Curem POV

Wings? I unlocked a new piece of my power! "This is so cool! I'm gonna try these out!" I say, before slamming them downward to get into the air. Flying is coming… surprisingly naturally to me. I dash around, testing my limits, until Ava appears next to me on her staff. "Dude, you're so fast!"

I get closer to Ava before enveloping her in a hug. "You're the best, Ava! I don't know how long it would be taking me to figure these powers out if you weren't here!" Ava, taken by surprise, reciprocates with a warmth in her face. "Y- You're pretty great yourself!" She responds. We get ourselves back to the ground, and parted ways for the night, excited for the tournament the coming day.


Making our way to the venue early in the morning, we check the schedule. The first round will be 2-on-2 battles, with a slight twist. You can face whoever you want, and each win is a point. Once you get 3 points, you've qualified for the second round. Only the first 16 teams will advance. Ava and I feel a little bad for whoever our opponents end up being, given how strong we are.

The buzzer sounds, and our first opponents approach. Our fierce combo of fire and ice is devastating, and I didn't even get a chance to ask their names. Well we have our first point, onto whoever challenges us next.

The second team was 2 kids I knew were at one point in the detention track, But got moved out. They introduce themselves as Jerbo and Viney. We have a bit more trouble this time. Pudding, Viney's Griffin was a fun twist to the fight.

The third challengers were twins, I hadn't met them personally but I could tell they were Amity's siblings by her description. We unfortunately made quite quick work of them as well, Illusions don't do the best against things that can actually hurt you… Hopefully the future rounds will have more challenge.

A few minutes later, the buzzer sounds once again, marking that the 16 teams have been selected. Ava and I check the board, and see that Willow, Hunter, Amity, and Luz all made it through the first round. Round 2 isn't super interesting, it's a simple three-legged race, the top 8 teams continue.


Round 3, Quarterfinals: The Labyrinth

You and your team member begin in one half of a maze, blocked off from the other. Your teammate has the map to your side of the maze, and vice versa. You will have a communicator. The exit will be blocked when you reach it, but your map will glow and reveal the locations of 5 puzzles on your teammate's side, each containing a symbol. Once collected, all 5 symbols will be placed into the exit door, opening it. Once both exit doors are open, the final room is revealed. Once the final room is reached by both team members, they must perform a combination spell, and blast it through the designated hole in the roof to end their time. The 4 teams with the fastest time will advance. If you take more than 1 hour to complete it, you're disqualified.

"Alright, we need a plan." I state, Ava becoming more serious. "I have an idea on how to do it quickly. If you can use fire to fly around, that is probably the best way you'll keep up with my flight." I continue. "Yeah, alright, let's do this!" Ava shouts, excited for how this will go.

00:00

Ava and I quickly find our way to the exit doors, and our maps glow. We take turns giving each other directions. I get to the first puzzle, a Ring Stack. I spend a few minutes getting them in the correct order, and when I do, a panel opens, revealing the first symbol.

07:23

The second puzzle is a hunt for parts of a numerical code hidden around the small room, done quickly. The code opens the panel, allowing me to obtain the second symbol.

9:09

The third puzzle is a small parkour challenge, the Symbol is at the top of the room, and I fly up to grab it.

10:15

The fourth puzzle is one about perception. I find the correct angle to see the clue that shows me what to do. I cast a small fire spell, which opens the chest in the room. The fourth symbol is acquired.

12:01

The final puzzle is similar to that 'Simon' game that Luz introduced me to, though it's not lighting up on its own. I search the room for the code, finding it and inputting it into the device on the wall. "R, B, R, G, Y, B, Y, G" I whisper to myself, abbreviating each color. The center flips, revealing the final symbol.

13:06

I ask Ava if she's finished her puzzles, and begin running back to the exit door, having marked where it was with patches of ice on the walls. I place each symbol into its designated spot, and the door begins to open. I see Ava on the other side as both doors are opening. We both dash to the center, under the hole in the ceiling. I unleash an Ice spell, and Ava casts a fire spell. We blast the spells upwards, spiraling together into a large beam of magic. The buzzer sounds, signifying our completion.

15:27

Ava and I find that we got the fastest time so far, and wait for the end of the round. By the end, held the fastest time through the whole round. Luz and Amity weren't far behind, but not for lack of teamwork. "We spent too long flirting with each other…" Luz says, a face of embarrassment evident. Hunter and Willow were close as well, having one wrong turn cost them a minute.


Round 4, Semifinals: Team Performance

Author's Note: I have no idea how I want to describe how this event works in thorough detail, but my inspiration was Pokémon Contests and Performances.

"Perform with your teammate to earn the highest score! There will be 4 judges and the Audience. The judges will give points to teams and, in the event of a tie, the audience has been given Penlights to vote for a team," the announcer shouts, "You have 1 hour to plan your 2 minute routine, and will have another hour to choose or make your outfits, now go!"

Ava and I plan our routine, a ground and air hybrid performance. I would be flying, performing spells while speeding around the performance area. Ava would be dancing on the ground, casting her own spells at the same time. At the halfway point, we will both perform our way to the center of the ring. We'll end with creating a vortex of Fire and Ice around us before ending with a pose. Ava's on the ground looking and reaching upwards, while I'm suspended in the air, upside down, doing the same.

We begin practicing, with the sheer amount of focus heavily limiting the amount of talking. Ava begins practicing her part of the performance, while I begin using my magic to attempt to stay suspended in midair. It takes a lot of focus, but I manage to keep myself floating while remaining still.

Once I've gotten the hang of floating, I begin flying around while performing spells, creating intricate designs of ice in the air. We finish our practice by using our combination spell that we decided to call 'FrostFlame Vortex.' As soon as the spell dissipates, the announcement rings out, "Your planning period is over! It's time for your outfits!" Ava and I head to the area for creating outfits.