Danial walked back toward the seating area, his victory still fresh in his mind, but he didnโt have the luxury of savoring it. As he approached, he spotted Leo and Diego waiting for him, smirks plastered across their faces. Their postures oozed confidence, and it was clear they had been waiting to confront him.โDanial,โ Leo started, his voice dripping with mockery, โThat match of yoursโฆ Was that supposed to impress anyone? It was barely a challenge.โDiego chimed in, his grin widening. โSeriously. If thatโs what youโre bringing to the tournament, you might as well pack up now. That guy was weak, and you got lucky.โDanial crossed his arms, his gaze steady. โWeak or not, I won. Thatโs more than you can say for yourselves at the moment.โLeo raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. โOh? Bold words for someone whose โteammatesโ are nowhere to be seen. Whereโs Pavan? And Kuro? Couldnโt handle the pressure, huh? Ran off with their tails between their legs?โDiego laughed, shaking his head. โ
Zyler walked off the arena floor, his dark cloak trailing behind him as the audience's murmurs grew louder. Before he could disappear completely, a Beginner Stage Master stepped into his path, his face stern with authority.โZyler,โ the Master said, his voice laced with displeasure. โThe rules of the tournament state that no killing of any kind is allowed.โZyler stopped, tilting his head slightly. His response was cold and dismissive. โI left him alive. Where did I kill him?โThe Masterโs glare intensified, his patience wearing thin. โZyler, stay within your limits. Do not test our patience.โZyler turned his head slightly to meet the Masterโs eyes, his indifference replaced with an edge of mockery. โAnd what if I donโt?โThe Master, clearly angered, raised his hand to strike. But as he locked eyes with Zyler, his movements faltered. His arm froze mid-air, trembling as if an invisible weight had shackled it. His pupils dilated, and a sheen of cold sweat formed on his brow. For a brie
Danial was stunned. He repeated what Crystal had just said, disbelief evident in his voice. โDid you just say that Kuro is the half-brother of Luna Hale from the Hale Family? One of the greatest families of the Capital?โCrystal nodded, her expression unreadable. Danial took several moments to process the information, his thoughts racing like a runaway train.โKuro is part of the Hale Family from the Capital? Why didnโt he tell us? Did he have reasons for keeping this a secret?โ Danial thought, his brows furrowing. His mind was a whirlpool of questions and confusion.Pavan, noticing Danialโs growing expression of concern, decided to interject. โDanial, donโt overthink. Kuro had his reasons, and Iโm sure heโll tell us once he wakes upโฆโฆโฆ Hopefully.โBoth Danial and Crystal turned to Pavan, their glares sharp enough to pierce through steel. Pavan flinched under their combined scrutiny, his hands flailing slightly as he backpedalled. โHe will! He will!โ Pavan blurted out in panic. โHeโll
Danial sighed as he watched the excitement on Pavan's and Crystal's faces. He couldnโt help but wonder how long their enthusiasm would last. Turning his attention to the arena, his gaze settled on a bald figure clad in monk robes, with a necklace of beads adorning his neck. The monk was locked in combat against an opponent from Emsgate Academy. Something about the monkโs serene yet imposing aura tugged at Danialโs memory, but he couldnโt quite place where he had seen him before.The match progressed with flashes of light and powerful strikes exchanged between the two. Suddenly, the arena blazed with a brilliant burst of energy, and when the light subsided, the fighter from Emsgate lay sprawled on the ground, utterly defeated. The monk calmly approached his downed opponent, bowed with clasped hands, and solemnly intoned, "Amitabha."Danial blinked and glanced at the time. It was already past noon. He wondered how long the matches would continueโthese fights seemed endless. Just as he w
The announcerโs voice echoed through the massive arena, amplifying the excitement of the crowd. โThe next match is between Pavan from Somerland and Egbert Ray from Xeria!โThe 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. โItโs alright, Pavan. Youโve got this.โPavan turned to Danial, his lips forming a faint smile. โThanks, Danial.โ With a quick nod, he turned and made his way toward the arena, his footsteps steady but deliberate.As Pavanโs figure disappeared into the crowd, Crystal, who had been uncharacteristically silent, suddenly broke the quiet. โThis is bad,โ she said, her tone grave.Danial frowned, sensing the seriousness in her voice. โWhat do you mean?โCrystalโs eyes nar
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 dropโhis sword, forged from the academy's renowned ore, now bore a jagged chip near the centre. How is this possible? He thought. These swords werenโt ordinary; they were designed to withstand the harshest of battles. And yet, a single stri
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. Abbyโs 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
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 Abbyโs orders, he slumped back onto the bed with a defeated sigh.โYou guys better eat well while you still can,โ Pavan muttered dramatically. โI might never taste good food again.โDanial rolled his eyes while Crystal smirked. โYouโre acting like youโre being sent to prison,โ she said. โItโs just a diet.โPavan sat up and pointed at her with a solemn expression. โFor a man like me, a diet is worse than prison.โCrystal laughed while Danial shook his head. โJust rest, Pavan. Youโll need your strength for the next rounds.โWith 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
Pavan stood tall, the steam curling from his body growing denser with each breath. The arena crackled with tension as silence swept through the crowd. His clothes, torn and burnt at the edges, clung to his frame. His skin shimmered faintly, redder than before, and glowing orange fissures branched along his arms and shoulders like dormant lightning, pulsing with restrained might.But the change wasnโt just physical.His movements had sharpened.His aura was heavier.And his eyesโburning a molten goldโlocked onto Zain like a predator.In the stands, Danial leaned forward, eyes narrowing. โWhat happened to him?โCrystal, just as confused, shook her head. โI... I donโt know. But itโs like his strength and speed just multiplied all of a sudden.โDanialโs brows furrowed. โDo you think heโs awakened some kind of hidden power?โโI canโt tell. But this isnโt elemental... it feels different.โBack in the arena, Pavan moved.He vanished in a blur of heat shimmer, reappearing before Zain with a r
Zain did not waste time and immediately rushed towards Pavan with a slashing whip.She leapt forward like a predator, her movements swift and ferocious, the whip in her hand arcing through the air with a venomous hiss. The sound alone was enough to make several spectators flinch.Pavan stepped back and avoided the whip attack and saw the mark on the groundโa testament to the power and durability of the whip.The stone tiles of the arena cracked under the force, the lash leaving behind a long, blackened scar. Dust floated into the air as Pavan widened his eyes."If that whip hits me," he thought grimly, "it will cut me open like butter."Zain followed the attack, twisting her body and lashing out again.She spun like a dancer, her every step precise. The whip cracked once more, slicing through the air like lightning. It came toward Pavan againโfast and merciless.Pavan raised his sword and blocked the whip attack; however, a black mark appeared on the sword, showing the power that the
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 roundโPavan 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 isโif she belongs to the Devilโs 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 Danialโs 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 Danialโs fight with Sara. But today, the tension in the air was differentโmore electric, more charged.Egbertโs arrogance was on full display as he sneered, his voice laced with mockery. โKid, Iโm taking pity on you for whatโs about to happen. Maybe if you kneel and crawl, Iโll let you live.โDanial met his gaze calmly and replied, โNo.โThe single word was enough to darken Egbertโs face. His jaw clenched as his pride took a hit. โDanial, Iโm giving you a way out. Once in the duel arena, I wonโt let you off even if you kneel and beg for mercy.โDanial tilted his head slightly, unfazed. โAre we going to fight or not?โEgbertโs eyes twitched in annoyance before he shrugged as if he had already won. โAlright, I hope you remember what I said.โBoth 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. โDanial, letโs go walk around the academy.โDanial glanced at her and considered it for a moment. Sitting here and watching these mundane fights wasnโt going to help him. He nodded. โAlright, might as well.โAs 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 outcroppingsโan 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 Danialโs shoulder with a smug grin."Danial, did you see my match just now? The tricks I used had him completely baffledโhaha!"Danial turned to look at him, blinking. "That was your match?"Leonardโs face fell. The excitement in his eyes flickered. "Yeahโฆ you didnโt see it?"Danial quickly realized his mistake and tried to salvage the situation. "Leonard, I didnโt know your match was happening. Iโm 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 hadnโt 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 briefโtoo briefโbut the experience had left a lasting impression on him. No, it wasnโt 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 Tylerโs shoulder. โAre you okay?โTyler 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.โI want to withdraw from the tournament.โThe 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