"So if any of you dare say another word about him… I swear, that'll be the last thing you say." Gyoda's voice cut through the arena, sharp and unyielding.
Kenta, Karna, and Reiko watched him in silence. Kenta's stoic gaze softened ever so slightly, while Reiko's eyes glimmered with quiet appreciation.
From above, the crowd saw flames burst forth from Gyoda's arm, climbing up to his elbow. The atmosphere grew heavy, tension pressing down on everyone present.
"He can use elemental magic?!" Uma gasped. "He was hiding it all along."
"They know why we're here," Adheera muttered, his eyes narrowing. "Of course they'd keep their strength a secret."
Han stared, wide-eyed. "He didn't even flinch at Bagi's attack."
Adheera's voice dropped further. "We underestimated them… these guys are strong."
Gyoda's eyes locked onto Bagi, burning with anger and resolve. Without a second thought, he charged forward.
Bagi unleashed a torrent of flames, a roaring stream like a flamethrower, but Gyoda met it head-on. He raised one arm to block while fire erupted from the other, driving him onward through the inferno.
"These guys… they're blocking elemental attacks with their bare hands," Tenko muttered, disbelief lacing his words. "Just who the hell are they?"
Bagi gritted his teeth and poured more power into the blaze, but Gyoda never faltered. Step by step, he closed the distance, finally shoving Bagi's hands aside. The attack broke, and Bagi staggered back, off-balance, his eyes widening in shock as Gyoda raised his fire-cloaked fist.
With no time to dodge, Bagi hastily summoned a thick, reinforced shield. But the instant Gyoda's punch connected, the shield shattered like brittle glass.
Bagi's face twisted in horror as he desperately reinforced his arms with magic, bracing for the inevitable. Gyoda's fist slammed into him, unleashing a shockwave that shook the entire arena. The walls trembled, the deafening sound forcing the spectators to cover their ears.
Bagi was hurled backward, crashing into the wall before crumpling to the ground, blood dripping from his mouth. The arena fell silent. He spat blood, struggling to rise.
Gyoda's eyes bored into him. "Stop calling people weak and worthless when you know nothing about them."
Then, with a calm expression, he raised his arm. "I admit defeat."
"Gyoda forfeits! Bagi is the winner!" Hatake's voice echoed across the hushed arena.
Gyoda turned and walked away, leaving behind a stunned silence. Even as Gyoda starts walking away, no one dared to boo.
"They admit defeat, yet display overwhelming power and silence the crowd," Tenko whispered, his face pale. "Just what are they after?"
Charles, adjusting his monocle with deliberate precision, still reading his book. "Pray tell, why would one elect to yield when their strength is so undeniably manifest? The logic eludes me entirely."
George, swirling his teacup with a slow, exacting motion, peered over the rim. "Ah, that is what occurs when one is so engrossed in literary pursuits, Charles. But pray, attend now — their associate earlier made it abundantly clear that victory was never their aim. Their designs diverge, and undoubtedly concern those cloaked individuals with whom we had the… prior engagement. I entreat you, observe with the utmost diligence."
Albert's voice, smooth and tinged with restrained admiration, followed. "Yet I must confess, that fellow's defense of his teammate was most commendable. He acts more from the heart than the mind, and his display of raw power—utterly captivating. Were it not for the circumstance, I would much rather have faced Gyoda myself than have witnessed Bagi's futile attempt. Truly, he is a most formidable opponent."
Back in the waiting room, Karna, Kenta, and Reiko watched quietly as Gyoda passed by without a word, his posture unyielding despite the minor burns and scratches that marred his arms and hands. Every step he took carried the weight of the battle, his calm demeanor belying the fire that had raged in the arena moments ago.
Reiko approached him silently, kneeling beside his seat. Her hands moved carefully, applying a cooling ointment to the burn marks along his arms, her touch deliberate and steady.
"You always end up scarred after a fight," she murmured, her voice carrying a mixture of exasperation and quiet concern.
Gyoda's gaze remained fixed on the arena beyond the window, unflinching. He said nothing.
Meanwhile, Bagi limped into his own waiting room, frustration etched across his face. Not a single word was spoken by his team.
The whole arena fell silent, shaken not only by Gyoda's overwhelming display but also by the words he left behind. His presence lingered in the air, heavy and undeniable.
Hatake's voice finally broke the silence. "Next up—Goro versus Karna!"
In an instant, the quiet shattered. The crowd erupted with renewed fervor, anticipation crackling through the air.
Charles, who had been utterly absorbed in his book, closed it with a sharp snap and set it aside, his eyes at last fixed upon the arena.
George gave a soft chuckle, swirling his teacup with deliberate grace. "My, my! Look who has finally emerged from the refuge of his pages. Yet I cannot fault your timing, Charles. This is, after all, the very fellow who toyed with us as though we were nothing more than stray cats. I must confess, I too find myself most eager to observe his performance."
Edward leaned back with a languid sigh, his tone insufferably measured. "Indeed. But let us not forget—his opponent is the Twilight. The weakest specimens humanity has to offer. One can only hope Goro restrains himself enough not to snuff the poor wretch out entirely."
Karna sat in the waiting room, his whole body brimming with excitement. "Finally, I get to fight him," he muttered, a wide grin spreading across his face.
When he stepped into the arena, the silence caught him off guard. Not a single boo or jeer rose from the stands. The weight of Gyoda's earlier display still lingered, silencing the crowd completely.
Adheera glanced at the unmoving audience. "That Gyoda really shut everyone up." he said quietly.
Fumiko's eyes narrowed as she fixed her gaze on Goro. She remembered the moment he had first called Karna the Twilight, the name still echoing in her mind.
Han leaned forward, a sharp gleam in his eyes. "This is the match I've been waiting for. The guy who handled us with ease… versus the weak Twilight."
Karna's eyes wandered toward the stands, unable to resist. His face flushed red as he admired the girls watching, his usual sparkle returning as brightly as ever.
But the moment Goro entered the arena, Karna's expression hardened. His playful gaze turned sharp, his excitement tempered into focus as his eyes locked onto his opponent.
The two stood facing each other, tension crackling in the air between them.
"Begin!" Hatake's voice thundered, commanding silence once more.
As the fight started, Hatake watched intently. This Goro guy is very strong. This should be over in an instant.
Karna made the first move, sprinting toward Goro while firing magic spheres. Goro dodged them all with ease, his movements smooth and precise. As Karna closed in, he launched a kick aimed straight at Goro's face, but Goro caught it with his palm and grabbed hold of his leg.
In the next instant, lightning crackled across Karna's foot. Goro's eyes widened as he immediately released his hold and fell back.
The arena froze in stunned silence before erupting into shouts of disbelief.
"Is this guy really a Twilight? He's actually strong!"
"Aren't Twilights supposed to be weak? Weaker than even non-magic folk?"
"That Twilight just used lightning? How's that possible? Their clan was the reason the Lightning Spirit stopped blessing humans!!!"
"How can a weakling like the Twilight wield such a powerful element?!"
Adheera's voice grew tense. "The Twilight isn't so weak after all."
Han's eyes remained locked on the fight, his face pale with shock. "These guys… they're good. Really good."
Uma's thoughts cut through the tension. This guy… he's pretty strong for a Twilight.
Albert gave a low, amused laugh. "My, my! What a fascinating specimen he is—and not merely he, but his entire company. To think they cloaked their strength so artfully until now. How utterly diverting."
Charles remained speechless, disbelief flickering across his face. "Yet one thing eludes my comprehension. How is it that a Twilight—creatures renowned for frailty—can exhibit such formidable strength? Surely, Albert, your vaunted intelligence has erred. "
Albert's smile thinned, his voice smooth but certain. "All of my intel regarding Ashijikis and Twilights is beyond reproach, this is no error. Either he is a singular anomaly among his kind… or he is not a Twilight at all. Though, I find that improbable—no rational being would willingly bear such a name. There is, without doubt, some hidden facet to him of which I remain… uninformed."
George swirled his teacup with slow precision. "What perplexes me most is his command over lightning. Even in Lycia, it is well-accepted that the spirit has withheld its blessing from mankind for centuries. How, then, does a mere Twilight wield it?"
Albert's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Precisely my point. He is a trove of enigmas. He would serve perfectly as the centerpiece of my final year thesis."
Karna channeled lightning into his hands and fired it toward Goro. A thick magical barrier shimmered into existence before him, the crackling bolts of lightning splashing harmlessly against its surface.
Tenko leaned forward, his expression sharp. "That Twilight can control lightning? It's already shocking enough that he has such a rare element, but being able to direct it… that's unbelievable."
One of his teammates frowned. "But the lightning looks weak."
"Still," Tenko replied, "the fact that he can guide it at all means he's trained hard. From what I've heard, controlling lightning is like putting a wild beast on a leash. You never know where it'll strike. Back when people were still born with the lightning element, they had to undergo brutal training just to keep it under control."
A spectator nearby gaped. "Wow! How do you know so much about lightning magic?"
"I'm from the Ikazuchi clan," Tenko said casually.
The man's jaw dropped. "Wait—the Lightning Clan? From the Five Ancient Clans?!"
"Yep." Tenko smirked.
"No way! Are you a direct descendant of one of the first three generations?". Asked the spectator in shock.
Tenko burst out laughing. "What? Of course not. Those guys are beasts. Even a five-year-old from the pure bloodline could wipe the floor with everyone here. I'm just a regular member."
"Still, you're from one of the Five Ancient Clans! That means… Can you use lightning too?"
Tenko sighed. "Obviously not. The Lightning Spirit stopped blessing us centuries ago. Without its aid, mastering lightning takes decades."
"Then how the hell is the Twilight able to use it?"
"That's what's bugging me." Tenko's eyes narrowed as he sank into thought. Did he somehow receive the Lightning Spirit's blessing? No, that's impossible. And he couldn't have mastered it through sheer training. Even top-tier mages need decades to conjure lightning without the spirit's help…
Back in the arena
Karna and Goro charged at each other. Karna threw a punch, but Goro caught his arm, pulling him in close. Leaning in, he whispered, "THAT'S HIM!! IN THE VIP BOX. THAT IS MAWANG KYOFU"
Karna's eyes flicked upward. Through the distance, he could barely make out a lone figure seated in the VIP section. The details were obscured, but the presence was undeniable.
From the highest box, Mawang watched their exchange, quickly piecing things together. A knowing smile spread across his face.
Karna snapped his attention back to Goro and tried to punch him in the stomach. Goro blocked it and stepped back.
Adheera's voice carried over. "He's actually keeping up with that Goro guy. The Twilight… he's not half bad. Though Goro is barely using his strength."
Goro smirked. "Guess I should use a little more power. Be warned."
Karna grinned in response.
Goro conjured a magic sphere and fired it. Karna raised a shield, bracing for impact. The sphere crashed into it, shattering the barrier, but the explosion canceled out the attack, sending Karna stumbling back from the force.
Goro's eyes were sharp. "Karna, it's been a while since we fought. You've gotten stronger."
Karna returned the gaze with a smile. "Thanks, senpai."
Bagi's team, Hatake, Fumiko, and several other participants all froze, voices rising in unison. "Senpai?! What?!"
(*Writer's note: Senpai (先輩) is a Japanese term used for someone slightly older or more experienced, often a mentor figure. Using this word implies the two know each other personally, with the elder guiding the younger. )
Reiko smirked, her tone teasing. "That's right. He's our senpai—Goro."
The crowd erupted in shock.
Tenko- "Did that Twilight just call him Senpai??"
Albert leaned forward, a grin tugging at his lips. "Ah, delightful. And here I thought the stage had already revealed all its cards."
Charles, eyes glimmering with interest. "Intriguing. More intriguing, in fact, than the pages I was just reading. To think the Twilight still harbors such secrets."
They shouldn't have been surprised—not if they knew what had happened one week ago.
One Week Before the D-Rank wizard test.
Kenta, Karna, Gyoda, and Reiko sat in a quiet room with Goro, the air heavy with tension as they planned their next move.
"It's your job to reveal Karna's identity as a Stranger," Kenta said firmly, his gaze fixed on Goro.
Goro crossed his arms. "Why me?"
"Because you're the strongest among us," Karna answered with a grin, "and you can take care of yourself if something goes wrong."
Gyoda frowned. "But what if Mawang wants to kill Karna?"
Kenta shook his head. "He doesn't. Remember, Mawang ordered the one who slaughtered Karna's clan to bring him alive."
"Then how will Mawang even know Karna is coming to the arena?" Gyoda asked.
Karna smacked him lightly on the head. "You idiot! That's why we spread the rumor that the Twilight would be taking the D-rank test."
Leaning back with his arms crossed, Karna's expression turned serious. "If Mawang really wanted me alive back then, there's no way he's passing up this opportunity now."
They all knew what they were attempting. Like rabbits leaving a trail of bait to draw the hawk down from the sky, they were luring out the predator itself.
And so, on the first day of the D-rank wizard test, the first move of their plan began at the registration area.
Goro stands near the registration desk, scanning the crowd.
He had already hired two men to put on the bad-guy act, and after effortlessly thrashing them, he walks toward Karna.
Goro: "What's a Twilight like you doing here?"
Without waiting for a response, he turns and walks away. As soon as he's out of sight behind a tree, he exhales sharply.
"Phew… Keeping up this bad-guy act is tougher than I thought."
Later, while Karna and the others submit their forms, Goro spots a group of cloaked figures lurking nearby. His eyes narrow—Mawang's men.
He discreetly warns Karna and the others, exchanging subtle glances during the registration.
During their fight, Goro pulls Karna close, whispering just loud enough for him to hear.
"THAT'S HIM!! IN THE VIP BOX! THAT'S MAWANG KYOFU"
The memory of their secret planning faded, and the present in the arena came rushing back. Reiko chuckled, brushing off the tension. "Don't worry. We'll explain later."
Fumiko still looks baffled but nods hesitantly.
Goro's waiting room was thick with disbelief. The two newcomers to his team stared at him, wide-eyed.
"What… he knew the Twilight all along?" one stammered.
The paid actor, the one who had been beaten at the registration counter, shifted awkwardly. "Yes… we were hired by Goro."
"So… this was all an act? Beating you guys up… everything?" the other newcomer asked asked, still in shock.
The actor gave an embarrassed smile. "Yes. We had to grab the crowd's attention before he revealed Twilight's identity."
"Why… why would you do something like that?" the first newcomer asked, struggling to comprehend it.
The actor's gaze dropped. "I can't really say… but I'm sorry we played you. And sorry for how Goro treated you. He's actually a really good guy—he doesn't go out of his way to hurt anyone."
"But… he went after that Han guy," the second newcomer protested.
"Oh, that? I think he was trying to save the people Han trapped," the actor explained.
Back in the arena, Goro's eyes met Karna's. "You've gotten strong, Karna."
Karna smirked, closing his eyes, a quiet sense of pride settling over him.
Goro's expression remained calm, unreadable. "That compliment doesn't mean I recognize you as my rival. You still have a long way to go. But I'll admit—you've grown stronger. I'll admit defeat."
Karna frowns. "No way! You should only admit defeat the day I actually beat you. I'm the one admitting defeat."
Goro shakes his head. "No, I'm the one doing it."
Karna glares. "No, I am!"
Goro smirks. "Alright, let's settle this with the classic duel then—just like we always used to. This is the hardest challenge you have ever taken. Even in the past, you barely made it alive during this fight. Whoever wins will admit defeat."
The whole crowd, now curious about this classic duel. Everyone sat at the corner of their seats.
Karna cracks his knuckles. "Oh! You sure? I've been training for this. You might lose in a single move."
Goro scoffs. "I'd like to see you try."
The atmosphere shifts. The crowd leans in, anticipation crackling in the air.
Han's eyes narrow. "Did the Twilight just say he'll defeat Goro in a single move? What are they planning?"
Tenko crosses his arms. "Whatever it is, I have a feeling it's going to be intense!"
With a dramatic pause, Karna and Goro raise their hands, eyes locked.
Then—
"ROCK-PAPER-SCISSORS!"
Followed by a Silence.
The crowd's excitement freezes in place.
Han- "Huh?"
A guy from crowd: "What's going on?"
We cut to their hands—Karna throws rock. Goro throws paper.
Goro grins. "I win! You've got a long way to go, kiddo. Keep practicing."
The entire crowd's expression shifts from eager anticipation to sheer disappointment.
"WHAT?!"
"Is this a joke?"
"You bunch of idiots! We got hyped for nothing!"
"This is the worst tournament ever!"
Ignoring the outcry from the stands, Goro lifted his hand. "Alright! I won. I will admit defeat then!"
But before he could finish, Karna's hand shot up. "I admit defeat."
Hatake's voice rang out across the arena. "Karna admits defeat. Goro wins!"
Goro froze, his arm still raised. "What? Why did you do it? I was supposed to—"
Karna cut him off with a firm smile. "Goro-senpai, I won't let you admit defeat until I can beat you fair and square. Until then, you're the winner."
The crowd, let down by the sudden end, began booing once more, their voices echoing through the arena.
Hatake stepped forward, raising his voice. "Karna admits defeat—Goro is the winner!"
As the noise of the arena swelled, Hatake's eyes narrowed, his thoughts turning inward. So that's their game… They're not here to fight seriously. They wanted to lure out Mawang-sama —and Goro took the role of revealing Twilight's identity before everyone. Clever… very clever.
(*Writer's note: In Japanese, "sama" (様) is an honorific suffix used to show respect, similar to "Mr." or "Ms." It's often used in formal or polite language.)
Goro with a smirk walks back into the hallway from the arena.
Karna left the arena and returned to the waiting room.
In the waiting room. Gyoda crossed his arms, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Well, you didn't put up much of a fight."
Kenta's tone was calm and steady. "Fighting wasn't our real goal. Don't forget why we came here—we've been planning this for months."
Reiko nodded in agreement. "Yeah. We had to find the right place and the right reason to lure him out. This test was the perfect opportunity. Luckily, it's happening in a small town. Spreading a rumor that the Twilight would show up didn't attract too much trouble from other clans or mages. It was just enough to catch Mawang's attention without drawing unwanted interference. And since this is only a D-rank test, it made the perfect setup."
Hatake's voice echoed through the arena. "Next match—Reiko versus Han!"
Han stood from the couch without a word. Adheera leaned forward, his voice low. "Careful, Han. We don't know what she's capable of. If she's anything like her team, assume she can use elemental magic. Best to surrender quickly."
Han didn't respond. He simply lifted his hammer-like enhancer and walked out, his expression unreadable.
In the waiting room, Reiko exhaled softly and glanced at her teammates. "You guys already put on a big enough show. I'll just admit defeat. No need for me to waste energy."
When she stepped into the arena, the crowd grew restless, whispering. Han stood across from her, his enhancer resting heavily against his shoulder.
"The match begins!" Hatake declared.
Reiko raised her hand, ready to surrender on the spot. But before she could finish, Han lunged forward, his hammer whistling through the air as it swung straight for her face. She bent low, barely dodging, and rolled back onto her feet.
"I don't want to fight," Reiko said, her voice calm. "I'll admit defeat, and we can walk away."
Han sneered, veins standing out in his neck. "Fight me, you Twilight's lapdog! You're nothing but trash!"
"These kinds of taunts might work on the others," Reiko replied coolly, brushing dust off her sleeve. "But not me. I'm not that easy to provoke."
Han slammed his enhancer into the ground. Boulders rose from the floor and launched toward her, but Reiko slipped between them with effortless grace.
"Seriously," she muttered, sidestepping again. "You couldn't make me mad in a million years."
She lifted her hand again—
—and then Han shouted, his voice ringing over the arena.
"Fight me, you Viridmane!"
Reiko froze. Her hand stopped mid-air, her expression blank.
In the waiting room, Karna and Gyoda both stiffened, shivering like they'd been struck by lightning.
"Oi, Karna!" Gyoda's voice shook. "Did he just say… the FORBIDDEN WORD?"
Karna's face paled. "Yeah. He did."
Fumiko blinked in confusion. "Viridmane? Isn't that a rare magical plant with powerful healing properties? Round crown, silky green strands flowing down like hair…" Her gaze lingered on Reiko, and for the first time she noticed—Reiko's head resembled the plant itself. "…Oh."
She turned to Kenta. "Then why are they trembling?"
Kenta's jaw tightened. "Because Reiko hates that name. Once, Gyoda and Karna teased her with it. She beat them so badly it took a month to recover, even with medical care. That idiot Han… he just poked a sleeping beast."
Back in the arena, Reiko's calm face hardened, anger radiating from her like heat from a forge.
Her voice was low and sharp. "What did you just call me?"
Han blinked, confused. "A Virid—"
Before he could finish, the ground trembled. Five massive stone projections erupted almost simultaneously, shooting up with a deafening crack, each one positioning itself around him—top, bottom, left, right, and directly in front. The projections froze mere inches from his body. The sheer force made the arena floor shudder.
Han's eyes went wide. Sweat ran down his temples, trickling into his eyes. His heart pounded against his ribs. A stunned silence rippled through the crowd, broken only by sharp gasps. Many spectators instinctively covered their mouths, believing he had been crushed in that instant.
Reiko's gaze was sharp, unwavering. "Say it again," she warned, her voice calm but deadly, "and I'll crush you alive."
The stone projections trembled for a fraction of a second before shattering violently into the ground, sending chunks of rock and dust scattering across the arena. The impact rattled the stands, and a low hum of awe and fear rolled through the audience.
Without another word, Reiko raised her hand, still wearing that icy glare. "I admit defeat." She turned and walked out, leaving silence in her wake.
Han stood frozen, drenched in sweat, his hammer slipping from his grip. He knew. One more second, and he would have died.
A few spectators let out shaky breaths, while others exchanged nervous glances, clearly shaken by Reiko's display of overwhelming control. The arena buzzed with a mix of awe, fear, and astonishment.
Adheera's voice wavered. "These guys… they're ridiculously strong. That girl alone could have crushed us all."
Henry leaned back slightly, his voice clipped and precise. "What an astonishing display of power. I daresay she could contend with both George and myself, and still hold her ground."
Hatake raised his hand, his voice cutting through the tension. "Reiko admits defeat! Han wins!"
He smiled faintly to himself as he watched her walk away. These kids… they're far stronger than they let on.
Reiko stepped into the waiting room. Gyoda and Karna immediately hid behind the Sofa, trembling. Reiko, with a serious face, sat on the sofa, her expression cold as ever.
From the arena, Hatake's voice rang out: "Next up—Fumiko versus Henry."
George, swirling his teacup with meticulous care, spoke first. "Ah, it seems you are to confront a teammate of the Twilight. How… quaint."
Henry's voice carried the clipped authority of one accustomed to command. "Preposterous. She was never part of their team from the outset. Her presence is purely to satisfy the absurd requirement of five participants. And do take note—she is unmistakably a Lycian."
Charles, momentarily abandoning his book, blinked in shock. "Really? This is… quite the revelation."
Edward sighed, exuding the air of a man who found everything beneath him tedious. "That is precisely what occurs when one buries oneself in trifles rather than observing the world with the appropriate discernment, my dear Charles."
Charles frowned. "But surely CAL—the Central Assembly of Lycia—has dispatched only five of our kind for this tournament?"
Albert's tone was clipped, almost surgical, each word deliberate. "Our intelligence confirms she was consigned by the Kyofu clan to this continent at the tender age of five, as a slave. And she wields magic. Rest assured, the CAL maintains exhaustive oversight of every Lycian—they leave nothing to chance."
George leaned forward, his gaze sharp. "A lamentable fate, indeed. And if she commands magic, then she must hail from the Shugo clan, those who journeyed from their native continent and established themselves in Lycia millennia ago."
Edward's voice drew out each word with deliberate, cold precision. "Oh, that wretched clan! I had assumed they had endured sufficient hardships under our government, yet to be shipped as slaves and compelled to do another's bidding—truly, I do feel some measure of pity for them. Henry, I trust you will exercise at least minimal restraint."
Henry's smirk widened as he adjusted the golden glove on his hand, the movement precise and ceremonial. "And pray, why should I concern myself? A lineage on the wane merits nothing but my impartial observation. If extinction is their destined course, I see no cause to interfere." He strode toward the arena, every step measured, echoing with authority.