Chapter 5: Blades, Stars, and Rising Legends
The tension in the tournament arena had reached a boiling point. The first few matches had already set a high standard, with combatants displaying their skills in a bid to prove their worth. Yet, the true monsters had yet to step onto the battlefield.
And now, it was their turn.
The announcer's voice boomed across the arena.
"Next match—Zoro Tatsumaki vs. Galric Stonefang!"
A hulking youth stepped onto the stage, his arms crossed over his chest. He was Bronze-Tier 5, and judging by his stance, he was one of the stronger ones.
Zoro, in contrast, walked up casually, hands resting near his swords.
"You look weak," Galric sneered. "Are you sure you belong here?"
Zoro remained silent, his gaze cold and unreadable.
"Begin!"
Galric rushed forward like a raging bull, his fists crackling with Ki Essence. But before he could even land a hit—
Sching!
A gust of wind followed as Zoro unsheathed his blade, moving with frightening precision. One second Galric was attacking, and the next—he was flat on the ground, a thin line of red drawn across his chest.
Silence.
The match had lasted less than five seconds.
The referee hesitated before raising his hand. "Zoro Tatsumaki wins!"
The crowd erupted in whispers.
"What just happened?"
"Did anyone even see him move?"
"He's fast… way too fast for a Bronze-Tier!"
High above, the true contenders—those at Silver-Tier 1 and beyond—took notice.
Among them was a girl with golden-red eyes, her expression intrigued.
Shortly after Zoro's victory, Elton stepped forward for his own match.
"Elton Solman vs. Darik Rensfeld!"
His opponent, Darik, was a seasoned Bronze-Tier 5, standing confidently with a spear in hand.
"You look scrawny," Darik mocked. "Let me guess—you're one of those flashy types who relies on tricks?"
Elton didn't respond.
"Begin!"
Darik immediately launched forward, his spear thrusting like a viper.
Elton dodged. Effortlessly.
Another thrust—missed. A sweep—sidestepped.
Darik gritted his teeth. "Stop dodging and fight!"
Elton obliged.
In a blink, he was in front of Darik. With a single palm strike infused with hidden Silver-Tier strength, he sent Darik flying across the stage, slamming into the boundary wall.
The match was over.
The crowd gawked in stunned disbelief.
"That… that didn't look like a normal Bronze-Tier attack!"
"Is he hiding something?"
"Who is this guy?"
Among the spectators, the golden-eyed girl leaned forward slightly, observing both Elton and Zoro with keen interest.
After the fights, as Zoro and Elton walked offstage, they were approached by a figure.
The girl from before.
She was younger than them—probably ten—but her presence was anything but weak. The aura she emitted was refined, noble, and filled with an underlying strength.
"You two were impressive," she said, her tone kind yet neutral. "I've seen a few others fight well, but you both stood out."
Zoro merely nodded, uninterested in conversation. Elton, however, raised a brow. "And you are?"
The girl smiled. "Christy." She offered no surname.
Despite her polite tone, Elton sensed something deeper—she wasn't just impressed; she was analyzing them.
After a brief pause, she turned and walked away, leaving them to wonder just how strong she truly was.
The tournament continued, and soon, Zoro found himself stepping onto the stage once more.
"Zoro Tatsumaki vs. Callum Greave!"
Unlike his previous opponent, Callum wasn't a mere Bronze-Tier. He was a Silver-Tier 1—one of the few participating in this stage of the tournament.
Callum grinned. "I saw your last fight. You're fast, but that won't work on me."
Zoro didn't reply. He simply drew both swords, standing in his battle-ready stance.
"Begin!"
Callum attacked first, his fists shrouded in Silver-Tier Ki Essence. He struck like a storm, but Zoro dodged with minimal movements, his katana deflecting each blow.
"You're good," Callum admitted, "but you're just running. You afraid?"
Zoro's lips curled into a slight smirk. "I'm done playing around."
His stance shifted.
"Two Sword Style: Dark Cutting Shadow."
The moment he spoke the name of his technique, his entire presence changed. His Dark Sword Ki flared violently, enveloping both his blades in a near-invisible shadow.
And then—he vanished.
To the spectators, it was as if Zoro flickered out of existence.
Callum barely had time to react before twin arcs of black Ki slashed through him, sending him flying off the stage. He crashed into the ground outside the arena, bloodied and unconscious.
The crowd was stunned into silence.
Then—cheers erupted.
Zoro had obliterated a Silver-Tier opponent.
Shortly after, Christy's match was called.
Her opponent was a teenage girl, seemingly skilled, but…
She didn't last long.
The moment the match began, Christy's aura flared. Unlike normal Ki, hers was Greater Energy Essence—a fusion of Ki and Magic Power that only those with deep bloodline talent could use.
Her palm glowed burning red.
"Burning Red Star Palm!"
She moved—faster than the eye could track. A single palm strike landed on her opponent's chest.
And then, an explosion of red energy sent the girl flying out of the arena.
The dust settled. The referee hesitated, then raised his hand.
"Christy wins!"
Gasps and murmurs spread throughout the audience.
"That power… that wasn't normal Ki Essence!"
"She's—she's at the peak of Silver-Tier 3?!"
"A ten-year-old at that level?!"
Elton watched, mesmerized. Both Zoro and Christy had displayed overwhelming power, leaving the crowd in awe.
And now—
It was his turn.
The announcer's voice rang out.
"Next match—Elton Solman vs. Cedric Vanthor of the Garrfle Country's Light Brim City!"
Elton stepped onto the stage.
His opponent—a youth from a noble family—smirked confidently. Cedric was Silver-Tier 2, an entire level above the others who had fought so far.
"You've been impressive," Cedric admitted, rolling his shoulders. "But against me? You'll wish you never stepped on this stage."
Elton clenched his fists.
This fight… wouldn't be like the others.
He could no longer hide.
He had to go all out.
The battle was about to begin.