "Alethea has surpassed our expectations."

King Thane nodded. "Her strength, strategy, and heart make her a true champion."

Princess Elianne's eyes shone with admiration. "Alethea's the most impressive warrior I've ever seen."

Kael's expression turned calculating. "I underestimated Alethea, but I won't make the same mistake twice."

Lysander grinned. "Alethea's set the bar high, but I'm eager to challenge her."

Analysts and speculators scrambled to reassess their predictions.

"Alethea's dominance in the semi-finals solidifies her position as the top contender."

"Her ice magic and spatial manipulation abilities make her nearly unbeatable."

"The crowd's support for Alethea is unprecedented."

The finals loomed, promising an epic showdown between Alethea, Malakai, Kael, Lyra and Lysander.

Would Alethea maintain her lead, or would her rivals find a way to overcome her?

The anticipation was palpable.

*Chapter 41: The Fierce Finals*

The air was electric as the host, Magnus Orion, stepped onto the stage, his voice booming through the packed arena. "Welcome, esteemed guests, to the final round of the Magical Combat Tournament! The rules for this round are simple: each match will be a one-on-one duel, and the use of deadly spells that could potentially kill your opponent is strictly forbidden." The crowd murmured in anticipation, knowing that this would be a battle of wits and strategy.

"The arena itself has been encased in a protective ball of magic," Magnus continued, "ensuring the safety of our audience from even the most powerful spells. Without further ado, let us proceed to the first round of the finals!"

The screen behind Magnus displayed the match-ups, and the crowd erupted into cheers and speculation. The pairings were intriguing, to say the least:

1. Lysander × Cormac
2. Grin × Malakai
3. Lyra × Elara
4. Thrain × Kael
5. Alethea × Eirlys

The first battle of the round commenced, with Lysander facing off against Cormac. The crowd watched in awe as Lysander unleashed his arsenal magic, bombarding Cormac with a relentless barrage of spells. Cormac's steel magic proved no match for Lysander's sheer versatility, and the latter emerged victorious.

Next up was Grin versus Malakai. Grin's flame magic was formidable, but Malakai's dark magic proved to be the decisive factor. With a few swift, economical movements, Malakai extinguished Grin's flames and secured the win.

Lyra's intricate illusions then took center stage, confounding Elara's transformation magic. Elara's attempts to adapt were thwarted by Lyra's cunning and quick thinking, earning Lyra the victory.

Thrain's glass magic sparkled and shimmered, but Kael's dark-infused armor granted him the upper hand. As Kael turned invisible, Thrain's attacks faltered, and Kael seized the opportunity to strike the final blow.

Finally, the most anticipated battle of the round arrived: Alethea versus Eirlys. The crowd was abuzz, recognizing the potential for a thrilling match-up. Alethea, the mysterious and enigmatic contender, would face off against Eirlys, the skilled water mage.

As they entered the arena, the air seemed to vibrate with tension. Magnus raised his hands, and the protective ball of magic encasing the arena pulsed with energy. "Let the battle begin!"

Eirlys, confident in her water magic, darted behind Alethea with incredible speed. "Aqua Sagitta!" she shouted, unleashing a spell that shot hot water arrows toward Alethea.

However, Alethea had anticipated this move. With an almost imperceptible flick of her wrist, she turned to face Eirlys and summoned a burst of icy energy. The water arrows froze in mid-air, suspended in time.

In the blink of an eye, Alethea reversed the spell, sending the frozen arrows hurtling back toward Eirlys. The water mage's eyes widened as she realized too late that she had underestimated Alethea's speed and cunning.

The crowd erupted into cheers and applause as Alethea was declared the winner. People praised her incredible reflexes and strategic thinking.

"Unbelievable!" exclaimed a spectator. "Alethea outmaneuvered Eirlys at every turn!"

"Her control over ice magic is unparalleled," another observer noted. "She's a true contender for the championship."

As Alethea exited the arena, her expression remained serene, her eyes gleaming with a hint of satisfaction. The crowd's adoration washed over her, but her focus remained fixed on the ultimate prize.

The first round had concluded, with Lysander, Malakai, Lyra, Kael, and Alethea emerging victorious. The real challenge was only just beginning. Alliances would be forged and broken, strategies would evolve, and the true strength of each contender would be revealed.

The finals had only just begun, and the stakes had never been higher. Who would claim the coveted title of Magical Combat Champion?

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*Discussions and Reactions*

In the VIP lounge, Councilor Ryder leaned forward, his eyes locked on Alethea's departing figure. "She's a force to be reckoned with. I wouldn't underestimate her."

Beside him, Lady Aurelia nodded. "Her mastery of ice magic is impressive, but Lyra's illusions could still pose a threat. This tournament is far from over."

In the stands, a group of students from the Wysteria Academy of Magic enthusiastically debated the matches. "Did you see how Malakai took down Grin? His dark magic is so cool!"

"I know, right? But Alethea's speed was insane! She's my new favorite contender."