"The next battle is between Cael and Alden."
The announcement echoed across the arena.
Soon, the two participants stepped out from the reporting room and onto the battlefield.
Cael walked calmly to one end of the red line, her expression composed. At her sides were her two companions—what looked like an ordinary wolf and a large bird. But Panther narrowed his eyes.
Those aren't normal beasts…
On the opposite side, Alden stood with a wide grin, stretching his arms as if this were a game. He waved at the crowd, clearly enjoying the attention.
"Battle… begin!"
The moment the mic announced it, Cael's beasts reacted.
The wolf let out a low growl as its body twisted and expanded, muscles swelling unnaturally. Its eyes burned red as it transformed into a monstrous wolf. The bird spread its wings wide, feathers sharpening like blades as it hovered protectively near Cael.
The wolf lunged forward, charging straight at Alden.
Alden laughed. "Alright, let's warm up!"
He tossed several small objects onto the ground. With sharp mechanical clicks, they unfolded—metal stretching, joints locking—until two humanoid robots stood upright.
Alden pressed a button on his wrist.
With a hiss of air and flashing lights, a sleek combat suit wrapped around his body. Thrusters ignited, and he shot into the air.
Bullets rained down toward Cael.
The monstrous wolf leapt, slamming into one robot midair, tearing through its arm. It kicked off the wreckage, twisted, and pounced onto the second robot, crushing its head with a vicious bite before throwing it aside.
Cheers erupted from the audience.
The bird spread its wings wide, feathers overlapping like a shield as bullets struck and bounced away, protecting Cael beneath.
"Tch," Alden muttered, still smiling. "Those wings are tough."
He suddenly changed direction, flying higher. "Then I'll attack from the blind spot."
Laughing loudly, Alden zipped around the battlefield, circling behind the bird and opening fire from its rear.
At the same time, the damaged robot deployed a device.
Thk—!
A glowing web shot out and wrapped around the wolf mid-leap, pinning it to the ground. Electricity surged through the web.
The wolf let out a pained howl before its body went limp, unconscious.
The wolf slowly turned to its original size.
"Parker…!" Cael cried out, her voice breaking for just a moment.
She looked up—and saw Alden flying straight toward her.
Her eyes hardened.
Without hesitation, Cael leapt onto the bird's back. Its wings beat powerfully as they shot into the air, narrowly avoiding the incoming fire.
The battle had shifted—to the skies.
Cael leapt onto the bird's back without hesitation.
The massive wings beat powerfully as they shot into the air, racing straight toward Alden.
Alden fired rapidly. Bullets whistled through the air, but the monstrous bird twisted its body mid-flight, dodging each shot with sharp precision as it closed the distance.
"Tch—!" Alden muttered, trying to pull away.
He pushed his thrusters to retreat, attempting to widen the gap, but his control in midair was unstable. Sweat trickled down his face.
In that instant, the bird suddenly veered away.
It swooped down, grabbed the remaining robot, and flung it effortlessly beyond the red line.
The machine hit the ground outside the arena and shut down instantly.
Alden's eyes widened.
Before he could react, the bird surged forward again.
Its claws locked onto Alden's suit.
"Wait—!"
With a powerful swing, Alden was thrown straight out of the red line, crashing onto the ground.
Silence filled the arena for a second.
Then—
"The winner is… Cael!"
Cheers erupted.
Soon, the mic crackled again.
"Next battle—Lucien versus Oliver."
The two participants stepped onto the battlefield.
Lucien walked calmly, his expression unreadable. His refined clothes and composed posture clearly marked him as someone from a wealthy background.
On the opposite side stood Oliver.
His long orange hair swayed lightly as he rolled his shoulders. Two small knives rested in his hands, while a sword was strapped across his back. His stance screamed readiness.
"Battle… begin!"
Lucien took a slow step forward.
Suddenly, Oliver froze.
He dropped to one knee, clutching his head, his face contorted in pain.
Lucien smiled—soft, malicious.
Gradually, Oliver's breathing steadied. His expression went blank. He stood up slowly, his eyes lifeless.
"…Mind control," Panther muttered.
Eve nodded grimly. "He's already lost."
Like a puppet, Oliver began walking toward the red line.
Just before crossing it, he stopped.
Slowly, he turned back toward Lucien.
In silence, Oliver raised one knife, dropped the other—and slashed his own fingers.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Blood splattered onto the ground.
Oliver then stepped over the red line and collapsed, unconscious.
Panther clenched his fists. "He could've won without doing that."
Eve whispered, disturbed, "What was he thinking…?"
Luoice's jaw tightened. "Why aren't the teachers stopping this?"
"They can't," Panther said bitterly. "No killing happened. He didn't break any rules."
"…He's right," Eve replied quietly.
Luoice looked away, anger burning in his eyes.
Lucien walked out of the arena calmly, disappointment on his face.
"No fun," he muttered. "Hopefully the next round is better."
"Winner—Lucien."
The mic announced again.
"Next battle—Panther versus Alice."
Panther lifted his head.
The real fight was about to begin