Nervousness was written clearly on everyone's face as the weight of the event finally settled in. It wasn't just another gathering or a simple competition. They had stepped into the arena itself, standing side by side with other Paragons, warriors, and mages who all carried the same burning determination in their eyes. No one here looked relaxed. No one here looked weak. Every single person gave off the feeling that they were ready to fight at any moment.
Still, something unexpected helped ease the tension a little.
The crowd.
Cheers echoed from all around the arena, loud and alive. It wasn't one-sided, and it wasn't focused on a single group. Different names were being shouted, different teams being supported. The noise rolled through the arena like waves, hitting every participant equally.
The Wyndhams hadn't expected that.
Not even a little.
Yet, they heard it—voices calling out, some even for them. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was there. Real enough to feel. Slowly, the tightness in their shoulders eased, and a few of them let out quiet breaths they didn't realize they were holding.
'We're actually getting support…?'
It didn't boost their confidence much, but it helped. It steadied them.
Soon after, the sub-Wyndham group was called forward. They moved without hesitation, walking across the arena in a clean and organized line before taking their position on the opposite side. Their steps were firm, controlled, like they had prepared for this moment long before now.
At the front of their group stood Gavalich. He didn't say anything, but his presence alone made it clear who the leader was. As he settled into position, he turned his head slightly and looked toward the Wyndham group. His gaze landed directly on Zephyr, and he gave a small, acknowledging nod.
Zephyr saw it immediately.
He didn't smile or react much, but he returned the nod just as simply. No words were needed. The message passed cleanly between them.
Among the Wyndhams, Zephyr was naturally seen as the leader. It wasn't something he forced. It just happened that way. The others followed his lead without question. In the same way, Gavalich held that position among the sub-Wyndham group. Two sides, same bloodline, each with their own figure at the front.
But while everything looked calm from the outside, there were small cracks within the Wyndham group itself.
Isla suddenly stepped forward and forced himself between Lennox and Zephyr, using his shoulder to push into the space. His expression was tight, his eyes slightly irritated.
"What's wrong with you… I don't want to be close to him in case we're sent out separately," Isla said, his voice low but firm.
Lennox frowned immediately and reached out, grabbing Isla's arm as he tried to pull him back into place.
"Neither do I… so get back in line," Lennox replied, his tone just as sharp.
Isla didn't move.
He held his ground, refusing to budge even an inch.
For a brief moment, the tension between them rose. It wasn't loud, but it was there, sitting right under the surface.
Zephyr glanced at them from the side but said nothing. He didn't step in or interfere. His silence made one thing clear enough.
'Handle it yourselves.'
Around them, the crowd continued to roar, the noise filling the arena without pause. But within the Wyndham line, that small moment of friction remained, quiet but noticeable, like the first sign of something that could grow if left unchecked.
As for why they were acting like that, the reason was simple. It was right there, standing beside them. None of them wanted to stay too close to Alex.
It wasn't said out loud, but it showed in their movements. Small steps. Slight shifts. Enough space created without making it obvious. Or at least… that was what they thought.
Because it didn't go unnoticed.
Up in the Wyndham stands, the heads of the family were watching everything. The Triple Js stood together, their expressions tightening, while Lucius remained silent beside them, his eyes fixed on the group below. The annoyance on their faces was clear. This wasn't just poor coordination. It was a bad look.
'They can't even hold formation properly…'
No one said it, but the thought was there.
And they weren't the only ones watching.
Somewhere else in the arena, another pair of eyes followed the same scene with quiet interest.
'Seems like I have nothing to worry about… They're just a bunch of inexperienced idiots,' Draven of the Synapse Circle thought, his lips curling slightly in amusement.
To him, it was already decided.
Weak unity meant easy targets.
Alex, however, didn't react to any of it.
Isla shifting. Lennox pulling away. The tension around him.
None of it mattered.
His focus was elsewhere.
Locked.
Then the next call came.
"The Synapse Circle!"
The name echoed across the arena.
Four figures stepped forward.
They were dressed in sleek, metallic suits that looked nothing like normal combat gear. The surface reflected light in sharp lines, almost like liquid steel. Each step they took was controlled, measured. No wasted movement. No hesitation.
They didn't walk in.
They entered.
Like the arena belonged to them.
Alex's eyes moved instantly.
He found her.
The white-haired lady.
She stood among them, calm and steady. Her posture was straight, her presence heavy without trying. Confidence rolled off her naturally, but what stood out more was her gaze.
She wasn't just looking ahead.
She was scanning.
Watching everything.
Every group. Every movement. Every detail.
Like she was searching.
Then—
Her eyes stopped.
On him.
Alex froze for half a second.
Their eyes met.
Sharp.
Direct.
No mistake.
His chest tightened.
'She found me…'
Almost immediately, Alex looked away.
Too fast.
Like the ground had suddenly become more interesting.
Like he could disappear into it if he tried hard enough.
'Damn it… why does it feel like she can see through me…?'
Time passed.
More names were called.
Groups entered. Took positions. The arena slowly filled, tension stacking layer by layer. The noise from the crowd kept rising, then falling, then rising again.
Then—
A loud trumpet sound cut through everything.
It was sharp.
Heavy.
Commanding.
The entire coliseum went silent.
Instantly.
Like someone had pressed pause on the world.
The crowd stopped.
The participants froze.
Even the air itself felt still.
Within the Wyndham line, Isla and Lennox stopped their bickering without another word. No more pulling. No more tension between them.
All eyes moved forward.
Something was about to begin.