The first match had begun.
Leo stood at the edge of the arena, arms crossed, eyes sharp. He wasn't just watching—he was studying. Every movement. Every spell. Every decision.
Rein Seraphim and Felicia Blaze faced each other at the center, the air already trembling with Sundane Force.
Then—
Splash!
A surge of water erupted from Rein's palm, crashing forward like a roaring tide.
Felicia didn't flinch.
"Not bad."
She slammed her foot into the ground.
BOOM!
A towering wall of earth rose instantly, absorbing the impact. Water splashed in all directions, mist filling the battlefield.
Leo narrowed his eyes.
Fast casting… no hesitation.
The fight escalated instantly.
Water, fire, earth—magic clashed in rapid succession. Every spell was countered. Every attack met with equal force.
Rein's movements were fluid, almost elegant. Felicia, on the other hand, was aggressive—her attacks explosive and relentless.
They're both strong… Leo thought. High-tier for sure.
Then Rein's eyes sharpened.
"Let's end this."
A burst of blinding light erupted—
Felicia flinched.
"Wha—?!"
Before she could react—
BOOM!
A sudden explosion of firecrackers echoed around her, disorienting her senses.
And then—
CRASH!
A concentrated blast of water slammed into her chest, sending her flying out of the arena.
Silence.
Then—
The arena exploded with cheers.
"We have a winner!" the Announcer roared. "Rein Seraphim! What an outstanding performance!"
Rein stood still for a moment, breathing steadily. Then she bowed toward Felicia.
Respect.
Felicia smirked despite her loss. "Tch… not bad."
"Rein Seraphim—Gold Tier!"
"Felicia Blaze—Silver Tier!"
The crowd applauded loudly.
Leo found himself clapping too.
She's strong…
Rein glanced toward the stands—then briefly toward Leo. Their eyes met for a split second.
Then she turned and walked toward the medical area.
*****
The Second Match
The Announcer raised his voice once more.
"Next match—Leo Lightlock versus Chase Hardblade!"
The crowd erupted again.
Leo exhaled slowly.
This is it.
He stepped forward, gripping his sword tightly. Each step felt heavier than the last—but his eyes remained steady.
Across the arena, Chase smirked confidently, rolling his shoulders as sparks of lightning crackled around him.
"You don't have the heart of a champion, Prince," Chase mocked.
Leo didn't react immediately.
Then—
"We'll see."
The referee raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Chase vanished forward.
CRACK!
Lightning surged from his blade as he swung down toward Leo.
Leo barely managed to block—
BOOM!
Electricity surged through his body.
"Ghk—!"
His muscles locked for a split second.
Chase grinned. "Too slow."
He raised his hand—
FLASH!
A bolt of lightning shot forward.
Leo twisted at the last second, the attack grazing his shoulder. Pain shot through his body—but he moved.
Fast.
CLANG!
Leo struck the hilt of Chase's sword—
Chase's grip loosened.
The blade dropped.
The crowd gasped.
Now—!
Leo lunged forward—
But—
"Too predictable."
BOOM!
A lightning strike exploded into Leo's stomach.
"AGH—!"
He was sent flying across the arena, crashing near the edge.
His sword clattered beside him.
Chase walked forward slowly.
"Pathetic."
Leo coughed, forcing himself up. His body trembled—his left arm barely responding.
Move…
Chase raised his foot to kick him out—
Leo reacted instantly.
THUD!
He kicked Chase's leg.
Chase stumbled.
The crowd went silent.
Leo forced himself up, grabbing his sword.
His left arm hung uselessly at his side.
I can't feel it…
Chase quickly recovered, grabbing his weapon.
Their blades met again—
CLANG! CLANG!
Steel collided rapidly.
"You're tricky," Chase admitted, smirking. "No magic… but decent skill."
Leo didn't answer.
His mind was racing.
Lightning… fast, wide range… I can't block everything.
Another strike—
Leo dodged.
Another—
He parried.
Again.
Again.
Chase's attacks became faster. More aggressive.
Lightning bolts rained down relentlessly.
Leo's breathing grew heavier. His movements sharper.
Then—
Chase overextended.
Just slightly.
Leo saw it.
Now.
He stepped in—
Chase immediately reacted.
"Too late!"
He raised both hands.
"Barrage of Lightning!"
BOOOOOOM!
Lightning exploded across the arena—covering every direction.
There was no escape.
The crowd screamed.
Leo gritted his teeth.
Then I'll go through it.
He charged forward.
CLANG!
His sword deflected one strike.
Another—
CRACK!
Electricity surged through him.
His arms trembled.
His fingers began to go numb.
Five seconds…
Another hit—
His body shook violently.
I won't make it…
Leo's eyes sharpened.
Then I'll gamble everything.
He stopped resisting.
He let the lightning hit his left side—
BOOM!
Pain exploded through his body.
But—
He moved.
With everything he had left—
SLASH!
His blade struck Chase's palm.
A direct hit.
"WHAT—?!"
And then—
BOOOOOOM!!!
A massive explosion engulfed both of them.
*****
Silence.
The entire arena froze.
"Check on them!" King Henry shouted, rising from his seat.
Queen Ella gripped his arm tightly.
Smoke filled the battlefield.
No movement.
No sound.
Then—
Two silhouettes.
The smoke slowly cleared.
Chase lay outside the arena—unconscious.
Leo…
Was still inside.
On his back.
Reaching toward the sky.
Smiling.
The crowd held their breath—
Then erupted.
"Winner—Leo Lightlock!"
"Silver Tier!"
"Chase Hardblade —Silver Tier!"
The arena exploded with cheers.
*****
Medics rushed in, carrying both fighters away.
King Henry crossed his arms. "Reckless…"
Queen Ella smiled. "But he won."
"…I'm proud of him," she added softly.
*****
The Third Match
The battles continued.
Alice Ryder moved like a shadow—precise, calculated. She dismantled Carl Winston's brute strength with pure strategy.
"Alice Ryder—Silver Tier!"
"Carl Winston—Silver Tier!"
Carl shouted in frustration, but was quickly escorted away.
Then—
The Last Match
Shinzu Raven stepped forward.
Cold. Calm. Overwhelming.
Kenneth fought bravely—
But it wasn't enough.
Shinzu crushed him effortlessly.
"Shinzu Raven—Gold Tier!"
"Ken Haybeast—Copper Tier!"
*****
Leo sat in the medical room, flexing his numb fingers.
"Are you sure you want to continue?" the healer asked.
Leo smirked.
"Why not?"
Later—
He stepped back into the arena.
Ken approached him slowly, bruised and silent.
"…Sorry, man," Leo said quietly.
Ken shook his head. "Don't be."
He forced a smile.
"Win it."
Leo nodded.
Then his eyes locked onto one person.
Shinzu Raven.
Calm. Unshaken. Waiting.
Leo's grip tightened.
"Shinzu Raven…"
His eyes burned with determination.
"You're mine."