Chapter 120: The Rise of Maelon

Infinity City had always been perceived as the underdog in previous ranking tournaments. Time and again, they had trailed behind, almost an afterthought in the grand scheme of the competitions. But this time, the tides seemed to be shifting. Three of their students had claimed the top spots in each trial, drawing attention and whispers of amazement from every corner of the arena. The murmurs were evident: "Has Infinity City finally found its champions?"

As the three friends, Zephyr, Feng Xuan, and Lisa, celebrated their current standings, a sudden uproar from the crowd gathered around the Trial of Strength's leaderboard caught their attention. The cheers grew louder, and the whispers turned into exclamations of surprise. Zephyr's name had been displaced to the second position. The name now gleaming in gold at the top was Maelon, a prodigious talent hailing from South Heaven City.

Maelon was not a new name. He had been a rising star, making waves in smaller competitions, but to best Zephyr's score in such a high-profile event was a clear declaration of his prowess. Standing tall, Maelon emanated an aura of confidence, a slight smirk adorning his face as he acknowledged the awed spectators. Clutched within his hands was a gleaming card - the image of the magnificent Crystal Wyrm.

As Maelon entered the Trial of Speed, he was the cynosure of all eyes. Without any delay, he summoned the Crystal Wyrm, a majestic beast with shimmering scales reflecting every hue in the spectrum. The Wyrm, with its vast wings and agile body, dove into the trial. Each flap of its wings propelled them forward with astonishing speed, bypassing the very laws of physics. Where others faced hurdles, Maelon and the Crystal Wyrm found shortcuts, slicing through the challenges with an ease that left the audience gasping. They zipped through the corridors, making the perilous obstacles look childishly simple. When they emerged, the timer froze at an unbelievable 1 minute 52 seconds.

Still reeling from the astonishing performance, the audience barely had time to gather their thoughts before Maelon proceeded to the Trial of Elements. Once more, he invoked the Crystal Wyrm. As the elemental barriers loomed, the Wyrm's scales began to glow, each shimmering scale representing a different element. Facing the fire barrier, the Wyrm exhaled a frosty breath, extinguishing the flames. Against the stone wall, its tail morphed into a mace, pulverizing the rocks. At the water challenge, it emitted a high-pitched roar, parting the waters like an ancient sea deity. Finally, at the wind barrier, the Wyrm's wings generated a counter-gale, nullifying the opposing force. Their synergy was unparalleled. Completing the trial, the clock displayed a staggering 3 minutes 30 seconds.

The arena was filled with mixed emotions. Some were in awe of Maelon's extraordinary performance, while others whispered about Infinity City's short-lived triumph. The one thing that everyone agreed on was that Maelon and his Crystal Wyrm were the duo to watch out for.

Zephyr, Feng Xuan, and Lisa exchanged glances. They recognized that a formidable rival had emerged. The competition had truly begun, and the path to victory was now laden with new challenges.