Chapter 119: Dominance in the Trials

The Central City Academy's grand arena echoed with the roars of monsters and the shouts of encouragement. Each participant brought out the best in their card monsters, hoping to clinch the coveted top spot in the ranking competition.

Zephyr, in the Trial of Strength, stood confidently, summoning forth his formidable card monster, Tempest Phoenix. The arena darkened for a moment as the majestic creature unfurled its fiery wings. Memories of its duel with Li Yang flashed through Zephyr's mind, reminding him of the growth and progress they had made since then.

Opposing monsters lined up in front of them. Without wasting a moment, Tempest Phoenix unleashed its signature move, "Blaze Tornado". With every beat of its wings, ferocious flames spiraled forward, ensnaring the foes within its fiery grip. Each opponent faced the Phoenix's wrath, toppling over one after another. The fiery twister roared through the corridor, consuming everything in its path, leaving a trail of defeated monsters. As they approached the end, the timer blinked: 3 minutes 44 seconds. Zephyr's name flashed at the top of the leaderboard. A wave of pride washed over him, and he could hear the arena's applause resonating in his ears.

Meanwhile, Feng Xuan stood poised at the entrance of the Trial of Speed. With a determined glance, he invoked Wind Cog, a nimble creature with wings made of glistening blades. The moment the trial began, Wind Cog generated a protective "Wind Barrier" around Feng Xuan. The pair sped through the corridor, dodging the myriad of hazards. From swinging axes threatening to slice them, arrows whizzing past with deadly accuracy, to sudden pits appearing beneath them, the challenges were relentless. But with Wind Cog's agility and its master's guidance, they maneuvered through every obstacle, their coordination seamless. When they emerged at the other end, the timer displayed an impressive 2 minutes 16 seconds, putting Feng Xuan at the top spot for this trial.

Not to be outdone, Lisa approached the Trial of Elements with confidence. With a flourish, she summoned the Millenium Ice Dragon. The atmosphere turned chilly, and a thin layer of frost formed on the arena's floor. As they began, they encountered elemental barriers: walls of fire, stone, water, and wind. But the Ice Dragon was not any elemental beast; it possessed a superior element - Ice. And with Lisa's crystal necklace amplifying its ice powers, each barrier was effortlessly shattered. Flames were quenched, stone walls cracked, torrents of water froze, and gusty winds were stilled. The pair's dominance was evident, and when they crossed the finish line, the clock read 4 minutes 16 seconds, earning Lisa the temporary top rank.

Each of the three friends had showcased their prowess, setting standards and proving their mettle. But the trials were far from over, and many more challenges awaited them.