Rise of the Harem King

After training together for two weeks, both Lina and Davi managed to advance to the final phase of the tournament, which would feature 1x1 matches. As 64 students would participate, to win the tournament it would be necessary to defeat 5 opponents.

Unfortunately, due to the draw, if Lina continued in the tournament, she would face Davi in the quarterfinals.

As for the tournament itself, the rules were simple: the use of magical items, special weapons, or other variants was not allowed. Whoever fell out of the arena, gave up, or fainted would lose.

"Good luck," Davi commented to Lina. She would be the first to fight that day.

"Thank you very much," the girl said, saying goodbye to her friend and following the staff to the arena. Meanwhile, Davi went to the stands.

Lina took a deep breath as she entered the arena, her accelerated heart beating like a drum in her chest.

The crowd of people who came to watch the tournament chatted animatedly in the stands. She had always been shy, the kind of girl who preferred to hide behind magic books.

Her brown eyes blinked nervously and her hands trembled slightly, but she had made it this far and would do her best. She wanted to prove that the time Davi spent training her was not a waste.

On the other side of the arena, her opponent appeared: Leon, a robust man with bulging muscles and a fierce look that promised violence.

His main ability was <medium bestification>, along with other fortifications. It was a simple but powerful fighting style. Combined with his powers, his eyes were fierce and his smile was scary.

As soon as the referee announced the start of the battle, Lina took a few steps back, getting as much distance as possible.

"Freeze!" she whispered, her voice low and shaky at first, but filled with determination.

A wave of ice erupted from her fingertips, snaking across the ground like crystal veins.

Leon blinked in surprise and tried to advance, but the cold was already enveloping him, freezing the air around him in a series of rapid, successive attacks.

Ice spikes erupted from the ground, forcing him to dodge, and sharp flakes whipped against his skin like needles.

"Ahhhh!!" he roared in anger, his transformation beginning to take effect. Thick fur sprouted from his skin, his nails elongated into claws, and his body swelled with bestial muscles.

He lunged with impressive force, his claws slicing the air in a savage arc.

Lina swallowed hard. Seeing her opponent approaching made her heart race. If it had happened any sooner, she would have lost control of her powers, reacting recklessly.

But this time, she managed to remain calm, summoning just enough power to form a shield and block the man's first blow. Then she used an <Avalanche> causing a freezing wind, adding the freezing snow, to force her opponent to take steps back.

"Damn it…" Leon groaned in pain.

The cold seeped into his muscles, slowing his movements and causing agony. Another wave of ice hit him, freezing parts of his furry body, making his attacks sluggish and clumsy.

Without giving him a moment to catch his breath, she enveloped him in bone-chilling frost that slowly tore at his body.

"I won't lose!" the beast-man growled, realizing his mistake too late.

His body, now nearly numb from the intense cold, was fighting to protect his vital organs, redirecting blood away from his muscles. If he kept pushing his attack, his organs would likely fail, and he'd die helplessly.

It was a truly terrifying way to keep opponents at bay.

Leon tried to retreat to recover. He circled around the woman, searching for an opening to strike with everything he had. He was certain that if he could just get close, he'd win the fight.

"Argh!" he roared, making one last desperate charge, but Lina reacted swiftly. The ice overwhelmed him further, his limbs stiffening like statues.

Lina, her voice still timid but firm, murmured, "Give up already." She looked at her opponent with genuine concern in her eyes. "If you keep going, you'll end up dead."

His only chance had been at the start, when he could have used his beastly speed to close the distance. But Lina hadn't given him that opening; she'd controlled him from the first moment, a living testament to her growth.

Leon clenched his fists, let out a furious bellow, and tried to summon more power, but his transformation was already faltering.

Before he could do anything, he was pierced by an ice spike that Lina conjured behind him.

"Fuck!" he shouted, spitting blood.

He tried to move around the arena, but no matter where he went, the woman's relentless attacks hounded him, wearing him down bit by bit.

He was fast, but his speed was nothing compared to Davi's. Nor was he particularly strong. Most crucially, his lack of any long-range attack skills made him an easy target for her.

Lina, now completely focused on the fight, tracked his rapid movements with her eyes. Without giving him a chance to breathe, she pierced his thighs and abdomen again.

"I give up," he finally muttered, collapsing to his knees, his body trembling from the cold. At least he wasn't foolish enough to risk permanent damage.

Leon could only sigh in frustration, having had no chance of winning this battle.

Lina, breathing heavily, left the arena quickly, she didn't like being the center of attention.

She immediately went to find Davi.

"Congratulations, you were amazing," he said, making her blush deeply.

"Thanks…" she replied shyly. "When's your fight?" she asked quickly, eager to change the subject. Compliments made her far too embarrassed.

"Mine's the fifth match. I'm up against one of our veteran Rank A fighters, a guy named Ordgar. I have no idea what his abilities are. I don't know anyone close to him…" Davi admitted with a sigh.

ഠഠഠ

The academy's inner courtyard was nearly empty in the late afternoon, save for an imposing figure with crossed arms in the shadow of a stone column. Professor Valric, known for his cold gaze and sharp words, awaited his student.

Ordgar approached, still with his usual proud posture, but his gaze alert.

"Do you need me, professor?"

"Ordgar," Valric said, his tone low and firm. "Have you prepared properly for today's fight?"

"Yes..." the young man replied, keeping his voice neutral. "I will do everything I can to win."

The professor leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing. "I'm not just talking about trying to win. Win!"

Ordgar arched his eyebrow in surprise. Valric gave a cold, almost imperceptible smile. "He's Amelia's ward... so you must defeat him. If you can't, I'll never call you my apprentice again, understand?"

Ordgar remained silent for a few seconds, but his fists clenched. Then his eyes widened as he saw his master and teacher extending his hand and handing him an amulet.

"But this is..."

"Use it carefully so they don't notice you."

"Ok," he said with a hesitant tone.