The arena buzzed with excitement after Kael's second victory in the Inner Disciple Tournament.
Two ranked disciples had already fallen before him.
Joran Falk.
Han Miren.
Both had underestimated the mysterious outsider.
Now, no one dared to.
Kael stood quietly near the edge of the arena platform, watching the remaining matches.
His breathing had already returned to normal, but inside his chest the Origin Core still pulsed steadily.
Each battle made it stronger.
Each opponent sharpened his control.
But something else was bothering him.
Earlier during the fight, when he used Origin Step, he felt a strange vibration deep beneath the ground.
Almost like something… responding.
Kael frowned slightly.
What was that?
Before he could think further, the announcer's voice echoed again.
"Next match!"
"Seraphine Valeris versus Kael Veyron!"
The entire arena exploded with excitement.
"This is the one!"
"The lightning prodigy versus the outsider!"
Kael slowly lifted his head.
Across the arena platform, Seraphine stepped forward calmly.
Her silver hair moved gently as she walked.
Electric sparks flickered faintly around her fingers.
The pressure from her aura alone made several nearby disciples step back.
She stopped a few meters away from Kael.
"So," she said with a faint smile.
"We finally meet in the arena."
Kael nodded.
"I was wondering when this match would come."
Seraphine studied him carefully.
"You fight differently from everyone else."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"That energy inside you… it doesn't feel like Aether."
Kael shrugged.
"Maybe it isn't."
Seraphine chuckled softly.
"That makes this more interesting."
The referee stepped forward.
"Both fighters to the arena."
The barrier began forming again around the battlefield.
Disciples leaned forward with anticipation.
This fight would determine who advanced to the final rounds of the tournament.
Seraphine rolled her shoulders lightly.
Small arcs of lightning flickered across her arms.
"I won't go easy on you."
Kael stepped into the arena.
Golden energy began gathering quietly inside his body.
"I wouldn't want you to."
The referee raised his hand.
"Begin!"