Absolute Soul
23. Quarterfinals

It had been several days since the Welcoming Tournament officially opened, Haikal's group had made it through to the quarter-finals without any significant difficulties, as well as Verna's group, Edward's, and the other five groups.

So far the Haikal group used the same tactics in group matches, namely Haikal and Heru advanced attacking while Salvia kept the crystal ball with its versatile snow capabilities.

Different from solid ice elements, snow can be easily formed into anything as the user wishes so it is easier to manipulate than solid elements. Salvia could use his snow to attack or defend, so Haikal surrendered the last line of defense to Salvia.

But the quarter-finals do not rely on group cooperation like the preliminary round, this time all matches will be determined by the strength and ability of each individual in a predetermined one-on-one fight between groups.

The first match in the quarter-finals was opened by Verna's group against Gadriel's group, a group of 1-B students.

Judging from the course of the match so far, most likely Verna's group will win a landslide because of Jack and Verna. Currently no one does not know the name Jack Calvin in the entire Skymaze academy thanks to his various strengths and abilities.

Unlike most Blazer candidates who only have one Job based on the type of Soul Arc, Jack is able to use a variety of abilities that should be beyond the reach of his Soul Arc category, namely Support.

Jack's Soul Arc is known as the Forbidden Magic Card, a Soul Arc-shaped playing card that is able to provide four types of common Soul Arc characteristics to its users. By using his Forbidden Magic Card, Jack can increase the certain abilities he has as much as the value of the cards he takes.

As far as the Forbidden Magic Card is known to be able to strengthen Jack's defense and magic power, this can be known from the matches so far that only show outstanding defense and magic attacks.

Although it was said Jack could attack using magic in fact he could only attack using the concentration of pure soul energy that had been solidified to such an extent, but his strength was far beyond the level of first grade High School.

No one has heard of Jack Calvin before, but thanks to this tournament he can be seen by the whole world. Perhaps Calvin's surname will be lifted after the Welcome Tournament is over.

Besides Jack Calvin who was anticipated by many in the quarter-finals, verna Galvoria's name is also a conversation among the audience because the girl nicknamed the Witch Queen is one of the four most famous geniuses in their generation.

So far Verna has only unleashed its power once, when Jack passes several opponent attacks towards the crystal ball, but even though he was only once loaded into the weekly news Blazer in the city of Adele because of his unusual strength.

Verna's job is still not known for sure, but everyone can guess that Verna got one of the most powerful and sought after Jobs among other types of Wizards, namely Elemental Master.

Based on the commonly known news, an Elemental Master was able to control all five major elements of magic, namely fire, wind, water, earth, and lightning. With this monstrous ability it was not impossible for Verna to be able to control a disaster after mastering her power perfectly in the future.

Knowing this, Haikal and Heru's hearts seemed to be broken, Verna had no mercy at all for them. Both of them had fought desperately for many years but Verna could overtake them easily? That's not fair, at least that's what they think.

Haikal and Heru knew that Verna did not come from an ordinary family like them, Verna was born into the family of Galvoria which is one of the 13 most influential noble families in Wulodhasia, it was only natural that Verna possessed an unusual power.

Currently the two groups in question have been on opposite sides of the arena respectively waiting for the name of the group members to be called by the lawyer.

The expressions of Verna, Jack, and Cecil seemed calm in response to the fight between group individuals that was about to start, while the other party seemed anxious and worried. So far the Verna group has indeed been believed to be a superior group, it is difficult to surpass those consisting of a genius and a hidden genius.

"Seeing from their performances so far there was no way the opposing side could win against the Witch Queen group."

"I agree, but we have to observe one more member of them."

Many spectators began to discuss Cecil's ability, which is the only member of Verna's group who has not shown his strength.

"Small, calm yourself, ignore them." Jack patted Cecil on the shoulder trying to calm him down, but the girl still could not stop trembling.

"Y-yeah, I-I'll try!" Cecil accidentally bit his own tongue so nervous.

Different from Jack and Verna who are seen as the genius figure of this generation, Cecil felt himself unworthy of being in this group because he felt his talent was mediocre as a Blazer candidate. Besides, he was also shy.

Before Cecil became even more nervous, Verna took out her one-meter-long stick-shaped Soul Arc with a purple-coloured ball at the end and stomped it firmly on the arena, made most of the arena tremble and silenced many spectators.

"Little, whatever other people say has nothing to do with you." Verna looked at Cecil deeply as if she was intimidating him, but she did not, "Trust in yourself, as you believe in us."

Verna touched the ball at the end of her wand to Cecil's head with a smile, making the bright green-haired girl with the short bob cut as if enlightened.

Verna's words sounded simple, but they seemed to possess Cecil's heart.

Since childhood Cecil was often ridiculed and denigrated because of his mediocre talent in the environment of talented children, which is why he became less confident in himself.

Cecil took a deep breath and exhaled it to calm his little heart that was racing, "Yes. I trust you, Verna, Jack."

Both of his group mates only smiled slightly, although his nervousness did not disappear completely at least Cecil could compete.

A moment later the lawyer raffled the participants who against whose participants in the first match.

In the quarter-finals and so on each group will fight individually divided into five rounds to determine which group is entitled to go to the next round. Participants who compete will be drawn randomly.

In this five-round match all participants will be drawn randomly, then participants who have just finished fighting must immediately fight back when their names are chosen. Elected participants should not be replaced even though they have been on the verge of a limit, unless seriously injured which of course must be treated and prohibited from fighting again.

"Oh, the first quarter-final match was started by Carlos Ogwine against Cecil Vermillion!" The lawyer was greeted with enthusiasm from the audience, while Jack and Verna froze and turned their eyes to Cecil.

"I-I'll try...." Seeing Cecil who came back nervous even more than before made Jack and Verna swallow, praying inwardly that Cecil could win this match or at least not reduce his confidence.