The arena was still echoing with cheers.
"LYRA!"
"WHAT A MATCH!"
Students were still talking excitedly about the unbelievable ending.
At the center of the arena—
Lyra stood quietly.
Her breathing had finally steadied.
A few meters away, Ronan slowly pushed himself up from the ground.
Rustle…
He brushed the dust off his clothes and looked toward her.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Ronan laughed softly.
"…That was incredible."
Lyra looked at him.
Ronan walked closer, resting his flame saber on his shoulder.
"What you did at the end…"
He shook his head in disbelief.
"I couldn't even see it."
Lyra lowered her gaze slightly.
"…It barely worked."
Ronan smirked.
"Don't be modest."
He crossed his arms.
"That technique of yours… the way you moved…"
"That was something else."
A pause.
Then he extended his hand.
"You deserved that win."
Lyra looked at his hand for a moment.
Then she shook it.
"…Thank you."
---
Suddenly—
TAP… TAP… TAP…
Footsteps echoed through the arena.
Everyone turned.
Walking toward the center was the academy's headmaster—
Headmaster Aldaric.
His long robe swayed gently as he approached.
The remaining students in the stands quickly fell silent.
He stopped between the two fighters.
His sharp eyes scanned the arena.
Then he spoke in a calm but commanding voice.
"Today we witnessed an outstanding battle."
The audience listened quietly.
Headmaster Aldaric continued,
"Both fighters demonstrated remarkable skill and determination."
He paused.
Then turned toward Lyra.
"However, a winner has been decided."
He raised his hand slightly.
"From this moment onward—"
"Lyra Vance will officially become the fifth member of the team representing our academy in the Inter-Academic Tournament."
For a moment—
Silence.
Then the arena erupted again.
"LYRA!"
"CONGRATULATIONS!"
"FIFTH MEMBER!"
---
Headmaster Aldaric nodded once.
Then he turned and began walking away.
"Prepare well."
"Because the battles ahead will be far more difficult."
With those words—
He left the arena.
---
Slowly, the remaining students began leaving as well.
The noise gradually faded.
The once roaring arena grew quiet.
Lyra was still standing in the center.
Watching the empty stands.
---
Then—
Footsteps echoed from the entrance.
THUD… THUD…
Four familiar figures walked into the arena.
Iren.
Riven.
Sylven.
Kael.
Riven immediately ran toward her.
"THAT WAS AMAZING!"
He threw his arms in the air.
"I thought the match was over for a second!"
Kael chuckled.
"Yeah… you scared everyone."
Sylven adjusted his glasses.
"That final technique was impressive."
Then—
Iren stepped forward.
He stopped in front of Lyra.
For a moment he simply looked at her.
Then he smiled faintly.
"You really did incredible."
Lyra blinked.
Then a small smile appeared on her face.
"Thank you."
She hesitated for a moment.
Then said softly,
"I really appreciate your help."
"If you hadn't trained me… I might have never won."
Iren shook his head.
"That wasn't my victory."
He smiled calmly.
"It was the result of your own training."
Lyra looked down slightly.
But her smile grew brighter.
---
Riven suddenly clapped his hands.
"Well then!"
"The team is finally complete!"
Kael nodded.
"Looks like things will get interesting now."
Sylven added calmly,
"The Inter-Academic Tournament won't be easy."
---
Iren turned toward the academy building.
"Well."
"Let's go."
The others nodded.
---
Together—
The five of them walked out of the arena.
Side by side.
Toward the academy.
Toward the battles that awaited them next.
And toward the Inter-Academic Tournament.
Their true journey…
Had only just begun.