Felix stepped into the arena, the crowd buzzing around him. Across the stage stood his opponent—Veylor, tall, sharp-eyed, and already gripping his blade.
The referee raised his hand. "Begin!"
"Ignite… Shinrai!" Veylor called out.
A thunderclap cracked the sky. Lightning struck his sword, charging it with electric fury. Sparks danced off the blade as he grinned.
Felix smirked. "Blast away… Kazeken."
His sword shimmered, splitting into two short blades. He spun them behind his back, settling into a twin-blade stance.
"A dual blade user, huh?" Veylor chuckled, licking his lips. "Now we're talking!"
He charged first. Felix met him head-on, their blades clashing with a sharp clang. Veylor slashed downward, but Felix ducked low, sliding beneath the strike and slashing across Veylor's side. Blood flicked into the air.
Veylor jumped back, clutching his side.
Felix dashed forward with a flurry of slashes. Veylor blocked most of them—but one slash slipped through, grazing his arm.
"You're forgetting something," Felix said coolly. "I'm a dual blade user."
Veylor grimaced, stepping back as blood dripped from his hand.
(Veylor's thoughts): I need to separate him from one of those blades. If I force him to fight with just one… he'll need time to adapt. That's when I'll strike.
"Oi!" Felix shouted from above. "Where you looking?"
Veylor looked up just in time to see Felix flipping mid-air. He kicked off the air, landing behind him—slash!
Veylor's eyes widened as the blade pierced his back. He gasped, blood spraying from his mouth as he stumbled forward and dropped to one knee.
The referee rushed over. "Can you continue?"
Veylor pushed himself up with his sword, trembling. "This isn't over…"
Felix stayed in stance, blades ready.
Veylor gritted his teeth. "I can't lose… Not before I show you my true strength!"
He raised his blade.
"Lightning Magic… Rendering Blade!"
His sword surged with wild lightning, glowing white-hot with raw energy.
He roared, slashing it forward.
Felix didn't move. He smiled.
"Arthur… I'm borrowing your idea. Forgive me."
He raised both blades.
"Wind Magic… Wind Tornado!"
A swirling vortex erupted from his blades, clashing with the incoming lightning. The two forces twisted together—lightning and wind—forming a violent, electric storm in the center of the stage.
Felix smirked. "You can have it back."
He thrust his blades forward, and the fused tornado launched straight at Veylor.
Veylor's eyes widened. "You've got to be kidding—!"
The tornado swallowed him whole, lightning flashing from inside the storm. When the winds died down, Veylor lay on the floor, his body crackling with electricity.
The referee stepped forward. "Felix wins!"
Cheers erupted around the arena as Felix turned and walked back toward his friends.
Arthur, Riven, and Ronan ran to him, pulling him into a hug.
"You did it!" Riven shouted.
Felix grinned. "Told you I would."
He turned to Leo. "I proved myself."
Leo huffed, crossing his arms. "Hmph."
Nathaniel chuckled. "You did good, Felix."
Ronan raised a brow. "Now it's just Arthur left from our group."
Arthur pointed. "Don't forget Callista."
Callista smiled, walking up to Felix. "You were amazing."
From the side, Seraphina stepped forward, cheeks flushed. "W-What about me?"
Arthur tilted his head. "Do you even need to ask? You've been part of the group since our duel in the field."
Seraphina beamed, her heart fluttering.
Arthur glanced up at the Velundria Kingdom's head captain, who smiled coldly. No matter what you're planning, Arthur thought, we just have to keep winning.
Callista suddenly spoke, "When I saw Veylor's lightning magic… it reminded me of the dungeon incident."
The group fell silent for a moment. Only Ronan broke it with a sigh. "Why am I always left out of these life-changing moments?"
Everyone laughed.
The referee's voice cut through the stadium. "Next match… Damon Cresswell vs Zayden Eryndor!"
Arthur turned toward Damon. Darius, Kaelius, and others were already cheering him on.
Felix nudged Arthur. "Are we close enough to wish him luck?"
Arthur walked over anyway, offering his hand. Damon looked at it, hesitated… then shook.
But as their hands touched—Damon's eyes widened. In that moment… he saw a monster.
He yanked his hand back.
Arthur blinked. "Hey, am I really that scary?"
"I-It's nothing," Damon said quickly, voice shaking.
A dark whisper echoed in his head:
"Lower your head…"
Damon clutched his skull, trying to block out the voice.
Nathaniel appeared beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "The tournament getting to you?"
"I'm fine," Damon muttered, composing himself.
Arthur smiled. "Good luck out there."
Damon nodded. "Thanks."
From above, Hyorinmaru narrowed his eyes. What did he see…?
The dragon spirit looked at Arthur's carefree smile. What am I missing…?
Just then, Tenmei fluttered into view, blocking his line of sight.
"Move, bird," Hyorinmaru growled.
"Excuse me?! You're talking to a divine being!" Tenmei puffed her feathers. "Bow, puny dragon!"
"Just because you won your match doesn't mean anything," Hyorinmaru snapped. "Arthur and I are still the best."
"Ha! Wait for your match, then talk big!"
Seraphina dragged Tenmei away, apologizing to Hyorinmaru.
Arthur watched, confused. "You've been spending a lot of time with Hyorinmaru, huh?"
"I just… find him funny," Seraphina said shyly.
Arthur laughed. "You think he's funny?"
"Are you saying I'm not funny?!" Hyorinmaru snapped, lunging at Arthur.
Tenmei broke free and pointed. "Pathetic. Seraphina and I are clearly the strongest duo!"
Seraphina giggled as Tenmei danced in the air.
---
Down in the arena, Damon walked out to face his opponent—Zayden Eryndor, a calm figure with sharp black hair and piercing eyes.
The referee raised his hand.
"Begin!"
The air went still as both fighters took a step back, eyes locked.
The next clash was about to begin.