The morning sun cast long shadows across the massive Colosseum as Riyan and Livia arrived early, the structure's ancient architecture blending seamlessly with modern magical reinforcements. The arena could hold tens of thousands of spectators, and judging by the crowds already streaming through the gates, it would be filled to capacity.
"Stay calm," Riyan told Livia as they navigated the congested pathways. "We've trained for this."
Participants and spectators created a chaotic tapestry of nervous energy and excitement. Some competitors looked formidable—hardened physiques, weapons that hummed with enchantments, the confident swagger of those who'd fought before. Others appeared deceptively ordinary, which made Riyan more wary. In his experience, the dangerous ones often looked harmless.
"I'm getting nervous," Livia admitted, her hand unconsciously moving to the bow strapped across her back.
"We'll both make top ten easily," Riyan assured her, though his masked face hid his own tension. "But remember the plan. We separate now so no one connects us before my reveal."
Livia nodded reluctantly, her eyes lingering on him with that intensity that always made him uncomfortable. "Win, Yan. Show them who you really are."
They parted ways at the entrance to the participants' preparation area, Livia heading toward the general waiting rooms while Riyan moved deeper into the facility's corridors.
The elimination rounds had been brutal and efficient. What started as hundreds of hopefuls had been whittled down to eight finalists through a combination of skill, strategy, and sheer determination. The remaining competitors represented the cream of this year's applicants:
Raven Zeus
Unknown (Riyan)
Livia Descartes
Alex Karots
Ava Mairis
Fera Starlight
Noha Kai
Yan Gates
The matchups were displayed on massive screens throughout the Colosseum:
**Semifinal Round:**
- Livia Descartes vs Raven Zeus
- Unknown vs Ava Mairis
- Alex Karots vs Fera Starlight
- Noha Kai vs Yan Gates
Riyan studied the brackets from the participants' viewing area, analyzing potential outcomes. Livia versus Raven was unfortunate—his sister was skilled, but Raven was on another level entirely. The protagonist versus his supposed fiancée would be interesting, given their complicated relationship in the novel's plot.
But his own match concerned him most. Ava Mairis—his cousin, his god-sister, and someone who'd made her contempt for him abundantly clear over the years.
The crowd's roar indicated the first match was beginning.
---
**The Battle: Livia Descartes vs Raven Zeus**
The arena floor was a masterpiece of magical engineering—enchanted stone that could withstand devastating attacks while protecting spectators through layered barrier systems. Livia emerged from one entrance, her ice-blue combat attire contrasting with her dark hair. From the opposite side, Raven strode forward with casual confidence, her grayish-white hair catching the light, golden eyes scanning her opponent with tactical precision.
"BEGIN!"
Livia didn't hesitate. Her bow materialized in her hands—a beautiful construct of crystallized ice and enchanted wood—and her first arrow was nocked and released before most spectators registered the match had started.
*Aura Shot!*
The projectile blazed blue with concentrated aura, streaking toward Raven with deadly speed. But Livia had already drawn again, firing in rapid succession, each arrow following a slightly different trajectory to cut off escape routes.
*Boom! Boom! Boom!*
Explosions marked where arrows struck, sending up clouds of dust and fragments of arena floor. Livia's strategy was sound—as an archer facing a close-combat specialist, she needed to maintain distance and pressure. Every moment Raven spent defending was a moment she couldn't close the gap.
*Essence Blast!*
A larger arrow, glowing with pure white energy, followed the barrage. This was one of Livia's signature techniques—an attack that combined physical impact with essence disruption, capable of breaking through most defensive techniques.
But Raven moved like lightning given form.
"Demonic Blood Sword Art—Third Form: Black Counter!"
Her blade—a weapon that seemed to drink in light rather than reflect it—swept through the air in a perfect arc. Each arrow was deflected with minimal motion, the efficiency of her movements speaking to countless hours of practice. The Essence Blast itself was caught on her blade's edge and redirected into the arena wall, where it detonated harmlessly.
From the participants' viewing area, Riyan watched with growing concern. *She's not even trying yet. That's barely a fraction of her capability.*
---
**Livia's Perspective**
*No, no, no.*
Her hands trembled as she nocked another arrow. Every shot had been countered, deflected like they were nothing. She'd known intellectually that Raven was stronger—daughter of the Academy's Principal, future powerhouse, destined for greatness. But knowing and experiencing were different things.
Raven wasn't just blocking anymore. She was moving forward, each counter bringing her closer.
*I'm an archer. She's close combat. This isn't fair.*
The thought was immediate and shameful. Fair? This was the Ranking Battle. Fairness was irrelevant. Only results mattered.
*But I'm going to lose. In front of Riyan. In front of everyone.*
The realization hit harder than any physical blow. She could see him in the viewing area, could feel his eyes on her even through the mask. What would he think? That his sister was weak? That she wasn't worthy of standing beside him?
Raven closed the distance in a burst of speed that left afterimages.
*It's over.*
---
Raven's blade rose, crackling with dark energy that seemed to distort the air around it. "Demonic Blood Sword Art—Seventh Form: Blood Moon Eclipse!"
The technique was devastating—a strike that combined pure physical force with blood manipulation magic, creating a shockwave that could incapacitate without killing. When it connected, Livia's defensive aura shattered like glass, and she crumpled to the arena floor, unconscious before she hit the ground.
"Winner: Raven Zeus!"
Medical staff rushed forward immediately, checking Livia's condition while family bodyguards appeared from the stands. Riyan watched them carry his sister away, noting that while she was unconscious, her injuries were minor. Raven had held back significantly—probably out of respect for family ties.
*The Seventh Form,* Riyan thought. *She barely used a fraction of her arsenal. If she'd deployed Corrupted Thunder Art...*
He didn't finish the thought. Raven's secret technique, developed specifically around her unique affinity, was reportedly comparable to the protagonist's own ultimate abilities. She was terrifying, and she was only getting started.
From across the arena, Raven's golden eyes found his masked figure in the viewing area. Even at this distance, he could see the challenge in her gaze.
*Later,* that look promised. *We'll settle things later.*
---
**The Battle: Unknown vs Ava Mairis**
The second match was announced, and Riyan made his way to the arena entrance. The crowd's energy had reached fever pitch—they'd just witnessed a dominant performance from the Principal's daughter, and now the mysterious "Unknown" who'd shattered entrance exam records was stepping forward.
Ava Mairis emerged from the opposite entrance, and Riyan's breath caught despite himself.
She was striking—long black hair that cascaded past her shoulders, eyes the color of obsidian that held an intensity bordering on hostile. The Asura bloodline was evident in her bearing, in the way she carried herself with regal confidence. She wore combat attire that was both practical and elegant, red and black colors marking her family affiliation.
Their eyes met across the arena, and even through his mask, Riyan could feel her contempt.
The crowd's reaction was immediate and deafening:
"LOSE, YOU FUCKER!"
"HOW DARE YOU COMPETE WITH OUR GODDESS!"
"UNKNOWN BASTARD—YOU'RE NOT WORTHY!"
Riyan almost smiled. Ava had cultivated a devoted following, people who saw her as the perfect embodiment of Asura nobility. They weren't wrong—she was powerful, talented, beautiful, and carried herself with absolute certainty.
She was also his cousin, which made this complicated.
---
**Ava's Perspective**
"BEGIN!"
She drew her sword in one fluid motion, the blade singing as it left its sheath. Fire ignited along its edge—her natural affinity made manifest—transforming the weapon into a beautiful instrument of destruction.
Her opponent drew his spear with casual grace and immediately attacked, the weapon wreathed in mana as it drove toward her center mass.
She moved to intercept, sword rising to block—
And nearly stumbled as her blade met only flowing resistance. His spear touched her sword with impossible gentleness, but that gentle touch somehow redirected her entire defense, tilting her blade downward and leaving her side exposed.
*What—*
*BOOM!*
Her follow-up strike met only empty air. It felt like she'd swung at water instead of solid matter, the impact dissipating into nothing.
Shock jolted through her, but it transformed almost instantly into exhilaration.
*Yes! This is what I wanted!*
She'd been worried this would be another disappointment, another opponent who couldn't push her limits. But this? This was different.
She unleashed everything, her sword becoming a storm of fire and steel. Each strike was faster than human eyes should track, each one carrying enough force to shatter stone. Her Asura bloodline sang in her veins, fire magic amplifying every attack.
"Flame Spirit Sword Art—Fifth Form: Flaming Blizzard!"
Dozens of flaming strikes descended simultaneously, each one a killing blow in its own right, creating a maelstrom of fire that should have overwhelmed any defense.
His response was immediate: "Raging Fire Spear Art—Second Form: Whirlwind Dive!"
His spear became a spiral of flame and motion, each rotation deflecting her attacks with minimal wasted movement. The clash of their techniques sent shockwaves rippling across the arena, flames dancing between them like living creatures.
*BANG! CRASH! BANG! CRASH!*
But something changed. His defensive posture shifted, lowering his center of gravity, and suddenly her attacks weren't being deflected—they were being absorbed and redirected. His spear moved like an unshakable boulder, accepting her strikes and sending them back with amplified force.
*He blocked everything. Every single attack.*
The realization should have frustrated her. Instead, it made her smile wider.
*Truly worthy of being called my rival.*
The students watching were losing their minds, unable to believe someone was matching the Asura Princess blow for blow. But Ava understood—both of them were holding back, neither willing to reveal their ultimate techniques in a semifinal match.
But this had to end.
She gathered her fire, channeling everything into one devastating strike. "Flame Spirit Sword Art—Tenth Form: Salamander's Dragon Blast!"
A massive dragon construct of pure flame erupted from her blade, roaring as it surged forward with apocalyptic force.
His voice rang out simultaneously: "Dark Spirit Spear Art—First Form: Ghostly Dread!"
Darkness coalesced around his spear, taking the form of spectral figures that seemed to drain light from the air itself. The two techniques collided at the arena's center.
The explosion was blinding. Smoke filled the entire battlefield, obscuring everything.
When it cleared, only one figure remained standing.
"Winner: Unknown!"
Ava lay unconscious, minor burns and exhaustion having finally overcome her. She'd pushed herself to the absolute limit, and it hadn't been quite enough.
The crowd's reaction was pure chaos—shock, disbelief, outrage from Ava's devotees, and awe from those who could appreciate the technical brilliance they'd just witnessed.
Riyan looked down at his fallen cousin, feeling an unexpected pang of respect. *You fought well. Better than I expected.*
Medical staff rushed forward, but he'd already turned away, heading back to the viewing area. His match was over.
Now came the interesting part—watching the protagonist's battle.
---
**Current Standings:**
Raven Zeus (Winner vs Livia)
Unknown/Riyan (Winner vs Ava)
Alex Karots vs Fera Starlight (Upcoming)
Noha Kai vs Yan Gates (Upcoming)
The Ranking Battle was far from over, and the real challenges were only beginning.