Danial frowned at Elysia’s words. She seemed adamant about him revealing everything he knew, her expression unwavering as if trying to see right through him. He knew, of course, he couldn’t let her get any closer to his secrets—not if he wanted to stay safe. With a steady gaze and a practiced blank expression, he replied, “I’ve told you what I know, Miss Elysia.”For a brief moment, Elysia’s eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing as if attempting to sift through his every word. Danial held his breath under the weight of her stare, wondering if her instincts would lead her to what he was trying to hide. Then, just as suddenly, her look softened, and she gave a small, satisfied smile as if allowing him this bit of mystery.He seized the chance to redirect her attention. “When exactly is this tournament? And what’s its purpose?”Elysia’s expression brightened slightly, a spark of excitement lighting her eyes. “This tournament is unlike anything you’ve seen, Danial. It’s held in preparation for
The day of the tournament had arrived, and Phoenix Academy buzzed with an energy unlike anything before. People poured in from every region of Somerland—high-ranking officials, esteemed warriors, wealthy merchants, and curious civilians—all here to witness the beginning of what was promised to be an unforgettable competition. The academy grounds were fortified with unparalleled security, displaying the gravity of the event. Convoys of military jeeps circled the perimeter, and officers patrolled every corner, ensuring only authorized guests set foot inside.Hmmmm!Security was unmatched; the air practically hummed with a sense of strict order. Military jeeps lined the pathways leading to the academy, each vehicle filled with alert soldiers scanning the area with hawk-like vigilance. Hundreds of officers patrolled with intensity, eyes sharp for any sign of disturbance. It was clear that for an event of this magnitude, nothing was left to chance. This wasn’t merely a tournament—it was a
As the excitement reached a fever pitch at the gates of Phoenix Academy, the arrival of each prominent family escalated the crowd’s frenzy. Reporters and paparazzi pressed against barricades, eager to capture each entry, and the flashes of cameras created a strobe effect around the entrances. Soldiers formed a barrier, restoring the balance amid the chaos with their unwavering presence, their uniformity finally quieting the restless crowd.Just as Rowan and Crystal’s convoy disappeared into the academy, a pair of contrasting convoys approached, catching everyone’s attention. The black convoy exuded a timeless aura of strength and tradition, while the white convoy glistened with an elegance that drew admiring eyes. The crowd's murmur grew, and the flashes intensified as the figures emerged.From the black convoy, a distinguished older man stepped out. Though his face bore the marks of age, his energetic manner and sharp gaze gave him a youthful edge. His eyes, wise and penetrating, mis
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
Danial and Crystal returned to the arena, their footsteps brisk as they hurried toward the edge of the spectator stands. The air was buzzing with anticipation, and as they settled in, a clear voice rang out across the arena."Next round—Pavan from Somerland versus Zain from Somerland!"Danial and Crystal exchanged glances. Without a word, they moved closer, their attention sharpening as they peered down at the battlefield.Emerging from the preparation area, Zain strode onto the stage with an air of absolute confidence. In her hand, she carried a black whip, its length coiling and uncoiling like a living serpent. With a casual flick of her wrist, she lashed it through the air, the sharp crack echoing through the silent arena.Danial furrowed his brows at the sight. "A whip? Is that even considered a proper weapon?"Crystal, arms crossed, responded without looking at him. "It is—if she belongs to the Devil’s Associates faction."Danial turned to her, puzzled. "What do you mean?"Crysta
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 Danial’s 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 Danial’s fight with Sara. But today, the tension in the air was different—more electric, more charged.Egbert’s arrogance was on full display as he sneered, his voice laced with mockery. “Kid, I’m taking pity on you for what’s about to happen. Maybe if you kneel and crawl, I’ll let you live.”Danial met his gaze calmly and replied, “No.”The single word was enough to darken Egbert’s face. His jaw clenched as his pride took a hit. “Danial, I’m giving you a way out. Once in the duel arena, I won’t let you off even if you kneel and beg for mercy.”Danial tilted his head slightly, unfazed. “Are we going to fight or not?”Egbert’s eyes twitched in annoyance before he shrugged as if he had already won. “Alright, I hope you remember what I said.”Both 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. “Danial, let’s go walk around the academy.”Danial glanced at her and considered it for a moment. Sitting here and watching these mundane fights wasn’t going to help him. He nodded. “Alright, might as well.”As 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 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