The Golem Mage Chapter 1080: The Re-Match.

While the Dean busied himself briefing the students on the nuances of the new combat format, a judge stood within the arena, detailing the updated regulations and the structure of the upcoming matches to the spectators.

_ _

After a short interval, the judge concluded the preliminary introductions. It was time to invite the competing squads into the fray.

"For today's bouts," the judge proclaimed, "the Bloodline Academy will clash with the War God Mage Academy. Subsequently, the second match features the Ember Citadel team against the School of Silent Night."

From the depths of their assigned tunnels, the teams clearly heard the judge’s voice reverberating throughout the arena.

Though they were already well-acquainted with their opposition, hearing it broadcasted solidified the situation, adding a layer of gravity to the event.

For the mages of Ember Citadel, even hearing the mention of the School of Silent Night induced a cold shiver. Although it remained undiscussed, every competing team shared a quiet consensus: they were desperate to avoid a direct confrontation with them.

Beyond the inherent difficulty of engaging an opponent capable of manifesting five separate bodies, nobody had formulated a viable strategy to neutralize Takeda, who had not yet even demonstrated his true potential.

Whispers circulated that Takeda’s core vessels would remain unaffected by the new regulations, as the restrictions specifically targeted summoned entities or external clones rather than his primary essence.

Babatunde, observing from the Ember Citadel area, permitted himself a faint, cynical smirk.

To his mind, the entire situation bordered on the absurd.

The judges had implemented rules ostensibly intended to curb specific abilities, yet these constraints barely hampered the School of Silent Night at all. In essence, they offered superficial limitations that merely provided the illusion of a level playing field.

The more he contemplated it, the more it resembled a subtle orchestration by the judges—as if they were quietly steering Takeda toward an inevitable triumph.

_ _

"Let us welcome the opening team to the arena, arriving from the right: the mages of Bloodline Academy," the judge declared, initiating the parade of combatants.

Dragov Dragonmir paced at the front, followed by Damien, Carmilla, Lupus Connor, and finally Kira Nightfang, spaced at short, deliberate intervals.

Their arrangement seemed to mirror their internal team hierarchy.

True to form, their attire was both striking and sophisticated. While the uniform base remained consistent for all, the edges featured unique accents, tailored specifically to match each mage's persona.

The deep crimson-black fabric of the garments projected a formidable aura.

Dragov’s military-style coat featured cyan trimmings, whereas Damien’s were rendered in a searing blood-red that echoed his vampiric origin. Carmilla displayed a darker variation of that same red, more nuanced than Damien’s brilliant hue.

Lupus sported silver highlights reminiscent of moonlight, while Kira’s edges were a stark, ink-like black, rendering them almost invisible against the base material.

As the Bloodline Academy squad surfaced, high-born mages from the Northern Kingdom erupted into thunderous applause.

Conversely, the fanatical supporters of the War God Mage Academy remained seated, casting indifferent glances as if the Bloodline Academy posed no threat whatsoever.

With Alec’s return, they felt their victory was ordained; they were steadfast in the belief that since Alec had bested Dragov once before, he would repeat the feat with even greater ease.

Witnessing the Northern crowd—previously unified—now fractured as two of their own academies prepared for battle, many neutral spectators from distant kingdoms watched with amusement.

Earlier in the tournament, the Northern schools had been subjected to relentless scorn, with many claiming they lacked substance. Now, two of their own stood in the semi-finals.

Nobody had truly anticipated such an outcome.

Initially, only the Bloodline Academy earned respect, having established their reputation as the official champions of the North.

In truth, the remaining teams were all regional victors: the School of Silent Night represented the East, Ember Citadel stood for the South, the War God Mage Academy were the legitimate champions of the North, and the Bloodline Academy served as the personal proteges of the Northern King.

These nuances regarding the Bloodline Academy were known only to the Northern mages, who guarded the secret of their king’s favoritism to avoid being targets of ridicule by foreigners in taverns and alehouses.

"Now, welcome their adversaries, the War God Mage Team!" the referee shouted, gesturing toward the opposite tunnel. Within the shadows on the left, Alec began reciting names.

"Lucas, Brandon, Endrick, and Pale. You will join me in this engagement."

Without pausing for an answer, Alec strode forward into the light.

Lucas and Brandon accepted their roles with silent confidence, while Endrick appeared slightly taken aback, and Pale looked genuinely stunned by his selection.

Regardless, they followed quickly in his wake.

Brandon and Lucas led the trailing group, followed by Endrick and Pale.

The crowd observed Alec stepping into the center, trailed by Brandon and Lucas, while Endrick and Pale lagged slightly behind.

Attention shifted toward the customized uniforms of the War God Mage Academy, drawing loud cheers from their loyal fanbase.

The base was black, accented by crimson linings. Alec’s kimono-inspired style featured the academy’s sigil and intricate details that balanced elegance with menace.

Lucas and Brandon wore standard combat tops and trousers, though Brandon’s design featured distinctive buttoned cuffs.

Lucas’s sleeves were adorned with newly etched, shimmering runes, revealing that the academy had invested heavily in Tier-5 fabric enchantments.

Endrick and Pale stood out yet again.

Pale’s attire was dense with runic inscriptions, cut in the fashion of a military officer’s uniform without the white cap, paired with rugged combat pants.

Endrick’s appearance seemed modest initially, until one noticed the plant-based runes woven into the material. The embroidery, a subtle blend of brown and gold, crept across the fabric like living vines.