Edlias stood frozen as Arthur's words rang through his head, echoing louder than any roar of the crowd.
"You weren't chosen… but you chose yourself."
Something inside him cracked—not in pain, but in release. His grip on his sword trembled as he whispered to himself, "I'm no better than the ones who condemned me…"
"I looked down on you, Arthur… I saw nothing but failure… but I was blind. I never saw your desperation to grow. Your hunger to become stronger. Your struggle... It was the same as mine."
His eyes locked onto Hyorinmaru playfully smacking Arthur's head, and for the first time… he truly saw it.
"It was your Zeraphim… wasn't it?"
Tears welled in his eyes.
"You're lucky, Arthur. You and your blade… you're in sync. You weren't chosen, but you carved your own path. I, on the other hand… I hated my magic. Hated myself. All I did was run from rejection… from weakness… and I hurt the only one who stood beside me all along… my Zeraphim."
He looked at his blade, sorrow heavy in his voice.
"I'm a bad wielder… I ignored your voice. I chased my dream and abandoned yours…"
But then, Arthur's words returned.
"I am a Sword Mage. I don't give up."
Edlias clenched his fists. "This isn't the time to cry or regret. I have a battle to win."
He looked at his blade, firm now. "Will you fight with me? Not for me… but with me. Not just me… not just you… us."
Suddenly, light burst from the blade. A small girl appeared, tears in her eyes—but smiling. "I look forward to working with you," she said, reaching out her arms.
Edlias smiled, bumping her tiny fist with his.
"So… you're my Zeraphim. I'm sorry I made you cry… Let's win this… together."
The light flared around him. Raelor, still hammering blows into him, stepped back in shock as shards of light burst from Edlias's body like exploding glass. Bloodied, but standing, Edlias raised his blade.
"You still have strength?!" Raelor shouted.
We'll end it in one strike, Edlias told his Zeraphim.
She nodded. "I'll lend you some mana."
She placed her hand on his back. Edlias began to glow as power surged through him like a storm.
High in the stands, Nathaniel watched with a soft smile.
"They're finally beginning to understand. Zeraphim… they're not just spirits. They're a part of us. Experience truly is the best teacher."
---
Raelor narrowed his eyes. "How do you still have this much mana?!"
He raised his flaming blade. "Fine. Let's end this. One blow!"
He dashed forward.
Edlias held his ground. "Suishojin… give me your strength."
She nodded with a smile. "Let's finish this."
"Glass Magic… Shard Mirage."
A dome of upright glass shards formed around Raelor—each shard a perfect mirror reflecting hundreds of Edlias, all holding glowing glass pins.
Raelor spun around, confused. "What is this?!"
The countless reflections smiled in sync. "It's over."
They all launched the pins.
Raelor roared, flames exploding from his body. The dome shattered, the mirrors gone. So were the pins.
Stab.
Raelor's body froze. Slowly, he looked back.
Four Edlias stood behind him, blades piercing his sides—smiling.
"I said," Edlias whispered, "it's over."
Raelor coughed blood. "I-I blocked them all… How…?"
"You fell for the illusion. Fall now… without knowing how."
The clones vanished. Raelor collapsed.
The arena fell silent—until the referee's voice rang out.
"Winner… Edlias!"
The crowd erupted.
Arthur, Damon, and Kaelius rushed to his side, catching him before he fell.
"You did it! You won!" Damon shouted.
Edlias smiled faintly, looking at Arthur. "Arthur… I did it. My magic… bloomed."
Arthur nodded, pride in his eyes. "Yeah… you won. Rest now."
Edlias closed his eyes with a peaceful smile.
---
The referee called for a short break. Groans filled the stadium as everyone started to disperse.
Just then, Lyra tugged on Arthur's shirt.
"I want to talk."
Arthur blinked. "Sure. What's up?"
"Not here." She pointed toward a desolate path behind the coliseum.
Arthur followed without hesitation.
From afar, Seraphina watched. Her brows furrowed.
"Why did Lyra approach Arthur? What does she want to say…?"
Beside her, Tenmei whispered with a grin, "Think she's gonna confess? That speech from Arthur was something else."
Seraphina scoffed. "Don't fill my head with nonsense."
"Then why did she take him somewhere private?" Tenmei grinned. "You better up your game, or she'll steal him."
Seraphina looked uncertain. "What do I do?"
Tenmei crossed her arms. "Spy on them, obviously."
"I'm a noble!" Seraphina gasped. "You want me to sneak around like a common thief?!"
"Think of it as a secret mission… for the kingdom's safety."
Seraphina groaned but slowly slipped away from the crowd, her curiosity too strong.
---
Meanwhile, Callista narrowed her eyes. "Why was she clinging to him like that…? And why did he agree to go?"
Without a word, she too quietly followed.
---
Back in the coliseum, Riven called out, "Arthur?"
No response.
Selene appeared beside him. "Lyra, Seraphina, and Callista are gone too."
Soon, Damon, Darius, and Kaelius joined them.
"What's going on?" Damon asked. "Arthur and all the girls are missing…?"
Darius leaned in. "Is this some love affair?"
Kaelius grinned. "He's trying to steal every girl in our class."
Damon crossed his arms. "We can't let that happen. We need to up our game!"
Just then—SMACK!
Nathaniel grabbed all their ears.
"Stop thinking such vulgar nonsense and get ready for the next match!"
"Ow ow ow—yes, sir!" they yelped.
---
To Be Continued…