Danial walked back toward the seating area, his victory still fresh in his mind, but he didn’t have the luxury of savoring it. As he approached, he spotted Leo and Diego waiting for him, smirks plastered across their faces. Their postures oozed confidence, and it was clear they had been waiting to confront him.“Danial,” Leo started, his voice dripping with mockery, “That match of yours… Was that supposed to impress anyone? It was barely a challenge.”Diego chimed in, his grin widening. “Seriously. If that’s what you’re bringing to the tournament, you might as well pack up now. That guy was weak, and you got lucky.”Danial crossed his arms, his gaze steady. “Weak or not, I won. That’s more than you can say for yourselves at the moment.”Leo raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. “Oh? Bold words for someone whose ‘teammates’ are nowhere to be seen. Where’s Pavan? And Kuro? Couldn’t handle the pressure, huh? Ran off with their tails between their legs?”Diego laughed, shaking his head. “
Zyler walked off the arena floor, his dark cloak trailing behind him as the audience's murmurs grew louder. Before he could disappear completely, a Beginner Stage Master stepped into his path, his face stern with authority.“Zyler,” the Master said, his voice laced with displeasure. “The rules of the tournament state that no killing of any kind is allowed.”Zyler stopped, tilting his head slightly. His response was cold and dismissive. “I left him alive. Where did I kill him?”The Master’s glare intensified, his patience wearing thin. “Zyler, stay within your limits. Do not test our patience.”Zyler turned his head slightly to meet the Master’s eyes, his indifference replaced with an edge of mockery. “And what if I don’t?”The Master, clearly angered, raised his hand to strike. But as he locked eyes with Zyler, his movements faltered. His arm froze mid-air, trembling as if an invisible weight had shackled it. His pupils dilated, and a sheen of cold sweat formed on his brow. For a brie
Danial was stunned. He repeated what Crystal had just said, disbelief evident in his voice. “Did you just say that Kuro is the half-brother of Luna Hale from the Hale Family? One of the greatest families of the Capital?”Crystal nodded, her expression unreadable. Danial took several moments to process the information, his thoughts racing like a runaway train.“Kuro is part of the Hale Family from the Capital? Why didn’t he tell us? Did he have reasons for keeping this a secret?” Danial thought, his brows furrowing. His mind was a whirlpool of questions and confusion.Pavan, noticing Danial’s growing expression of concern, decided to interject. “Danial, don’t overthink. Kuro had his reasons, and I’m sure he’ll tell us once he wakes up……… Hopefully.”Both Danial and Crystal turned to Pavan, their glares sharp enough to pierce through steel. Pavan flinched under their combined scrutiny, his hands flailing slightly as he backpedalled. “He will! He will!” Pavan blurted out in panic. “He’ll
Danial sighed as he watched the excitement on Pavan's and Crystal's faces. He couldn’t help but wonder how long their enthusiasm would last. Turning his attention to the arena, his gaze settled on a bald figure clad in monk robes, with a necklace of beads adorning his neck. The monk was locked in combat against an opponent from Emsgate Academy. Something about the monk’s serene yet imposing aura tugged at Danial’s memory, but he couldn’t quite place where he had seen him before.The match progressed with flashes of light and powerful strikes exchanged between the two. Suddenly, the arena blazed with a brilliant burst of energy, and when the light subsided, the fighter from Emsgate lay sprawled on the ground, utterly defeated. The monk calmly approached his downed opponent, bowed with clasped hands, and solemnly intoned, "Amitabha."Danial blinked and glanced at the time. It was already past noon. He wondered how long the matches would continue—these fights seemed endless. Just as he w
The announcer’s voice echoed through the massive arena, amplifying the excitement of the crowd. “The next match is between Pavan from Somerland and Egbert Ray from Xeria!”The crowd erupted into a deafening roar, their enthusiasm palpable. Flags bearing the symbols of both academies waved in the air, and cheers filled every corner of the stadium. Pavan took a deep breath, trying to steel his nerves as the noise washed over him.Danial stepped forward and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. His voice was calm but firm. “It’s alright, Pavan. You’ve got this.”Pavan turned to Danial, his lips forming a faint smile. “Thanks, Danial.” With a quick nod, he turned and made his way toward the arena, his footsteps steady but deliberate.As Pavan’s figure disappeared into the crowd, Crystal, who had been uncharacteristically silent, suddenly broke the quiet. “This is bad,” she said, her tone grave.Danial frowned, sensing the seriousness in her voice. “What do you mean?”Crystal’s eyes na
Egbert vanished from his position, appearing instantly before Pavan like a crimson blur. His sword whistled through the air as he delivered a deceptively simple horizontal slash, its force enough to ripple the atmosphere around them.Pavan barely had time to process what was happening. Instinctively, he raised his sword to defend himself, the blade trembling in his grip.CLANG!The clash reverberated through the arena like a thunderclap. The sheer force of the impact sent Pavan skidding back, his boots carving deep grooves into the arena floor as he was pushed a full ten meters before managing to stop. His arms trembled uncontrollably as he looked down, his face pale.His fingers tightened around his blade, but the sight before him made his stomach drop—his sword, forged from the academy's renowned ore, now bore a jagged chip near the centre. How is this possible? He thought. These swords weren’t ordinary; they were designed to withstand the harshest of battles. And yet, a single stri
Abby rushed into the arena, her heart pounding as she sprinted toward the fallen Pavan. She knelt beside him, her sharp eyes scanning his battered body. Blood dripped from his wounds, staining the ground beneath him. But even in his injured state, Pavan had not lost his spirit."Pavan, you have done well," Abby said softly, her voice filled with both pride and concern.Pavan, barely conscious, managed a small hum in response before his body went completely limp. Abby’s expression darkened as she turned her gaze toward Egbert, who stood proudly in the arena, basking in the cheers of the crowd. His arrogance was evident as he waved at the audience as if he had just achieved a great victory. Abby scoffed, her grip on Pavan tightening as she walked away without sparing Egbert another glance.Egbert simply snorted, unimpressed by her reaction, before continuing to soak in the adoration of the spectators. Meanwhile, among the crowd, Danial frowned heavily. He had seen the entire match unfol
Danial and Crystal lingered in the infirmary for a while longer, chatting with Pavan, who continued to grumble about his forced diet while sneaking glances at the nurses, hoping one of them would take pity on him. When it became clear that none of them were willing to defy Abby’s orders, he slumped back onto the bed with a defeated sigh.“You guys better eat well while you still can,” Pavan muttered dramatically. “I might never taste good food again.”Danial rolled his eyes while Crystal smirked. “You’re acting like you’re being sent to prison,” she said. “It’s just a diet.”Pavan sat up and pointed at her with a solemn expression. “For a man like me, a diet is worse than prison.”Crystal laughed while Danial shook his head. “Just rest, Pavan. You’ll need your strength for the next rounds.”With that, Danial and Crystal left the infirmary, walking side by side through the long corridors. The scent of antiseptics and medicine slowly faded, replaced by the crisp air of the academy halls
Crystal descended into the rocky arena, her icy-blue eyes scanning the terrain. The environment was filled with jagged hills, uneven terrain, and rocky outcroppings—an arena that would test movement and adaptability. Danial leaned against the railing, watching her with a small smile, fully confident in her victory.Just as the match was about to begin, Leonard approached from behind, patting Danial’s shoulder with a smug grin."Danial, did you see my match just now? The tricks I used had him completely baffled—haha!"Danial turned to look at him, blinking. "That was your match?"Leonard’s face fell. The excitement in his eyes flickered. "Yeah… you didn’t see it?"Danial quickly realized his mistake and tried to salvage the situation. "Leonard, I didn’t know your match was happening. I’m sorry."Leonard forced a smile, waving it off. "Alright, no worries." He turned and walked away, but as he did, the forced smile gradually faded.Danial sighed, feeling a little guilty, but his attenti
As the tournament progressed, the excitement in the air reached its peak. The crowd roared in anticipation as each match brought forth new surprises, showcasing the sheer talent and determination of the academy's young warriors. Danial sat with Crystal, both observing the ongoing battles with quiet interest.Crystal turned to him and asked, "You already won two matches. This guarantees your spot in the Final Stage tomorrow. Who do you think your final opponent will be?"Danial shrugged, his expression calm. "I don't know," he replied simply.Just as he finished speaking, movement from the side caught his attention. Pavan had returned from the infirmary, his head and shoulders wrapped in fresh bandages. His steps were steady, but the slight wince as he moved revealed that his injuries hadn’t fully healed.Danial immediately got up and walked over to him, his brows furrowed in concern. "Why are you out of the infirmary? Your body needs rest."Pavan groaned, waving his hand dismissively.
Tyler staggered slightly as he stepped down from the arena, his legs trembling, his face pale. The match had been brief—too brief—but the experience had left a lasting impression on him. No, it wasn’t just the match itself; it was the gaze. That chilling, soul-crushing gaze that had locked onto him as if stripping away every ounce of his being. It was unlike anything he had ever faced before.His master approached, his eyes filled with concern as he placed a firm hand on Tyler’s shoulder. “Are you okay?”Tyler did not answer immediately. He walked in silence, each step feeling heavier than the last. His master was about to repeat the question when Tyler finally spoke, his voice hollow.“I want to withdraw from the tournament.”The words were so unexpected that his master was momentarily stunned. Tyler was not one to give up easily. He had trained relentlessly, fought fiercely, and had dreams of proving himself. Yet now, standing before him, was not the same student who had entered thi
As Kyle Drakon stepped into the light, an almost ethereal presence seemed to radiate from him. For someone so young, he was nothing short of stunning—majestic in a way that defied mere good looks. His face, strikingly symmetrical with high cheekbones and a sharp jawline, carried an air of effortless majesty. His nose was straight and refined, giving him a noble appearance, while his lips, neither too thin nor too full, were naturally set in a calm, unreadable expression. His skin was smooth, almost flawless, as if sculpted by the finest artisan, carrying a faint glow under the arena’s illumination.His jet-black hair, slightly messy yet undeniably stylish, fell in layered waves around his forehead and temples, enhancing the intensity of his features. Each step he took exuded confidence, his strides measured, unhurried—he moved like a sovereign who did not need to prove himself, yet commanded attention wherever he went.But it was his eyes that truly held everyone captive.A deep crims
The air inside the arena buzzed with excitement as the next match was announced. The announcer’s voice boomed across the coliseum.“Next match! Crystal Kirk of Somerland versus Zaria Dvornik of Krolea! The battle conditions—desert environment, no elemental abilities allowed!”Danial's expression hardened. He understood the gravity of this situation. Crystal’s greatest strength lay in her ice element, and now, she was being forced to fight in the most unfavourable terrain possible. A desert battlefield? There was no moisture in the air, no chance of manipulating frost, and worst of all—sweltering heat sapping her stamina.As Crystal stepped forward, she caught Danial’s expression and smirked. “Worried about me?”Danial folded his arms. “Just assessing the conditions. This isn’t exactly in your favour.”Crystal chuckled. “It never is.” With that, she strode toward the arena entrance, her icy confidence unwavering.Danial exhaled sharply, watching as she disappeared into the tunnel leadi
Danial and Crystal lingered in the infirmary for a while longer, chatting with Pavan, who continued to grumble about his forced diet while sneaking glances at the nurses, hoping one of them would take pity on him. When it became clear that none of them were willing to defy Abby’s orders, he slumped back onto the bed with a defeated sigh.“You guys better eat well while you still can,” Pavan muttered dramatically. “I might never taste good food again.”Danial rolled his eyes while Crystal smirked. “You’re acting like you’re being sent to prison,” she said. “It’s just a diet.”Pavan sat up and pointed at her with a solemn expression. “For a man like me, a diet is worse than prison.”Crystal laughed while Danial shook his head. “Just rest, Pavan. You’ll need your strength for the next rounds.”With that, Danial and Crystal left the infirmary, walking side by side through the long corridors. The scent of antiseptics and medicine slowly faded, replaced by the crisp air of the academy halls
Abby rushed into the arena, her heart pounding as she sprinted toward the fallen Pavan. She knelt beside him, her sharp eyes scanning his battered body. Blood dripped from his wounds, staining the ground beneath him. But even in his injured state, Pavan had not lost his spirit."Pavan, you have done well," Abby said softly, her voice filled with both pride and concern.Pavan, barely conscious, managed a small hum in response before his body went completely limp. Abby’s expression darkened as she turned her gaze toward Egbert, who stood proudly in the arena, basking in the cheers of the crowd. His arrogance was evident as he waved at the audience as if he had just achieved a great victory. Abby scoffed, her grip on Pavan tightening as she walked away without sparing Egbert another glance.Egbert simply snorted, unimpressed by her reaction, before continuing to soak in the adoration of the spectators. Meanwhile, among the crowd, Danial frowned heavily. He had seen the entire match unfol
Egbert vanished from his position, appearing instantly before Pavan like a crimson blur. His sword whistled through the air as he delivered a deceptively simple horizontal slash, its force enough to ripple the atmosphere around them.Pavan barely had time to process what was happening. Instinctively, he raised his sword to defend himself, the blade trembling in his grip.CLANG!The clash reverberated through the arena like a thunderclap. The sheer force of the impact sent Pavan skidding back, his boots carving deep grooves into the arena floor as he was pushed a full ten meters before managing to stop. His arms trembled uncontrollably as he looked down, his face pale.His fingers tightened around his blade, but the sight before him made his stomach drop—his sword, forged from the academy's renowned ore, now bore a jagged chip near the centre. How is this possible? He thought. These swords weren’t ordinary; they were designed to withstand the harshest of battles. And yet, a single stri
The announcer’s voice echoed through the massive arena, amplifying the excitement of the crowd. “The next match is between Pavan from Somerland and Egbert Ray from Xeria!”The crowd erupted into a deafening roar, their enthusiasm palpable. Flags bearing the symbols of both academies waved in the air, and cheers filled every corner of the stadium. Pavan took a deep breath, trying to steel his nerves as the noise washed over him.Danial stepped forward and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. His voice was calm but firm. “It’s alright, Pavan. You’ve got this.”Pavan turned to Danial, his lips forming a faint smile. “Thanks, Danial.” With a quick nod, he turned and made his way toward the arena, his footsteps steady but deliberate.As Pavan’s figure disappeared into the crowd, Crystal, who had been uncharacteristically silent, suddenly broke the quiet. “This is bad,” she said, her tone grave.Danial frowned, sensing the seriousness in her voice. “What do you mean?”Crystal’s eyes na