The tournament progressed over the next two days, with matches becoming increasingly intense. Jae-min had earned respect after his victory over Tae-ho, but many of his classmates still doubted his ability to go far in the competition. To them, his talent seemed unconventional, suited for support roles rather than direct combat.
Jae-min, however, was determined to prove them wrong.
---
**Match Two: Jae-min vs. Yoo-jin**
Yoo-jin was a mid-tier fighter who relied on her talent, **Gale Blades**, which enhanced her agility and attack speed. As the match began, the arena transformed into a barren desert with shifting sands and occasional gusts of wind.
Yoo-jin wasted no time, darting toward Jae-min with incredible speed. Her twin daggers glinted in the sunlight as she launched a flurry of attacks.
Jae-min barely managed to avoid the first few strikes, using **Dungeon Insight** to anticipate her movements. He created a **Zone** to slow the shifting sands beneath her, causing her to lose her footing.
"What the—?" Yoo-jin stumbled, her momentum disrupted.
Jae-min used the opportunity to manipulate the environment further, raising a small dune between them to block her line of sight.
"You think you can hide?" Yoo-jin shouted, leaping over the barrier.
But Jae-min was already one step ahead. As Yoo-jin landed, he activated another **Zone**, creating a patch of quicksand that trapped her feet.
"Nice trick," she admitted, struggling to free herself. "But it won't stop me!"
Yoo-jin's Star Power flared as she unleashed a burst of wind energy, breaking free from the quicksand. She charged at Jae-min again, but he had already relocated, using the terrain to his advantage.
The match continued with Jae-min forcing Yoo-jin to waste energy as she chased him across the arena. By the time she realized she was running low on Star Power, it was too late.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Jae-min trapped her in a final **Zone**, encasing her in a ring of hardened sand. She struggled to break free but ultimately conceded.
---
The crowd erupted into cheers as the gong signaled Jae-min's victory.
"That's two wins in a row!" Ji-a said excitedly, cheering from the sidelines.
"His strategy is solid," Hyun-woo added. "He's making his opponents fight on his terms."
---
**Match Three: Jae-min vs. Min-jae**
Min-jae, the team's sword specialist, was next. His talent, **Aura Blade**, allowed him to extend his sword's reach and power using condensed energy.
The arena transformed into a rocky canyon with narrow paths and towering cliffs. Jae-min knew Min-jae's strength lay in close combat, so he focused on maintaining distance.
Min-jae charged forward, his sword glowing with blue energy.
"You can't run forever, Jae-min!" he called out, slashing through a boulder that blocked his path.
Jae-min used **Dungeon Insight** to locate weak points in the terrain. He triggered a **Zone** that caused a section of the canyon wall to collapse, forcing Min-jae to retreat temporarily.
"You've gotten better," Min-jae admitted, smirking. "But so have I."
Min-jae leaped onto a cliff, using his enhanced sword to send a shockwave toward Jae-min. The ground beneath Jae-min cracked, and he barely dodged the attack.
"Close one," Jae-min muttered, creating a **Zone** to stabilize the terrain.
The match continued as a battle of attrition. Min-jae's powerful attacks chipped away at Jae-min's defenses, but Jae-min used the environment to wear down Min-jae's stamina.
Finally, Jae-min lured Min-jae into a narrow path and activated a **Zone** to create a landslide, cutting off his escape. Min-jae conceded the match, acknowledging Jae-min's tactical superiority.
---
With three victories under his belt, Jae-min advanced to the semi-finals.
---
**Semi-Finals: Jae-min vs. Ji-a**
The semi-finals drew a large crowd, as Jae-min's unexpected rise had made him the tournament's underdog. His opponent, Ji-a, was one of the favorites to win. Her talent, **Aqua Manipulation**, gave her control over water, allowing her to attack, defend, and heal.
The arena transformed into a lakeside battlefield, with shallow water covering most of the terrain.
"This should be interesting," Ji-a said, smiling as she summoned a whip of water. "Let's see how you handle this."
Jae-min activated **Dungeon Insight**, quickly realizing that the water gave Ji-a a massive advantage. He would need to neutralize her control of the terrain to stand a chance.
As Ji-a launched a wave of water at him, Jae-min used **Create Zones** to freeze the surface of the lake. The ice disrupted Ji-a's attack and forced her to change tactics.
"Not bad," Ji-a said, reforming her whip. "But you'll need more than that."
She created a series of water jets to propel herself across the battlefield, attacking Jae-min from multiple angles. Jae-min countered by creating slippery patches of ice, causing Ji-a to lose balance.
The match became a game of cat and mouse, with Ji-a's relentless attacks pushing Jae-min to his limits. However, Jae-min's strategic use of **Zones** allowed him to stay one step ahead.
In the end, Ji-a's Star Power began to wane, while Jae-min conserved his energy by relying on the environment. He trapped her in a ring of ice, forcing her to concede.
---
The crowd erupted in applause as Jae-min was declared the winner.
"You've come a long way," Ji-a said, smiling as she shook his hand. "Good luck in the finals."
"Thanks," Jae-min replied, his confidence growing.
---
As Jae-min prepared for the final match, the system chimed in his mind.
**"Mission complete. Star Power increased by 15. Current total: 58. Unlocking new ability: Zone Shift."**
A screen appeared, displaying the details of the new ability:
- **Zone Shift**: Temporarily relocate an active Zone, allowing for dynamic control of the battlefield.
Jae-min grinned. He was ready for whatever came next.
**To be continued...**
