Fiore Tai thought,
'I have a technique that I created with the help of Master Lan, but it is not completely ready yet.'
He decided to use another technique.
"(Whirlwind of Destruction: Total Destruction)!"
He moved toward Braj Torano, who formed compressed wind spheres around himself.
When the sword collided with one of the spheres, an explosion occurred, pushing Fiore backward.
Braj said,
"First attempt."
Fiore decided to use his technique again and move faster, but he was pushed backward once more without even getting the chance to touch Braj
"Second attempt."
…
"Third attempt."
…
"Fourth attempt."
Fiore had lost most of his strength without even getting close to Braj.
Braj stood still as the wind moved his clothes and strands of his hair dramatically.
He spoke,
"I have to admit that you are special. You made me focus on this battle for a while."
Fiore stood up, anger burning in his eyes.
Without saying a word, the air around him began moving violently.
He prepared a stabbing motion and remembered Baro Ferrer and Shion Lan.
When they performed stabbing attacks, his technique Whirlwind of Destruction took the shape of a spear and changed the form of his sword.
The only thing missing at that moment was a horse, as if he were a knight charging forward.
Braj looked at him in astonishment and said,
"You might be interesting, boy."
Fiore shouted fiercely,
"(Whirlwind of Destruction: Total Destruction)!"
The wind around his sword went berserk, and he pushed his sword forward.
The spheres were deflected after touching the raging currents.
Braj sensed the danger of the situation.
Fiore thought to himself,
'From this distance, he won't be able to defend himself. I have won!'
But in the next moment, he found the wind around his sword disappearing.
The sword collided with a wall of compressed wind.
When he raised his eyes, he found Braj looking at him with dissatisfaction.
Braj said,
"To think that a boy like you forced me to use the fourth level… You deserve to be treated seriously, so—"
"Stop."
Braj was interrupted by the director, who remained calm, as if Braj's advancement was something expected, unlike the audience.
Especially his father, who said calmly but in shock,
"When did that bastard reach the fourth level?!"
The medical staff intervened to treat Fiore.
Under everyone's eyes, Braj could only leave while feeling disappointed.
"The winner of this match is the Silent Wind, Braj Torano!"
After everyone left, Glass Sano and Lav Flair entered the arena.
The referee announced the beginning of the match.
The atmosphere began freezing under the overwhelming pressure released by Glass.
...
"Are you two alright?!"
Pearl Jewel spoke with concern as she saw Fiore and Baro receiving healing magic.
Baro said,
"I will need to modify my technique a little."
"I didn't expect that person to already be at the fourth level!"
Fiore spoke, ignoring their sponsor.
Pearl became angry.
"Why are you two brats like your master?!"
Fiore and Baro looked at her in shock.
"Lady Jewel, you are currently insulting a noble."
Pearl cleared her throat and said,
"It makes sense if Shion chooses not to respond, but you two are ignoring me!"
Baro said teasingly,
"You call his name directly and don't call him Master Lan. Are you perhaps interested in him?"
However, magical energy rose around Pearl.
She said coldly,
"Slap yourselves."
Under the influence of her Word Magic, neither of them could do anything except slap themselves.
Pearl said,
"I came here as your sponsor, but if you are going to speak disrespectfully, we can end the contract right now."
Both of them immediately bowed.
"We are sorry for crossing our limits! Please, this is the last time!"
Baro hurriedly said,
"I thought we were just friends. I apologize!"
Fiore added,
"I only thought you were close to Shion because of the way you two speak with each other!"
At that point, Pearl stopped.
She thought,
'Friends? I don't think I want someone as a friend during this period. I only need followers and workers.'
She moved away without looking back and said,
"I will pretend that I never visited you two. Consider this your final warning."
As soon as she left, both of them sighed in relief.
"That girl is terrifying!"
"How does Master deal with her normally?"
Baro said,
"Let's hope she doesn't tell Master that we crossed the line with her."
Fiore asked,
"Do you think she would tell him?"
But the announcer's voice interrupted them.
"The winner of this match is the Winter King, Glass Sano!"
...
In the arena, Lav, the Fire Mage, was trembling from the cold.
Her body was covered in a layer of frost.
Meanwhile, Glass was completely fine, as if he had not fought at all.
After he left, the match bracket appeared, showing the upcoming battles.
There were four matches remaining.
The announcer announced,
"The first match will be between the Apex Star, Shion Lan, and Purifying Flame, Sterai Shine!"
"The second match will be between the Heavy Sword, Misa Jura, and the Crimson Spirit, Sol Hart!"
"The third match will be a battle between light and darkness, between Moon Swordsman Kin Light and Night Flower Violet Night!"
"The fourth and final match will be between the Silent Wind, Braj Torano, and the Winter King, Glass Sano!"
...
After a short rest and watching the entertainment performances, Shion waited behind the gate, prepared for his match.
As soon as the gates opened, he moved with his usual calmness.
He faced his younger opponent, who radiated intense heat.
Shion thought,
'This heat… Is it from his inheritance?'
The referee announced the beginning of the match.
Sterai released enormous waves of heat.
He decided to use his heritage.
He formed a magic circle at incredible speed and pointed toward Shion.
"(Art of Purification Flame: Burning the Impurities)!"
The spell was strange.
Shion had never seen anything like it before.
A beam of light shot toward him, and flames ignited around his body.
Sterai prepared to use his power to finish Shion after draining his strength.
"You can surrender."
Sterai declared confidently.
But an unexpected response came from inside the flames.
"I have been burned twice today, but it is good that my clothes are still intact."
Shion emerged from the flames completely unharmed.
Sterai and the guardian spirit of the heritage were both shocked by the result.
Shion said,
"As for your attack, it is unable to remove the magic and aura inside me because of my harmony with them, both physically and spiritually."
Indeed, the reason was the Stellar Body and the Stellar Spirit.
His power was in complete harmony.
Sterai was shocked by the explanation.
But the confirmation came from the guardian spirit of the heritage.
"Indeed. His body, soul, and power are connected in an unnatural level of harmony. I do not understand why he is still only at the third level."
After hearing those words, Sterai closed his eyes.
"I surrender. My attacks have no effect on you, so I have no chance of winning."
Shion was stunned.
"Is that it?!
The announcement was made.
"The winner of this match is the Apex Star, Shion Lan!"
Shion left the arena in a state of confusion, thinking,
'Isn't he from one of the Six Great Families?! How did he surrender so easily?! Even the attack that I thought would force me to reveal my strength simply passed through me!"
The next match began.
Misa Jura faced Sol Hart, who took the battle seriously and began summoning spirits.
However, Misa was faster.
She rushed toward her.
"(Mass: Increase)!"
An overwhelming aura descended upon Solan Neumann, making her feel weakness in her legs.
But she summoned the spirits.
"(Spirit Magic: Spirit Fusion)!"
Many spirits entered her body, granting her the strength to endure Misa's technique.
Then she summoned another spirit.
"(Sword Spirit)."
A sword formed from the power of spirits appeared in her hand.
She calmly moved toward Misa.
Misa was shocked that someone had overcome her technique.
She launched another attack at Solan.
"(Mass: Decrease)!"
Misa's sword moved with incredible agility toward Solan.
Solan moved lightly, and by using the skills of the spirits inside her, she engaged Misa in close combat and began pressuring her.
Misa did not understand why she was retreating.
Until she saw spirits entering her body.
She looked at Solan in fear.
Solan stepped backward and commanded,
"Body Spirit, throw the sword."
Misa's body moved strangely, and she released her sword.
When Misa tried to speak, Solan said,
"Voice Spirit, silence her."
No sound came from Misa.
Solan moved forward and placed the edge of her sword against Misa's neck.
She asked,
"Is this my victory?"
The result was quickly announced.
"The winner of this match is the Crimson Spirit, Sol Hart!"
After being released, Misa asked,
"How did you summon this many spirits while you are still only at the fourth level?!"
Solan replied,
"That is because I am Solan Neumann's disciple, and the spirits have begun approaching me."
After this short answer, she left the arena.
The next match began.
"And now, the battle between darkness and light! Moon Swordsman Kin Light versus Night Flower Violet Night!"
The two competitors entered from the gates.
As soon as the match started, Kin summoned the power of the Moon Sorceress Lily.
He used her spell,
"(Master of the Moon's Art: Lunar Gravity)."
Then he released another technique.
"(Master of the Moon's Art: Blue Moon)."
Magic spread throughout the area.
He drew his sword, preparing to use another technique.
But for some unknown reason, Violet simply stood there watching him.
When she saw him stop, she asked,
"Why did you stop? Is it because I am not moving? I am at the fourth level, so show me everything you have."
However, Kin disliked her attitude.
"No opponent would allow something like this!"
Violet replied,
"There are…
Like arrogant people, great warriors, and those who are confident in themselves."
Kin said,
"As you wish, senior."
He raised his sword, creating a thousand radiant swords.
With the glow of the Blue Moon, their power and density increased.
Kin descended with one strike.
"(Thousand Radiant Swords: Cutting Barrage)!"
All the swords moved together with Kin's sword movements and rushed toward Violet.
Violet drew her dagger and pulled out her whip.
Dark aura emerged from both weapons.
"(Shadow Net)!"
The whip moved with fast and precise movements, creating a network of attacks to counter the thousand enhanced swords.
Thanks to the difference in levels, she was able to deal with the swords, redirecting their paths and destroying many of them.
Her movements were not affected by the moon's gravity.
She remained firmly planted on the ground.
When Kin saw that, he was shocked.
Violet said,
"As Her Highness's sword, you need to train more than this."
She turned around, believing that Kin would announce his defeat.
But he said,
"And who said this was the best I can do?"
Energy surged within Kin's body, carrying a dangerous feeling.
When Violet turned back, she was shocked by Kin's power.
Kin spoke,
"(Master of the Moon's Art: Crimson Moon)!"
His sword became sharper, radiating a majestic aura.
He launched his technique again toward Violet.
"I advise you to avoid it this time."
The swords descended upon Violet.
She decided to block them.
But she discovered that the attack's sharpness had increased several times.
Wounds appeared on her body.
When she tried to leave the attack area, she found herself surrounded by the swords.
Violet finally announced her surrender.
The commentator exploded with excitement.
"The winner of this match is the Moon Swordsman, Kin Light!"