Re-Awakened :I Ascend as an SSS-Ranked Dragon Summoner

The competitors' preparation area buzzed with nervous energy. Noah sat cross-legged on a bench, eyes closed, steadying his breathing as he focused his Chi. Around him, other year one students from Academy Twelve went through their own pre-combat rituals—stretChing, meditating, or reviewing strategy with their teammates.

A commotion from the adjacent preparation zone broke Noah's concentration. He opened his eyes to see two students from Academy Five and Academy Seven locked in a heated argument, their faces inches apart.

"Your teammate cheated!" the Academy Five student shouted, jabbing a finger against the other's chest. "There's no way he extracted that core cleanly—the judges were paid off!"

The Academy Seven student shoved back. "Say that again, and I'll show you what a real Chi strike feels like!"

Before the situation could escalate further, security personnel intervened, separating the students and issuing stern warnings. The tension in the room, however, remained palpable.

'Everyone's on edge,' Noah thought, watChing the students retreat to opposite sides of the preparation area. 'This tournament means more than just school pride.'

"Eclipse."

Noah turned to find Raven leaning against the wall behind him, arms crossed. Danika Yurei stood beside him, her expression placid but focused.

"Our team is being called for final instructions," Raven continued. "Commander Elara is about to explain the match format."

Noah nodded, rising to his feet. Together, the three representatives of Master Anng's martial arts class made their way toward the briefing area, where teams from all twelve academies were gathering.

They found an open space near the back of the crowd, standing shoulder to shoulder as Commander Elara Voss took her position on a raised platform at the front.

"Attention, year one Chi combat competitors," her voice cut through the murmuring crowd. "The preliminary matches will begin in fifteen minutes. Before we proceed, I will explain the format and rules."

The room fell silent as screens around them illuminated, displaying diagrams of the combat arena.

"Today's matches will be conducted as team elimination contests," Commander Voss continued. "Each academy will field a team of three representatives. The matches will take place in six rings simultaneously, with two academies competing in each ring."

The diagram on the screen updated to show six circular platforms spread across the main arena floor.

"The format is simple but demanding," she explained. "One competitor from each team will enter the ring to begin. The remaining two teammates will wait behind the boundary line." She indicated a glowing line at one edge of each ring. "Once a competitor crosses this line to enter the ring, they cannot step back across it. Any retreat across the boundary results in immediate disqualification."

Danika shifted slightly beside Noah. "Forward only," she murmured. "No room for hesitation."

"Competitors may tag out with their teammates at any point by returning to the boundary line and making physical contact," Commander Voss continued. "The incoming teammate must then enter the ring within five seconds."

The commander's gaze swept across the gathered students, her expression stern. "Victory is aChieved when all three opponents from the other team have been eliminated. Elimination occurs when a competitor is forced out of the ring boundary, rendered unable to continue, or disqualified for rule violations."

Noah glanced at his teammates. Raven stood with his usual casual confidence, while Danika's focus was absolute, her eyes never leaving the commander.

"Chi techniques are permitted and encouraged," Commander Voss added. "However, techniques that could cause permanent injury or death are strictly prohibited. Our medical staff will monitor all matches and have the authority to intervene if necessary."

She paused, letting her words sink in. "Remember—this is a test of skill, strategy, and spirit, not a battle to the death. Fight with honor, fight with purpose, but fight with control."

Noah closed his eyes briefly, centering himself. Control. That would be his greatest challenge today.

"The matchups will be determined by random selection," Commander Voss announced, gesturing to a large holographic display that had appeared behind her. "When I give the signal, the system will pair the academies for the preliminary round."

The tension in the room was almost tangible as the commander raised her hand. With a decisive gesture, she activated the selection system.

On the display, the emblems of all twelve academies appeared, spinning rapidly before beginning to pair off. Noah watched as Academy Twelve's emblem spun, finally locking in place beside the crimson shield of Academy Three.

"Academy Twelve versus Academy Three in Ring Four," an automated voice announced.

Raven smirked. "Academy Three. Known for power over precision. At least that's what the year three in our school told me,"

"They rely heavily on overwhelming force," Danika added quietly. "Especially their lead fighter, Kai Vostok."

Noah nodded, mentally cataloging what he knew about Academy Three's fighting style. 'Aggressive, powerful, but potentially predictable. We can use that.'

"Teams, proceed to your designated rings," Commander Voss instructed. "The preliminary round will commence in ten minutes."

As they made their way through the corridors toward the main arena, Noah could feel the anticipation building. Around them, other teams marched with similar purpose, some exchanging taunts or measuring glances, others maintaining focused silence.

"Strategy?" Danika asked as they approached the arena entrance.

"I'll go first," Raven offered immediately. "Test their lead fighter, wear them down a bit."

Noah shook his head. "No. Danika should go first."

Both his teammates looked at him with surprise.

"They'll expect power versus power," Noah explained. "They'll send in Vostok expecting us to counter with our strongest. Danika's precision style will throw him off balance."

Danika considered this for a moment, then nodded. "I can disrupt his rhythm, make him waste energy."

"I'll go second," Raven said. "Once Vostok is frustrated, he'll be more likely to make mistakes."

"And I'll clean up," Noah concluded. "Whatever's left."

The plan set, they stepped into the main arena. The space had been transformed since the morning competitions. Six elevated circular platforms dominated the floor, each surrounded by defensive barriers to protect the spectators from stray Chi techniques. Around each ring, the stands were filled with cheering students, faculty, and VIPs.

Ring Four awaited them near the center of the arena. As they approached, Noah spotted their opponents already in position—three students in Academy Three's distinctive gray and red uniforms. At their center stood Kai Vostok, a broad-shouldered student whose reputation for raw power preceded him.

"Academy Twelve and Academy Three, take your positions," an official instructed as they reached the ring.

Noah, Raven, and Danika moved to one side of the platform, while their opponents took the opposite position. The boundary line glowed blue at their feet, marking the point of no return once the match began.

"Competitors, you may decide your starting order," the official continued. "The first fighter should step forward to the boundary line."

As planned, Danika stepped up to their boundary, facing Kai Vostok who had taken position for Academy Three. Noah and Raven remained a few steps behind her, ready to tag in when needed.

Above them, the main screen displayed their names and academy emblems. Around the arena, similar scenes played out at the other five rings, each team preparing for their own battles.

"Your attention, please," Commander Voss's voice echoed through the arena. "The preliminary round of the year one Chi combat competition will now begin. Competitors, prepare yourselves."

Noah watched as Danika rolled her shoulders, the subtle glow of Chi energy beginning to emanate from her form—a soft, controlled aura that spoke of precision rather than raw power. Across the ring, Vostok's Chi manifested more dramatically, red energy crackling around his massive frame like barely contained lightning.

A hush fell over the crowd as a countdown appeared on the screens.

"Three... Two... One... Begin!"

The buzzer sounded, and Danika crossed the boundary line with deliberate calm, entering the ring with measured steps. Vostok, in contrast, charged forward with a roar, his Chi flaring around him in violent waves.

"Typical Academy Three," Raven muttered. "All force, no finesse."

Noah watched intently as the fighters closed the distance. Vostok threw a powerful straight punch, his Chi concentrating at his fist to form a battering ram of energy. Instead of attempting to block the overwhelming force, Danika sidestepped with precision, allowing the attack to pass her by inches.

Before Vostok could recover from his momentum, Danika struck—a quick, surgical jab to his exposed ribs, her Chi focused to a needle-sharp point rather than a blunt instrument. The precision strike caused Vostok to wince, his rhythm disrupted.

'Just as planned,' Noah thought. 'Make him waste energy, frustrate him.'

The crowd roared as the fighters exchanged blows, Vostok's powerful but increasingly wild attacks contrasting with Danika's economical movements. She was implementing their strategy perfectly, conserving energy while forcing her opponent to expend his Chi in increasingly desperate attempts to land a decisive blow.

But Vostok hadn't earned his reputation for nothing. After several failed attempts to overpower Danika, he suddenly changed tactics. Planting his feet firmly, he channeled his Chi inward rather than outward, his body taking on a metallic sheen as he activated his specialty—Iron Body technique.