Gravity warped around Miko as Zoe's final attack closed in. The semi-final match had pushed both competitors to their limits, the arena's temporal fluctuations creating a battlefield where time itself became an unpredictable factor.Zoe's expression showed absolute concentration as she manipulated gravitational forces into a crushing convergence pattern. "This ends now," she called, hands weaving complex patterns that distorted space between them.The crowd held its collective breath. Zoe's ultimate technique had never failed in previous matches, the gravitational pressure sufficient to force immediate surrender from any opponent caught within.Miko felt the air thicken as gravity intensified around him. His options narrowed rapidly – conventional fire techniques would be insufficient against this level of spatial distortion. Without ash element, which the detection wards would immediately flag, he needed something unexpected.He studied the temporal fluctuation patterns across the ar

The night before the championship match, Central Academy buzzed with speculation. Gambling houses across the capital adjusted odds continuously as money poured in, divided between those backing the Church champion's flawless record and others drawn to the unknown AAU operative's improbable rise.In his quarters, Miko reviewed tournament recordings with his team, analyzing Samson's techniques with careful attention."The light sword is concerning," Anna said, replaying the moment of materialization. "Church techniques usually can't maintain solid form for extended periods.""Unless he has some form of amplification," Liam suggested. "A focus object or enhancement artifact."Akiya nodded agreement. "Church champions often carry blessed items to stabilize advanced techniques. Nothing visible during his matches, though.""Concealed, then," Miko concluded. "Something he's saving for the finals."They continued analyzing until exhaustion forced rest. Morning arrived too quickly, bringing wi

There was a ten-minute break.The ten-minute break felt like ten hours.Miko sat in his corner while Anna worked on the cut along his ribs. The wound wasn't deep, but it stung like hell. Every time the holy sword's energy had touched him, his skin burned."This is insane," Anna muttered, pressing a healing cloth against the cut. "That sword is designed to hurt people like..."She stopped talking, but they all knew what she meant. People like Miko. People connected to the Abyss."Can you keep going?" Akiya asked. Her face was tight with worry. "Because if you can't, nobody's gonna blame you for stopping."Miko looked across the arena at Samson. The Church boy sat perfectly still, the glowing sword resting across his knees. He looked like he could fight for hours."I'm not quitting," Miko said.Liam shook his head. "That thing cut through your fire like it wasn't even there. What are you gonna do different in round two?""Survive longer than twenty seconds."It was a joke, but nobody la