The cheers from Darius's victory still echoed across the grand arena, rippling like waves through the stands. Dozens of spectators remained on their feet, clapping, some even chanting his name. It was a moment of glory for House Smith.
Kael, who had been watching from the balcony, exhaled in relief. He sent a quick message stone to the family waiting outside the arena. Moments later, the entrance gates opened again — and Alice, Mirena, Rudeous, and Ardyn Vex walked in, accompanied by several guards bearing the Smith family crest.
Alice's eyes darted across the field. "Did we miss it?"
Kael met them partway and nodded with a proud smile. "Darius won. Clean and efficient."
Mirena's lips curled in satisfaction. "Of course he did."
Rudeous grunted, but his gaze was already shifting to the platform. "Who's next?"
On the arena floor, the announcer's voice rang out like thunder.
"Stage One, Match Four — Rovan Yale of House Yale vs. Token Fifteen!"
A pause.
"…Nerissa Vale of the Eastern Territories!"
A hush fell. The name wasn't familiar. Nobles in the balcony looked around, confused. "Nerissa who?" someone whispered.
But the girl who stepped out wasn't unnoticed for long.
She walked with a light step, almost like a dancer, her figure wrapped in a long green robe with vine-like embroidery. Her hair was a soft chestnut, tied in a loose braid, and her eyes were stormy gray. No crest, no entourage.
"Where is she from?"
"Some remote territory… I think her family deals in herbs."
"She doesn't even look Tier 1…"
In contrast, Rovan Yale appeared from the opposite gate, wearing his signature crimson robe lined with golden trim. He stretched his arms lazily and flashed a grin at the crowd, soaking in the attention.
"Try not to cry, little sprout," he called out. "You'll get to say you lost to the winner of the tournament."
From the viewing box above the balcony, a large man in fur-lined armor — Marquess Donald Yale himself — chuckled. "Show them your strength, son."
The gallery buzzed with expectation.
"This'll be quick."
"She's got guts showing up like that. Against Rovan?"
Down among the participants, Logan watched with arms folded. It was difficult to understand what he was thinking. Zephyr leaned silently forward. Even Lilith blinked once in interest.
"READY!" the referee shouted.
Nerissa's eyes didn't waver. She clenched her fists, and a thought burned in her heart: I'll make you regret looking down on others.
"THREE…"
Rovan twirled his wrist, a flicker of fire dancing in his palm.
"TWO…"
The green-robed girl raised her hand slowly — mana swirling at her fingertips like rippling water.
"ONE… BEGIN!"
Rovan struck first.
With a snap, a fireball surged toward Nerissa, followed by a fan of flame droplets like fiery rain.
But she didn't dodge.
Instead, the air around her shimmered as a water barrier rose in front of her, absorbing the heat with a soft hiss. Steam erupted. The audience in the gallery gasped.
"Did you see that? — she deflected it with ease. Not with raw force, but precision."
From beneath Rovan's feet, earth thorns shot up suddenly. Rovan leapt back just in time, his boots scorching as he landed.
"She can use Earth as well?"
"A dual-affinity mage?"
Rovan's smirk deepened. "Good. You're not totally boring."
He stomped, sending a row of earth spikes toward her — each one laced with fire that sizzled through the stone. The attack was fast, powerful.
But Nerissa moved with liquid grace. She darted aside, then raised both arms — a storm of water bullets rained down on Rovan from above.
He growled, raising a flaming dome to block them. One bullet slipped through — striking his shoulder.
The gallery erupted.
"She hit him!"
Rovan's eyes gleamed. He flared both arms wide — and the ground trembled. A wall of earth rose around Nerissa, boxing her in on all four sides.
Then he looked up — and summoned a blazing rain of flame orbs from above.
"She's trapped!"
"She's done!"
In the viewing box, the noble beside Marquess Yale laughed. "Impressive control for his age."
Back in the balcony, Alice watched silently. Mirena's expression was cold but amused.
Inside the stone trap, Nerissa exhaled.
Then, just before the flames hit — a burst of water shot upward from the center of the trap, striking the falling fire orbs.
The fire hissed. The steam clouded the air.
From the mist, Nerissa launched upward, riding a coil of earth like a vine.
Rovan's eyes widened — only for a water whip to slam into his chest, knocking him back across the stage.
The crowd went wild.
"She broke through!"
"She turned the trap into a launch pad!"
Zephyr narrowed his eyes. "She's not just good. She's clever."
Lilith leaned forward, arms folded. "She's entertaining, at least."
Rovan coughed once, brushing ash from his chest. "You've got tricks," he muttered, serious now.
He raised both hands. The ground split open — and an earth golem rose from the rubble, its fists blazing with embedded fire runes.
The audience gasped.
"An elemental golem?!"
"That's high-level spell work!"
Nerissa didn't flinch.
Instead, she pulled her hands inward — mana condensed around her — and formed a pair of water blades, glowing faintly blue.
The golem roared and charged.
Nerissa ducked low, slashed through one leg, then leapt off its back. She spun mid-air — and used a water punch to propel herself away before it exploded behind her in a ball of dust and earth splinter.
Even Rovan seemed stunned. She'd taken down his golem in seconds.
He growled. "Fine. Let's end this."
Flames danced along his arms, spiraling into a great sword of fire.
Nerissa mirrored him — forming an ice sword with liquid grace, mist gathering around her feet.
The two stared each other down, now just meters apart.
Tension crackled.
In the gallery and balconies, the noise had vanished. Everyone leaned in.
Even Alice's hand tightened on the balcony rail.
Rudeous's voice was low. "That girl's excellent."
Mirena frowned. "She's not noble-born. Where did she learn that?"
Ardyn Vex simply smiled. "Some prodigies aren't born — they're forged."
Down below, the two charged.
Flame and frost collided — swords flashing, spells flying. Fire burst, water surged, earth cracked.
Each move, precise. Each counter, fierce.
It was no longer a one-sided match.
This was war.
And the crowd could no longer guess who would win.
As Nerissa spun midair, aiming a crescent water slash at Rovan's neck — he lunged forward with a flaming kick aimed at her chest.
Both attacks flew.
Both were unstoppable.
Then—
TO BE CONTINUED.