The Extra Wants Control

"However, fret not! We'll have a dedicated Q&A session after the official ceremony concludes."

A relieved sigh swept through the audience. Curiosity about Ray could wait; for now, the focus remained on the graduating class and the revelation of the Blessed Ones.

A wave of excited giggles and laughter covered the arena as Seraphina held up a hand, silencing the eruption of cheers. "Now, now," she chuckled, her voice laced with playful amusement, "I know you're all eager to see what our graduates are truly capable of. So I shouldn't bore you with my long speech, should I?"

A chorus of playful groans confirmed her suspicion.

While the students were certainly captivated by her very presence, beauty and voice, the promise of action was hard to resist.

A knowing smile spread across Seraphina's face. "Fear not!" she declared.

"Hahh... So be it! The time for speeches is over. The time for action has arrived!"

A collective gasp resonated through the crowd. Excitement crackled in the air, thick as a summer storm. The moment they'd all been anticipating was finally upon them.

"As you know," Seraphina continued, her voice ringing out, "these graduates have spent four years honing their skills within these halls and grounds. They've toiled, cried and they've struggled, and because of that they have emerged stronger, more capable mages and knights than they could have ever become."

Her gaze swept across the sea of faces, both students and spectators, and a mischievous glint sparkled in her eyes. "But perhaps some of you out there are still wondering," she said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "is Arcana truly the best option? Are these graduates worth the hype? What's the difference between them and those who didn't attend?

Well, today, we'll answer those questions in the most exciting way possible, with the promised grand tournament!"

A thunderous roar erupted from the crowd.

The prospect of witnessing a display of magical prowess by the graduating class, especially the Blessed Five, sent a thrill through everyone present.

Seraphina held up a hand again, silencing the cheers. "Now, I know you've all read about the Academy's exceptional curriculum and dedicated instructors from our Kurrent page," she said, a hint of pride in her voice.

"But seeing is believing, as they say."

Her eyes twinkled with amusement. "Today, we'll show the world, not just tell," she declared.

"You'll witness firsthand the power these graduates have cultivated, the skills they've honed. And by the end of the tournament, I have no doubt, you'll all be asking the same question – when can I enroll at Arcana?!"

The crowd erupted into renewed cheers, a mixture of anticipation and excitement.

A hush fell over the arena as Seraphina's voice, once playful, turned serious. "Today," she declared, her gaze sweeping across the expectant faces, "we'll truly witness their power. As they step into the real world, their capabilities will be on full display for all to see."

"They'll be fighting in a sub-dimension," Seraphina continued, her voice ringing out.

"The same one they were in during their enrollment, but this time it won't be nerfed."

"The rules remain the same," Seraphina asserted, her voice cutting through the murmurs. "But this time, your participation has expanded. We welcome not just the graduating class, but all faction's members, even those from lower years."

A wave of surprise washed over the audience. Their faces full of confusion. They students were facing seasoned upperclassmen? Is this fair?

"The time flow within the dimension is warped," Seraphina continued as she explained, her voice calm despite the obvious confusion. " 12 days within the sub-dimension will translate to a mere few hours in this world."

The implications of that statement sank in. Three days of relentless combat, of strategizing and surviving, all condensed into a single afternoon for the spectators. It was a testament to the students' dedication and a test of their endurance.

"With that said," Seraphina concluded, a hint of a smile playing on her lips, "it's time for mass teleportation."

The students, both graduates and underclassmen, exchanged nervous glances.

They knew the conditions, the risks involved. This wasn't just a tournament anymore; it was a glimpse into the harsh realities that awaited them beyond the Academy. There in the real world.

Yet, amidst the apprehension, a spark of determination ignited in their eyes. This was their chance to prove themselves, not just to the world, but to each other.

A collective gasp echoed through the audience as the ground beneath the students' feet shimmered and dissolved. In its place, a colossal, glowing circle materialized. It stretched outwards for what seemed like miles, its edge disappearing into the swirling mist that shrouded the unfamiliar landscape.

Confused murmurs rippled through the crowd of students. They had entered the sub-dimension countless times during their training, but never had they encountered such a phenomenon.

Seraphina's voice, crisp and clear despite the echoing vastness, she spoke but was heard both in the sub dimension and the real world.

"Welcome, students," she boomed, her voice amplified by unseen magic. "This is the platform where your skills, your teamwork, and your leadership will be tested."

"The objective of this tournament," Seraphina continued, "is to construct a fortified base within your preferred zones. You must utilize your magical abilities, your strategic prowess, and the resources available within your chosen area to build a stronghold capable of defending against two threats: the monstrous denizens of this sub-dimension and your fellow competitors."

A low murmur of understanding ran through the student body. Glances were exchanged between them.

"Points will be awarded based on a multitude of factors," Seraphina explained further. " Including but not limited to, the nature of your chosen location, its resource availability, its architecture and construction, and your overall defensive strategy will all be considered."

Her voice turned sterner. "Remember, each member of your faction is vital. Points will be deducted for every fallen teammate. The first hundred casualties will result in a one-point deduction each, the next hundred a five-point deduction, and so on. Losses will be further impacted by the nature of the defeat.Oh...

if you lost your members to your rivals then they Will get your points, members lost to monsters will count as spoilt points. "

A ripple of tension spread through the crowd. Protecting their territory wasn't just about defense; it was about calculated aggression.

"Additionally," Seraphina continued, a hint of amusement in her voice, "special characters like faction leaders and key strong students will have a point value assigned based on the odds established by Babel Bets. Think of it as an added bonus and a chance for your supporters to wager on your success. These odds will be shown to you everyday noon."

A collective sigh of excitement mixed with nervous anticipation washed over the students. The tournament had officially begun, and the sub-dimension, with the colossal glowing circle fading and the unspoken threats.

It was a race to build, to strategize, and to survive.

But in every situation there were those who were slow to react... disoriented blinks were the first order of business as some of students materialized in the sub-dimension.

They were in different environments. To some, sand stretched endlessly with few cacti and the blazing sun. Others found themselves in a jungle, sunlight rays struggling to get through a dense canopy of leaves.

Some were in beaches with white sand as the blue waters splashed. Others were in towering and rocky mountains, some were volcanoes others were snow capped, while others found themselves nestled in lush or dark valleys.

Thankfully, the teleportation hadn't scattered the students.

Each faction found themselves clustered together.

Even the independent students, those who dared and desired to forge their own paths outside the faction system, weren't left completely alone. Seraphina had placed them in temporary factions randomly for the duration of the tournament. Who knows maybe at the end they'll decide to join a faction.

Nine factions in total dotted the maps each with different key leaders.

Five belonged to the Blessed undeniably strong individuals who stood at the helm of their respective groups. Their factions, formed around their unique battle styles and personalities.

Beyond the Blessed's factions, there were others. Zehn's group, a diverse mix of elemental magic users though comprising of mostly humans. And Draven's faction, a collection of talented individuals drawn to him. He had lesser dragons and hybrids in his group. He did have a few pure dragons with him but his couldn't be compared to Axl's.

So with a sense of urgency born of competition and the looming threat of monsters, the students scattered.

There was no idle chatter nor excited whispers of the arena or the students. In their place, a steely focus settled over the groups as they surveyed their surroundings. Each faction leader, their minds already formulating strategies, barked out orders. Scouts were dispatched, magical sensors activated, and the race to find the most strategic location had begun.

First priority secure food and water.

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