The Azure Colosseum glimmered under the ethereal light of Azure Blue's twin moons. After thirty minutes of rest, the fighters had recalibrated, strategized, and readied themselves for the final, decisive round. Round Three was not just a test of strength—it was a crucible that would separate the legends from the mortals, the aspirants from the prodigies.
Lucien's clone stood high above the arena on the central observation platform, his presence calm, composed, yet radiating a subtle pressure that made even the strongest combatants feel the weight of his authority. Guru lounged casually beside him, sipping tea, while Vaelion leaned back against a railing, arms crossed, clearly bored with the show's pacing.
"Thirty minutes of rest," Lucien's clone said with a faint smile, "and now… we begin. Remember, this is not a fight to the death. Survival, skill, and creativity will determine your ranks. The first ten victors will receive personal rewards from me." His eyes scanned the arena. "And all of you will leave enlightened… if you're willing to understand."
A hush fell over the crowd. Across the Colosseum, the assembled sects, families, and elite candidates tightened their grips on weapons, readied elemental constructs, and whispered strategies to allies. Every participant felt the same tension: the final thirty minutes could decide their entire reputation, their legacy, their fortune.
From the center, Ryuketsu and Misato sprinted toward one another. Ryuketsu's fists ignited with azure fire, creating trails of pure energy as he launched a spinning uppercut that could easily decimate a mountain. Misato countered with a multi-directional wind strike, spinning vortexes converging to meet the fire in a thunderous explosion. Rocks, shattered platforms, and arcs of mystical energy erupted around them.
Nearby, Ayame and Hikaru danced in perfect synchronization, evading and striking with precision. Ayame's shadow manipulations grew more intricate, forming serpentine tendrils that lashed unpredictably, while Hikaru bent the very battlefield's terrain, sending sharp crystalline formations hurtling through the arena.
"Not bad," Lucien's clone muttered softly, observing them. "They've learned to anticipate and respond… clever."
Guru tilted his head. "By the looks of it, the final round won't just test strength—it's about adaptability. That's the part mortals can rarely grasp."
From the far edges of the Colosseum, elite candidates from the Stellar Ascendants, Moon Shadow Clan, and the major families surged forward. Kaishin's star fragments streaked through the air, Lumina's light constructs intercepted them mid-flight, and a flurry of elemental explosions littered the arena.
Sayuri and Kunihiro moved with quiet, ruthless efficiency. Their runes imbued the battlefield with unpredictable hazards—energy traps, elemental spikes, and shifting platforms—forcing their opponents to think on multiple levels at once. Each strike they delivered was precise, calculated to expose weaknesses without overextending themselves.
The crowd cheered with excitement, but the participants knew better: every move could be the difference between victory and loss.
The battle became a ballet of destruction. Ryuketsu's fiery fist collided with Ayame's shadow tendrils midair, causing a burst of energy so intense it shattered the Colosseum's floating platforms. Kaishin summoned a meteor shower, only for Hikaru to bend the terrain, redirecting fragments to create a deadly wall around the arena's center.
Hoshigami, though not participating in this round, observed from the stands alongside the other peak disciples from Nax Academy. Her partial metaphysical awareness allowed her to sense shifts in energy, subtle patterns of attack and counterattack that most could not perceive.
Hayato, Rei, Shunji, Akemi, and Kojiro watched similarly, understanding that the techniques displayed in this battle were both lessons and spectacles—opportunities to absorb insight without having to fight themselves.
Aelira, seated beside them, clutched the edge of her seat, her eyes wide with awe. Even without participating, her aura pulsed as her bloodline resonated with the immense energies around her.
As the battle reached its peak, Lucien's clone stood and raised both hands. His voice, calm yet resonant, carried across the Colosseum:
"Enough, everyone. You have fought well, you have demonstrated skill, strategy, and courage. Now, listen."
He began to speak about the Dao—the principles of balance, flow, and the interplay of power and intention. As his words filled the air, a wave of energy radiated outward, bathing every participant, every sect, and every major family member in a golden light.
Heavenly phenomena unfolded before their eyes. Twin moons shifted, constellations realigned, and auroras of metaphysical energy danced across the sky. Every participant felt their consciousness expand, insights flowing into their minds effortlessly.
Hoshigami, Hayato, Rei, Shunji, Akemi, and Kojiro felt it immediately. Though they had not fought in Round Three, the Dao's teachings resonated deeply within them. Their aura surged, their metaphysical senses sharpened, and each realized a fraction of enlightenment previously unattainable.
"This," Lucien's clone said with a faint smile, "is the gift of understanding. Combat is only one path… knowledge is another. Remember it."
Guru chuckled softly. "I told you it'd be entertaining."
Vaelion raised an eyebrow. "Entertaining… yes. But dangerous for their egos if they think they're gods now."
The remaining combatants in the arena, exhausted yet exhilarated, were ranked by their skill, creativity, and strategy. Lucien's clone personally approached the top ten, rewarding each with artifacts, knowledge, and personal insights into the Dao.
The first-place victor, Ryuketsu, knelt respectfully, receiving a blade imbued with celestial energy. "May it serve you well," Lucien's clone said, his tone calm yet weighty. "Use it wisely."
Misato, Kaishin, Ayame, and the other top performers each received similar gifts—artifacts, rare techniques, and insights that would accelerate their cultivation for decades.
Even those outside the top ten were not left empty-handed. Lucien's clone spoke to the entire Colosseum, his voice echoing like a chorus of the cosmos:
"You have all fought well. Your courage, strategy, and adaptability have been noted. Let this experience, this knowledge, guide your paths in the years to come. Every one of you has been enlightened by the Dao, whether you understand it fully now or not. Grow."
The crowd fell silent, awestruck. The golden aura of enlightenment lingered in their eyes and hearts.
The Azure Games concluded not with death, but with elevation. The participants, spectators, and peak disciples of Nax Academy all understood the magnitude of what they had witnessed. Across the planet and into neighboring star systems, word spread: Lucien Dreamveil—through his clone—had orchestrated an event that would be remembered for generations. His name, his Dao, and his wisdom were now etched across the universe.
Aelira turned to Lucien's clone, eyes sparkling. "Papa… will we have more games like this?"
Lucien's clone ruffled her hair gently. "Perhaps. But for now… rest, learn, and remember the lessons of today."
Guru chuckled. "He spoils her too much."
Vaelion shook his head with a sigh. "For now, at least, the universe can breathe again."
And with that, the Azure Colosseum quieted, its platforms settling back into place. The sky shimmered with the remnants of the celestial phenomena, leaving every participant, spectator, and peak disciple forever changed. The legend of the Azure Games—and the name of Lucien Dreamveil—was now immortal across Azure Blue and the universe beyond.