"Nice battle Rex, you were so badass with your victory!"

Cassandra rarely made such direct and overblown compliments to her friends, most especially Rex, but this time, once he returned, she did not hold back as she showered him with compliments.

This time, he really deserved it.

In the end, Rex was left blushing furiously while trying hard to no avail to hide it from his friend. Cassandra chuckled at his antics.

For the first time in his life, apart from when he bagged his final year as the best student in the sword department, Rex was experiencing the euphoria of victory again apart from his virtual duels with his friends.

On returning to the spectator stands, he felt the change in the way that other spectators and students looked at him.

The looks directed at him now carried respect.

From experience, he knew that this shouldn't get to his head but he still couldn't help but feel a little proud of his achievement. He wanted to enter the limelight, and he successfully fulfilled it.

After sitting down beside Cassandra, he looked at the time.

[4:18 pm.]

"It's only 2 minutes till they are both invited to the arena".

"Yes". Cassandra answered.

If one looked more thoroughly, it could be easily seen that the spectator stands that were only about 30% filled up with spectators were now suddenly filled with more than 50% spectators all for the next battle that was about to start.

This sudden surge in attendance was not coincidental, this was all because after so long, the first real superpower battle was about to be fought.

All the battles of the previous day and today were mostly unknown students getting to fight against each other and one luckily winning, or a tournament favorite trashing his opponent, or a dark horse emerging.

All these battle settings were exciting, but none of them was quite as exciting as that between 2 tournament favorites.

For the first time since the tournament started, 2 tournament favorites were about to go head-to-head in the first phase of the tournament.

What increased the hype of this battle all the more to spectators like Rex was the fact that these 2 were not just tournament favorites, but they were 2 of the only 3 nonprivileged students that were seen as tournament favorites.

The both of them going head-to-head in the first phase was kind of sad, but this almost always happened in every graduation tournament.historical

This was mostly to please the spectators who came to watch the tournament, and the effects on the losing student were not much either.

The graduation tournament was the defining moment of students' mystic careers. Through the tournament, they had the chance of either emerging as a Dragon or fading into obscurity like dust.

Attaining first place in the tournament was important, but the tournament was not completely fixated on achieving first place.

The graduation tournament was organized to present the best battle products of the Obedin Mystic Academy to the rest of the world.

Even if a student lost in his first battle, depending on his/her performance and the caliber of opponent that he faced, he could be scored far more than a student that got to the semifinals through a series of lucky fixtures.

This was why the battle between these 2 tournament favorites was not sad in the slightest but was filled with a lot of excitement and hype.

If the Wind Fairy Morgana's battle was the highlight battle of the first day's battles, this was definitely the highlight battle of the first phase of the graduation tournament.

The already excited commentator did not disappoint the spectators.

"What an hour this is going to be!"

"After watching numerous students going against each other, crushing their opponents with impunity, revealing different mystic abilities, we are finally about to have a real eye feast of a mystic battle".

"The battle that is about to unfold will definitely show us the capabilities of students that are produced by this prestigious Mystic Academy".

"Get your popcorns, get your soft drinks, and tighten your seat belts because we are about to witness the first classic of this graduation tournament".

The commentator smirked. "If you're feeling pressed, relieve yourself now, thank me later".

"Now, give it up as we welcome 2 students that we see as champions already to come to the battle arena to display their abilities before us".

"Give it up as we welcome Roland Cross and Reginald Damien to the arena!"

BOOM!

This time, the spectator stands literally exploded with noise as the spectators cheered at the top of their voices. Spectators could be seen jumping excitedly everywhere, yelling the name of their favorite of the 2 students.

This was the energy of the graduation tournament.

Clang!

A few seconds later, the 2 elevators finally touched down on the battle arena as the 2 stern-faced students finally stepped into the arena.

They both had red hair with fiery brown eyes that seemed to burn like fire.

On the left was Roland Cross, a red-haired surprisingly delicate-faced youth with a ferocious aura that severely contrasted his handsome face.

His opponent who was on the right of the arena, Reginald Damien also had a head full of short red hair. Unlike his opponent, he was even more ferocious which his stony and extremely serious face complimented perfectly.

Both of them were polar opposites in appearance apart from their hair and eye color. Roland Cross looked like a clueless kid who found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, while Reginald looked like an old monster who reincarnated into the body of a youth.

While Roland Cross's temperament screamed a handsome and carefree youth, Reginald Damien's temperament screamed a ferocious old-school vibe filled with extreme seriousness.

Unlike most of the previous opponents who fought, the commentator did not stop as he delved into explaining the peculiarities of both students.

"Both fighters this time are students of the fire ability department".

"Roland Cross nicknamed the Iron Qi Lord does not only have the fire mystic ability but is a student of the special taijutsu department that focuses on the practice of the ancient Iron Shirt and Vibrating Palm martial techniques".

"Reginald Damien, nicknamed the Fire Overlord is the 2nd best student of the fire ability department. Unlike most students, he focuses on only one department, devoting his whole life to the fire ability department".

"Both opponents are tournament favorites, and would definitely be a joy to watch. Keep your eyes peeled to not miss any of the exciting moments".

Gong!

The bell to start the battle finally rang.

Both opponents took a second to observe each other, then the next second, they made their moves.

Roland Cross planted his 2 feet on the arena ground and took a deep breath before pushing his hands outwards while lowering his center of gravity as he entered his battle stance.

As for his opponent, the tyrannical Fire Overlord acted exactly in line with his personality as everyone expected as he started sprinting towards his opponent immediately.

His brown ears started burning with fire the next moment.

"Movement Technique: Leaping Tiger Steps!"

"Fire Skill: Fiery Lungs!"

Reginald breathed out roughly as fire puffed out of his nose, his speed increased exponentially the next moment as he charged towards his opponent.

Boom!