Trash…

"What!? Elders have to fight too!?"

"Well, yeah, that was the reason we brought you along, this way, we can introduce you to other sects and you can also show your powers" Sect Leader Kalm answered.

"You can earn recognition, resources, and respect!" Sect Leader Kalm continued but of course, Ace didn't react much.

"Pwapwa!"

"This will also be a good opportunity to impress your daughter," Sect Leader Kalm added and Ace's dull eyes brightened.

'Why didn't I think of that!? It's amazing, I will control my strength and won't draw much attention. Seeing how she likes elements and stuff, I am sure my nightingale will be happy and will cheer for me!'

"Sure! I'll participate! Where do I sign up?" Ace questioned.

"Umm… we still have time, the elder's match is after the tournament, it is more like a reference match for the students, who can learn how the experienced elders fight" Sect Leader Kalm answered, hiding his surprise due to Ace's sudden excitement.

*Shooh*

*Boom*

*Boom* *Boom* *Boom*

The crackers burst, signaling the start of the tournament.

A judge appeared, announcing the rules and some other words of motivation. The prize was announced and the first match officially started.

Of course, the match wasn't much of a show for Ace or Maeve, but seeing their daughter so involved in it, they both smiled.

*Clap* *Clap* *Clap*

"Ehehe~" Gracie clapped and giggled as if cheering for the participants.

Her excitement rising as spells were chanted, the more colorful the spell, the more she giggled.

*Clap* *Clap* *Clap*

"Aaakkk~ Ehehe~"

While Gracie looked towards the stage intently, Ace and Maeve lost themselves as they kept looking at their nightingale's smile.

"Oh, it's Sophia!" Elder Ryan exclaimed as he saw the next participant entering the stage.

"Aaaa!!" Gracie exclaimed as she recognized the next participant, she then glanced at her parents and pointed towards the stage.

"Yeah, yeah, it is your friend sister Sophia, should we cheer for her?" Maeve questioned.

*Clap* *Clap* *Clap*

"Aaaa!!" Gracie raised both her hands and exclaimed, imitating the crowd, of course, she didn't forget to clap.

"Precious! Too Precious! I must record this!" Ace mumbled while recording his nightingale's action in a recording stone.

Sophia's lightning element was at the 4th layer, making her one of the toughest participants in the tournament, but unfortunately for her, her first opponent wasn't weak. He was a fire mage and had trained his fire to 4th level.

Her opponent was 1.7 meters tall and had an average-looking face, he wore skin-tight clothes that won't hinder his movements in the fight, of course, the same goes for Sophia, she also changed from her disciple's robes to her black colored, skin-tight battle clothes.

"Commence!" The judge signaled the start of the fight.

"Thunder Strike!" As soon as the battle started, Sophia attacked with a basic thunder spell.

"Fire Ball!" The opponent replied with his own spell.

*Boom*

The fireball and thunder strike collided and the thunder strike prevailed. The thunder strike quickly moved towards the opponent and he rolled to the side, dodging the attack.

The opponent tried looking for Sophia but she already disappeared into the smoke.

"Lightning Sword" Sophia roared and slashed her sword.

The opponent ducked and sighed in relief when he saw a sword covered with lightning passing above his head.

"Hyaaa!" Without giving him any time, Sophia kicked his back. The guy rolled back and stood up, but he saw Sophia dashing towards him, without giving him any time to catch his breath.

Even though their elements were on the same level, Sophia's physical capabilities were completely off the hook.

Not many mages train their body, so fighting a mage capable of close combat was a tough job.

*Slash* *Slash* *Slash*

Sophia kept swinging the sword covered in lightning without giving the guy any rest while he just barely kept dodging the attacks.

"You are pretty strong"

"…" Sophia didn't reply and kept swinging the strike.

"Hmph! Keep it up! You will eventually get tired, and then I will see if you can remain this haughty!" The opponent mocked but Sophia completely ignored his remark.

Eventually, Sophia's speed started decreasing and her opponent smiled.

"What is she doing!? She will lose this way!" Elder Ryan exclaimed.

While Ace and Maeve just smiled as they saw the battle.

"The girl is smarter than I thought" Ace complimented and Maeve nodded.

The opponent quickly jumped back when he found the opportunity, and then he laughed.

"Now that you are tired, let's how will you deal with this!"

"Oh Goddess of flames,

Head my call,

Summon your majestic flames,

So mighty that it burns everything, no matter how small or tall.

Sea Of Fla-"

"Divine Punishment!"

*Thunder*

*Boom*

Before the man could even end his enchantment, a huge bolt of lightning dropped on his head, scorching his entire body.

*Thud*

He fell on his knees, while his face had a surprised expression.

"You... you were preparing it all along…" he muttered before his body lost all the strength and he fell on the ground, unconscious.

"The winner is, Sophia Christine" The judge announced indifferently while the opponent's body was carried out of the stage.

*Clap* *Clap* *Clap*

"Aaakkk!! Ehehe~" Gracie clapped and excitement as this was obviously one of the most colorful fights, plus, she knew that her sister Sophia won.

"She was planning it all along… how smart" Elder Ryan complimented with a sigh and others had the same look.

"Oh? It's Elijah's turn!" Elder Ario, Elijah's master exclaimed while pointing towards the stage.

"Boo~" Gracie muttered as she remembered the rude guy she met not long before.

Elder Ario's expression changed but he didn't say anything.

On the stage, Elijah was standing with a confident expression. He was the best participant from the Inferno Sword Sect and has trained his earth element to the early 5th layer.

His opponent was a rather young looking boy who has trained his water element to the 2nd layer, he is from a weaker sect that doesn't have many chances to get a good position in the tournament.

"Why don't you just give up? You will just be wasting yours and my energy, it is not like you stand a chance against me" Elijah mocked and his opponent visibly trembled.

"I… I would like to f-fight…?"

"Huh? You would like to fight? You think you stand a chance?"

"N-no… I mean… I won't know until I try…"

"Oh? Okay then, as a senior and more experienced mage, I will let you have the first strike" Elijah smiled.

"T-thank you…"

"Oh angel of water,

Head my call,

Wash away all my fears,

Bri-"

"Earth Spike!" Before the timid boy could finish his enchantment, Elijah formed an earth spike which rushed towards the boy, forcing him to end his enchant and dodge.

"Hahaha! Did you actually believe that I would let you complete your spell? Naïve!" Elijah laughed.

"Earth Spike!"

As soon as the boy stood up, Elijah shot another spike, forcing him to roll and dodge.

"Earth Spike!"

And again, then again and Elijah repeatedly fired earth spike and the boy was forced to dodge them all as he rolled on the stage.

"Hahaha! Run! Run! You little pest!"

It was clear that Elijah had a huge advantage and he was just toying with his opponent, before long, the boy's movements slowed down but Elijah didn't stop.

Earth spike was a basic spell, so it doesn't consume much Qi, Elijah can continue this for 2-3 hours.

"Ahhh!" after few more minutes, the boy was unable to dodge the spike and it grazed his shoulder.

"Alright, Stop it, the winner is Elijah Lindn" The judge announced.

"I can still fight!" The boy cried.

"So what? It won't change the result. You lost, get stronger and return next year" The judge answered indifferently and the boy lowered his head and bit his lips.

"Yeah, just leave, don't waste my energy, I would rather fight a strong opponent" Elijah mocked.

"I will have my revenge…" The boy mumbled.

"What did you say?"

"I will have my revenge, I will beat you even if it the last thing I do!" The boy roared glared at Elijah.

"…Pwahahahaha! That was funny, you will beat me? Keep dreaming kid!" Elijah laughed it off but the boy didn't lower his gaze. He glared at him for a little more time before he turned back and left the stage.

"What do you think, Sect Leader? Was his performance satisfactory?" Elder Ario questioned with a smile.

"Hmm? The opponent was quite weak to judge. What do you think, Elder Ace?" Sect Leader Kalm questioned.

"Trash…" Ace muttered while he was busy playing with Gracie.

"Huh? What did you say!?" Elder Ario questioned.

"Hmm? I am sorry, I was talking about something else.

About him? He was great. He performed well, he was very good out there. Brave, strong, capable, good leadership skills, good instincts, and his ability to sense danger, it was amazing, I am quite shocked that someone so young can be so capable. You did a great job training him, Elder Ario" Ace answered indifferently, not planning to stop his games with Gracie.