The fourth round of the tournament loomed near, its weight heavy over the hearts of every participant. Teams across the stadium busied themselves with frantic preparations—some polishing their weapons, others meditating in silence, and many huddled in tight circles, voices hushed but tinged with urgency. The air itself seemed to pulse with restless energy, as though the stadium walls could barely contain the tension building within.
And yet, just as the signal to begin was expected to sound, something unusual happened.
Without warning, the judges—men and women whose authority held the highest command within the arena—gathered together in hurried discussion, their brows furrowed and voices laced with unease. It was rare for the judges to intervene directly at such a crucial moment. The audience, sensing the shift, fell into an uneasy silence, a thousand curious eyes fixed on the deliberation.
Moments later, one of the senior judges stepped forward. His voice, amplified by magic, echoed across the stadium:
"Attention all participants and honored guests. Due to circumstances beyond our control, the fourth round—the Group Battle—will be postponed and held the day after tomorrow."
A stunned hush fell over the stadium.
Confusion rippled like a tidal wave through the gathered teams. Murmurs of disbelief swept across the stands. Why delay now? What could possibly warrant such an unexpected shift in schedule?
But amidst the rising confusion, two figures remained perfectly still—unshaken, unbothered.
Elijah exchanged a brief glance with Cilie, who stood beside him, her golden eyes calm as still water. They had anticipated this.
"It's because the Group Battle isn't just a test of strength," Cilie murmured quietly, her voice so soft it barely rose above the wind. "It's a dangerous battlefield—one that could tear through the protective wards if rushed. They need more time to strengthen the arena's barriers. If anything goes wrong… lives could be lost."
Elijah nodded, understanding the gravity behind her words. This wasn't merely a contest. It was war disguised as sport.
Without wasting time, the two of them turned and made their way through the winding corridors of the stadium, heading toward the resting chamber where the others waited.
The moment Elijah stepped inside, he was greeted by the familiar faces of his friends—Daud, Anna, Ayn, and Sylphira, Drake—each of them wearing expressions of confusion and anticipation.
Anna was the first to notice him. Her eyes lit up with relief, and before Elijah could react, she bounded across the room and threw her arms around him.
"Elijah!" she beamed. "Did you see how we fought in the last round? We actually did it!"
A small smile touched Elijah's lips. He gave a gentle nod. "Yeah. I saw. You all fought brilliantly."
The others grinned, but the tension wasn't fully gone. Their minds, like everyone else's, still lingered on the sudden announcement.
"Look at the scores," Daud muttered, pointing toward the crystal screen floating in the center of the room, displaying the current standings:
Howarth Academy: 340 points
Constantine High: 310 points
Rosania Academy: 229 points
Arcadia Academy: 254 points
"If we calculate the bonus points from monster cores and overall performance," Ayn added thoughtfully, "we're practically tied with Howarth. It's anyone's game now."
The group exchanged determined looks.
It was then that Elijah cleared his throat, stepping aside to reveal the quiet figure beside him.
"By the way," he began, his voice softer, more formal, "there's someone I'd like you all to meet properly." He gestured toward Cilie. "This is Cilie Arkavas. The Princess of Velmoria."
His friends blinked in astonishment.
"Wait—princess?" Sylphira whispered, her eyes wide.
"Yeah," Elijah confirmed with a small chuckle. "I didn't get the chance to introduce her properly at the party. But more importantly… she's already completed the Celestial Path. She can cast both Celestial Magic and Ancient Magic."
For a moment, there was only stunned silence.
Anna's jaw dropped. "You're kidding, right? That's… incredible."
Cilie, her cheeks flushing a gentle pink, raised her hands in embarrassment. "Please… don't make fun of me," she said softly.
The seriousness broke instantly into laughter—gentle, genuine laughter that eased the lingering nerves. Even Cilie found herself smiling.
"How does one even complete the Celestial Path?" Daud asked after the laughter faded.
Cilie gave a small, knowing smile. "It's kind of a long story," she said with quiet confidence. "But if you really want to complete the Path—just win the match. That's all there is to it."
Her words, though light, carried a subtle weight that none of them missed.
Just then, Ayn leaned forward, his expression shifting to curiosity. "By the way… since we have time before the next round, why don't we visit Velmoria? I've heard stories about it, but never seen it with my own eyes."
The idea caught on like wildfire. Everyone agreed almost instantly, their earlier tension dissolving into excitement.
Without wasting a moment, they set off to visit Velmoria—a kingdom of ancient magic, silver towers, and streets paved with gold. Cilie led them through the heart of the capital, her usual quiet demeanor softened by warmth as she shared the rich history of her homeland.
Eventually, they reached the famous Velmorian Market, a sprawling maze of colorful tents, vendors calling out their wares, and magical trinkets that shimmered under the sun. The air smelled of fresh bread, rare herbs, and perfume.
"This," Cilie announced with a soft smile, "is the largest market in Velmoria. You can find anything here… but be careful. It's easy to get lost."
Anna grinned, holding up her bracelet. "Don't worry—we've got these. We'll find each other."
They explored the market together, laughter and chatter filling the air as they darted from shop to shop—buying treats, rare magical items, and souvenirs. Even Cilie, usually reserved, allowed herself to relax, her golden eyes shining with rare joy.
Elijah watched her quietly, amusement flickering in his gaze. I can't believe the introvert actually knows how to enjoy herself, he thought with a small smile. Then again… who am I to talk? I'm just the same.
He was just about to step into a jewelry shop when, without warning, a firm hand gripped his arm.
Startled, Elijah turned—and his breath caught.
It was him. The same man he had encountered at the station. The figure in the long brown coat and wide-brimmed hat.
But this time, the man's face was no longer hidden. Sharp brown eyes. A neatly shaped mustache. Tall. Imposing. There was something unsettling in the calm sharpness of his expression.
"Come with me," the man said quietly, his voice low but commanding.
For reasons he couldn't fully explain, Elijah didn't resist. He gave a brief nod and, with one last glance at his friends in the distance, followed the stranger into the shadows.