Things unfolded just as they should have.
The referee confirmed that only Averis had used a third-grade armament—Elana had not. And because her opponent was caught cheating, Elana was rightfully declared the winner.
With that, Runebound Academy officially qualified for the second—and final—round: the team battle.
Joy filled the air around the team. Every student and guardian who had come to support Runebound wore bright, relieved smiles as they returned to their rooms.
After the first two rounds, most had resigned themselves to the academy's usual fate—another quiet, unnoticed defeat.
But Altia, Allen, and finally Elana… changed everything.
They turned the tide.
They won.
Runebound won.
"Haah… I can't even describe how good I feel right now," Aries said, standing at the center of the room with her hands on her hips. "Even though I lost my match, it doesn't sting as much since the team pulled through."
