Theia, Dahlia, and I decided to get some food and potions. We walked through the bustling streets until we found a small marketplace.
We picked up a few fresh fruits for Claude—apples, pears, and berries—which cost 300 gold coins in total.
Then we grabbed three energy potions, each costing 2,000 gold coins. The vendor gave us a small bow as we handed over the gold, and we carefully packed everything.
With our purchases in hand, we hurried back to the infirmary. Inside, Claude was still resting on the bed, groaning softly as he rubbed his arms.
"Claude," I said, tapping his shoulder. "We brought some food for you."
Claude squinted at the items, confusion crossing his face. "Who… is that?" he asked, looking at Theia standing beside us.
"This is Theia," Dahlia said kindly. "She will be joining us for a 3v3 match."
Claude blinked and sat up straight. "Wait… you're joining what? I'm fine now. I should be joining you guys."
"Not today," I said gently, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You need to rest first. After that, we will fight monsters together. Don't worry—you'll be back in action soon."
Claude gave a small nod, knowing he had no choice. "Fine… but don't forget me. You might add her to our party and leave me behind," he muttered.
"Good luck resting," Dahlia said with a smile. "We'll see you later."
We all left the infirmary, heading back into the streets.
Once we were out of the building, we each drank a potion to replenish our energy. The sweet, revitalizing liquid flowed through our veins, leaving us refreshed and ready for the next challenge.
[Your Stamina Restored!]
Once we were ready, we headed toward the Arena.
The massive stone doors opened as we entered, and the crowd's roar hit us instantly. Players and NPCs filled the seats, cheering for the ongoing matches and shouting encouragement to their favorites.
We approached the registration desk. A sign displayed: Pay 1,000 gold coins to participate.
"We want to join the next 3v3 match," I said, laying down 1,000 gold coins.
The attendant nodded and handed us three small badges. 'Team 8,' he said, pointing toward a stone platform in the arena where other teams were waiting for their matches.
We took our places, observing the bustling arena.
"Here are your badges," I said, handing them to Dahlia and Theia. They put theirs on, and I clipped mine as well.
Crowds cheered, some waving banners, others shouting names. The arena felt alive. From our corner, we could see the large circular battlefield below
A system notification suddenly appeared above the arena, hovering in midair. Holographic text emerged, clear and bright. A lively, female voice echoed through the arena:
[Battle Rules]
» PvP Mode: Simulated — your real HP is safe
» Objective: Reduce your opponents' HP to zero to win
» No potions or power-ups allowed
» Rewards:
• Winning Team: 20,000 Gold Coins
• Losing Team: 0 Gold Coins
We glanced at each other.
While waiting, I spoke to Theia. "So… what powers did your opponents have that made your team lose earlier?" I asked, curiosity in my voice.
Theia looked at me. "Some of their powers are… unusual. Especially that one guy who carries a crystal ball. His attacks are tricky and unpredictable."
Malachi's eyes widened. "The crystal ball guy? Sounds like trouble. Does his Arcane Weapon have an owl essence imbued in it?"
Theia started to explain, but our conversation was cut short as the hovering system displayed the first match.
[Match Notification]
Batch 2 – Team 1 will face Team 8. All players, get ready for combat.
The holographic text glowed in the air above the arena. The crowd erupted into cheers as the match was officially announced.
"We just arrived, and now we fight," I said, standing up in the stone seat.
We exchanged quick glances. It was time.
We stepped out onto the stone platform, feeling the roar of the crowd echoing through the arena.
Theia, Dahlia, and I made our way toward the center of the battlefield, where the match would officially begin.
[Team 1 will be positioned at the Right End Corner of the Arena]
[Team 8 will be positioned at the Left End Corner of the Arena]
A notification appeared from above, hovering in midair, glowing faintly:
[All Teams, Proceed to Your Assigned Positions and Prepare for Battle]
We moved to our designated spot on the left end corner. The battlefield stretched wide before us.
We took a moment to ready ourselves, checking our weapons and adjusting our stances. I tightened my grip on my spear, feeling its familiar weight. Theia held her scepter firmly, and Dahlia's trident gleamed under the arena lights.
"Best of luck to us," Dahlia said, giving a determined smile.
We smiled back at her, a mix of excitement and nerves tingling inside us.
Theia raised her scepter, and small magical antlers sprouted on our heads, glowing faintly with green energy.
Dahlia and I blinked, clearly confused. "Uh… what's this?" I asked, touching the antlers carefully.
Theia smiled and spoke directly into our minds, her voice calm but firm. "These antlers channel Nature's Resonance, my passive skill. Through them, we can communicate telepathically, and I can help you in battle, enhancing and coordinating your skills."
I grinned and gave her a thumbs-up. "Got it. So your magical creature is a deer, huh? Nice."
A holographic countdown appeared above the arena:
Battle starts in…
3… 2… 1… Begin!
The crowd erupted in cheers as the match officially started, and Team 1 readied themselves, standing at the right end corner of the arena.
We started running toward our opponents. At the same time, they began summoning their weapons.
I glanced at them, and a faint glow appeared. Their Player Status slowly brightened, revealing their names clearly, then faded again when I looked away, letting me focus on the battle ahead.
The first was Clifton. He flexed both hands, and a green serpent coiled tightly around his body. Its long, scaled body twisted into chains, and the head transformed into a sickle attached to the chains in his hand.
Beside him, a young lady named Raven called to her weapon. A large butterfly shimmered in the air, its wings sparkling. Then its body dissolved into a swirl of glowing particles, leaving only the wings. The wings twisted and spiraled, spinning in perfect harmony before folding into two sharp-edged fans that hovered in the air. The glowing fans spun slowly in her hands, ready to strike.
Another young lady named Luna called out her weapon. A shimmering pink unicorn appeared beside her, hovering in midair with a rainbow of light forming beneath it. Then it dissolved into colorful particles, which swirled toward her hand and slowly formed a wand that resembled a unicorn horn.
We reached the center of the arena, facing each other. My heart pounded with anticipation.
Raven leapt high into the air and hurled her spinning fans straight at me.
"Butterfly Dance!"
I swung my spear, but the fans twisted and danced through the air like butterflies, dodging every strike as if alive. Their unpredictable movements kept me pinned in place.
"Rainbow Passage!"
Luna waved her wand, and a narrow rainbow bridge with glowing magical edges appeared above, arching straight toward Theia.
Clifton leapt onto it and sprinted along the shimmering bridge.
"Enough!" I shouted, anger rising, and swung my spear to slash at the fans that kept attacking me relentlessly.
"He's heading for you, Theia!" I alerted her in my mind.
We started running toward Theia, knowing they were targeting her.
"Water Spe–"
Dahlia was about to cast her skill when a blinding, shimmering light suddenly burst over Clifton's body. The brightness was so intense that Dahlia shielded her eyes, momentarily forced to look away.