Chapter 78: Space
Team F
Dana Avery
Lyra Nocturne
Veris Locarna
Malakai Schneider
"I think that we should start by finding out each other's strengths," Malakai said, his eyes coolly sliding over each member of his team. "For example, I have Snow Magic, which helps me a lot with area control and just overall dictation of battles."
"I got Lens Magic," Dana smirked, holding up a small created lens in her palm. "Makes it easier for me to aim at stuff, so I'll be our sniper."
"Works for me," Lyra shrugged. "I have Insect Magic, and I can attack at both close and long range, so I don't mind being the versatile one. Depends on what you guys want."
"That's perfect…" Malakai said, stopping because he forgot her name.
"Lyra," the insect mage said, extending a hand in greeting. Malakai took it and shook it firmly,
"Where's the last girl, anyways?" Dana said, scanning the battlefield, her sharp eyes directed towards the portal.
The portal shimmered, and a figure stepped through, drawing immediate attention. She was strikingly beautiful, with long, flowing hair the color of deep amethyst cascading down her back. Her eyes, a piercing emerald green, seemed to hold an almost hypnotic allure. Her lips were painted a bold crimson, curling into a confident smirk as she surveyed her team. She wore a tailored battle robe that hugged her figure, accentuated with intricate vine-like patterns etched in gold. Her posture oozed self-assurance, and the glint in her eye suggested she was someone who knew she was admired.
"Finally, someone with a bit of class," she said, flipping her hair over her shoulder as her gaze swept over her teammates. She stopped momentarily on Malakai, Dana, and Lyra, giving them all a faintly approving nod, before crossing her arms.
"And who are you?" Malakai asked, raising a brow at her dramatic entrance.
"Veris Locarna," she said, her voice smooth and velvety, with just the faintest edge of condescension. "And I suggest you remember it. You'll want to, considering I'll be carrying this team to victory."
"Poison Magic," Veris continued, holding up her hand as tendrils of dark green mist swirled from her fingertips, forming a delicate yet ominous-looking orchid. "It's as deadly as it is beautiful. Much like myself."
Dana exchanged a glance with Lyra, rolling her eyes slightly. "Great. Another one who thinks they're the main character."
Veris ignored the jab, instead turning to the field and focusing her sharp gaze on Team E's crystal in the distance. Her expression darkened slightly when she spotted Finral Roulacase among the opposing team.
"Hmm," Veris murmured. "A Black Bull." Her tone dripped with disdain. "Figures. They let anyone into those ruffian squads these days. Uncouth, undisciplined, and entirely unworthy of the honor of being Magic Knights."
Dana raised a brow. "Got some beef with the Bulls, or what?"
"I don't beef," Veris replied with a dismissive wave. "I simply maintain standards. And they," she gestured toward Finral's team, "do not meet them. Which is why I'll be eliminating him first." She flashed a smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes.
Lyra shrugged, smirking. "Well, as long as you're this entertaining, I'm fine with it. Let's see if you can back it up."
Across the field, Team E stood in a loose circle. Leo Vermillion, clad in his fiery red battle robes, radiated enthusiasm as he clenched his fists.
"This is going to be great!" Leo exclaimed, his flaming hair practically sparking with excitement. "We've got a solid team. Let's crush them!"
Beside him, Hamon Caesaus, a towering figure with a cocky grin, patted Leo on the back. "That's the spirit, little prince! With my Glass Magic and your fire, we'll be unstoppable."
Ximena Laird, standing with one hand on her hip, let out a boisterous laugh that matched Hamon's energy. "Finally, a team worth my time! Let's show them what greatness looks like."
Finral Roulacase, standing off to the side, adjusted his collar nervously. "Uh… yeah, greatness… totally." His gaze darted nervously between Ximena, Leo, and Hamon. "Are we sure this is going to be… organized?"
Ximena stopped laughing abruptly and turned to Finral, her expression suddenly sharp. "You're the Spatial Magic user, aren't you?"
Finral nodded hesitantly. "Y-yeah. That's me."
A slow smile spread across Ximena's face as she stepped closer, towering over him slightly. "Good. You're going to be the cornerstone of our strategy. Your job is simple: support the rest of us while I construct the path to victory. You're blessed, you know," she said, placing a hand on his shoulder, her tone taking on a lofty, almost regal quality. "To be a part of the foundation for my greatness."
"Uh… right…" Finral replied, his voice shaking slightly. "Blessed. Got it."
As the Capital Mage raised their hand to signal the start of the match, Ximena's sharp voice cut through the air.
"Finral!" she barked. "Scatter us around the field. Now."
Finral flinched but nodded, summoning a series of portals that opened up beneath each of them.
The team disappeared, reappearing moments later in a calculated formation around Team F's crystal, exactly as Ximena had whispered to him during their quick briefing. Finral hovered closer to their own crystal, his hands trembling slightly, while Leo, Hamon, and Ximena positioned themselves at strategic points.
"Perfect," Ximena said, her voice full of quiet confidence as she surveyed the battlefield. "From here, we'll crush them."
The Capital Mage dropped their hand, signaling the start of the match.
"Lens Magic: Mana Zone - Lentille de Lumen Extraordinaire!" Dana said, spreading lenses across the field that refracted the natural mana from the atmosphere all around the area. Not only did this allow her to track movements, but it meant that the efficiency of her Lentille de Lumen spell would not be decreased while Malakai made his next move.
"Snow Magic: Winter Garden!" Malakai said, raising his hand. Snow particles began to fall from the sky, but not in the snow mage's usual graceful manner. These ones were relentless, meticulously placed in the positions Malakai sensed, and specifically designed to frustrate the hot-headed Ximena.
"Two support spells is a bit excessive," Oda commented.
"And a bit out of character for m'boy as well!" Ezequiel said, stroking his beard.
"This match… Malakai told me he wasn't aiming to be meticulous," Elijah said, shaking his head. "The only way he could beat an impossibly strong anomaly like Ximena was-"
"Total domination," Lars said, his eyes sweeping the battlefield. "And that's exactly why he's going to lose this one."
"Earth Magic: Gaia's Armament!" Ximena ferally yelled, taking pieces of earth and molding them into gauntlets and crude but solidly constructed earth armour that covered her. She used a wave of earth to travel to where the crystal's approximate location was, but her path was blocked by Lyra.
"Insect Magic: Wasp Stinger!" Lyra said, diving from the air and transfiguring her hand into a wasp stinger. She dove at the earth mage, who blocked with an earth covered forearm, smirking at their clash.
"I was hoping I'd get to fight you, bug girl!" Ximena smirked.
"The pleasure's all mine," Lyra said, switching her Wasp Stinger to a Mantis Scythe, and changing her motion to instead scythe down at Lyra.
"Ximena's unpredictability is what makes her so indomitable," Lars stated, "But don't tell her I said that."
"She'll fly off," Ezequiel laughed, earning chuckles from the other boys with him.
"Mix that unpredictability with the catalyst of Finral's spatial magic, fortify it with Hamon's glass magic and baptise it in Leo's fire magic, and you have a killer magic cocktail that you can't subjugate," Lars said. "Malakai hasn't realised that, and that's why he's going to lose."
The battle raged on as Ximena's earth-clad fists collided with Lyra's shifting insect appendages. Lyra moved with agile precision, her Mantis Scythe deflecting Ximena's heavy swings while she darted and buzzed through the air like an elusive wasp. Yet, Ximena's sheer power and relentless earth manipulation kept Lyra on the defensive.
"Finral!" Ximena barked, her voice ringing through the snowy battlefield. "Get her out of my way!"
Finral, stationed near Team E's crystal, hesitated. His hands trembled as he opened a portal directly behind Lyra. The insect mage, mid-dodge, suddenly found herself careening through the air and reappearing several feet away, landing hard against a snowbank.
"Cheap trick!" Lyra spat, shaking off the frost. Her mandibles clicked, and her wings buzzed furiously as she glared at Ximena. But the earth mage was already advancing toward the crystal, her gauntlets glowing with mana-infused power.
Meanwhile, Hamon Caesaus squared off against Dana. His Glass Magic created an array of reflective shards that hovered menacingly around him, refracting the light into dazzling patterns. Dana, unfazed, loaded her crossbow with calm precision and aimed through one of her magical refractive lenses.
"Lens Magic: Refracted Strike!" she called, firing a bolt that split into multiple projectiles as it passed through the lens. The bolts ricocheted off Hamon's glass shards, forcing him to summon a dome of translucent barriers.
"You think you can outsmart me?" Hamon grinned, shattering his dome into a flurry of glass spikes that rained down on Dana. She rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the shards, and quickly fired another shot. Hamon, however, was ready, maneuvering his reflective shards to redirect her attacks effortlessly.
"Finral, some help here?" Hamon called, his voice tinged with frustration.
Finral nodded reluctantly and opened a portal beneath Dana's feet, sending her tumbling into a snowy ditch several yards away. She cursed under her breath, quickly scrambling to reload her crossbow.
On the far side of the battlefield, Malakai faced off against Leopold Vermillion. The fiery-haired prince's enthusiasm blazed as brightly as the flames swirling around him.
"Come on, Snow Mage!" Leopold roared, launching a torrent of flames. "Show me what you've got!"
"Snow Magic: Frost Barrier!" Malakai countered, summoning a thick wall of ice to block the attack. The clash of fire and ice created a burst of steam, obscuring the battlefield momentarily. Malakai frowned, realizing he was being cornered. Leopold's relentless attacks were chipping away at his defenses, and the heat was beginning to melt the frost beneath his feet.
"Finral!" Leopold shouted. "Let's shake things up!"
Another portal opened, and Malakai stumbled as he was displaced, reappearing unsteadily in Leopold's fiery kill zone. The Snow Mage quickly conjured a flurry of snow to cool the air and regain his footing, but the coordinated assault was starting to wear him down.
However, amid the chaos, Finral's unease grew. His eyes darted across the battlefield, his heart racing as he realized something was off.
"Wait…" Finral muttered, his breath hitching. "Where's the other one?"
Before he could react, Veris Locarna emerged from the swirling snow behind him, her emerald eyes gleaming with malice. In her hand, a dagger coated in shimmering green poison glinted dangerously.
"You're the cornerstone, aren't you?" Veris purred, raising the dagger. "Let's see how your team does without you."
Finral, panic flooding his veins, opened a portal in desperation. Veris, caught mid-lunge, disappeared into the swirling void and reappeared directly in front of Ximena—just as the earth mage's fist was swinging forward.
"What the—" Veris managed to sputter before Ximena's gauntlet smashed into her, sending her flying like a ragdoll.
"Stay out of my way!" Ximena bellowed, slamming her fist into the ground.
Veris's trajectory ended with a resounding crash into Team F's crystal, leaving a crack along its gleaming surface. The shockwave sent ripples of energy through the battlefield, drawing the attention of everyone still fighting.
Ximena grinned wickedly, raising her arms dramatically. "Earth Magic: Bastion's Wrath!" Two colossal fists of earth rose from the ground and pummeled the crystal, shattering it completely.
The battlefield fell silent, save for Ximena's triumphant laughter. With a flick of her wrist, she used Gaia's Grasp to lift the unconscious Veris, binding her in mid-air in a crucifixion-like pose.
"Behold the Holy Ximena Combo Special Deluxe!" she proclaimed, standing tall and flexing her gauntlet-clad arms. "Greatest Earth Mage of this generation—no, of all time!"
Across the field, Team F stared in disbelief as their crystal lay in ruins. Malakai clenched his fists, frustration and humiliation flashing across his face. Dana and Lyra exchanged looks, shaking their heads in resignation.
The Capital Mage stepped forward, raising their hand to signal the end of the match. "Team E is victorious!"
…
Langris Vaude, standing in the audience with his usual air of disinterest, sighed audibly. As he turned to leave, he brushed past Elijah, his cold gaze meeting the younger mage's for a brief moment.
"So," Langris said, his voice dripping with condescension, "are you planning to embarrass yourself out there, or do better than your brother?"
The words struck like a spark, igniting a fire in Elijah's chest. His hands clenched, and his resolve solidified. "Better," he muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing with determination. "Much better."
…
Team H
Hugo Vance
Yul Bishop
Mira Zavala
Lucian Thorngate
"We, my comrades, have a job to do," Hugo said, addressing his team with a dangerous edge in his voice. "It would be disgusting, downright humiliating, if I were to lose to both my biggest rival and my brother in the span of two weeks. So we will not let that happen. Is that understood?"
"Who gave you the right to talk down to us?" Lucian demanded, placing his hand on his chest. "You may be a vice-captain, but here is an even playing field-"
His voice suddenly died in his throat as Hugo stood next to him, his platinum blond hair gleaming dangerously in the sunlight.
"I am a winner," he said, "and winners lead. Their way. Do you under-fucking-stand now?"
There was a tension so thick that fell over the team, Mira and Yul watching with confused looks, and Lucian struggling to not crash out at him. His Plant Magic swirled at his fingertips, but he restrained himself, his aquamarine eyes finally meeting Hugo's cold gaze, and he sighed in resignation.
"Yes, vice captain," Lucian snarled, adjusting his Green Praying Mantis robe. "But can you at least explain what we're doing?"
"Give me a pedestal to stand over Langris," Hugo said. "That is all."
With that, he walked to the capital mage's portal, leaping gracefully into it.
"Bitch," Lucian snarled, heading after him.
"This team is destined to fail," Mira said robotically, startling Yul slightly.
"Don't be pessimistic, Mira," Yul said. "This could still-"
"This won't work," Mira said, brushing her hair behind her and entering the portal. "I'm sure of it." Yul tentatively followed, his usually stoic face cracking with worry.
Team G
Elijah Schneider
Langris Vaude
Fragil Tormenta
Sekke Bronzazza
Fragil Tormenta adjusted her hat, her blue eyes scanning the members of Team G. Her sharp, calculating gaze lingered on Sekke Bronzazza, who stood in his usual overconfident stance, arms crossed and a self-satisfied grin plastered on his face. But his darting eyes and restless fidgeting betrayed his inner panic.
"The juniors this year are extraordinary," Fragil said, her tone cool and matter-of-fact. "It's almost inspiring—almost. Let's hope you can rise to their level, Sekke." She emphasized his name, her words as sharp as the daggers in her satchel.
Sekke's face froze for a moment before he burst out laughing, masking his growing dread. Why do they always pick on me? he thought. Can't she tell I'm trying to lay low here? Why am I even on the same team as Langris?!
Clearing his throat, Sekke puffed out his chest, his voice booming with false bravado. "Rise to their level? Ha! I'll have you know, I'm the ace of this team. Watch and learn—Sekke Bronzazza is about to show you all how it's done!" He raised his fist dramatically. "Behold the unstoppable power of my Sekke Shooting Star!"
Langris Vaude, leaning lazily against the nearby wall, let out a soft chuckle, his lips curling into a faint, sardonic smile. "An excellent plan," he said, his voice dripping with mock approval. "I can't imagine anything more… fitting for a man of your talents."
Elijah Schneider, standing off to the side, raised an eyebrow at Langris' comment. "You're seriously going along with this?" he asked, crossing his arms, his fiery orange eyes flickering with skepticism. "I mean… it's this guy."
Langris turned his cold gaze toward Elijah, his tone as icy as ever. "Do you have a better plan, rookie? No? Then save your doubts and follow along."
Elijah gritted his teeth but said nothing, his hands clenching into fists. Fragil's calculating gaze shifted between the two, but she remained silent, her expression betraying no emotion.
When the announcement for their match echoed through the arena, the team got ready to move. Sekke, still grinning, mounted his bronze... whatever it was.
"Try to keep up!" Sekke called, adjusting his headband and striking a heroic pose. Fragil gracefully stepped onto the platform, her demeanor calm and composed. Langris followed with effortless poise, his expression one of pure indifference. Elijah sighed, summoning his Combus Flight spell, flames igniting around his feet as he hovered in the air.
The battlefield materialized around them, a sprawling crystalline arena with jagged obstacles, shimmering walls, and mirrored surfaces. Across the field, Team H stood at the ready. Hugo Vance, Yul Bishop, Mira Zavala, and Lucian Thorngate exchanged determined glances before taking their positions.
As the match began, Yul surged forward, his Steel Magic forming a massive wall that cut through the arena like a blade. Elijah was the first to respond, flames erupting around him as he darted forward with Wildfire Magic. The two clashed, fire and steel colliding in a dazzling display of sparks and heat.
But this fiery skirmish was a diversion.
From behind Yul's wall, Hugo Vance leaped into the air, his White Sand Magic: Desert Flight carrying him high above the battlefield. With a sweeping gesture, Hugo sent a cascade of shimmering white sand toward the Sekke Shooting Star, aiming to immobilize it.
Langris, perched atop the contraption, didn't even flinch. His cold voice cut through the chaos. "Spatial Magic: Archangel's Severance."
A crescent of spatial energy erupted from Langris' hand, slicing through the battlefield. The crystal core shattered instantly, its fragments scattering across the arena in a shower of light. The attack was so precise, so devastating, that no one had time to react.
The spell's aftermath was equally brutal. Hugo, caught in the edge of the attack, let out a strangled cry as a deep and vicious cut appeared on his arm. Blood poured freely, and his arm dangled limply, nearly severed from his shoulder. The crowd of Magic Knights gasped, horror and awe rippling through the arena.
The guttural roar that emanated from Hugo shook everyone watching. It was a culmination of three things - frustration at not being able to face his brother once again, anger at the disrespect that Langris had brought upon him , and pain. Real unrelenting pain that spread through his body like a wildfire, and yet, Langris stood there, slightly smirking as he looked at the disgraced figure of his "rival".
He was enjoying it. That smug bastard was enjoying his pain.
The first time Hugo Vance met Langris Vaude, it was at a grand banquet held in the Clover Kingdom's Royal Capital, a celebration of the Magic Knights' recent victories against a rogue mage uprising. The sprawling ballroom was alive with the chatter of nobles, the clinking of crystal glasses, and the occasional flare of magical energy from overexcited guests. It was a scene of grandeur and prestige, meant to showcase the Kingdom's strength and unity.
Hugo, still a teenager at the time, stood awkwardly near a table laden with exotic fruits and lavish desserts. His White Sand Magic was already earning him a reputation as a prodigy, but the expectations of his prestigious Vance family weighed heavily on him. He tugged at the high collar of his formal attire, feeling out of place amidst the sea of aristocrats and seasoned Magic Knights.
That's when he noticed Langris Vaude.
The younger brother of the Golden Dawn's Vice-Captain, Langris exuded an effortless confidence. He moved through the crowd like he owned the room, his polished manners and sharp wit earning him nods of approval from the nobles. Langris' Spatial Magic was already legendary, and the air around him seemed to crackle with his self-assuredness.
Their eyes met across the ballroom. Langris tilted his head, his expression unreadable, before making his way toward Hugo. The crowd seemed to part for him as if even they recognized his unspoken superiority.
"You're Hugo Vance, aren't you?" Langris said, his voice smooth and calculating. His eyes, cold and piercing, scanned Hugo from head to toe. "I've heard about your White Sand Magic. They say it's… decent."
Hugo bristled at the faint condescension in Langris' tone. "Decent, huh?" he replied, forcing a smile. "Coming from someone whose family name does most of the talking, I'll take that as a compliment."
Langris raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Touché. I admire your spirit. But tell me," he said, leaning in slightly, "how does it feel to live in the shadow of your brother? What's his name again? Russell, isn't it?"
Hugo's fists clenched, his nails digging into his palms. The jab hit harder than he cared to admit. "Russell is a failure by Vance family standards," he said through gritted teeth. "I'm carving my own path, and you'll see that soon enough."
Langris chuckled, a low, mocking sound that made Hugo's blood boil. "We'll see," he said, straightening up. "But if you want my advice, Hugo, you'll need more than sand to stand out in this world. Talent alone doesn't guarantee greatness."
With that, Langris turned and walked away, leaving Hugo seething in his wake. The encounter lit a fire within him—a mix of resentment and determination. From that day forward, Hugo vowed to surpass Langris, to prove that his magic was more than just "decent." But even as he trained relentlessly, the memory of Langris' smirk haunted him, a reminder of the rival he couldn't afford to underestimate.
Hugo staggered back, clutching his injured arm with his uninjured hand. His face twisted with rage and pain, his platinum blond hair disheveled. "Langris!" he roared, his voice echoing through the arena. "You bastard! You think this is over?! I'll kill you with my own hands!"
Before he could act on his fury, a golden glow enveloped him. "Time Magic: Chrono Stasis." The commanding voice of Julius Novachrono, the Wizard King, brought the battlefield to a halt. Hugo froze mid-step, his body suspended in time.
Julius appeared on the field, his calm, authoritative presence quelling the chaos. "This match is concluded. Team G is the victor," he announced, his tone firm but measured. "We'll take a short timeout before proceeding to the next bracket."
…
Langris ascended the podium and walked over to his brother, Finral, who stood among the spectators. The two brothers locked eyes, the tension between them palpable.
Langris' gaze was icy, his words cutting. "Your Spatial Magic is nothing more than a delivery service, Finral. Try not to get caught in mine. Your body wouldn't survive it." He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "I'm sure our parents—and that person—would be so sad."
Finral's fists clenched, his knuckles turning white. "I won't let that happen," he said, his voice steady despite the fire in his eyes. "I'll beat you, Langris."
Langris smirked, stepping back. "Acting high and mighty for a big brother, aren't you? Let's see if you can back it up."
With that, Langris turned and walked away, leaving Finral standing alone, the weight of his brother's words heavy on his shoulders. Above, the crowd buzzed with anticipation for the next battles, the tension in the arena electrifying as the tournament marched on.
A/N: HUGOOO LMAOOOOOOOOOO
REST IN PIECES BOZO
as you can see, i don't particularly like hugo vance