The arrival of the princess sent a wave of elegance through the tournament grounds. Surrounded by elite guards and handmaidens, Princess Facilia Selastra walked with a grace that made the crowd part on its own. Her beauty was ethereal snow-pale skin, silver-blue eyes glimmering behind a half-veil, and hair like soft aurora light spilling down her back. Even with half her face hidden by the ceremonial mask, her presence alone was enough to still the noisy arena.
She took her seat on the elevated viewing platform, posture royal yet gentle, and the matches resumed with renewed intensity.
The Battle with the Dark Elf – Pride, Fury, and a Forbidden Spell
Morix's next opponent was a renowned Dark Elf gladiator, a warrior of terrifying speed and shadow-magic who had dominated this tournament for years. The crowd whispered his name in fear and admiration.
The referee shouted the signal.
The Dark Elf exploded forward, blades coated in void-magic, each strike strong enough to send shockwaves through the arena floor. He moved like a blur teleporting through shadows, slashing from impossible angles, summoning black lightning that crackled across the battlefield.
The crowd gasped. Even the princess leaned forward, eyes fixed on the duel.
Yet…
Morix didn't budge.
He flowed through the Dark Elf's ferocious attacks with effortless grace, using minimal footwork, barely shifting his stance. Every swing of the Dark Elf's blade hit nothing but air, every spell dissolved before touching him.
It was as if Morix was a mountain, and the Dark Elf was a storm raging uselessly around it.
This infuriated the Dark Elf whose pride as a champion could not tolerate being dismissed. Snarling, he began chanting a spell forbidden even among his own kind.
The sky above the dome darkened.
The temperature dropped.
A monstrous sphere of shadow-fire spiraled into existence.
Even the caster struggled to control it.
The spell spiraled out of trajectory straight toward Princess Falicia.
Gasps erupted. Guards rushed forward
But Morix was already there.
He lifted one hand.
Clenched his fingers.
And crushed the forbidden spell like it was a fragile ember.
Not even a scorch mark remained.
Silence descended. The arena, the princess, even Gabriel himself froze.
Then
CLAP.
General Gabriel Waladersmith, legendary elf warrior of Seraphyne, stood up, applauding with a grin of pure excitement.
The Dark Elf was immediately restrained by guards for endangering the princess.
Falicia lowered her head gracefully.
"You have my deepest thanks, brave warrior."
Morix bowed lightly and returned to the arena for the next match.
Final Round – A Dragon-Blooded Noble vs the Human Who Defied Logic
His final opponent was a young warrior of the Drakorn a humanoid dragon race known as the strongest bloodline in Seraphyne. Scales like molten steel, fire-veins shimmering beneath the skin, and wings folded behind his back.
The son of a great noble.
Champion of countless tournaments.
The entire crowd roared the Drakorn's name.
The battle began.
The Drakorn unleashed torrents of flame, scales hardening with draconic magic. He launched high-tier spells, roared shockwaves, and struck with claws sharp enough to shred mithril.
Morix let every attack hit him.
On purpose.
Dust exploded around him. The arena shook. Spectators screamed.
And when the smoke cleared
Morix stood completely unharmed.
He dusted off his shoulder.
The Drakorn froze.
The next moment
Morix vanished.
A single movement unseen by most and the Drakorn was flat on the ground, weapon shattered, consciousness slipping.
The match was over.
The arena erupted into insanity.
People screamed. Cried. Fell to their knees.
How could a "nobody adventurer" defeat a Drakorn noble the undefeatable champion with such frightening ease?
Princess Falicia rose slowly from her seat, her eyes trembling.
"Just… who are you?" she whispered.
Morix removed his hood.
The crowd gasped.
"I am Morix, General of the Valarion Army."
Gabriel leapt from the stands, landing inside the arena with thunderous force. His face lit up in pure warrior's ecstasy.
"I've heard the legends," he said, voice booming with excitement.
"But to think the famed Morix stands before me…!"
He trembled with joy. "Fight me. With everything you have. HOLD NOTHING BACK!"
Morix smiled faintly.
"I would expect nothing less from the General of Seraphyne."
Morix vs Gabriel – A Battle of Legends
Gabriel raised his hand.
"Royal Mages! Form the barrier.
This duel is not for common eyes it's a pact of warriors."
A luminous dome of layered spells sealed the arena.
Both summoned their signature weapons.
Morix's Dragon-Calamity Longsword
Forged from the soul of a Cataclysm Dragon, its blade shimmered with living crimson light. Ancient runes rippled across its surface like moving serpents.
A weapon spoken of in myths.
A blade that had ended wars.
Gabriel's Aurora Hammer
A nation-treasure that looked like a fallen star wrapped in divine metal. Its weight could crush mountains; its aura radiated the pride of seven centuries of strength.
Both weapons hummed in anticipation.
The duel began.
Clash after clash shook the entire capital. Sparks of pure mana erupted, shockwaves bursting like thunder. Gabriel swung with holy might; Morix countered with devastating precision.
They laughed, roared, and fought with joy two warriors who had finally found equals.
But then
Something inside Morix cracked.
His joy twisted.
His eyes darkened.
A monstrous bloodlust, ancient and drowning, surged through him.
He attacked Gabriel with terrifying savagery blows fast enough to tear the air, strikes that could kill a titan. Gabriel barely held on, each block sending him sliding backward.
The final blow came a strike that could end Gabriel's life.
And then
A small voice.
"Papa!"
Gabriel's daughter.
The bloodlust shattered.
Morix froze mid-strike, panting, eyes wide. He stepped back, regaining clarity.
Gabriel exhaled deeply and lowered his weapon.
"I yield," he said proudly.
"And I praise you, Morix. A warrior worthy of every legend spoken about him. Our battle will continue another day true warriors never stop at defeat."
The barrier fell.
There was dead silence in the arena.
Everyone had witnessed how Morix nearly killed a national hero.
And yet
The celebration erupted.
A warrior who could defeat Gabriel hadn't appeared in centuries.
As the crowd roared, Princess Falicia stepped down from her throne, walking toward Morix with purpose.
She stopped before him.
Opened her mouth