Canterlot Academy Trials

With everyone’s written exams turned in and currently being graded, now it was time for the practical, combat exams to take place. The tournament was set up in a simple structure in which everyone would have up to three training fights in total. Two against their peers, and one against one of the Academy’s staff should they place high enough. Winning alone wasn’t a priority, as everyone was going to be evaluated based on both their performance here and their performance in the written exams.

Everyone gathered at Canterlot’s official sports field that was utilized for various events such as Buckball and of course, these very exams.

The field was a large, open plain surrounded by rows and rows of elevated stadium-like seats that allowed everyone to have a clear view of what was happening down below. It was able to hold a good five-hundred spectators which included the entire student body as well as family members who had come to observe their children and siblings participate.

Once all of the spectators were seated, Princess Twilight Sparkle would descend and elevate her voice through an amplification spell she cast on herself.

“Welcome, everycreature to Canterlot Academy’s Third Annual Paladin Exams,” she began, “All of our students from Universities across Equestria have recently finished their written exams and have turned them in for grading. Now all that’s left is to put your skills to the test against each other in a Roundtable-style training session.”

The crowd began to murmur in excitement. The tension as they awaited who would be on first was too much to bear.

“Remember, winning a match doesn’t guarantee anything,” Twilight reiterated, “This is just a training session to evaluate where our students are in terms of their performance. There’s absolutely no pressure here. With that being said, the rules are simple…”

With a flash of her horn, a platform would rise from the grassy field beneath Twilight’s hooves. A simple, circular, gray cobblestone arena platform that she stood in the middle of. It measured a grand total of 100 meters (or 328 feet) in diameter.

“Each training battle will take place on this platform. A winner is decided by a ring-out, knockout, or by forfeit. The use of familiars are banned, as they’re meant to aid you around your personal quarters. This test is to gauge your own abilities. If there are no questions, then we’ll begin.”

The crowd began to cheer in excitement as Twilight teleported away from the arena and up to a spectator’s booth next to Spike and Flash Sentry.

“...Yikes,” Sentry commented with wide eyes as he observed just how many spectators there were, “The crowd is a lot bigger than I would’ve anticipated. Super glad I’m not down there.”

“I just hope we don’t have an issue where someone tries to sabotage it,” Spike commented as he leaned against the table in front of him. “In all the comic books I’ve read, the training arcs always get interrupted by some weirdo trying to crash it.”

Twilight snorted at the idea. “Come on, Spike. If anything goes wrong, I’m here. No one’s going to pose a threat to my students on my watch,” she huffed confidently as she tilted her head up, then glanced down at the arena. “Alright. I have the schedule. You boys wanna do the honors?”

“I’ll take the first one,” Sentry agreed as he looked at the list. Twilight would then cast the same voice amplifier spell on him so his voice would reach the crowd at large. “Alright, everycreature!” his voice echoed around the stadium and silenced the crowd, “Our first prelim battle is going to consist of two of Canterlot’s own students. First. Weighing in at 250 pounds and standing at a good six feet tall with a wingspan comparable to Qin Long…”

Blue Blazes entered the stadium from one end of the field, and flew up to the combat arena, waving to the crowd as he spread his wings. “Hey!” The surefire grin on his face indicated that he loved the attention.

“Blue Blazes!” Sentry called out, causing the crowd to cheer even more. Especially the fellow students from Dorm Block Epsilon.

“Go, buddy!” Nebula cheered from his seat next to Mei and Grimrose.

“You got this, Blue!” Mei squealed.

“Put them six feet under!” Rose gave a rare yell, raising her voice but still speaking in a dry tone. “...not literally, but still.”

Sentry would then resume announcing by calling out Blue’s opponent.

“And on this end, weighing at a massive 500 pounds and standing at 7 feet tall…nothing can escape his sight…”

The blindfolded minotaur that Nebula sat next to during the written exams would make his appearance by entering the field and climbing onto the arena. The brown bull wore nothing but a pair of tattered leather shorts over his thunderous legs, leaving his muscular abdomen bare. Of course, his most notable feature was a blue blindfold that he wore over his eyes…

“Kuno Itami!” Sentry called out the minotaur’s name, earning more hollers from the crowd.

Blue glanced at his opponent with confusion. “...Wait a sec, can you even see?”

The minotaur smiled a friendly smile and pointed at the blindfold on his face. “I may not be able to see like you…but I can see you’re as blue as sapphires, friend,” he spoke with a voice that was calm, yet hefty, befitting his appearance. “Don’t go easy on me, alright?”

The two approached each other, and gave a friendly hand/clawshake.

“May the better man win, huh?” Blue said with a grin before letting go and taking a few steps back.

“Indeed. Show me what dragons are capable of,” Kuno replied as he rolled his neck and stretched his arms.

Up above, Flash Sentry would announce the start of the first training battle…

“Ready? BEGIN!”