Aria peeked up from her bed, grinning. "Oh, you know he will! We'll make headlines before noon tomorrow!"

Caria didn't even look up from her notes. "Assuming we survive the attention. Once people notice his sword, there'll be challengers lining up nonstop."

Sophia gave a quiet sigh. "Then we'll deal with them one at a time. Like always."

Puddle raised her paw proudly from her pillow fortress. "Master strongest! No problem!"

Rhys chuckled, leaning back against the window frame. The cool moonlight poured through the curtains, washing the room in pale silver. "Don't get ahead of yourselves. Tomorrow's just the qualifiers."

Aria groaned. "Booooring! You should open with something flashy! Maybe a big fire-water combo slash!"

Caria interjected, tone flat. "No. Efficiency first. Flashiness can wait until we actually know the arena layout."

Sophia nodded in agreement. "Caria's right. We observe before we strike."

Lyra, still watching the moon, added quietly, "The arenas shift with the phases. The crescent arena favors balance and precision—like your sword style."

Rhys tilted his head. "You've been here before, haven't you?"

Lyra hesitated for a moment before answering. "…A long time ago."

Aria rolled over. "Ohhh, now that's mysterious. Were you a contestant too?"

Lyra smiled faintly, not denying it. "Something like that."

Caria adjusted her glasses. "Then your insight might be crucial. If the arenas adapt, we'll need to prepare elemental counters and mobility options."

Sophia sheathed her blade beside the bed. "Then rest. The island's energy feels… heavy. It's watching us."

Puddle blinked. "The moon is watching?"

Rhys looked out the window again—the crescent moon hung above the sea, bright and vast, its light reflecting across the glowing tides.

"Maybe," he said softly. "Or maybe it's just waiting."

Lyra's fingers brushed the windowpane. "Waiting for the right sword to awaken."

The room fell quiet for a moment—peaceful, yet thick with the promise of coming battles.

Outside, Moon Island pulsed with life: the distant clang of duels, cheers from the training grounds, and the faint, melodic hum of swords resonating beneath the moonlight.

Rhys finally stood. "Alright. Get some sleep. Tomorrow, we start early."

Aria yawned and gave a sleepy thumbs-up.Caria muttered something about optimizing formations.Sophia closed her eyes in meditation.Puddle curled up by Rhys's sword, glowing faintly.Lyra lingered one last moment by the window before whispering—

"Welcome back… Moon Island."

The night deepened, carrying the sound of the sea and the silent promise of the battles that awaited at dawn.

The next day came with the first light of dawn—soft, silvery-blue, spilling across Moon Island's plazas like liquid glass.

The team made their way to the Crescent Arena, one of the five colossal coliseums carved into the cliffs of the island. The air thrummed with excitement—cheering players, clashing blades, and the hum of enchantments powering the floating battle platforms above.

Aria's eyes sparkled. "Whoa! Look at this place! It's huge!"

Caria adjusted her glasses. "Each arena holds over ten thousand spectators. The preliminary matches run simultaneously across all divisions."

Sophia's gaze swept the crowd. "We're being watched already. Half these fighters are sizing up potential opponents."

Rhys walked quietly beside them, his coat brushing against the stone. The sheath at his waist carried a dark blade—Ruinous Darkness—its obsidian surface pulsing faintly with crimson veins that glowed like living embers.

He had left Severance Tide sealed in his inventory.Even contained, the mythic sword's aura was far too distinct—too easily recognized.If he unsheathed it here, every top guild, collector, and power-hungry duelist on the island would come hunting.

Better to stay low-profile.For now.

Aria leaned in, whispering, "Feels weird not seeing you with the blue one."

Rhys smirked. "This will do for now."

Lyra, walking just behind him, studied the blade's faint red glow. "Ruinous Darkness… forged from the heart of an abyssal core. A cursed weapon that devours its wielder's mana to feed its edge."

Sophia glanced at the sword, her expression cool. "It suits you."

Puddle peeked from Rhys's shoulder, tilting her head. "It looks scary… but kinda cool."

Caria flipped through her notes. "Legendary-tier or not, it won't draw unwanted attention. Many advanced players own similar weapons. Smart choice."

They reached the competitor's gate—long lines of swordsmen stretching out before them, every one of them radiating tension, pride, or quiet killing intent.

A resonant bell echoed across the island, deep and thunderous.

Aria grinned. "That's our cue!"

Rhys stepped forward as the gate guards scanned his crescent sigil. The mark glowed faintly, synchronizing with the barrier around the arena.

"Participant verified: Rhys, Rank 2, Advanced.""Assigned Arena: Crescent Division — Platform 3."

He nodded once, stepping toward the tunnel.

"Kick some butt!" Aria yelled. "And make it flashy!"

Sophia simply folded her arms. "We'll be watching from the stands."

Lyra's voice was quieter, calm and sure."Remember… the Crescent Arena follows the moon's rhythm. Let your blade flow with it."

Rhys smiled faintly and stepped into the light.

The platform rose from the ground with a low, thunderous rumble. The roar of the crowd met him like a wave—thousands of spectators, flashing lights, and the faint shimmer of floating runes projecting fighter names across the sky.

[Preliminary Duel – Round 1]

Rhys (Ruinous Darkness) vs. Kael of the Azure Guild

Across the arena stood a tall swordsman clad in azure armor, lightning crackling along his longsword.

Kael grinned, his voice carrying across the air. "Never heard of you before, but that blade's got attitude. Let's see if you can keep up!"

Rhys exhaled slowly. "You'll find out soon enough."

The arena's hum deepened. A glowing countdown appeared between them—

3… 2… 1…

The clash came like thunder.

Kael burst forward in a streak of blue lightning—fast, precise, lethal.

Rhys moved to meet him, Ruinous Darkness whispering as it left its sheath, leaving behind a thin trail of crimson mist that shimmered like smoke in moonlight.

Steel collided. Sparks exploded. The air rippled with force.

And as the crowd erupted, the first duel of Moon Island truly began beneath the watching crescent sky.

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