Éclipse

Chapter 1: The Gates of Eclipse

As the students gathered in the gymnasium, an air of excitement filled the room. The President of the Academy, a tall figure with a commanding presence, stepped up to the podium at the front of the hall.

"Welcome, esteemed students, to the prestigious Eclipse Academy," he began, his voice resonating throughout the space. "Today marks the beginning of our annual tournament, a test of your skills in both magic and martial arts. This event not only showcases your abilities but also determines your rankings within our esteemed institution."

The crowd buzzed with anticipation, eager to prove themselves in the competition ahead. The President continued, "You will face challenges that will push you to your limits. Only through perseverance and dedication will you succeed."

As he concluded his speech, the students erupted in applause, ready to embark on the challenges that awaited them.

After a moment, Neru, the strongest teacher in the academy, stepped forward, commanding attention with his imposing presence.

"Now, let's proceed with the matches," he announced. "The first round will be conducted here in the gymnasium, and I expect each of you to give it your all.

Let the tournament begin!"

---

As the students took their places in the gymnasium, Neru scanned the room. After observing for a moment, he called out two names.

- Shiro... and Yaoi Yamada.

Shiro stepped forward, his gaze fixed on his opponent. In front of him, Yaoi firmly held a lance, while Shiro had no visible weapon.

Neru frowned.
- Shiro, aren't you carrying a weapon?

Shiro shook his head.

- No, sensei.

Neru nodded, looking thoughtful. - Very well. Let the match begin!

A confident smile spread across Yaoi's lips.
- Are you sure about this, Shiro?

Shiro calmly replied,
- Yes.

Without hesitation, Yaoi lunged forward, wielding his lance with precision and speed. Shiro fluidly dodged the first attack, narrowly avoiding the sharp point. Yaoi spun his lance around him and aimed for Shiro's legs.
Shiro leaped into the air, fist raised.

Seeing this, Yaoi raised his lance to strike, but Shiro instantly reacted, performing a sideways somersault to evade the attack. Once again, he found himself facing his opponent.

- So, Yaoi said with a mocking smile, do you still think you can defeat me?

Without answering, Shiro charged straight at him. Caught off guard, Yaoi had no time to react with his lance. Shiro landed a powerful punch aimed at Yaoi's head. Yaoi quickly regained his composure, dodging the next kick, then brought his lance down on Shiro's side.
But Shiro, quick on his feet, grabbed the lance and yanked it towards him, throwing Yaoi off balance.

Surprised, Yaoi tried to regain control, but Shiro seized the opportunity to deliver a knee strike to Yaoi's solar plexus, followed by a swift punch to his throat. Yaoi staggered back, breathless.

- Match over, declared Neru in a loud voice. The victory goes to Shiro. The fight lasted exactly two minutes.

The other students murmured, impressed by Shiro's skill.

The tournament continued with other duels. Hina faced Elieta in a tightly contested match, but with each round, the competition grew increasingly intense. During the break, Neru announced:

- Two-hour break. Rest up, for only the top twenty will be selected for advanced training with the two elite instructors. Of the five hundred admitted students, only two hundred remain in contention. The competition is only just beginning.