As match after match continued, Danial and Pavan grew restless in the stands. Danial glanced around, frowning slightly. âAt this rate, itâll be ages before they call us up. Letâs take a walk.â Pavan perked up, and they both slipped out of the crowded arena. Outside, a row of vendors had set up stalls, their booths filled with tempting aromas and sizzling sounds. Danial spotted a kebab stall and nudged Pavan. "Kebab?" he asked, already eyeing the skewers of grilled meat. âAbsolutely,â Pavan replied, practically drooling as they approached. They ordered, each taking a skewer loaded with savory, juicy and spice. Pavan took a massive bite, closing his eyes in bliss. âDamn! This is some good stuff!â he exclaimed, savoring every flavor. Danial didnât respond, too engrossed in eating to even look up. By the time Pavan finished his first skewer, Danial had already devoured his and was wiping his hands. Just then, an angry voice interrupted them. âYouâĶ YOU!â The familiar voice came with th
Danial and Pavan returned to the arena just as Tanya from Emsgate ascended the platform. Her opponent, a cocky fighter from Xeria, surveyed her with a sly grin, licking his lips.âSuch a gorgeous woman,â he sneered, his voice dripping with arrogance. âIâll make sure you submit hereâĶ and in bed later! HAHAHA!âThe crowd reacted with mixed outrage and laughter. Tanyaâs face hardened, her eyes narrowing into icy slits. She didnât waste her breath responding. Instead, she darted forward, her sword flashing in the sunlight.Her opponentâs expression shifted from smugness to panic as he barely managed to block her initial strike. The impact reverberated through his arms, forcing him to stumble back. Before he could regroup, Tanya leaped into the air, her boot aimed at his shoulder. Her downward kick landed with a brutal force, sending him tumbling off the edge of the platform.The referee raised his hand without hesitation. âTanya from Emsgate is the winner!âThe crowd roared, but Danial re
Danial activated his Third Eye, and His vision turned a shade of blue, casting a mystical sheen over the world around him. Instantly, his perception sharpened, revealing the intricate patterns of Tristanâs internal energy. It was serene and steady, like a tranquil river under moonlight, flowing with an effortless grace that spoke of discipline and control. Not a single thread of energy was wasted or misplacedâevery movement had a purpose.Danialâs brows furrowed slightly as he analyzed it. âImpressive. Itâs not just calmâitâs deliberate. Heâs achieved mastery over his energy. But this calmnessâĶ itâs hiding something. Raw power, maybe?âTristan noticed the intensity of Danialâs gaze but remained composed. To him, the Flowing Serenity Doctrine, the cornerstone of Krolean martial philosophy, was second nature. The Kroleans believed that the quieter oneâs energy, the more devastating its potential. Like a dam holding back a torrent, their composure masked a force capable of obliterating o
Tristan and Danial leaped toward each other, their swords clashing with a deafening metallic ring that echoed throughout the arena. Sparks flew from the impact, and the crowd collectively held its breath. For a moment, the two warriors seemed evenly matchedâlocked in a stalemate of raw power and precision.But then, as the clash resolved, Danial took two measured steps back, while Tristan stumbled four.The crowd gasped in realization.âHeâs stronger!â someone shouted. âTristan never gets pushed back like that!â another added.Yet, despite his disadvantage, Tristanâs lips curled into a smile. His eyes lit up with a glint of excitement, the likes of which only appeared in battle-hardened warriors. Without hesitation, he dashed forward again, his movements swift and fluid like a river in motion.This time, he raised his sword high and brought it down with devastating force. Danial sidestepped to avoid the attack, but just as the blade approached the ground, Tristan stopped it mid-air w
The arena was alive with roaring cheers, murmurs, and gasps as Danial and Tristan clashed in a fierce display of fire and wind. Their swords collided, sending out sparks and elemental energy in every direction. Tristanâs winds howled like a storm, pushing against Danialâs flames, which danced with wild defiance. Every step, every swing, every dodgeâthey wove an intricate dance of skill and power.Danial slashed his flaming sword sideways, the blaze trailing like a comet, but Tristan ducked under it with nimble precision. In a flash, he countered, summoning a wind blade that hurtled toward Danial. With a sharp flick of his sword, Danial conjured a fiery barrier, consuming the gale in a burst of heat.The audience was enthralled.âLook at the control Tristan has over his wind! Itâs seamless!ââBut Danialâs fire is overwhelmingâitâs raw power in its purest form!âThe battle raged on, but keen observers began to notice a shift. Though the clash seemed even at first, Danial was slowly bein
Amidst the gazes piercing him from every direction, Danial remained standing on the stage, his posture deceptively calm. But inside, his thoughts were spiraling into chaos.âWhatâĶ is this? Why are they looking at me like Iâm some golden goose?!â He scanned the VIP section nervously, noticing the predatory gleams in their eyes. The dignitaries, the elite warriors, the gods themselvesâevery one of them seemed to be calculating, evaluating, or outright planning something that undoubtedly involved him.Even Ellie Fangâs playful smirk sent chills down his spine. âWhat does she want? To make me her kunai target practice?! No way.âThen his gaze fell on Rowan, who was grinning like heâd already won a jackpot. âWhy is Rowan looking so smug?âFinally, he caught sight of Anarak, whose unreadable expression unsettled him the most. âWhy is that guy looking at me like Iâm an experiment heâs dying to conduct?!âDanial gulped, his hands gripping his sword tightly. âI shouldâve just kept it simple. W
Crystal dragged Danial through the corridors, her grip firm yet oddly gentle, as if she was leading him somewhere secret and important. The sound of their footsteps echoed in the empty hallways, and Danialâs mind raced with questions. When they started ascending a spiral staircase, his curiosity finally got the better of him.âCrystal, at least tell meâwhere are we going?â Danial asked, his voice filled with confusion.Crystal glanced back at him, her lips curling into a rare, almost playful smile. âWeâre going to my favorite place.âDanial blinked. Her favorite place? He decided not to press further, though he couldnât help but feel taken aback. This wasnât the âIce Queen of the Capitalâ heâd heard aboutâthe aloof and intimidating girl known for freezing people in their tracks with a single glare. Right now, she seemed... normal, even warm.They climbed higher until they reached a simple wooden door. Crystal pushed it open with a soft creak and stepped aside, gesturing for him to ent
Danial and Crystal lingered on the rooftop, watching as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in warm hues of orange and purple. The faint hum of the city reached them, blending with the tranquil ambiance of the evening. Both were silent, savoring the fleeting moment of peace before the chaos that awaited them in the arena.Crystal broke the silence first, brushing her hair behind her ear as she smiled faintly. âItâs beautiful, isnât it?âDanial nodded, his gaze fixed on the horizon. âYeah. Itâs moments like these that make you forget the craziness of this worldâĶ even if just for a little while.âCrystalâs smile widened. âYouâre right. But we should get going. The arenaâs waiting.âDanial returned the nod, and together, they made their way downstairs. The air in the corridors felt cooler, the distant hum of activity from the arena growing louder with every step.As they turned a corner, Crystal suddenly paused. Her expression shifted as her eyes landed on a familiar figur
Egbert stood up while clenching his blade, his entire body trembling. His eyes, wide with disbelief, locked onto Danial as his voice cracked with confusion."How can this be? How could this ever be possible?" he muttered, his face twisted in shock. He staggered back, gripping his sword so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "How could your basic technique be so powerful? How could your technique overpower my divine Crimson Reaper Arts? That is not possible. You must have cheated!"Egbert could not accept reality. His technique was not just some ordinary martial skill; it was crafted by Norman Ray, a war deity of immense power and wisdom. The Crimson Reaper Arts were revered as one of the strongest sword techniques, refined through generations, yet Danialâs seemingly simple Sword Drawing Technique had shattered it, breaking through his proudest ability as if it were nothing. It defied all logic. It was unacceptable.Egbert's voice echoed through the now-silent hall, but no one came
The battle hall was filled with murmurs and hushed voices as Danial and Egbert stepped onto the duel arena. The place still carried traces of previous battles, the floor marked with faint scars from past clashes, including Danialâs fight with Sara. But today, the tension in the air was differentâmore electric, more charged.Egbertâs arrogance was on full display as he sneered, his voice laced with mockery. âKid, Iâm taking pity on you for whatâs about to happen. Maybe if you kneel and crawl, Iâll let you live.âDanial met his gaze calmly and replied, âNo.âThe single word was enough to darken Egbertâs face. His jaw clenched as his pride took a hit. âDanial, Iâm giving you a way out. Once in the duel arena, I wonât let you off even if you kneel and beg for mercy.âDanial tilted his head slightly, unfazed. âAre we going to fight or not?âEgbertâs eyes twitched in annoyance before he shrugged as if he had already won. âAlright, I hope you remember what I said.âBoth climbed onto the duel
Danial sat in the audience, watching the ongoing matches with mild interest. At first, he paid attention, analyzing the techniques used by different fighters, but after a while, he grew bored. The matches were too predictable, lacking the intensity of the battles he had been in. He tapped his fingers on the armrest, wondering when his final match would come.Crystal, who had been sitting beside him, noticed his bored expression. She smirked and leaned closer. âDanial, letâs go walk around the academy.âDanial glanced at her and considered it for a moment. Sitting here and watching these mundane fights wasnât going to help him. He nodded. âAlright, might as well.âAs they stood up and left the arena, they remained unaware of the shadow lurking in the distance, silently watching their every move.The academy grounds had transformed into a lively hub. Stalls lined the pathways, selling everything from cultivation manuals to exotic snacks. There were booths set up for visitors and student
Crystal descended into the rocky arena, her icy-blue eyes scanning the terrain. The environment was filled with jagged hills, uneven terrain, and rocky outcroppingsâan 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 Danialâs shoulder with a smug grin."Danial, did you see my match just now? The tricks I used had him completely baffledâhaha!"Danial turned to look at him, blinking. "That was your match?"Leonardâs face fell. The excitement in his eyes flickered. "YeahâĶ you didnât see it?"Danial quickly realized his mistake and tried to salvage the situation. "Leonard, I didnât know your match was happening. Iâm 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 hadnât 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 briefâtoo briefâbut the experience had left a lasting impression on him. No, it wasnât 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 Tylerâs shoulder. âAre you okay?âTyler 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.âI want to withdraw from the tournament.âThe 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 stunningâmajestic 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 arenaâs 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, unhurriedâhe 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 announcerâs voice boomed across the coliseum.âNext match! Crystal Kirk of Somerland versus Zaria Dvornik of Krolea! The battle conditionsâdesert environment, no elemental abilities allowed!âDanial's expression hardened. He understood the gravity of this situation. Crystalâs 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 allâsweltering heat sapping her stamina.As Crystal stepped forward, she caught Danialâs expression and smirked. âWorried about me?âDanial folded his arms. âJust assessing the conditions. This isnât exactly in your favour.âCrystal chuckled. âIt never is.â 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 Abbyâs orders, he slumped back onto the bed with a defeated sigh.âYou guys better eat well while you still can,â Pavan muttered dramatically. âI might never taste good food again.âDanial rolled his eyes while Crystal smirked. âYouâre acting like youâre being sent to prison,â she said. âItâs just a diet.âPavan sat up and pointed at her with a solemn expression. âFor a man like me, a diet is worse than prison.âCrystal laughed while Danial shook his head. âJust rest, Pavan. Youâll need your strength for the next rounds.âWith 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