As the next match lineup was announced, Arthur walked toward Seraphina. He gave her a small nod. "Good luck. I'm looking forward to seeing you fight."
Seraphina's face turned slightly red as she turned away. "Thanks," she mumbled. Callista and the others chimed in, wishing her luck as well. As she stepped toward the arena, Nathaniel called out, "Don't exert yourself, okay?"
She nodded without looking back, focusing on the battlefield ahead.
Tenmei suddenly popped out, her voice filled with excitement. "Hah! It's finally our turn! We're in the limelight!"
Before them stood her opponent—Sylvaine. He had messy brown hair and piercing black eyes, his expression filled with slight annoyance. He muttered under his breath, "Why did they match me up against a girl? It would've been better if it was a guy... Now I have to hit a girl."
The referee raised his hand. "Begin!"
Seraphina took her stance. A bright glow surrounded her as she whispered, "Illuminate… Tenmei."
In an instant, she vanished. A radiant light blade formed in her grasp as she reappeared a few meters away, swinging it over her shoulder.
Sylvaine sighed, stretching his arms. "She's pretty hyped. Well, let's get this over with. The Head Captain is watching, after all." He glanced at the high platform where the Head Captain sat, his piercing gaze locked onto the match.
He raised his sword. "Freeze... Reiketsu."
The temperature plummeted. A crystalline layer of frost spread across the ground as snowflakes gathered, forming an icy blade in his grip. Arthur, watching from the stands, let out a small sigh. "So, he uses ice magic too. I wonder what techniques he has."
Upon seeing his blade, Tenmei let out a sharp laugh. "Oh? He uses ice magic? Aaah, I'm getting hyped! I wanna kick his butt even more!"
Seraphina raised an eyebrow. "What's your problem with his magic?"
"He has the same magic as Arthur! I've always wanted to fight him!"
Seraphina's grip on her blade tightened as a new determination settled in her gaze. "I trained to surpass Arthur. I'll use this fight to test my new technique."
Tenmei's voice turned serious. "Let's show no mercy."
Seraphina's expression hardened. "Agreed."
Sylvaine tilted his head, confused. "Who are you talking to?"
She shot him a cold look. "That has nothing to do with you."
Sylvaine sighed. "Geez, you've got a bad attitude."
Pointing his blade at her, he smirked. "Shall we begin?"
He dashed forward, swinging his ice blade. But just as his strike was about to land—
Seraphina vanished.
She reappeared behind him, pressing the hilt of her blade lightly against the back of his head. Her voice was eerily calm. "Light Magic… Divine Mirage."
Sylvaine's vision warped.
---
Inside the Illusion
He blinked. The arena was gone. Instead, he stood in the middle of a dense, unfamiliar forest. Shadows stretched between the towering trees, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers.
"Hello?" he called out. His voice echoed.
No response.
A rustling in the bushes made him tense. A monstrous beast lunged from the shadows. Instinct took over—he cut it down in one swift motion. But as soon as it fell, more emerged.
One after another. Dozens. Then hundreds.
He fought relentlessly, but they never stopped coming.
His breath grew ragged. His muscles ached.
Then—
A sharp cry from above.
A flock of black crows appeared, their crimson eyes glinting in the darkness. They circled like vultures, waiting for their moment.
The creatures swarmed him. Claws tore through his flesh. Beaks ripped at his skin. His screams filled the air as they devoured him—
---
Reality
Seraphina lowered her blade and walked away.
Sylvaine stood motionless, his body stiff as if frozen in place.
Then, suddenly—
"S-Save me…!"
His voice cracked as he dropped to his knees. Foam formed at the corners of his mouth as he clutched his head, trembling. "Please…! I give up!"
The crowd was silent, stunned by what had just unfolded. Whispers spread like wildfire.
"Did she kill him?"
"Is he dead?!"
Seraphina ignored the murmurs and activated her Shingan. Her eyes shimmered with divine light as she scanned his mana flow. The chaotic surges in his core showed extreme mental distress, but no signs of life-threatening damage. He's not dead… just overwhelmed.
She let out a quiet breath and turned to the referee. "He's alive. Just trapped in his mind."
The referee hesitated before stepping forward. He crouched beside Sylvaine and checked his pulse. "He's alive."
Then, raising his hand— "Winner: Seraphina Luminara!"
The stadium erupted into applause, but many still glanced uneasily at the fallen swordsman.
The Head Captain watched with a knowing smile. "As expected from the Daughter of the God of Light. Overwhelming speed and an illusion so real he nearly lost his mind... She looks sweet, but she's terrifying." He chuckled. "Sylvaine won't be recovering from this anytime soon. This year's Sage students are something else."
---
In the Audience
Eldric clenched his fists, his jaw tight with frustration. How can he be smiling? This tournament is slipping from our hands… What plan does he have up his sleeve? It's about time he revealed it.
---
Back in the Stands
Seraphina returned to the stands, greeted by her cheering classmates.
Nathaniel ruffled her hair. "You did great out there."
She gave a small smile. "Thanks."
Arthur crossed his arms, letting out a sigh. "I didn't even get to see any of that guy's techniques. That was a letdown."
Leo smirked. "If anything, it just proves how weak he was compared to you."
Riven whistled. "That technique was insane. I wonder if I'd be able to break out of it."
Seraphina shrugged. "It still needs work. Against stronger opponents, it won't be as effective."
Tenmei's voice rang in her ears, brimming with pride. "Don't sell yourself short! We're strong! Bring on any opponent, and the result will be the same!"
Then, she suddenly flew toward Arthur, eyeing him with a mischievous glint. "So, when do we get to fight him?" She pointed at Arthur eagerly.
Before Arthur could react, Hyorinmaru floated over and landed on his head.
Seraphina frowned. "Tenmei, back off."
Tenmei huffed. "I wanna fight him."
Hyorinmaru suddenly pounced on her, and the two spirit weapons began wrestling on the floor.
"Get off me, you proud lizard!"
"Says the talking bird creature!"
Arthur blinked. "Hyorinmaru… what are you doing?"
"I'm busy!" Hyorinmaru snapped.
Arthur sighed, trying to pick him up—only for the dragon to bite his finger. "Ow! Fine, suit yourself!"
Seraphina facepalmed as she dragged Tenmei away. Hyorinmaru, watching, muttered under his breath. "Since when was she able to manifest that glowing bird creature…?"
Then, quietly, "It seems… I'm the only one who can see her."
Arthur groaned. "Oi! I'm talking to you!"
The referee's voice boomed across the arena.
"Next match—Orion Lysander versus…!"