The underground chamber pulsed with tension, every breath heavy, every heartbeat loud. Everyone stood ready to brawl—but behind them, the slaves remained shackled, fear etched into their faces.
Ryo stepped forward, voice steady.
"We can't fight her with the slaves here."
Leona acted instantly. She slammed her palm into the ground.
The earth groaned.
Stone rose and folded in on itself, forming a thick shield around the captives. Lightning cracked as Abraham rushed in, tearing the chains apart in a shower of sparks.
"Now," Benjamin said.
Wind roared beneath his feet as he lifted the freed slaves, carrying them upward through the tunnels and far from the battlefield.
The moment the last of them vanished—
A presence returned.
The masked figure appeared above them, calm and unreadable, flanked by several A-rank Rolencian soldiers.
"Let's make this fair," the figure said.
Then he disappeared.
The silence shattered.
The fight began.
Zain drew his blade and rushed Skyla, light flaring beneath his feet. She bent away from the strike, her body stretching unnaturally, warping like elastic.
"Nice dodge," Zain said coldly.
"Traitor."
She blinked.
So did he.
Stage 2 of Light ignited.
Zain appeared behind her in a flash and drove a sharp kick into her neck. Skyla slammed into the ground, stone cracking beneath her.
Zain frowned.
"No matter how many times I hit her… it doesn't work like it does on others. That stretchy body…"
Wait.
I've got an idea.
Before he could move, Skyla lunged forward, her arm snapping out like a whip. The first punch landed—but Zain twisted away, dodging the rest as light flickered around him.
Across the battlefield, chaos unfolded.
Scarlet's eyes darkened as she activated Stage 3.
"Overtake."
Her opponent froze.
Blood turned against its owner.
With a single merciless motion, Scarlet ended the fight.
Nearby, Abraham planted his feet as lightning consumed his body.
"Shockwave."
Thunder ripped through the chamber. His opponent collapsed instantly, their body destroyed from the inside by pure lightning.
Leona crushed her enemy beneath collapsing stone—Crumble leaving nothing behind.
Benjamin descended from above like a silent executioner, wind screaming as Flight of Death tore through his opponent midair.
One by one, the Rolencians fell.
Only one fight remained.
Ryo stood face-to-face with his opponent—a boy, younger than expected, but carrying himself with dangerous confidence.
"What's your name?" Ryo asked.
The boy scoffed.
"I am the youngest of the Rolencian royal family. The one destined to become the strongest."
"I asked your name," Ryo replied calmly.
The boy's expression twisted with anger.
"You dare disrespect me?"
He leapt upward.
"Let's take this to land."
Ryo followed without hesitation.
They burst out of the underground chamber, landing above as power surged between them.
The boy smirked.
"My name is Kira. Remember it."
"…Ryo."
The air cracked around them.
Both smiled.
They were done holding back.
Below, steel clashed as Zain continued his fight with Skyla.
He shouted mid-combat,
"Scarlet! Take every resource from this place—and give my blade to Rimazu!"
Scarlet turned sharply.
"Why?"
"Hurry!"
Skyla laughed, bending away from another strike.
"What are you planning, Zain?"
Zain wiped blood from his lip and smirked.
"You'll find out soon enough."
For the first time—
Skyla's smile faltered.