The four of them stepped out of the registration hall and into the open courtyard.The late morning sun had climbed higher, brightening the wide stone paths and towering spires of the academy. Its light glinted off the polished stone walls, casting long shadows across the ground. Students moved in every direction, some practicing small spells, others reviewing notes or discussing strategies. The excitement was tangible, a current running through the air, wrapping around the academy like a tightly wound cord.Lucas walked beside Roderick, Gerald, and Elara, his hands resting loosely in his pockets. Despite the sunlight and the noise, the hollow feeling in his mind lingered faintly. It hovered in the corners of his thoughts like a shadowed memory he could not reach. He ignored it for the moment, focusing instead on the energy around him.Roderick glanced back once before facing forward again. “Well,” he said with a grin, “no turning back now.”Gerald nodded slowly. “The real challenge s

“Next match.”Instructor Draven’s voice echoed across the arena, cutting through the lingering whispers left behind by Kael’s overwhelming victory.Students quickly shifted their attention back toward the glowing bracket board.The names were rearranged.A new pairing illuminated.Lily Ardent.Marcus Vale.A murmur spread across the arena.“The lightning girl.”“Looks like she’s up.”Lucas lifted his gaze toward the arena floor.Across the waiting line of students, Lily Ardent stepped forward.Her yellow hair shimmered softly in the sunlight that filtered through the high arches of the arena. Unlike most students, she didn’t look tense.She looked bored.Her hands rested casually in the pockets of her uniform jacket as she walked toward the center of the arena.Roderick whistled quietly.“Well, here we go.”Lucas remained silent.From the opposite side of the arena, another student stepped forward.Marcus Vale.He was taller than most of the students in Class Two, with broad shoulders

Lucas looked back toward the glowing bracket board.The tournament had only just begun, and the real battles were still waiting.For a few moments the arena remained calm. Students spoke quietly among themselves, discussing the previous fights. Kael’s overwhelming speed and Lily’s lightning transformation had already set the tone for the tournament. Every new match now carried the silent question of whether another monster would appear.On the platform above the arena, Instructor Draven lifted his hand again.The whispers immediately faded.The glowing bracket board shifted.A new pair of names appeared.Lucas Vale.Across from it, another name lit up.Darius Ironcrest.Roderick blinked beside him.“Oh.”He looked at Lucas.“Well, your turn.”Lucas nodded once.Roderick leaned slightly closer.“That guy is huge.”Lucas had already noticed.Across the student line, a tall and broad-shouldered young man stepped forward. He was easily one of the largest students in the combat division. H

The arena was still roaring.Students shouted, argued, and pointed toward the arena floor where the match had just ended.Lucas stepped through the exit gate calmly.The stone corridor beneath the stands was cooler and quieter, though the thunder of the crowd still echoed faintly through the walls.His sword hung loosely at his side.The flames along the blade had long faded.Behind him, the arena announcer’s voice began preparing the next match, but Lucas paid little attention.Footsteps rushed toward him.“LUCAS!”Roderick nearly collided with him.“You absolute lunatic!”He grabbed Lucas by the shoulders.“What the hell was THAT?”Lucas blinked.Gerald walked up behind Roderick, pushing his glasses slightly up the bridge of his nose.“That,” Gerald said carefully, “was an Aura Sword.”Lucas gave a small nod.Roderick stared at him in disbelief.“You say that like it’s normal!”More footsteps approached.Elara arrived a moment later, slightly out of breath from pushing through the c

The impact shook the arena.Rodrick Hale’s fist collided with Kael Draco’s like two crashing boulders.A sharp shockwave burst outward from the center of the arena floor.Crack.The stone beneath their feet fractured instantly.Both fighters slid backward several steps, boots scraping against the ground.The crowd roared.But the moment the dust settled, something became obvious.Kael Draco did not look bothered at all.Rodrick rolled his shoulder slightly.Kael stepped forward again.Calm.Cold.Unstoppable.Then he attacked.Kael’s fist shot forward like a cannon.Rodrick barely raised his guard in time.Boom.The force blasted Rodrick several meters backward across the arena floor.Gasps rippled through the crowd."Whoa.""That strength.""Just as expected."Several students in the stands shook their heads."This fight is going to be one sided."Kael moved again.Fast.He appeared in front of Rodrick in an instant.Another punch.Rodrick twisted sideways.The attack missed his face