Chapter 47: The End of the First Round

Chapter 47: The End of the First Round The arena roared with applause as the match between Meera Gouri and Ananya Shah reached its electrifying conclusion. Meera, calm and composed, had finally found the opening she had been patiently waiting for. The energy in the air was thick with tension, as the audience held their breath in anticipation. It had been a battle of skill and patience, and now, Meera’s moment had arrived. Ananya lunged forward, her spear glowing with an intense light as she unleashed Thunder Strike, her most powerful Adreno Art. The crackling electricity lit up the battlefield, and the crowd gasped as the attack surged toward Meera. The air around them seemed to crackle with the force of the attack, as if the very atmosphere was charged with power. Ananya’s weapon thrummed with deadly intent, her eyes locked on Meera, determined to bring the fight to a swift end. Meera’s eyes narrowed, every muscle in her body honed in on the incoming strike. The tip of Ananya’s spear was a blur, a streak of lightning heading directly toward her. But Meera, ever the patient strategist, remained calm. She stepped to the side at the last possible moment, her movements precise and fluid. It was as though time slowed down, allowing her to observe every movement of her opponent. With a single, well-timed counterattack, she swung her blade in a clean arc, disarming Ananya and bringing the tip of her sword to her opponent’s neck. The referee raised his hand, signaling the end of the match. "The winner of this match: Meera Gouri!" The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement reverberating through the air, echoing throughout the arena. The energy of the moment was contagious, and the spectators were on their feet, applauding the skill and composure Meera had displayed throughout the battle. Ananya, though clearly disappointed, nodded in respect as she stepped back, acknowledging Meera’s victory. Meera, ever composed, simply bowed slightly, her movements fluid and dignified, before she turned and walked away from the ring. Her face remained serene, as if the battle had been little more than a passing breeze to her. But those who had watched her closely knew that every move she had made had been calculated and deliberate. The host stepped forward, his booming voice silencing the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen, the first round of the Battle of the Top Twelve has officially concluded!" He gestured toward the magical screen that shimmered into existence above the arena. The names of the remaining competitors appeared, paired with their matchups for the second round: Aamir Singh vs. Arjun Patel Seenu Khokhar vs. Riya Kapoor Raj Shekhawat vs. Meera Gouri "These are the battles you will witness tomorrow!" the host declared, his voice filled with excitement. "The victors of these matches will advance to the final round, where the top three will fight for the ultimate glory. Prepare yourselves, for the greatest warriors of Nalanda University will soon take center stage!" The crowd cheered wildly, the anticipation for tomorrow’s matches filling the air. The names of the remaining competitors flashed before the audience’s eyes, and it was clear that the intensity of the upcoming battles would only increase from here. Tomorrow was going to be a day of monumental significance, and every spectator knew that the stakes were about to rise higher than ever before. Later that evening, Aamir, Raj, Riya, Meera, and Kunal gathered in a quiet courtyard within the university grounds. The stars twinkled above, a beautiful contrast to the intense energy of the day’s battles. The group sat on stone benches, the energy of the day still buzzing among them. Though the day’s events had concluded, the atmosphere remained charged with excitement and anticipation. "Well, that was a day to remember," Raj said, stretching his arms and looking at the sky. "But tomorrow... tomorrow is where the real fights begin." "I don’t know about you, but I’m excited," Kunal said, grinning widely. "We’re finally getting to see the strongest of the strong face off. This is what we’ve all been waiting for." Meera, seated calmly, looked at Raj with a slight smile. "You’re my next opponent. Are you ready?" Her tone was gentle, but there was a spark of challenge in her eyes, a hint of competition that only those close to her would recognize. Raj chuckled nervously, running a hand through his hair. "Ready? Not really," he said with a sheepish grin. "But hey, I’ll give it my best shot." Aamir, leaning back on the bench, frowned slightly. His gaze shifted to Riya, who was staring up at the stars, her face partially illuminated by the soft light of the moon. He watched her for a moment, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Riya," he began hesitantly, his voice carrying a tone of concern, "you’re up against Seenu tomorrow." Riya turned her head, raising an eyebrow. "And?" "You know Seenu is... on a different level," Aamir said, his tone cautious but sincere. "You’re strong—really strong—but he’s... well, he’s Seenu." The group fell silent for a moment. They all knew what Aamir meant. Seenu’s sheer skill and effortless victories were legendary, and it was no secret that he was one of the most formidable fighters in the competition. He had a reputation for defeating opponents in record time, with a calm, almost nonchalant air. His skill was unmatched, and his ability to read his opponents was something that made him stand out from the rest. Riya, however, smiled confidently, unfazed by Aamir’s warning. "Aamir," she said, her voice calm but filled with determination, "if I lose to him, I know you’ll defeat him in the end. But don’t forget—I don’t plan to lose. In fact, I’m not fighting him to stop him from winning. I’m fighting him so I can fight you in the final round." Her words caught everyone by surprise. Aamir blinked, taken aback by her sheer determination and the clarity of her intent. He hadn’t expected her to be so confident, especially after what Seenu had shown in the first round. "So, I will defeat him before you get the chance," Riya finished, her smile unwavering. She was as calm as ever, her gaze meeting Aamir’s with quiet assurance. Raj let out a low whistle. "Well, I guess that settles it. Looks like Riya’s already got her mind set." His tone was teasing, but there was admiration in his voice as well. He respected Riya’s strength and determination. Kunal grinned mischievously, leaning forward with a playful gleam in his eyes. "You two sure care about each other, huh? Maybe we should call this the Battle of Love instead of the Battle of the Top Twelve!" Aamir’s face flushed instantly. "Shut up, Kunal," he muttered, punching Kunal lightly on the head. His cheeks were tinged pink, and he felt a surge of embarrassment, though he tried to hide it. Riya’s cheeks turned a faint shade of pink as well, and she quickly looked away, trying to hide her own embarrassment. Her calm exterior had cracked for a moment, and she hoped no one had noticed. "Hey, I’m just saying what everyone’s thinking!" Kunal teased, rubbing his head where Aamir had hit him. "You guys are cute together. Admit it." Meera smirked from her seat, watching the exchange between Aamir and Riya. "It’s cute," she said casually, making Aamir and Riya both look even more flustered. The playful teasing was undeniable, and the two were clearly uncomfortable with the attention. Raj laughed, shaking his head. "Alright, alright, enough teasing. We’ve got big matches tomorrow. Let’s focus on that, shall we?" His voice had a lighthearted tone, but there was an underlying seriousness. Tomorrow’s battles would be crucial, and each of them felt the weight of what lay ahead. The group nodded in agreement, the laughter slowly fading into a more serious atmosphere. Tomorrow was a new day, and the challenges would only get more difficult. They needed to stay focused, not just on the battles but on each other, as allies and friends. As the group disbanded and went their separate ways, Aamir lingered for a moment, gazing up at the night sky. His thoughts were a whirlwind of anticipation and concern. Tomorrow, he would face Arjun Patel—a skilled fighter who had proven his mettle in the first round. But more than his own match, Aamir found himself thinking about Riya. "She’s strong," he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible. "She’ll be fine." He tried to convince himself, but even as he said it, a part of him couldn’t shake the worry. Seenu Khokhar was no ordinary opponent. He was a force to be reckoned with, and Aamir knew that Riya would need to be at her very best to overcome him. With a deep breath, Aamir pushed the thoughts aside and made his way back to his quarters. Tomorrow would be a new day, and he needed to be ready for whatever came his way. He couldn’t afford to be distracted. The road ahead would be tough, but Aamir had always believed in the power of perseverance and determination. Tomorrow, the real fight began. New novel chapters are published on f(r)eewebn(o)vel.com