The arena exploded in cheers once again.
The sound of roaring voices and chants of "Michael! Michael!" surged through the stands like crashing waves. His fan club was practically losing their minds.
Meanwhile, Lyra's teammates rushed onto the field, catching her battered body before she hit the ground.
Aria glared daggers at Michael.
"This was just a selection tournament! Was it really necessary to beat someone that badly!?"
Michael replied calmly, his tone dripping with disdain.
"Oh, my dear royal sister… precisely because it's a selection, one must show no mercy. If she hadn't used her 'Storm Orb,' I wouldn't have had to go that far."
His words made everyone's blood boil, but none dared act recklessly in the middle of the arena.
Before leaving, Michael crouched down beside Lyra's unconscious body and whispered: "You're stronger than I expected… a shame your opponent happened to be me."
Then, almost as if thinking aloud, he added: "Still… I wonder could you tell me something?"
Lyra, weak and semi-conscious, didn't respond.
Michael smirked faintly: "Never mind. I'll ask next time."
With that, he turned and left the stage.
Soren clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles cracked, slamming them against the bench.
"Next time? Who the hell wants to see his face again!?"
Kyran quickly grabbed him by the shoulder.
"Calm down! Let's get Lyra to the medical wing first."
Lyra was taken to the recovery chamber under the Council's care, while on the battlefield, the second match of the round began.
Soren Novad of Team Shooting Star versus Meverdet Likhail of Team Overlord.
The gunshot signaling the start echoed through the arena.
Tension thickened instantly, only the sound of wind and the fighters' breathing remained.
From the stands, Aria, Mira, and Kyran watched intently.
"Strange…" Mira whispered: "Why's he dressed up like that today? Covered head to toe…"
Aria frowned: "And those bruises on his face… looks like he's been tortured."
Kyran stayed silent, but suspicion flickered in his eyes.
Meverdet wasn't the same as before that much was certain.
Down on the field, Meverdet coughed violently, his breathing ragged.
His body looked weak, but in his eyes burned a flicker of madness.
If he lost this fight… he'd lose everything, perhaps even his life.
"You… won't stop me…" he muttered under his breath.
Soren didn't wait. He leapt high, sword flashing, striking down from above.
But Meverdet twisted his body, dodging at a speed the naked eye could barely follow.
"Little brat! Trying to ambush me!?" He snarled.
"In battle, there's only victory or defeat." Soren shot back, voice firm and steady.
Meverdet chuckled darkly: "Fine then. I'll play your way."
He raised his hand, mana gathering like liquid light.
The ground cracked open and from it bloomed a five-petaled flower radiating a sweet yet deadly scent.
The Five-Colored Bloom, a poisonous magic that had once killed countless opponents.
Soren reacted instantly: "Activate: Infernal Domain!"
Flames surged outward, the holy fire of his blessing burning away the toxic mist.
The arena floor turned into a field of crimson heat, a miniature sea of fire.
Meverdet stumbled backward, teeth grinding: "You dare destroy my spell!?"
"Why wouldn't I?" Soren smirked, his eyes gleaming with fire.
Driven to fury, Meverdet ripped a pendant from his neck and began chanting.
A glowing circle opened in the air and from it emerged a majestic Level 4 Holy Beast: the Verdant Bloom Beast.
It was breathtakingly beautiful, its body a living garden of vibrant petals.
Wherever it stepped, flowers blossomed in its wake… but the fragrance it released was pure, deadly poison.
Its roar shook the very stands.
"Behold! My holy beast! Gorgeous, isn't it? It can kill you in a single move."
The pressure crushed down on Soren like a mountain. Sweat trickled down his neck; his heart pounded violently.
But from above the noise, Mira's voice broke through…
"Go, Soren! You can do it!"
Her shout hit him like a spark. He smiled, eyes blazing again, and launched himself forward.
Holy fire gathered around his blade, burning brighter than ever.
But the beast roared, unleashing its ultimate move: "Toxic Bloom!"
A wave of poisonous fragrance exploded outward, ripping through Soren's barrier and flooding his body in seconds.
He fell to one knee, gasping for air, his strength draining away at terrifying speed.
The entire arena fell silent.
The referee approached, knelt beside him, then raised his voice solemnly: "The winner is Meverdet Likhail!"
The arena erupted into deafening cheers.
Two rounds in, Team Overlord had taken the lead.
Kyran clenched his fists, lips pressed tight. If they wanted to turn the tide now, they'd have to win the remaining three battles.
But among them was Mira and her opponent was none other than Everen, the undefeated monster.
Aria's face paled as she looked at Kyran.
"What do we do…? Mira's fighting Everen. She doesn't stand a chance."
Kyran drew a deep breath, his eyes glowing with quiet resolve.
"It's alright. As long as the three of us keep fighting, there's still hope."
The intermission between matches lasted ten minutes but none of the Shooting Star members truly rested.
They sat in silence, each trapped in their own heavy thoughts.
Kyran looked up at the glowing sky above the arena, clasped his hands together, and whispered softly.
"In the name of the Almighty Valtherion… hear the prayer of this humble one.
Guide us through this trial."
He prayed to the Supreme God, hoping his words would reach Him.
The tense silence of the break felt suffocating.
Ten short minutes but for those exhausted fighters, it was the most precious time to catch their breath, to calm their hearts, and to prepare for the worst that could come.
Kyran remained still, fingers intertwined, lips moving in faint murmurs only he could hear.
Mira tilted her head, her clear eyes glimmering: "Kyran, what are you doing?"
He flinched slightly, then chuckled: "I'm just praying."
Her large eyes blinked with curiosity: "Praying? To who? Who are you praying to?"
Kyran smiled faintly at her innocent expression.
"Well, I…"
"You're a Lightning attribute mage, right? So… are you praying to Raegar Valtherion, the Thunder Guardian?"
"Mira…" he said softly, a warmth in his tone: "No. The one I pray to is the Supreme God, the being who created this world."
"The Supreme God?" Mira tilted her head: "You mean… Lord Valtherion?"
Kyran nodded, gaze rising toward the radiant sky: "Yes. The one I put my faith in is Valtherion. I'm praying now… hoping my voice will reach Them."
Mira giggled softly.
For a moment, time seemed to stop. Kyran's breath caught her smile glowed like morning sunlight.
"Mira?" He called, his voice barely above a whisper.
She looked up, smiling even brighter: "Kyran, don't worry. No matter what happens… I believe everything will be okay."
Her words, simple yet pure, washed over him like a warm breeze.
Kyran smiled back gentle and serene. For a fleeting moment, Mira's radiance dispelled the weight of fear pressing on his heart.
Then, the loudspeaker blared, breaking the calm. The intermission was over.
Two new fighters stepped onto the stage are Aria Ice Lumerious of Team Shooting Star, and Lisha Halstard of Team Overlord.
The arena erupted once more in wild cheers.
Amid the roaring crowd, Aria inhaled deeply, her sharp gaze locking onto her opponent,
a girl with violet-black hair and an icy, unreadable beauty.
Lisha Halstard is the weakest member of Team Dominion.