Rick's boots skimmed the glistening water as he slid across the battlefield like a dancer. His coat flared with each twist and turn, leaving trails of swirling waves behind. The audience leaned forward, breaths held.
Malu reappeared briefly in the mist, floating atop a petal-shaped platform of wind. Her arms moved rapidly as she chanted.
"Gale Needle—Burst Bloom!"
Dozens of sharp wind arrows tore through the air like a horizontal storm.
Rick widened his stance.
"Jet Veil!"
A liquid shield rose before him like a spinning disc. The wind arrows struck—some passed through—but most bent off-course as Rick dashed sideways, skimming along the surface like he was born for it.
"Why won't you stop moving?!" Malu shouted.
He smirked. "Why would I? You gave me a skating rink!"
She stomped in mid-air. "Tornado Twist!"
A cyclone exploded below her, kicking up waves and fog all around.
Rick lost sight for a second—but that was enough.
A sudden gust knocked him off balance. He slipped—barely catching himself on a lily pad.
"Gotcha!" Malu launched a cutting wind sphere.
Rick winced and spun mid-fall. "Bubble Disrupt!"
He clapped his wand downward, creating a blast of water pressure that burst outward in a circle. The attack shattered Malu's wind sphere and tossed both of them into the air—Rick flung himself upright.
Then—he pointed his wand skyward.
"Final Flow: Tidal Bloom!"
From the swirling basin, a massive flower of water rose beneath Malu, petals spinning like blades. It bloomed upward with a crash, catching her mid-air and flinging her to the far side of the field with a splash.
The petals dissolved into misty droplets.
Malu didn't get up.
"Winner: Rick of Celestars!"
The crowd roared.
Rick stood with arms raised, soaking wet and grinning. "Whew! That was fun."
Back in the waiting zone, Iuro laughed. "Did you name that spell just now?"
"I'll remember it better if I shout it like that!" Rick called back, shaking off water like a dog.
Izumi sighed, smiling faintly. "He's impossible to teach."
The scoreboard flashed.
ROUND 19: LUI (Celestars) vs RAGAR (Ironhorn Guild)
The stage transformed again.
The greenery and water vanished. In its place—cracked stone, blackened soil, and glowing lines of lava that traced like veins across the ground. Heat shimmered in the air.
Ragar entered first—a broad-shouldered warrior with a massive iron hammer across his back. His red armor gleamed like molten steel.
Then came Lui.
His red coat flapped in the rising heat. His flame sword rested calmly at his side, but his red eyes burned like twin furnaces.
A hush fell over the colosseum.
Two fire-types.
One collision course.
The judge called out—"Begin!"
Ragar roared first, lifting his hammer and stomping forward. "Earth Breaker!"
The ground cracked beneath Lui's feet—but he was already gone, leaping high.
"Flare Ignition—Blazing Stance!"
Flames coiled around Lui's body, trailing behind him like ribbons. He spun mid-air, dodging a flying chunk of earth, then landed with a slash.
"Burst Blade—Crimson Edge!"
His sword blazed to life and collided with Ragar's hammer in a shockwave of heat and sound.
Ragar grunted, muscles bulging as he pushed back. "You hit like a mosquito."
Lui grinned. "You smell like burnt socks."
Ragar swung again.
Lui ducked, the hammer crashing into the stone behind him, sending molten rock flying. Sparks bounced off his coat.
"Flame Crash!"
He dashed low, spinning around Ragar's legs and slashing upward in a fiery arc. Ragar blocked, but barely. His armor scorched.
"You talk too much, kid!" Ragar snapped, slamming the hammer down again.
Lui grabbed the blade with both hands.
"Flare Spiral—Ignition Drive!"
His entire body ignited, creating a burst of fire that launched him into a spinning strike—he slammed the flat of his sword into Ragar's chest.
BOOM.
Ragar was thrown backward, skidding across the cracked floor and hitting a jagged rock wall with a heavy thud.
He slumped, dazed.
Smoke drifted upward.
Silence.
Then—
"Winner: Lui of Celestars!"
The crowd exploded. Lui just exhaled through his nose and lowered his sword.
Back in the waiting area, Izumi muttered, "He's always so dramatic."
Rick wiped his forehead. "But that was awesome."
Iuro smiled. "That's Lui."
Ishi, quiet as ever, gave a nod. "Strong as always."
Yuuv remained silent.
His fingers tightened on the handle of his wand, the bell chime soft and distant.
The scoreboard shimmered one last time.
one after another many furious battles ended and finaly,
ROUND 30: YUUV (Celestars) vs SOREN (Redrock Guild)
The crowd turned. So did the guilds. Whispers spread.
"The last one…"
"…that blonde kid?"
Yuuv stood.
For once, no smile.
He walked toward the field, alone.