"Yeah," he said. "Each fighter shapes mana differently. I want to see who can actually control it… not just throw it around."

Puddle perched on his shoulder, munching on a glowing candy stick she'd somehow acquired. "Master watching like teacher~!"

Aria laughed. "He's studying how to crush them later, that's what."

Hours rolled by as the morning qualifiers continued. Dozens of duels ended in bright flashes of light — lightning blades, earth walls, even water mirages.

One particular match drew their attention — a swordswoman with silver hair wielding a blade of frost.

"Skill — Glacial Bloom!" she cried, her sword slicing the air. A frozen lotus erupted beneath her opponent, locking him in place.

The match ended instantly.

The crowd erupted with cheers.

"Wow," Aria said. "She's gorgeous and terrifying."

Sophia nodded slightly. "That level of elemental synchronization… she's not ordinary."

Lyra's expression grew thoughtful. "That one—keep her name. If Rhys meets her later, it'll be a difficult match."

Caria quickly jotted it down. "Contestant Freya, ice element, precision duelist."

Rhys's gaze followed Freya as she left the arena, frost lingering in her wake. His sword gave another faint pulse.

"…It's getting excited again," he murmured.

Lyra glanced at him. "Then it senses a worthy rival ahead."

He exhaled slowly, steadying his mana. "Good. It'll need to."

By midday, the sunlight was sharp and the matches had slowed for a short break. The crowd thinned as players went for lunch.

Aria stretched with a yawn. "Okay, we've watched like twenty matches. My brain's fried."

Caria smirked. "That's because you're not writing any of it down."

Puddle hopped off Rhys's shoulder and twirled. "Master's turn soon?"

Rhys looked toward the main crystal display — his name glowed faintly under "Afternoon Qualifier – Division 3."

"Soon," he said. "A few more hours."

Sophia stood and brushed the dust from her cloak. "Then we rest. You'll need focus for the next match."

Lyra nodded in agreement. "We've seen enough to prepare. Let's regroup before the afternoon rounds begin."

Rhys gave one last glance at the dueling rings below — shattered tiles, floating dust, and the lingering scent of mana in the air.

"Yeah," he said quietly. "Next round's mine."

The Ruinous Darkness pulsed once, faint and eager.

And as the sun began to climb higher, the crowd stirred once again — ready for the afternoon fights to begin.

The group returned to the plaza's outer edge, where rows of food stalls lined the walkways. The smell of sizzling meat, roasted grains, and sweet fruit tea filled the air. Players lounged around in groups — some laughing, others meditating before their matches.

Aria practically dragged everyone to a stall selling skewers. "We have to eat here! The sign says 'Champion's Meal — guaranteed to boost morale!'"

Caria sighed but followed, muttering, "That's not how buffs work…"

Rhys just smiled faintly, taking a seat beneath a shaded awning. Puddle floated to the table, nibbling on a sugar crystal almost as big as her head. "Mmm~ taste like victory!"

Sophia ate quietly beside them, gaze occasionally drifting toward the massive central arena where faint energy barriers flickered in preparation for the afternoon matches. "It'll be crowded soon. You should center your mana before we go."

Rhys nodded, closing his eyes for a moment. He let the noise fade away — feeling the quiet hum of his inner mana flow, aligning it with the faint pulse of Ruinous Darkness resting against the table beside him. The sword vibrated lightly, a steady rhythm.

When he opened his eyes again, Lyra was watching him. "How is it?"

"Stable," Rhys said. "The sword's calmer now. But it's… listening."

Lyra smiled slightly. "That means it's beginning to trust you."

Aria grinned. "Well, let's hope it really trusts him once the fight starts."

Caria closed her notebook. "Speaking of which—time check. Fifteen minutes until his division starts."

Rhys stood, adjusting the strap of his scabbard. "Then let's go."

Puddle zipped to his shoulder, her little tail flicking like a banner. "Go go go! Smash them all!"

Crescent Arena – Afternoon Qualifiers

The afternoon sun bathed the coliseum in gold. The crowd was even louder now, anticipation thick in the air. Magical screens hovered above, showing the match brackets.

"Division Three — Round Two! Rhys versus Kane of the Blazing Path!"

Aria clenched her fists. "That's our cue!"

Rhys stepped forward, descending the stairs into the dueling platform. Across the arena, his opponent — a tall man with a flame-patterned cape — spun his sword once, igniting it in a burst of heat.

"Been watching you, kid," Kane said with a confident grin. "Let's see if you can handle a real firestorm."

Rhys unsheathed Ruinous Darkness, the blade whispering with dark crimson light. "Try me."

The signal rune flashed—

"Match Start!"

Kane charged first, sword blazing. "Skill: Infernal Rush!"

Flames spiraled around him as he dashed forward like a meteor. Rhys's eyes sharpened—he sidestepped, parried with Swift Cut, and countered with a sharp mana slash.

BOOM!

Dust and fire erupted. The crowd roared.

Kane smirked, spinning through the smoke. "Good reflexes! But let's turn up the heat!"

He swung upward, launching arcs of molten flame — "Flame Burst Wave!"

Rhys crossed his sword, channeling mana. "Skill: Water Blade!"

The blue arc cut through the fire, vapor exploding around them. Steam cloaked the arena in mist.

Puddle cheered from the stands. "Master water beats fire! Yay!"

But before the crowd could settle, Kane burst from the fog with a shout. "Skill: Phoenix Strike!"

A fiery image of wings flared behind him as he lunged forward.

Rhys reacted instantly — "Mana Shield!"

The impact shook the floor. Energy cracked around him, his shield barely holding against the blazing assault. Heat washed over his face, but his stance didn't waver.

As the flames dissipated, Rhys exhaled — and his sword pulsed.

The crimson glow deepened.

Kane grinned, sweat steaming off his skin. "You're not bad! But your sword's trembling—afraid?"

Rhys looked down at the vibrating blade. "No," he said quietly. "It's hungry."

Then he moved.

"Skill: Whirlwind Slash!"

Dark crimson energy spiraled around him, fusing with streaks of water mana. The hybrid slash carved through the air, breaking Kane's guard and sending him skidding back across the arena.

The crowd gasped as the flaming warrior stumbled, his armor scorched by Rhys's strike.

Kane roared. "You—!"

But before he could recover, Rhys raised his sword again.

"Skill chain: Vertical Slash → Swift Cut → Magic Missile!"

Three precise attacks landed in perfect rhythm—one to disarm, one to break stance, and a final burst of light mana that detonated on impact.

Kane hit the ground, his sword flying from his hand. The arena went silent for a heartbeat—then erupted in cheers.

The announcer's voice echoed:

"Victory — Rhys of the Crescent Division!"

Puddle jumped up and down, waving her tiny arms. "Master win! Fire man go boom!!"

Aria whooped. "YES! That's my swordsman!"

Caria clapped once, satisfied. "Calculated and efficient. No wasted mana."

Lyra smiled faintly, her gaze soft. "He's learning control. Both of himself and the blade."

Rhys exhaled, lowering Ruinous Darkness. The glow dimmed slowly, steady, like a heartbeat calming after battle.

"Good job," he murmured to it quietly. "We're getting closer."

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