After the Fifth Elder ascended and took his seat beside the other elders on the upper platform, and everyone settled into their places overlooking the ruined arena—
A brief silence filled the area before the Third Elder finally broke it while staring down at the destruction that still covered the shattered ground.
"What happened in this tournament…"
He paused for a moment while moving his gaze between the elders.
"…cannot be separated from the sect's external situation."
The Fifth Elder slowly nodded before replying in a calm voice:
"That's true. The disciples' level this year was far from normal. It feels as if some invisible pressure forced them to draw out this much strength. Even the third generation, which normally never goes this far… reached battles that were practically between life and death."
The Fourth Elder tilted his head slightly and spoke in a composed tone:
"The issue isn't only the disciples…"
"…but also the circumstances surrounding them. The Red Bear Sect has started moving far more boldly than before, as if they no longer care about hiding their intentions like they used to."
At the mention of the Red Bear Sect, the Third Elder let out a faint laugh, though the laughter carried a cold edge.
"The Red Bear…"
"Those people who were once part of the same roots as our sect before the great split… and who now believe they've become our equals?"
He shook his head.
"They either forgot their origins… or deliberately choose to ignore them."
The Fifth Elder sighed before speaking in a lower voice:
"The problem isn't only history. It's what they're doing now. They've crossed the borders of the shared territories more than once and provoked our guards on the borders. And even worse…"
He paused briefly before continuing:
"…the attempted assassination of the Sect Master's daughter, Shirin."
A heavy silence fell for a moment, and several elders' expressions subtly changed.
The Fourth Elder spoke calmly:
"The incident involving Lady Shirin wasn't an ordinary provocation…"
"…it was a clear declaration that they no longer fear our response."
The Fifth Elder clenched his fist slightly.
"That incident could've turned into direct war if it hadn't been dealt with quickly back then. But what bothers me even more is the fact that the Red Bear Sect still hasn't denied or apologized for it…"
"…as if they're openly sending us a message that they're ready for escalation."
At that moment, the Sixth Elder finally spoke, his tone sharp and full of disdain.
"Ready for escalation?"
He laughed mockingly.
"They don't even possess the ability to stand against us directly. They're nothing more than creatures relying on cheap threats while hiding behind their borders."
Then his voice grew colder.
"And if they truly had courage, they wouldn't have sent that pathetic attempt to kill a girl inside our sect."
The Fifth Elder looked at him calmly.
"But that very attempt means they've begun testing our reactions… and I believe they're hiding something from us as well."
The Third Elder nodded thoughtfully.
"You make sense. And honestly… this current tournament isn't far removed from that context either."
He raised his head toward the others.
"In the end, this tournament gathers the best of our younger generation in one place. Every sect in the outside world knows that very well. Any event inside this competition is immediately interpreted as a measure of the future generation's strength."
The Fourth Elder nodded slowly.
"Correct. Which is why the situation is sensitive. The level of combat shown by the disciples today is no longer simple internal training…"
"…it's an unintended message to the outside world that the sect hasn't weakened as some believe."
The Fifth Elder added immediately:
"And that's exactly what worries me. Because the Red Bear Sect doesn't view this tournament as training…"
"…but as an opportunity to determine whether the sect currently stands in weakness or strength."
The Sixth Elder slammed his hand against the armrest.
"Then let them come! If they're watching, they should watch carefully. No one in this sect fears them—whether from the old generation or the new."
Then he added with open contempt:
"But I refuse to take them more seriously than they deserve."
The Fifth Elder replied calmly:
"Underestimating them is the first mistake in any long conflict."
Then he added:
"They were once part of our sect. They know our strengths and weaknesses better than any external enemy. That alone makes them dangerous, even if they appear weaker."
The Third Elder sighed.
"The problem isn't only the Red Bear Sect. The entire outside world is watching this tournament, and every result here will later be used to calculate the balance of power between sects…"
"…and from the amount of anticipation surrounding this event, it's obvious that several spies are already watching the battles here."
The Fourth Elder calmly added:
"That's why what happened today between the disciples isn't merely combat…"
"…it's proof that the next generation has begun imposing itself with force, whether we're ready for it or not."
A brief silence followed before the Fifth Elder finally looked toward the ruined arena again.
"Regardless of everything…"
"…this tournament proved that the sect still possesses a generation worthy of relying on in the future."
Then he lowered his voice slightly.
"…but it also proved that the outside world may begin moving far sooner than we expected."
The Sixth Elder coldly replied:
"If they move… then we simply face them."
But the Fourth Elder merely stared downward calmly.
"…the problem isn't facing them."
He paused briefly.
"…the problem is who will force us to truly unleash everything we have."
And at that moment—
A long silence spread across the elders' platform.
Not a peaceful silence…
…but one carrying the heavy feeling of waiting for something yet to come.
Meanwhile, in one of the distant corners of the stands—
Faiser sat casually atop one of the stone seats with one leg crossed over the other, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest as though he wasn't waiting for the final match of the sect's greatest tournament…
…but merely waiting for an entertaining show.
His eyes remained fixed on the ruined arena below, on the marks left behind by the spears, the hammer, and the countless cracks covering the entire ground after Lin and Daren's battle.
Then the black ring around his finger faintly glimmered before the Book's voice echoed inside his mind.
"Haaaaah… now THIS is what I call a respectable fight."
"At least those two knew how to destroy each other without overthinking it, unlike certain idiots sitting around right now staring at the arena as if they're lofty sages."
Faiser slightly raised an eyebrow.
"…You mean me?"
"Of course I mean you."
"Who else here has that irritating face that looks like it knows everything in the world?"
A faint smile appeared on Faiser's lips while he rested his cheek against his fist.
"Haaaah… well, that's because I genuinely know more than most people here."
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
The Book burst into laughter inside his mind.
"Just look at yourself…"
"Sometimes I forget you're still just a boy inside a small sect, because the way you speak makes me feel like I'm talking to an old man who lived for a hundred years."
Faiser smiled faintly before sighing quietly.
"The next battle won't be simple."
"Mmmm?"
"Kael isn't like the others."
A short silence followed before Faiser continued calmly while looking upward toward where Kael sat in the distance.
"Since the beginning of the tournament, he's been observing everyone without revealing his full strength, despite his difficult fight against that girl. Even when he fought her… it was obvious he never needed to use everything he had."
"And even the way he moves…"
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…he doesn't waste a single motion, even if he's an idiot in a different way."
The Book chuckled lightly.
"So?"
"Are you finally starting to feel pressure?"
The corner of Faiser's mouth immediately rose.
"Pressure?!"
Then he let out a short laugh.
"…Hahahaha no."
"I'm simply thinking about how I should deal with him in the best way possible."
Silence filled the air for a moment before the Book spoke again.
"That's what I like about you, you arrogant brat."
"You never enter battles with foolish emotions like the other disciples."
"You enter them like you're playing chess."
"But…"
Its voice deepened slightly.
"…don't forget that this time your opponent isn't an idiot either."
Faiser sighed quietly.
"I know."
"And that's why I won't fight him directly from the start."
"Mmmm?"
"Kael has an obvious problem."
Faiser lifted his gaze toward the arena.
"He's used to everyone fearing him. Used to his opponents retreating in front of him immediately."
"People like him…"
A faint smile appeared.
"…when they don't get the reaction they expect, they slowly begin losing their composure, even if they don't show it. He's a little similar to Lin."
The Book instantly burst into laughter.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"So you're planning to play with his nerves?"
"Not only his nerves."
Faiser closed his eyes briefly.
"I'll make him feel as if the battle is slowly slipping out of his control."
"And the more he tries to regain it…"
He slowly opened his eyes.
"…the further I'll push him."
Silence filled his mind for several moments before the Book suddenly spoke.
"Do you know what your problem is?"
"What?"
"You genuinely enjoy this… and you don't even take it seriously, even if you know you might lose! HAHAHAHAHA!"
Faiser's smile widened slightly without denying it.
The Book continued:
"You don't only think about winning."
"You think about HOW your opponent will lose."
"You think about how to make them collapse in front of you."
"And that's why…"
It laughed lightly.
"…sometimes I feel like you're more dangerous than most monsters I've seen in my life, at least when it comes to your behavior."
Faiser answered calmly:
"The true danger isn't the strong person…"
"…it's the person who knows exactly what they're doing."
"OHHHH!"
"Now THAT'S the kind of line I like!"
The Book laughed again before continuing mockingly:
"But don't overdo it, you purple philosopher. I still remember how you used to explode after every training session inside the Book as if your body would turn into minced meat."
Faiser sighed lightly.
"…Those trainings weren't normal to begin with."
"Of course they weren't!"
"Did you think I'd make you stronger while you sat around drinking tea?"
"Every martial art you possess now…"
"Every level of dual-chi control you reached…"
"Every incomprehensible fighting style you use…"
It laughed quietly.
"…all of that exists because I destroyed you thousands of times inside the Book."
Silence followed for a brief moment before Faiser quietly replied:
"But it worked."
The Book's laughter stopped briefly before it answered in a calmer tone.
"…Hmm. It really did work."
"And now even I'm getting excited to see how far you'll go."
At that exact moment—
Voices suddenly rose from the upper stands.
"Mira!"
"She's out of treatment!"
"She's okay!"
Faiser calmly lifted his gaze.
Mira was walking between the disciples with steady steps, her long hair swaying behind her while several bandages still covered parts of her arm and neck.
Yet her aura seemed far more stable compared to before.
Even the Third Elder immediately smiled upon seeing her.
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
"Very good!"
"I thought that crazy girl would stay unconscious until tomorrow!"
The Fourth Elder merely closed his eyes briefly as though finally relieved.
"…Good."
"So the damage didn't reach her spiritual roots."
The disciples quickly made way for her while she ignored most of the gazes directed at her.
But—
Her eyes immediately stopped on Faiser.
"Oh."
The Book instantly laughed.
"She found you. HAHAHAHA."
"…Tsk!!" Faiser muttered quickly.
At that moment, Faiser simply looked back toward the arena as though he hadn't seen her at all.
Meanwhile—
Mira actually approached him before finally sitting beside him without saying a word.
A strange silence formed between them.
Yet her sharp gaze never left him for even a second.
Faiser tried ignoring her at first, but after several moments he genuinely began feeling annoyed by her constant staring.
"…Is there something?"
Mira finally answered without looking away:
"Yes."
"I'm trying to understand how someone as irritating as you—and with such a low level—can be this strong. Don't think I didn't hear the rumors about your fight."
The Book exploded with laughter inside Faiser's mind.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"She started!"
But Faiser calmly replied:
"Oooh… so you're still alive and thinking. I honestly thought you were going to die after that battle."
"But you can consider my strength a natural talent."
The Book burst into laughter once again.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!"
"You idiot, you're socially hopeless!!"
Mira immediately narrowed her eyes mockingly.
"Haaaah… you really are arrogant and conceited!!"
"Better than being weak," Faiser answered instantly.
"Tsk."
She turned her face away while muttering something incomprehensible as the Book nearly died laughing inside Faiser's mind.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"I swear I'm starting to understand why life outside the library is becoming more entertaining!"
A full hour passed since the end of Lin and Daren's fight.
During that time, the Fifth Elder had partially repaired the arena while the noise inside the stadium never calmed even slightly, because everyone was waiting for the final round that would decide the strongest disciple in the tournament.
And then—
New voices rose from the stone passage leading toward the stands.
"They're here!"
"Lin and Daren!"
"HAHAHAHAHA! The two monsters finally woke up!"
Lin appeared first, walking with both hands behind his head despite the numerous bandages covering his body.
Meanwhile Daren walked beside him slowly while yawning as though he had just awakened from a long nap instead of a battle that nearly killed him.
"Haaaaah…"
Daren let out a loud sigh.
"I swear I can't even feel half my body anymore."
Lin chuckled lightly.
"At least you're still alive, you monster."
Lin and Daren approached the area where Mira, Faiser, Shin, and Shirin sat.
Then Lin raised his gaze toward Faiser and spoke directly in an unusually friendly tone, almost like encouragement.
"…So now it's your turn."
Meanwhile—
Daren dropped himself onto one of the seats while leaning his head backward.
"Just don't lose too quickly."
"After everything we did today, I want to watch a fight that's actually worth it."
Shin instantly laughed.
"Damn!"
"Even you two are excited for this fight?!"
Lin answered with a grin:
"Of course. Even though I don't like this guy, I'll still cheer for him because I don't like Kael either—for several reasons."
"I want to see whether this purple idiot truly has something that justifies all that confidence."
Daren spoke mockingly:
"Hah! You really are contradictory, Lin."
Daren, Lin, Shirin, Shin, and even Mira all laughed at Lin's unusual attitude toward Faiser.
Meanwhile—
Faiser simply smiled without replying or joining their atmosphere.
Up above—
The Fifth Elder finally stood before his voice swept across the entire arena.
"Alright, alright… the break is over!"
The voices gradually calmed.
"Let the fighters prepare for the final round!"
At that moment—
Kael slowly rose from his seat as a heavy crimson aura gradually began rising around his body.
Meanwhile—
Faiser stood up with complete calmness before slowly adjusting his collar as though he were heading to a peaceful walk rather than the most dangerous fight of his life.
Then—
Kael slowly raised his head.
And on the opposite side, Faiser did exactly the same.
Their eyes met in the middle of the arena…
And in a single instant—
The voices of the disciples gradually disappeared.
Even the whispers within the stands stopped, as though the entire arena unconsciously held its breath.
Chi began rising instinctively from both of their bodies—the crimson red surrounding Kael and the dark violet surrounding Faiser.
Even the stone floor beneath their feet began cracking faintly before either of them had taken a single step.
As for the disciples—
For the first time, they felt that what was about to happen was no mere battle between two disciples…
…but a collision between two real monsters.
Above—
The Fourth Elder slowly smiled.
Meanwhile, the Fifth Elder muttered internally:
"Hahaha… it has begun."
As for Faiser—
The corner of his mouth rose into a confident smile.
And on the opposite side…
Kael smiled viciously as though he had finally found the opponent he had been waiting for since the very beginning.
And at that moment—
Everyone clearly understood one thing.
The final round…
…would never leave the arena the same again.