Sunlight streamed through the coliseum's high windows, casting bars of light onto the stone arena floor. The audience's cheers echoed, but backstage in the waiting room, the atmosphere was still, heavy with unspoken tension.
Kuro sat with his usual unreadable expression, hands resting loosely on his knees. Beside him, Rei leaned against the wall, flipping a silver coin through her fingers. Across the bench, Ryuto adjusted the bandages on his wrist, his expression stony, while Saria twisted a strand of her hair and sighed softly. Alisa stood, her posture regal but her eyes betraying concern.
Lucien's slip of his demonic aura the previous day still hung heavily between them. None of them had spoken of it openly in front of others—but in their silence, they all knew.
Finally, Rei cut through the quiet. "So... we all saw it, right?"
Ryuto nodded. "No mistake. That wasn't human magic."
Alisa pressed her lips together. "...So Lucien is truly...?"
"A demon," Kuro said, his voice low and steady. "Yes. But don't be hasty."
Saria tilted her head curiously. "Why wait? Shouldn't we expose him now?"
Kuro's violet eyes gleamed. "Without proof everyone can see, accusing him would just be dismissed by the Academy and the kingdom as nonsense. He's clever. He'll play the innocent perfectly. For now, let the tournament play on. The more he fights, the more chances he has to reveal himself again."
Ryuto clenched his fist.
"...We'll have to wait for our chance."
---
**Flashback – The Group Stage Announcement**
The scene shifted in their minds, back to earlier that morning when the Headmaster and judges had explained the tournament's next phase.
On the arena podium, the Academy Headmaster raised his staff, his voice carrying over the crowd.
"Students of the Royal Academy, the time has come to reveal the group stage system for this year's Grand Tournament. Four teams will decide our champions—each team will contain four combatants, and only one winner will emerge from each team. The rules are simple: one loss, and you are out. The four winners will advance to the semi-finals, where it will be decided who earns the prize bestowed by His Majesty the King of Ironwood himself."
The crowds roared their approval.
The Headmaster gestured to the large crystal board behind him, which glowed as names appeared one by one.
---
**Team A**
**Fayden Ignis** – The tall, flame-haired youth from Class A, known for his reckless style and destructive fire magic.
**Leif Verde** – The calm, calculating strategist from Class B, specializing in earth and wind combination magic.
Two other students, one from Class A and one from Class B, filled out the roster.
**Team B**
**Princess Alisa.** Loud cheers came from the noble families in the audience.
**Fiera Gale** from Class A, the swift, sharp-eyed girl feared for her storm magic and ruthless competitive style.
Two more students, selected from Class A and Class B.
**Team C**
The crowd favorite, **Ryuto Yuzen**, whose secret behind his power was known to few.
**Lucien Vael**, the mysterious transfer student with a calm smile and an unshakable demeanor.
Two other students from Class A and B, seeming insignificant compared to the looming conflict.
**Team D**
**Rei**, whose reputation in the Academy spread as a clever strategist.
**Saria Elcrest**, with her gentle smile masking the sharpness of her magic.
Two more students from the remaining classes.
---
The Headmaster struck the ground with his staff, the sound echoing like thunder.
"The semi-finals will be thus: the winner of Team A versus the winner of Team B, and the winner of Team C versus the winner of Team D. Finally, a champion's match between the two final winners."
The entire coliseum erupted in excitement, cheers echoing from every corner.
"And the prize will be bestowed directly by the King of Ironwood. It's said to grant both honor and power, though its nature will remain a mystery until the final battle."
The students buzzed with speculation. A weapon? Gold? A rare artifact?
But Kuro, standing in the crowd, narrowed his eyes. "Power from a king is rare... rarely given freely…"
---
**Back in the Waiting Room**
"...So the stage is set," Rei said softly, tossing her coin into the air. "Four teams. Opportunities. To win, or to vanish. Interesting."
Alisa let out a soft sigh. "That means... I'll likely have to fight Fiera. She doesn't back down."
Saria laughed. "I don't relish it either. But it makes it fun, doesn't it?"
Ryuto gripped the hilt of his sword tightly. "Lucien is in my team. Good. It spares me the trouble of waiting."
Rei smiled. "Don't get cocky. If you fall before him, all this planning is wasted."
Ryuto shot her a look.
Kuro stood, the hem of his black coat brushing the bench. His voice was soft, but it cut through their tension like a blade.
"Remember, this tournament is more than matches. Every battle is a stage... and every stage has its masks. Watch carefully. Listen carefully. If Lucien slips again..."
His eyes glowed with a faint violet light.
"...That's when we strike."
The team fell silent. Outside, the crowd roared loudly as the names for Team A were called to the battlefield.
The stage was set for Velgrith's young heroes—but a demon lurked among them. Or two...
---
✦ **To Be Continued...**