"Ooooooohhhhhh——!"
As Erend and Natasha Ferguson walked through the player aisle and into the largest dueling stage in Livermorny, they were greeted by a grand roar of cheers.
It was a cheer far beyond that of the official ranking battles, as if trying to burst through the entire Sirius Dome. The eruption of sound, combined with the dazzling stage lights, was overwhelming.
Even Erend was momentarily stunned by the sheer energy of the crowd. He glanced up at his reflection displayed in the massive screen hovering above the stage, and for the first time, he truly felt the weight of standing on the world's most-watched stage.
Erend understood that from this moment on, his image would be burned into the memories of countless spectators worldwide. Even those who hadn't come to the stadium in person were watching the live broadcast.
Including… those with ulterior motives.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for waiting!"
The voice of the live broadcast announcer echoed across the arena.
During the Festival, every match was accompanied by professional commentators, and at this moment, two women were narrating the event live from the Sirius Dome broadcast room.
"Please look to the left of the stage, where Erend, the current number one ranked player of Livermorny, and Natasha Ferguson, the former number one ranked player, are now entering!"
"Erend is the only number one ranked player in this year's Festival. According to reliable sources, he was just an unknown ordinary student three months ago. He made his debut in Livermorny's official ranking battles three months ago, immediately securing the thirteenth rank. Then, in the second month's official battles, he defeated the reigning number one and claimed the top spot. His rise has been nothing short of meteoric!"
"That's right! He's undoubtedly a formidable powerhouse! And he's also a user of the pure Star Armament—Black Furnace Demon Sword!"
"The legendary four-colored magic sword! In terms of fame, it's one of the most prestigious weapons!"
"These four-colored magic swords are notorious for being extremely difficult to control. Before Erend, the only known wielder of a four-colored magic sword in Asterisk was the number one ranked player of Beauxbaton Academy, a swordsman known as the Holy Knight. It has been over a decade since anyone wielded the Black Furnace Demon Sword!"
"Not only that, but Erend himself seems to have mastered its power completely. Based on the dueling footage circulating online, his control of the magic sword is practically miraculous! He has earned the title Raging Star Demon Sword, and he is universally recognized as a magic sword fighter."
"And let's not forget his partner—Natasha Ferguson, the former number one ranked player of Livermorny. She claimed the top spot at the age of thirteen, reaching number one in just one month after enrolling! This duo of former and current number ones is an unprecedented super team!"
"In fact, they have the highest online support rate and are widely considered the top contenders for this year's Festival championship!"
"A super-powerful and super-popular duo! What kind of thrilling performance will they bring us?"
"I can't wait to find out!"
The commentators' excitement was infectious, further igniting the energy of the already ecstatic audience.
"...I thought I was mentally prepared for this, but I guess I underestimated the scale of it all."
Erend could feel his heartbeat accelerating.
Not out of nervousness. Not out of fear.
But out of sheer adrenaline-fueled excitement.
In that moment, he turned to Natasha Ferguson beside him.
"Are you alright, Natasha?"
Erend never forgot to check on his reserved yet fierce partner.
"Yes." Natasha tightened her grip on the hilt of her sword and spoke with cold focus. "I'm fine."
Whenever she held her blade, she transformed into a true warrior. Erend realized his concern was unnecessary.
Shifting his attention, he looked toward their opponents.
Two burly men had appeared on the other side of the stage.
Their black uniforms stood in stark contrast to Erend and Natasha's white attire. Their faces were hardened, their expressions fierce. One had wild, unkempt seaweed-like hair, while the other sported a cockscomb-style cut. Their dyed hair made them look even more menacing.
Erend had already reviewed the tournament brackets.
These two were students from Durmstrang Academy. Their ranks were twenty-fifth and twenty-ninth in Durmstrang's hierarchy—far from top-tier contenders. However, given Durmstrang's notorious reputation, the fact that they had even made it into the top thirty meant they were no pushovers. If they were placed in Livermorny, they would likely rival some of the strongest fighters.
And they didn't seem intimidated by Erend and Natasha at all. Instead, they sneered, glaring at them with contempt.
"Number one ranking? Just a couple of bratty kids."
"Think you can steal our spotlight? Time to teach you a lesson."
"Little kids should go back to school and play house!"
"That girl's mine. Just wait—I'll crush her like a fruit—"
Erend's smile vanished instantly.
Natasha noticed the shift in his expression.
"Erend-senior?"
"It's nothing," Erend replied emotionlessly. "I'll handle the seaweed-head. You take the cockscomb-head."
His voice was firm.
He was going to deal with the one who had dared to leer at Natasha.
"Remember—don't hold back."
Erend took out the Dark Engine.
"Understood!"
Natasha didn't know what had triggered Erend's sudden intensity, but she trusted him completely.
"And now—the second-round match begins!"
As the announcer's voice rang out, the school badges on the four fighters' chests lit up simultaneously.
"Phoenix Star Martial Festival, L-District, second group, first-round—match start!"
A loud Ding! resonated across the stage.
The match had officially begun.
"Die!"
The two Durmstrang fighters roared in unison, drawing their Star Armaments as they charged toward Erend and Natasha.
"You're mine!"
The seaweed-haired fighter wielded a massive cleaver-like Star Armament and lunged at Natasha, a sinister grin on his face.
But before he could get close—
Erend suddenly flashed in front of him.
"Buzz!"
The Dark Engine roared to life.
The pure white blade of the Black Furnace Demon Sword pulsed with a deep crimson glow, emitting a vibration-like hum.
"It's here! The pure Star Armament—Black Furnace Demon Sword!"
The commentators' excited shouts echoed in the stadium, but Erend ignored them completely.
His eyes locked onto the seaweed-headed opponent.
Before the man could react—
"Boom!"
A scorching wave of heat erupted from Erend's blade, slamming into the Durmstrang fighter with brutal force.
"Aaaahhhhhh!"
The man screamed as he was hurled backward, as if he had been thrown into a furnace. Smoke curled from his clothes.
"Damn it…!"
Burnt and furious, he struggled to rise—
"Boom!"
Another wave of scorching heat blasted into him.
"Aaaahhhhhh!"
The second strike sent him tumbling across the stage, rolling miserably.
His entire uniform was scorched.
"M-My hair…!"
He clutched his head in horror.
His once-thick, seaweed-like hair was now nothing more than burnt charcoal.
Erend stood over him, his Black Furnace Demon Sword glowing ominously.
Expressionless, he spoke.
"Be glad this is just a match."
"Otherwise… the thing I'd be roasting wouldn't be the head on your shoulders."
The defeated fighter froze in terror.
And for the first time since the match started…
His lower body felt strangely cold.
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