The stadium brimmed with spectators, a sea of faces filling every row, eager to witness what was already shaping up to be a historical tournament. Representatives from each of the Greatest Families took their places, cloaked in their family crests and colors, their seats symbolically positioned in the prestigious middle tiers of the stadium. Noble houses, foreign dignitaries, government officials, and even civilians who had secured tickets filled every available seat, from the grandstands to the highest tiers. The air buzzed with anticipation, every whisper, cheer, and murmur echoing through the vast, arched ceilings.Suddenly, a deep rumble reverberated through the streets, drawing everyone’s attention toward the entrance. Journalists and photographers scrambled toward the gates, cameras poised to capture the unfolding scene. What they saw was a spectacle of military precision—a convoy of rugged military jeeps followed by an army of soldiers marching in perfect formation, each step l
Elysia's voice resonated with a commanding power, her tone unwavering and formal as she addressed the packed stadium. "Before we begin this tournament, I have the honor of introducing some very special guests," she announced. “These are the brave souls who remain vigilant day and night, guarding the borders of Somerland with an unbreakable will and a profound sense of duty. They are the warriors whose dedication and sacrifice allow every citizen, official, and dignitary alike to sleep peacefully each night. Please welcome my comrades—the Gods of War of Somerland!"The crowd erupted into a thunderous roar. Murmurs of shock and awe rippled through the stands as the significance of her words took hold."The Gods of War? All of them? Here in one place?""I thought they never gathered like this unless… unless something monumental was happening."Officials exchanged glances, whispering in hushed, nervous tones. Foreign dignitaries leaned forward in their seats, stunned by the revelation, re
As Elysia’s words echoed across the stadium, a tense silence fell over the crowd. The mere mention of the Grandmasters had left everyone—foreign dignitaries, martial artists, and civilians alike—on the edge of their seats. Grandmasters were revered as gods, figures of immeasurable power who had reached the pinnacle of martial arts. It was said their strength alone could level entire cities, and their presence here struck a mix of awe and reverence in all who knew of them.For a few long moments, nothing happened. The stadium remained quiet, an almost reverent stillness hanging over the crowd, thick and charged with anticipation. Whispers and glances rippled through the spectators, but no figure emerged. Elysia’s gaze drifted subtly toward a shadowed corner of the arena where faint auras lingered, sensed by only the keenest among the crowd. She turned back to the stadium, her voice breaking the quiet, firm yet respectful.“They are here,” she announced, “but they are among us, watching
Red’s eyes sparkled with an uncontrollable fire as he stepped forward, his body still humming with adrenaline. The thrill of the duel hadn’t dimmed in the slightest, and he craved more, his whole being geared toward battle. His gaze fell on Rani, calm as a still pond, her icy demeanor as unwavering as ever. She regarded him coolly, her beautiful eyes half-lidded, catching the light in a mesmerizing, flickering gleam.But just as he took another step forward, a sharp chill ran up his spine. Red’s gaze shifted slightly, meeting Elysia’s narrowed eyes. Her silent glare held him in place as if frozen by some invisible force. He swallowed hard, his fervor dampened by the unspoken command. With a begrudging sigh, he stilled his urge and nodded toward Rani, who returned a slight bow, her expression unchanged. The two then leaped down from the platform with effortless grace, landing before the roaring crowd, who erupted into a storm of cheers and applause.Elysia turned to face the audience,
Elysia reached into the ballot box, her hand lingering as the crowd held its collective breath. With a subtle smile, she withdrew two slips of paper, lifting them for all to see. "The first official duel of the day will be between...Pavan and Alex."Pavan, who had been trying to blend in with the crowd of participants, went rigid. His heart dropped into his stomach, and he muttered to himself, “Oh, great…first one up.” An audible groan escaped him as he forced himself to stand, willing his shaky legs to cooperate. His face was calm, his mouth pulled into a composed line, but internally, he was in chaos.“Why me? Out of all these people, I’m the one who has to go up first! Can they see me shaking? Please stop, legs—don’t trip. If I faceplant on my way up there, I’ll have to fake my own death and move to another continent." With each step, he had to mentally coach himself. He focused hard, imagining his feet gluing themselves firmly to the ground with each step. Come on, you stupid leg
As the crowd continued to roar with excitement from the ongoing matches, Pavan slipped out of the arena to the backrooms, where victorious participants and those yet to fight waited their turns. He had just pulled off his arm bandages and was changing into more comfortable clothes, feeling satisfied after his bout with Alex.He tossed his sweaty shirt into the locker and tugged on a clean one, sighing in relief. Just as he closed his locker, he was startled by a figure leaning casually against the locker next to his, watching him with a soft smile. He nearly jumped out of his skin. "Whoa!" he exclaimed, clutching his chest. "Who are you, and why are you…in the men’s room?”The girl laughed, tilting her head and shrugging like it was the most natural thing in the world. “I’m Aria. And I’m here because I’m your fan!” She grinned, her cheeks turning pink. “I’ve been following you since you joined the academy, but I never dared to talk to you. Today though, after watching you flatten that
Danial and Pavan took their seats in the viewing area, eyes glued to the arena. The crowd’s energy was infectious as they eagerly awaited the match’s outcome, and anticipation filled the air when Elysia stepped forward, drawing the next names with a calm yet intense look."The next match will be Roman from Xeria…and Kuro!" she announced, her voice carrying through the arena.Danial perked up, eyes wide with interest. “Kuro’s up!” he exclaimed, a small smile creeping onto his face as he leaned forward. Pavan mirrored his excitement but soon added a note of caution.“If Kuro were up against anyone else, I’d bet on him to win without a doubt,” Pavan said thoughtfully, “but Roman is from Xeria. Those guys…they give me the creeps.”Danial looked at him, curious. “Why do you say that? What’s the big deal with Xeria?”Pavan sighed, realizing he’d need to explain some history. “You wouldn’t know, since you’re not from a martial arts family, but Xeria’s history has a dark side. Before World Wa
The tournament buzzed with excitement as Elysia once again took center stage. Her gaze was calm and steady as she announced the next match.“The next contestants are… Tyler from the Sword Manor faction and Sara Swordbane from the academy!”The crowd erupted at the mention of Sara Swordbane’s name. Gareth Swordbane, seated in his reserved spot among other prominent figures, blinked in mild surprise. He’d been entirely caught off guard by her participation.“Why is she participating?" Gareth mused, eyebrows knitting in confusion. "I told her she could explore the ruins by using my quota. All the God of War masters are entitled to send one person of their choice—she did not need to compete." He shook his head, hiding a faint smile of pride. That girl always does things her way.But as he watched Sara step into the arena with a cool, determined expression, Gareth realized she must have her reasons.Tyler brandished his sword on the other side of the arena, his eyes narrowing as he glanced
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