(Welcome to the next chapter, where the next half of the tournament takes place. Eight remain, but soon only one will be named champion. Enjoy.)

The remaining fighters looked at each other seeing who they would have to be facing. Dustin and Kotaro looked at each other knowing they were the first match of quarter finals.

Dustin smirked, "Well, Kotaro, looks like you and I will be facing off."

Kotaro answered, "I'd be much happier facing Negi, but I guess I'll have to settle for you until then."

Negi approached his number one rival, and his best friend, "Best of luck to both of you."

"Thanks, Negi." Dustin smiled.

"And same to you, because I'll be waiting for you." Kotaro smirked, as Negi chuckled.

"Will the two competitors please approach the arena?" Came Kazumi's voice in the intercom.

"Go for it, you two." Mana said, as the boys nodded before heading out.

The audience cheered, as they watched Dustin and Kotaro enter the ring. Kazumi spoke into her mic, "And here we have the start of the quarter finals, fight lovers!"

Sayo spoke into her own mic, "For the opening of this match we have Dustin Bowers and Kotaro Inugami."

Kazumi continued, "Both of them showed us just what they're truly capable in their opening matches. Now let's get this match under way!" the bell rang.

Dustin and Kotaro took off and started fighting with fists flying. As they fought, Kotaro spoke, "Yes! This is more like it! I can finally go all out against an opponent."

"You'll have to go all out against me, Kotaro." Dustin smirked, as he powered his fist with spirit energy and prepared to slug Kotaro.

The dog boy leaned his head to the side avoiding the punch. He quickly grabbed Dustin's arm and threw him over his shoulder. Dustin was sent over Kotaro but rolled across the arena, before getting back up.

As Dustin's partners watched, Chizuru spoke to Natsumi, "Natusumi, I hope you won't think ill of Dustin-kun if Kotaro-kun were to beat him, will you?"

Natsumi answered, "Of course not. Just as long as you won't be upset if Kotaro beats Dustin."

"I would never. So let's both support them together." Chizuru suggested.

"Yeah!" Natsumi nodded with a smile, as the two began cheering on their respective Magisters.

Kotaro and Dustin continued attacking each other full force, without Dustin using any of his spirit attacks.

Kotaro smirked, "If you think fighting one of me is a challenge, Dustin. Try multiple!" he used the ninja clone technique and created up to five of himself.

"Clone technique?" Dustin gasped in surprise, "When did you learn to do that?"

"Kaede taught me it. Yeah I've done some secret one on one training with her." Kotaro explained.

"They've obviously done wonders for you." Dustin noted.

"You have no idea." Kotaro answered, as he and his clones took off and engaged Dustin.

The crowd watched as Dustin was fighting against the group of Kotaro's, while Darius watched with interest, "Come on, Dustin, show him you don't go down without fighting."

Dustin while blocking and defending against the group of Kotaro's was building up energy as if he was going to use spirit force, but instead used his built up energy to strike harder at Kotaro, and ended up defeating all his clones.

"You beta my clones!"

"And you're next!" Dustin called, as he landed a pounding blow to Kotaro's face knocking him to the floor of the arena.

"And Kotaro is down!" Kazumi announced, "Start the countdown!"

Kotaro struggled to get up but Dustin's attack was so strong he was finding his hard to move, 'Damn! I can't move my body. If I don't do something I'm gonna lose the match!' he struggled but was unsuccessful.

"And that's ten!" Kazumi announced into the mic, "Dustin Bowers is the victor!" Dustin hearing the crowd call out to him, pumped a fist up and smiled, while Kotaro was taken back to the infirmary.

Dustin went back to the remaining competitors, as Negi locked hands with him, "Congratulations, Dustin. You did spectacular."

"Thanks, Negi. Here's hoping you do the same." he replied.

They went to see Kotaro who was secretly getting treated by healing magic via Konoka, "How're you holding up, Kotaro?" Alistair asked.

"Doing fine thanks to Konoka," he answered, before looking at Negi and felt guilty, "Negi, I'm sorry. Guess I won't be seeing you at the finals, even after the promise I made."

"Kotaro." Negi said in remorse.

Kotaro wiped his dismal look off and smiled, "Don't worry, though. We'll have our rematch one day."

Negi smiled seeing his spirit wasn't broken, "Right."

Kotaro then looked at Dustin, "And you watch yourself, because next time we fight I'm gonna dish it all out."

Dustin smirked, "I look forward to it."

Alistair spoke up, "Well, mine and Ku's match is next. Wish us luck."

"We go now." Ku added, as the two walked for the arena.

When the two fighters stood on the arena, Kazumi announced, "For our second match we have Alistair Savage and Ku Fei. Opponents are you ready? Begin!" The bell sounded.

Alistair and Ku engaged in combat with Ku overpowering Alistair with her advanced martial arts skill. The Chinese girl spoke, "Your skills are impressive, Alistair. But you're still not in my league."

"Don't count me out yet, Ku," Alistair answered, as he fought back, "Ever since I got separated from Xever years ago I had to fight for survival. And when I was taken in by Ragnarok he himself taught me how to truly fight. So you better prepare yourself!" Alistair answered, as he fought back against Ku.

The spectators watched, looking impressed, "That kids actually matching Master Ku."

"Not bad."

Xever watched form his seat with the Balitons and Michael, cheering, "That's my brother down there!"

Dustin and Negi watched seeing Alistair holding his own, and Ku going all out, "This could be a close match." Negi noted.

"No kidding." Dustin agreed.

Ku and Alistair grappled, and tried overpowering each other. Alistair spoke, "I'm not gonna lose like this. I have every intention to fight Dustin and make it to the finals!"

"You'll have to get past me to get there!" Ku struggled.

"Then let's end this!" Alistair called, as the two fought.

Ku used all her best kung fu moves on Alistair, but the dark warrior powered up by dark energy to his peak delivered a pounding blow to Ku knocking her out of the arena and landing in the crowd seats.

"And Alistair's knocked Ku right out of the arena!" Kazumi cheered, "Let's hope she's ok."

Everyone looked down seeing Ku lying down looking alive but beaten, "That was wild." she laughed.

"And it looks like she's ok," Sayo spoke into her mic, "But it doesn't seem like she'll be getting up any time soon."

"Right. Alistair Savage is the winner!" Kazumi announced.

"WHOO-HOO!" The Baliton twins cheered.

"All right, Alistair! That's my brother!" Xever cheered. Alistair threw his arms up and waved to the crowds, before going on back to join the others.

When he arrived back with the others, he and Dustin bumped fists, "Alistair, that was hardcore badass!"

"I try." he admitted.

"I just hope Ku will be ok." Negi said in worry.

"Don't worry." Kaede said, "Ku will be back on her feet in no time. Konoka will make sure of that."

"That's right." Konoka giggled.

Negi smiled, before Fate spoke up, "Negi, our match is next. I hope you are prepared." Negi nodded with determination as they headed out to the arena.

As Negi and Fate walked to the arena, the crowd watched, as Kazumi spoke up, "And for our third match of the quarter finals we have Negi Springfield and Fate Averuncus. Are you ready to rumble?!" the bell rang.

And so Negi and Fate took off and started fighting at the peak of their strengths while powering up their bodies with their magical energies. With every punch and kick they threw bits of magical energies were released making the air around the whole audience shake.

"Whoa, just what is this feeling in the air?" Kazumi asked playing dumb, "Whatever it is it's sure leaving a heavy feeling all around us."

Eva watched and sighed, "Those boys, are they trying to blow their secret?"

"They're just having fun, Eva." Konoka answered.

"Does Fate even know what fun is?" Kotaro asked.

"He has his own version of fun." Rin admitted, as she watched the two fight, and thought to herself, 'I don't really know who I want to win the most, Negi my true friend, or my loyal guard Fate?'

As the two boys mages fought, Negi spoke, "Takes you back to that night in Kyoto, huh?"

"I was merely holding back for Rin's sake. Now I don't need too." Fate answered, as he and Negi continued to exchange blows, but none was letting up.

Kazumi announced, "Look at the sparks fly between these two! I don't know how they have so much strength for being young boys, but whatever they're doing it's working."

Fate was on the offense, as Negi was on the defense, "If you think you're going to be able to catch up to your father like this, Negi, then you're only kidding yourself." he taunted.

"What was that?" Negi asked with a frown.

"If you want to catch up to your father you'll have to do better than this," Fate continued, "Why I wouldn't even be surprised if you aren't going full out."

"I am going all out!" Negi growled.

"If this is true, then your best is nothing compared to me."

That finally set Negi off as his magical energy increased more and began fighting back against Fate all out, while Fate smirked.

The others were surprised, as Dustin spoke, "Looks like Fate just gave Negi a little shove."

Eva smirked, "Clever. Now this really will make for a good fight." she kicked back, as the rest of the girls watched.

Negi and Fate continued to fight, with Negi going full on out than ever before, while Fate himself was aiming to match him. Both delivered a final punch wanting to see who could make theirs first. There was an explosion of raw power and everyone saw Fate getting launched back into the water.

"Whoa! Let's see that in slow motion!" Kazumi called, as the screen above displayed the instant replay in slow motion where Negi's punch connected to Fate's face before Fate could land his own blow on Negi.

"It looks like Negi-sensei was just too fast for Fate." Sayo said.

"Question is, how is the white haired pretty boy after that?" Kazumi inquired.

They saw as Fate surfaced in the water with his back facing up, "It doesn't look like he's going to be getting up." Sayo noted.

"Then this match goes to Negi Springfield!" Kazumi called, as the crowds cheered, especially Negi's partners.

Negi seeing Fate floating in the water, jumped in and fished him out beofre bringing him back to the others.

Back in the waiting area, Fate had woken up seeing everyone surrounding him, "There you are. Thought we lost you." Dustin said.

"What just happened?"

"You lost, Fate." Kotaro answered smugly.

"Negi's punch got to you before you got to him." Alistair explained.

Fate sighed, "I see," he turned to Negi, "Congratulations, Negi."

Negi smiled, "Thank you for being such a worthy opponent."

Fate couldn't help but smile a bit, until Rin hugged him, "Fate, I'm so proud of you. Even if you did lose, you're still a worthy knight to me."

"Thank you." Fate answered, as he allowed her to keep hugging him.

"One more match for the quarter finals." Dustin realized.

Setsuna and Eva looked at each other, with the vampire smirking, while Setsuna looking unsure. Suddenly Konoka spoke up, "Setsuna, I know you can do it."

"Konoka." Setsuna gasped.

"I agree," Dustin spoke up, "I have faith in you as do the rest of us. Now go out there and show your stuff."

Setsuna inspired by her friend and master's words of encouragement smiled and answered, "Yes. I will."

Negi spoke to Eva, "And good luck to you, Evangeline."

"Humph, like I need luck," she answered with pride, before looking back at Negi, "Still, I appreciate your words."

"Good luck to you as well, mistress." Chachamaru bowed her head to Eva. Eva smiled as she and Setsuna left for the arena.

Once they arrived, Kazumi spoke up, "And here are the final fighters for the quarter finals, Setsuna Sakurazaki and Evangeline McDowell. The winner of this match will be moving onto the Semi-finals."

"Let the match begin!" Sayo announced.

When the bell rang, Setsuna gripped her wooden kendo stick to use for combat, while Eva using a bit of magic to power herself up fought Setsuna, who defended.

"Don't think because I have to hold back majority of my magic I'll be an easy target." Eva warned the sword girl.

"Thought hadn't crossed my mind, Evangeline." Setsuna replied.

Eva smirked, "Good." she attacked Setsuna, who used her kendo sword as well as her own martial arts training from fighting with Dustin and the rest of her fellow Spirit Warrior partners.

"Come on, Setsuna!" Konoka called.

"Stick it to her!" Dustin cheered.

"Don't lose hope, mistress!" Chachamaru called.

"I believe in you, Evangeline!" Negi cheered.

Setsuna and Evangeline hearing both their names being cheered fought harder, as Eva spoke, "Let's see who's will to win is stronger mine or yours." she struck at Setsuna who was taking attack after attack.

Konoka and Dustin were shocked, "Setsuna!" they cried.

Setsuna who thought she was going to lose, thought to herself, 'No! I cannot lose! They believe in me, and I won't let them down!' she started powering up her spirit energy much to Eva's shock.

Setsuna took off striking at Eva from all around, while the vampire was finding it harder to keep up, 'She was never this strong when she'd fight against Dustin or the other girls. What is driving her like this?!'

Setsuna struck Eva and the girl ended up falling to the ground. The crowd gasped, as Kazumi called, "Holy hell, Setsuna struck Eva down with one attack. Can the girl get back up before the countdown?" she asked before beginning said countdown.

Setsuna went over seeng Eva lie down still awake, "Eva? Are you all right?"

"Of course I am. Even that attack wasn't enough to completely immobilize me." she answered.

"Then why aren't you getting up?" Setsuna asked in confusion.

"I wanted to see how strong your will was to win, and it looks like it was plenty strong. Tell me what motivated you?"

Setsuna looked back seeing Konoka and Dustin smiling at how she performed her last attack, "I wanted to make the ones I love proud." she answered with a smile.

Eva let out a small laugh, "Well, it looks like you succeeded in that."

"And that's ten! Setsuna is the winner!" Kazumi announced as the crowd cheered.

"And now everyone these are you finalists!" Sayo announced as the final board was set up.

They saw the next match was between Dustin and Alistair, followed by Negi versus Setsuna. Dustin and Alistair looked at each other knowing it was inevitable for the both of them, while Negi and Setsuna themselves were looking forward to their match as well.

(And there's the chapter. Don't miss next time where it's the semi-finals, and then the finals itself. I'll see you then.)