Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

The arena buzzed with excitement and tension. Adrian\'s victory against the black wyvern had set a high bar, and the audience was eager to see how the remaining contestants would fare.

The announcers\' voices filled the arena once more, their enthusiasm contagious.

"Adrian Lighthaven has done it again! His strategic brilliance and the timely intervention of the wind elemental have secured him the top spot in the 20th wave," the male announcer exclaimed. "Now, let\'s turn our attention to Ceil Skyborn. Her 20th wave is about to arrive!"

Ceil stood ready, her fortress fortified and her troops prepared. She had bought a magical barrier, anticipating the need for extra defense against the powerful Destroyer. As the black wyvern approached, its ominous presence casting a shadow over her fortress, Ceil activated the barrier, a shimmering dome of energy enveloping her defenses.

The crowd watched in anticipation, the announcers providing a running commentary.

"Ceil has activated her magical barrier! This should provide her with the protection she needs to withstand the wyvern\'s initial assault," the female announcer noted. "But will it be enough?"

The black wyvern roared, launching a barrage of dark energy at the barrier. The magical shield held, but cracks began to form under the relentless assault. Ceil directed her archers and mages to focus their fire on the wyvern, using her bonus reward from the 15th wave—a powerful summoning spell.

A radiant light erupted from the center of her fortress, and a powerful being materialized, its wings glowing with wind energy. It was a Thunder Griffin. The Thunder Griffin engaged the wyvern, their clash illuminating the battlefield with bursts of lightning and darkness.

Despite the Thunder Griffin\'s formidable power, the wyvern\'s ferocity proved overwhelming. After a minute of intense combat, the griffin began to falter. The wyvern\'s claws and dark energy tore through the magical barrier and the Thunder Griffin, it was finally on the verge of breaking through Ceil\'s defenses. However, right at that moment, the 1 minute time ended and the wyvern stopped attacking.

The crowd gasped as Ceil\'s fortress managed to escape the wyvern\'s assault. Her name still stayed on the leaderboard.

The arena was alive with tension and excitement as the spectators witnessed Ceil\'s narrow escape. The announcers\' voices echoed through the stands, their commentary adding to the charged atmosphere.

"Ceil Skyborn has managed to survive the 20th wave!" the male announcer exclaimed. "Her quick thinking and the use of the Thunder Griffin bought her the crucial time needed to withstand the wyvern\'s assault."

The female announcer added, "That\'s right! The 1-minute time limit for the 20th wave has worked in her favor. Let\'s see if she can continue to hold her position in the next wave."

The audience\'s focus shifted once more as Emma Highwind prepared to face her own 20th wave. Her fortress was fortified, her troops ready for battle. Emma knew that the black wyvern was a formidable opponent, and she had used all her resources to bolster her defenses.

As the black wyvern approached, Emma activated her magical barriers and unleashed a volley of enchanted arrows and spells. Her bonus reward from the 15th wave—a Peryton - Half Stag, Half Eagle — materialized, its fiery wings spreading wide as it took to the sky.

The Peryton, with its majestic fiery wings and powerful antlers, soared into the sky to meet the wyvern. The clash of the two creatures was spectacular, with the Peryton\'s flames lighting up the battlefield and the wyvern\'s dark energy casting ominous shadows. Emma\'s archers and mages supported the Peryton, launching a relentless assault on the wyvern.

"Emma Highwind\'s Peryton is giving the wyvern a fierce fight!" the male announcer exclaimed. "Her strategy is to weaken the wyvern with continuous attacks while her magical barriers hold strong."

The female announcer added, "Emma\'s Peryton is a formidable opponent, but can it withstand the wyvern\'s relentless power?"

The battle raged on, with the Peryton\'s fiery attacks scorching the wyvern\'s dark scales. However, the wyvern\'s brutal strength began to show as it battered the Peryton with its claws and dark energy blasts. Emma\'s magical barriers cracked under the pressure, but she continued to command her troops with precision, trying to buy enough time.

Despite the Peryton\'s valiant efforts, the wyvern\'s power was overwhelming. The Peryton was finally struck down, its fiery form dissipating into the air. The wyvern roared in triumph and launched a final assault on Emma\'s fortress. Just as it seemed the fortress would fall, the 1-minute time limit for the wave expired, and the wyvern ceased its attack.

Emma\'s fortress, though battered, had survived.

"Emma Highwind has narrowly escaped defeat!" the male announcer declared. "The 1-minute time limit has once again saved a contestant."

The female announcer chimed in, "Emma\'s strategic use of her resources and the Peryton\'s fierce defense were key to her survival. But the next wave will be even more challenging. Can she hold on?"

The crowd erupted in applause, admiring Emma\'s resilience and strategic acumen. The focus then shifted to Rowan, whose 20th wave was imminent. Rowan\'s fortress was heavily fortified, and his troops were ready for battle. Rowan had barely held on through the previous waves, his resources dwindling, but he was determined to make a stand.

The black wyvern descended upon Rowan\'s fortress, its dark energy crackling in the air. Rowan activated his remaining defensive artifacts, creating a massive energy barrier that temporarily held the wyvern at bay. His troops launched a fierce counterattack, arrows and spells flying through the air.

Rowan had saved a powerful artifact for this moment, one that could turn the tide. He activated the artifact, and a massive spectral dragon materialized, its form glowing with an eerie light. The spectral dragon engaged the wyvern, their clash a spectacle of power and fury.

"Rowan has summoned a spectral dragon!" the male announcer shouted. "This is his last hope to withstand the wyvern\'s assault."

The female announcer added, "The battle between the spectral dragon and the black wyvern is incredible! Can Rowan\'s last stand hold out?"

The battle was intense, with the spectral dragon and the wyvern exchanging devastating blows. Rowan\'s troops supported the spectral dragon with all their remaining strength. Despite the dragon\'s formidable power, the wyvern\'s relentless attacks began to wear it down.

The energy barrier protecting Rowan\'s fortress began to falter, and the wyvern\'s attacks grew more ferocious. The spectral dragon fought valiantly but was finally overwhelmed. As the wyvern closed in for the final strike, the 1-minute time limit expired, and the wyvern ceased its assault.

Rowan\'s fortress had barely survived, but it was enough.

"Rowan has held on by the skin of his teeth!" the male announcer exclaimed. "The 1-minute time limit has once again saved a contestant."

The female announcer added, "Rowan\'s use of the spectral dragon was a bold move, but it was just enough to survive. The next wave will be even more challenging for him."

The audience erupted in applause, their admiration for Rowan\'s tenacity clear. As the competition continued, the focus returned to Adrian, who had set the benchmark with his performance.

Adrian faced each subsequent wave with unwavering determination. The 21st and 22nd waves tested his limits, but he held his ground, his strategic mind and the strength of his troops carrying him through. Rowan, despite his earlier defeat, watched the live ranking list with a strange glint in his eyes, a mix of confusion and something more.

By the 22nd wave, Rowan\'s name had disappeared from the list, his fortress unable to withstand the relentless assaults. At the 24th wave, Ella Highwind\'s fortress fell, her defenses finally overwhelmed by the monstrous hordes. Ceil Skyborn held on until the 25th wave, where another Alpha monster led the assault, her resources depleted and her fortress unable to hold.

Now, only Adrian remained.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Adrian Lighthaven is the last contestant standing! He has defied the odds and proven his strategic brilliance time and again. Let\'s see how far he can go!"

Adrian faced each wave with renewed determination. His troops, bolstered by the Phoenix Feather and other rewards, fought valiantly. He managed to hold on through the 26th, 27th, and 28th waves, each one more challenging than the last.

By the 30th wave, Adrian had used nearly all his resources. His fortress was battered, and his troops were weary. He knew the end was near, but he pushed forward, determined to see how far he could go.

The 31st wave arrived, led by a colossal beast, its presence dwarfing even the previous 10th and 20th Destroyers. Adrian\'s troops fought bravely, but their strength was nearly spent. The beast\'s attacks were relentless, and despite his best efforts, Adrian\'s fortress finally fell.

A silence fell over the arena as the dust settled. Adrian had given everything he had, his strategic genius and unwavering determination carrying him farther than anyone else.

The announcers\' voices broke the silence, their tone a mix of awe and respect.

"Adrian Lighthaven has finally been defeated in the 31st wave, but his performance has been nothing short of extraordinary," the male announcer said. "He has proven himself to be a true champion, outlasting all his competitors and setting a new standard for excellence."

The female announcer added, "Let\'s give a round of applause for Adrian Lighthaven, our first-round champion! His strategic brilliance and unwavering determination have inspired us all."

The crowd erupted into cheers, their applause echoing through the arena.

And just like this, the first round of the 7 Start Strategy Games has come to an end.