Chapter 30: 0̸̡̛̫̣͈̼͕̳̞̊̋̒̒̑̏̉̑̀̿̕ͅͅ3̴͔̣̟͊̆͆̽̾͊͐̉̿̅̓͠͝͝0̵̨̛̤͔̺̺̠͈̤̱͂͐́̏̉͊̓́̈́͘̚͘
Everyone watched in silence as the Veronique proceeded to the centre of the arena at a speed and time abnormal of the typical course of action of those who participated in the event. The other participants had felt mocked after the youngest competitor in the history of the Proelium had walked so leisurely into the area of chaos as if there were no threats to her.
The rest of them broke free from their state of shock and hurried to the centre in a flurry of urgency. Some used their magic to transport them while others simply ran using their physical capabilities.
From within the chaos, Corlissa could be easily singled out, she was the only one who was as undisturbed as a water surface free of ripples. Everyone around her acted as a background for Corlissa to shine, rather her presence was easily seen from anywhere in the stands, her composed disposition was a stark contrast to the mayhem transpiring around her.
She calmly proceeded to the centre of the stadium, sidestepping the onslaught of attacks that she happened to walk into the range of. She gracefully leapt up using her air magic to each platform until she reached the top where 3 people charged at the crystal orb from the sky.
This challenge was specifically altered a bit to make it harder for Corlissa to pass it, it was specified that the only amount of mana that could fill an orb was the combined total of 5 people which for Corlissa who was only one person should prove to be disadvantageous.
However, the adjudicators had left a vital error, they forgot to take into account the mana that the young Veronique had within her. By some unknown factor, she had an otherworldly amount of mana and no one knew how she got it.
A sharp ring resounded in everyone’s ears, this was the sign that someone had passed the qualification challenge and had successfully secured a spot in the proceeding final challenge.
Corlissa’s name appeared on the orb despite her not touching the ball, she was standing away from the conflict yet she had managed to fill the crystal with enough mana.
Magic affinities are the manifestation of mana, one who has an affinity with water magic will find it easier to manipulate their mana into water. The manifestation of mana into a tangible substance requires more mana than the energy output, however, it is easier to control. Simply discharging mana requires less energy but is much harder to control, it will run haywire and bounce to wherever it wishes. It is similar to an airgun compared to human breathing.
Controlling mana itself requires the ability to not falter even in life-threatening situations and to be in complete control of everything that can be in one’s control even in situations where there is no way out or solution. Some people let their emotions run out of hand even when they’re telling themselves to calm down, it is an unconscious action made from instinct, that when in dire situations panic ensues. That is human nature.
Human nature is why humans find it so difficult to control their mana, they let their emotions run wild leaving their mana to have no motive, thus no aim. Corlissa was one who had suffered from letting her emotions control the actions that caused her to succumb to a longer slumber than usual whenever she had to face her fate.
While everyone else was absorbed in their conflict with each other, Corlissa had created a string of mana connecting to the crystal orb. By sending out waves of mana through the maintained string, no one was able to notice nor sense the minute amount of mana used to make a small tube.
In a split second, she had released a tremendous amount of pure mana coursing through the small string she had made prior.
That amount was enough to completely fill the crystal orb and allowed her to proceed to the next stage.
The three other groups that had gained a place in the final rounds were the other team from Amiere Academy, a team from Inervia and a team from Foiren.
Those that had qualified for the individual battles were gradually cut down to the top 8 through the preliminaries which some spectators used as a time to get snacks. Corlissa, with the experience of several lifetimes, easily proceeded to the top of the leaderboard.
Corlissa had continued to blaze through every battle until she stood at the final.
Unfortunately, she had been placed in a battle with another student of Amiere Academy. Yet they had agreed to no mercy so they were utterly obliterated.
That was a rather harsh way to put it but there was no other phrase as suitable to such an outcome. The battle was scored depending on points. Each hit to any of the sensors on the arms or legs would be one point. Any hit to the stomach would be two points.
And any registered hit to the sensor on the head would be four points. The first person to reach 20 points would win.
Corlissa’s record of an indisputable win of 20-0 remained the result for each of her battles. Leading her to be the victor of the annual Proelium. This was the largest event aside from the balls for royalty that occurred every year, everyone was watching.
Despite it being held on a day where classes should resume, every student in Amiere Academy had their classes cancelled to watch the event. Corlissa stood at the top of the podium with a rather bored exterior but her win was unanimous. No one could come close to the strength that the young Veronique wielded.
She had undoubtedly made every headline in the newspaper and was the topic of all the gossip. Who wouldn’t want to talk about the youngest competitor in the history of the Proelium who managed to gain first place?
Yet Corlissa had found this the prologue, the introduction for her to make her main appearance and to make her boldest move that will shake their world. Only she knows whether it is for revenge against the world or for herself.
No one, even beyond the world they know, knows of her intentions. Some may have an inkling of her motive but none know of the full reason behind her actions and will probably never find out.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone