The Grand Arena pulsed with energy.
Banners bearing the Royal Crest and the Academy's sigil fluttered high above the enchanted field. Protective barriers shimmered around the five combat courts, each glowing with a different hue.
Sixty students stood tall—warriors, mages, summoners, and swordsmen—selected from the Academy's finest across all years and classes.
The tournament had begun.
Each year, five candidates were chosen from Classes S, A, B, and C of the First, Second, and Third Years. Now, twelve students would battle in each of the five courts. A brutal battle royale—only one could remain standing.
The first match was about to begin.
Court One.
Cassian Lionheart — First Year, Class S — stepped forward.
He was calm, golden sword at his back, the Second Circle glowing faintly in his chest.
Felicia watched from the stands, seated beside Professor Merrow. She gripped the edge of her seat, her green eyes fixed on him.
> "You've changed, Cassian…" she whispered. "Every time I see you fight—you're stronger."
She didn't join the tournament. Her magic was meant to save, not destroy. Her mother's legacy—an irreplaceable 3-star healing tome—was not for spectacle.
The bell chimed.
Twelve students entered the field.
Almost instantly, ten of them turned toward Cassian.
> "That's him—the guy who took down a Sin General!"
> "You believe that crap?"
> "I saw the crater left in the Eastern Forest! No way that was normal!"
One voice cut through the chatter.
Tall. Stern. Confident.
Orion, Third Year, Class S—Rank 3.
A veteran swordsman. Wielder of a rare 3-star sword skill. His gaze was steady as his hand rested on the hilt of his curved blade.
> "You're all fools," he said flatly. "A rumor like that? It's impossible."
He turned toward Cassian.
> "But if you really did beat Pride, I'll see it myself."
Orion drew his blade in a flash of silver.
> "I'm not here to chase gossip—I'm here to prove it's false."
He lunged.
Mana surged—his sword skill igniting like a flare as he dashed forward with explosive speed.
Cassian reacted on instinct. His golden mana flared, his blade drawn in one smooth motion.
Steel met light.
A shockwave thundered through the arena.
BOOM!
Orion was blasted backward like a missile—slammed into the barrier with a crack, his sword flying from his hand. He crumpled, unconscious, smoke rising from his uniform.
Silence fell.
The other students stared.
> "H-He defeated Orion… in one strike?"
> "That… wasn't human."
> "The rumors… they're true…"
Felicia stood up in shock, hand over her mouth.
> "Cassian… what are you becoming?"
Cassian blinked. He hadn't meant to go all out.
> "Tch. I overdid it…"
The remaining ten students exchanged looks. Fear flickered in their eyes.
Then—
> "All at once!"
> "We can't beat him one by one!"
Ten students charged at him together—spellcasters and swordsmen, fire and steel, light and shadow.
Cassian's aura flared.
Golden light rippled outward, a tide of raw power. His sword spun through the chaos like a storm given form.
A barrier shattered.
A spell exploded midair.
One by one, the students fell—dazed, winded, defeated.
And then there was silence.
Only Cassian remained.
The barrier around Court One dimmed, signaling the victor.
> "Winner—Cassian Lionheart! First Year, Class S!"
The crowd erupted in a mix of awe and disbelief.
Felicia sat slowly back down, still stunned.
> "He's… not just strong. He's terrifying now."
---
Court Two.
Kaito Tenma, Third Year Class S—Rank 1—stood atop scorched earth, his cloak aflame with residual mana.
A firestorm crackled around him, remnants of his legendary 4-star skill book—Inferno Crown.
> "You never stood a chance," he murmured.
> "Winner—Kaito Tenma!"
---
Court Three.
A girl in white armor knelt amid a glowing summoning circle, her long silver hair drifting behind her like silk in water.
Aika Shirogane, Second Year, Class S. Dual skill wielder—4-star Healing Book and 3-star Summoning Book.
Angelic beasts circled the field as her opponents lay unconscious in softly glowing barriers.
> "Winner—Aika Shirogane!"
---
Court Four.
Twin blades danced like lightning.
Ren Hiroki, Third Year, Class S—Rank 2. His 3-star Double Sword technique struck like a blur. No opponent could get within reach before falling.
> "Winner—Ren Hiroki!"
---
Court Five.
A quiet swordsman stood at the center of the rubble.
Subaru Nakajima, Third Year, Class S—Rank 4.
Simple. Efficient. Brutal.
His 3-star Sword Technique was executed without waste. Every movement, exact.
> "Winner—Subaru Nakajima!"
---
Five victors.
Five champions.
And now, the real tournament would begin.
Felicia whispered to herself, her heart thudding in her chest.
> "Cassian… you're not just keeping up. You're catching up to them."
High above, in the shadowed balcony reserved for the Royal Court, a cloaked figure leaned forward, watching Cassian with sharp, knowing eyes.
> "So the boy who killed Pride does exist after all…"
> "Interesting."