The second match had ended, and yet the energy in the arena hadn't dipped. If anything, tension had only deepened.
Alice's victory had been swift, clean, and terrifying in its precision. Students in the stands whispered her name with a mix of awe and caution, while instructors in the higher seats took quiet notes.
Back in the waiting area, Eryon sat with a water flask in hand, the adrenaline of his own battle still cooling in his veins. He kept glancing at the arena's stone floor, as if replaying every move. Not just his.
He thought of Kor's raw power. Of Alice's surgical execution.
Kael dropped into the seat beside him, tossing Eryon a half-smile. "Well, we're definitely not in the village anymore."
Eryon snorted. "That obvious, huh?"
"Alice is scary," Kael said bluntly. "But you held your own. You even made people cheer."
Ryn joined them next, arms crossed. "The other matches are starting. We should watch. See what kind of monsters we're up against."
They moved to the observation tier, eager to study the remaining combatants.
Match 3: Kaen Voss vs. Dareth of the Iron Fangs
Kaen fought with a narrow, bladed chain that danced like a serpent. Dareth countered with brute strength, using gauntlets to block and smash. But Kaen's control over distance and angles earned him a narrow victory.
Match 4: Selar vs. Soren
The twin brothers—both lean, both fast—engaged in a duel so fluid it resembled choreography. Each strike was met with a perfect counter. In the end, Selar narrowly edged out his brother with a surprise feint and a reverse spin kick.
"That was... elegant," Kael said, scribbling in his notes. "They train together so much, they probably know each other's heartbeat."
Ryn nodded. "Selar's more creative."
Match 5: Miren Vale vs. Thalos Ren
Miren wielded a whip of violet flame, while Thalos manipulated rock and terrain. The fight turned into a battlefield dance—explosions of fire against shifting stone. Ultimately, Miren's mobility overwhelmed Thalos' defenses.
When the final bell of round one rang out, all ten competitors had left their mark.
The confirmed second round would include:
Eryon Solaris
Alice Dawnmere
Kaen Voss
Selar
Miren Vale
And waiting still, unchallenged, was the eleventh—Vaen Solarius, who had drawn the bye.
He had watched every match in silence, arms crossed, eyes sharp.