Outside the Colosseum. Queues and Queues of people wait, trying to get inside.

" Did you hear? Brutus Maximus is in the top 200. He got my vote."

" I admit he is good. But the Ice Queen Silvya Rouge is better in my opinion. Royalty are just in a league of their own."

" Are you both mad? Seth Thornheart is the clear victor. Mark my words."

Similarly, the same discussions were happening inside the Colosseum. As people discussed who they thought was going to win. It was a lively crowd that grew from 80000 to 150000 and still growing.

" Ladies and Gentleman. Now is the time you have all been waiting. As our brave first years battle it out to determine their rank amongst their peers. Don't be reserved and cheer to your heart's content. Supporting those you favour. The Arena will be split into four different sections where four different fights will happen. Unfortunately, we have to do this to save as much time as possible. If you can't see the fight you want to from your point of view. The lacrima is streaming all the fights so just switch over to the one you want to see. You will also be notified when the person you voted for is about to fight. We have also removed the limiter. Students can fight at full strength. This is so that you can enjoy this battle to the fullest. So without further ado. Let the knockouts begin!"

After Ivys Vinnay had finished speaking. Fire erupted from the four corners of each ring. The crowd went ballistic as they cheered fervently in expectation and anticipation.

Meanwhile down in the waiting room, an official said, " In order to save some time. 56 of you will automatically make it to round 2. I know that some of you will complain. But just blame your luck. In combat, luck plays a part. In fact, luck plays a big part in tournaments like this. Luck determines if you are going to face a powerhouse in the beginning or in the quarterfinals. But it doesn't carry you. As such that is the only free pass you will get. Adding, the list was randomly generated. There are no favourites here at Reckwerth. A badge in the shape of a clover will appear on your clothes. If you have automatically made it to round two. Today's battle will take place until the Quarterfinals or the best 8. The quarterfinals, semifinals and finals will be held tomorrow. You have to win 5 times to make it to the quarterfinals. And of course only four to a select few. Remember, lose once and you are out. So good luck to you all."

Once the official had finished speaking all the students looked on their clothes to see if they received a badge. And it was clear who got it and who didn't. As the ones that did all screamed, "Yes!" Lucas was one of those who got a badge. He too exclaimed in joy as that meant less effort on his part.

When the people that made a bet with Lucas saw him wearing the badge. They were envious and it was evident in their eyes. Lucas just looked at them and said, " That's one down." Showing no shame in his complacency. But then Silvya Rouge the girl who made the slavery bet. Returned the same smug look while running her beautiful fingers through her ice blue hair. Then she pointed towards the screen in the waiting room. On the screen was her information. One of the things it revealed was that water was her natural element. As well as the number of votes she had obtained. It was a staggering amount. Making her the second most favoured to win. Under Seth Thornheart and above Brutus Maximus. After that, she scrolled all the way down the list. Until she found Lucas's information. Then she pointed to the number of his votes. She tried to look as fierce as possible. But contrary to her icy appearance her beauty could thaw a thousand tickers (1). She had irresistible turquoise lips and a seductive voice. Alluring but people kept their distance. She is a poets dream. Wreathed in contradictions...

When Silvya Rouge saw the number of Lucas's votes she was discombobulated, " What!? Someone actually voted for you." This really seemed to baffle her. She just stared blankly at the number 1 next to the number of votes. Confused. But looking like an angel. As the light of the screen descended on her face. Making her artic eyes glow.

Moments later she shook herself out of it and said shaking her head, " What a waste of money."

" I know. All that money wasted on you just for you to lose." Lucas retorted.

Silvya Rouge wanted to retaliate but her friend next her held her back. She said, " Don't waste your energy on him. Well, I admit he can bark. His bite is severely lacking. He is probably just trying to psyche you out. You need to be level headed on the battlefield."

Silver Rouge gave Lucas one last look. Staring daggers at him and then returned a friendly gaze to her friend laughing in conversation.

At this moment eight people teleported out of the waiting room and into the arena. The arena had already been split into four sections. So a group of two each teleported to a section in the arena. Once inside your section, you could not see the other sections only the spectators.

Once the students reached the Arena. A timer of one minute went off giving them time to collect their thoughts. After that, the fight begins. The spectators were cheering and screaming. Almost everyone was on edge for the fights that were about to happen. But this was mainly due to the fact that the crowd favourite was in the arena. Yes, Seth Thornheart took the stage. Seth Thornheart was an attractive man. He had a devil-may-care outlook and a stellar dimpled smile. He had red skin and voice that enchanted the opposite sex. His face was a work of art. He had prominent cheekbones and a cleft chin. Liquorice black hair and brown eyes. Contrary to most mages he was well built. His physique proclaimed strength as his toned muscles glistened in the sun. Seth Thornheart stood still absorbing all the praise he was getting. Waving his hands to his fans making the girls swoon as their knees buckled.

The anticipation had reached a climax. And then finally the battle started. Naturally, most people were paying attention to Seth Thornheart's fight. Once the timer struck 0:00 Seth Thornheart's opponent immediately struck out with a wind spell. He raised his hands and a white magic circle appeared. From it, many wind scythes emerged. They howled and whistled as they flew cutting the air they were made from. Some even indulged in cannibalism growing in size as they moved.

Seth Thornheart just stood there undaunted. Once the scythes came close enough. Seth Thornheart released a barrier like spell that condensed air to a solid form. The compressed air wasn't stable. Resulting in a tempest of a shield. Once the scythes flew into the shield. They disintegrated immediately. Then Seth Thornheart released his barrier. He raised his hands towards his opponent and a magic circle appeared. From it, he released the same spell that his opponent had. However, its speed and size were worlds apart... It looked like multiple crescent moons descending. As Seth Thornheart's wind scythes danced across the sky.

In an instant, his opponent was overwhelmed by the sheer power, speed and size of the spell. It broke his barrier with ease. Then it cut him before he was teleported to safety.

Once Seth Thornheart saw he had won. He bowed to the cheering crowd and waved at them. They took great delight in his victory. As they all felt happy about the bet they made. Practically they thought it was free money betting on Seth Thornheart. Judging how quickly he ended the fight. He could have ended it faster if he didn't take the attack first. Then he still went and showed absolute arrogance by beating his opponent with the same spell he did. Outdoing him in every aspect. Seth Thornheart really knew how to work a crowd. They ate up everything he did. Revering and praising him for the genius he is. Once he was done he was teleported back to the waiting room.

The other fights were still happening in the other sections. Fights between people of equal strength tend to take longer. Once a section was empty two new people would teleport there and after a minute their fight would begin.

An hour later after multiple fights. The crowd started cheering louder than they normally do. As Silvya Rouge teleported onto the stage. While the timer was ticking. She thanked the crowd for voting for her... On the lacrima, she could see the number of votes she obtained. When her opponent saw her votes she began to shiver. And Silvya Rouge had yet to cast any magic. If you had a lot of votes you could intimidate your opponents without doing anything yourself. Giving you an edge in battle. Once the timer ran out. Silvya Rouge's opponent conjured a fireball. It was growing in her palm as the magic circle grew bigger. At the same time, her opponent had a red aura surrounding her body. Increasing her body temperature by five times. She had heard of the queen of ice. So she prepared to counter her, should she ever come to fight her. Her opponent grinned at Silvya Rouge letting her know she came prepared. That Silvya Rouge did not scare her and with a little preparation. A win was possible, that it was in site. With a smile on her face, her opponent released a large fireball. The fireball flew for 2 meters and then it disappeared. Silvya Rouge's opponent was petrified. She couldn't move a muscle even if she wanted to. Because in the next moment she was frozen solid.

Silver Rouge opponent released her fireball and then a large ice blue magic circle appeared beneath her. Decreasing the temperature so much that her fireball died. This shocked her opponent. That such a large fireball would die out due to temperature. Her opponent wasn't affected because of her aura. But when the magic circle went off. She was instantly frozen in her petrified state. A few seconds after freezing. Her opponent disappeared. Silvya Rouge smiled smugly at her feat. Her opponent came prepared but still lost miserably. Her fans were screaming in praise. They felt reassured that she was a safe option after Seth Thornheart's performance. Moments later she teleported off the field and two new ones came.

1. Ticker- Is another word for heart. "could thaw a thousand 'hearts'."