The atmosphere in the arena grew so tense it felt suffocating.
The roaring cheers gradually faded, replaced by an overwhelming sense of anticipation rippling through the stands.
At the center of the stage, two silhouettes faced each other Mira and Everen while the glowing magic circles around them flickered like wavering flames.
"If you truly want to win… then attack me."
Everen's low voice echoed, laced with a teasing smirk full of arrogance.
The moment Mira heard his challenge, she wasted no time.
She shot upward into the air.
Her pink hair fluttered wildly, a rosy light gathering around her fist bright as a falling star.
She poured every drop of strength into a single strike as she descended, driving her punch directly toward him.
Strangely enough… Everen didn't dodge.
He merely smirked, spreading his arms wide as if welcoming her attack like receiving a precious blessing.
BOOM!
The impact roared. The arena floor shattered, the ground beneath collapsing into a deep crater.
Dust erupted in every direction as shards of stone were flung into the air.
At the heart of the destruction, the two bodies had fallen together Mira straddling Everen's waist, her eyes wide open, her face flushing crimson as if it might combust.
"A-Aaaaah!!!"
A shrill scream pierced the entire arena, silencing the crowds in stunned disbelief.
Mira frantically scrambled off him, so flustered she didn't even know where to look.
Everen simply laughed. He didn't look injured not even remotely. In fact, he seemed delighted.
"Well… that punch of yours packs quite a bite. I don't think I've got the strength to keep fighting anymore."
His playful tone only made Mira blush harder, turning as red as a ripe cherry.
"Y-you… Everen, are you… are you okay?" she stammered, eyes darting nervously.
Everen propped himself up with one hand, then gently reached out with the other, brushing off the dust on Mira's cheek.
"I'm fine. But you… with such small hands, that must've hurt quite a bit, didn't it?"
He lifted her hand tenderly and pressed a soft "chu~" kiss to the back of it, his eyes shimmering with a seductive glint that made Mira's soul nearly escape her body.
"You're adorable, Mira. Truly. You're so strong… I can't even resist you."
A mad, obsessive light flickered deep within his red eyes.
The words struck Mira like a spell. She froze, heart hammering wildly, her entire face burning.
"A…aaa…"
Her mind went blank.
Meanwhile, Everen simply kept smiling as he turned toward the referee.
"I cannot continue this match. I… concede."
"What?!"
The referee nearly died on the spot, but after a deep breath, he raised his hand: "Everen has conceded! The winner is Mira Caster of Team Starfall!"
The arena erupted into thunderous cheers, yet mixed within them were countless murmurs of protest.
"He clearly let her win!"
"Yeah! That wasn't fair at all!"
But rules were rules. Once a contestant surrendered, no one could interfere.
In Starfall's section, Kyran and Soren exchanged stunned looks. Yes, they had won the fourth match, but…
Kyran frowned slightly: "Could it be… that Everen actually likes Mira?"
The words had barely left his mouth when he felt a bone-chilling killing intent surge beside him.
He turned his head.
Soren was clenching his fists so tightly they trembled, his eyes locked on Mira, who was still flushed and bowing in embarrassment before Everen.
Kyran froze.
Don't tell me… Soren too…
Silence washed over their side of the stands.
On the giant screen, the scoreboard now displayed clearly.
Shooting Star – 2 : 2 – Overlord.
Everything now rested on the final match between Kyran and Damian.
The decisive moment was drawing near.
On Overlord's side.
Everen returned to the resting area, still wearing that half-smile.
As he passed Damian, he placed a hand on the man's shoulder, patting it lightly.
"The final match depends on you. Don't disappoint me."
His voice sounded gentle, yet Damian felt ice crawl up his spine.
Damian gripped his sword so tightly his palms bled. His heart burned with fury, this tie was only happening because Everen intentionally lost.
But he didn't dare say a word.
One wrong look from Everen could easily cost him his life.
Everen glanced at him, chuckling.
"What can I say? My adorable Mira is too strong, I couldn't possibly oppose her. Like a loyal little pup… powerless against its master's command."
A twisted smile ghosted across his lips.
Damian shuddered violently and bowed his head.
"Y-yes… I understand, my lord. I will bring victory to our team!"
"Good." Everen's tone cooled, dropping several degrees.
"Because if you lose… you know exactly what will happen to you."
Damian stiffened.
He nodded and hurried off, silent as a shadow.
Everen only chuckled, then turned away heading toward the medical wing.
But halfway down the empty corridor… he stopped.
A figure stood blocking his path.
Someone wearing a silver mask, the emblem of Team Lumious Star.
"Don't you dare touch that person. That person is not someone you have any right to lay a finger on. I'm warning you, Everen."
The masked man's voice was icy, slicing through the air like a blade.
Everen let out a soft laugh, eyes flashing with amusement.
"Sorry, but I don't care about your business. I only care about the person I like. If you know what's good for you… then get out of my way."
A fierce gust of wind surged. The ground trembled.
Everen drew his sword, slashing with terrifying force… but the attack was stopped with a single hand.
Everen's eyes widened.
"You… blocked my strike?"
The force of the slash stirred the air, knocking the silver mask loose. It clattered to the ground.
Everen froze.
"You're… Kaelino of Luminous Star?"
The tension between them became so thick the corridor seemed to stop breathing.
Everen narrowed his eyes, then chuckled softly.
"Ha… I'll spare you. For now. But don't think I'll back off. Mira Caster… she belongs to me."
Kaelino smirked, eyes glittering with deadly warning.
"I'll say it again. Don't touch her. If even a single strand of Mira Caster's hair is harmed… I will erase you from this world."
The air grew heavy enough to crush stone.
A moment passed only a moment but something flickered through Kaelino's expression, halting whatever reckless impulse he'd been about to act on.
Kaelino closed his eyes, turned, and walked away without another word.
Everen stared, shocked into silence. His hand tightened into a fist, darkness swirling deep within his gaze.
It was always like this.
No matter where that person went, insects always buzzed around them.
Everen stood alone in the corridor, whispering in a low, almost reverent growl: "You've always had a swarm of annoying pests around you… but in the end, no matter what happens, you will belong only to me."