Kael's lightning strike cut through the air like a spear.

"Thunder Step!"

In an instant, he vanished in a flash of blue light, reappearing right in front of Rhys. His sword came down fast — a crackling arc of power that could split stone.

Rhys moved just as quickly.

"Swift Cut!"

The black blade of Ruinous Darkness met Kael's lightning sword mid-swing. Sparks exploded on impact. The force of it pushed both of them back across the platform.

The crowd roared.

Kael grinned, eyes flashing. "Not bad! Let's see how long that calm lasts!"

He dashed again, faster this time, his boots leaving trails of electricity. "Storm Slash!"

Rhys twisted aside, feeling the air sing as the blade missed his cheek by inches. His own sword pulsed in his grip — the crimson veins on its surface glowing brighter, almost alive.

He struck back.

"Whirlwind Slash!"

A spiraling wave of red and black energy spun outward from Rhys's blade, clashing against Kael's lightning storm midair. The collision burst into a blinding shockwave that sent dust flying across the stands.

When the smoke cleared, both stood firm, though the arena floor was cracked beneath their feet.

Kael's grin widened. "Good! You're not just swinging for show."

He raised his sword overhead. Lightning gathered, forming a long spear of pure energy.

"Azure Wrath — Second Form!"

The lightning spear crashed down toward Rhys.

Rhys didn't dodge. Instead, he raised his hand. Blue light shimmered around him.

"Mana Shield!"

The barrier flared as the lightning struck, sparks bursting around his body. The ground shook under the impact — but Rhys stayed unmoved. When the light faded, his shield cracked but held.

Kael stepped back, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

Rhys's tone was calm. "My turn."

He raised Ruinous Darkness, the sword's veins pulsing like a heartbeat. The crimson glow expanded across the blade — and the air around it grew heavy.

"Dark Surge."

The black sword released a burst of crimson mist that surged forward like a living shadow. It swallowed Kael's lightning in an instant, cutting through his defense and sending him sliding backward across the arena floor.

The crowd gasped.

Kael's armor sparked, the lightning around him flickering. He planted his sword into the ground, breathing hard. "Heh… guess I can't hold back then."

He slammed his palm on the blade's hilt. "Storm Breaker!"

Thunder exploded from his weapon, creating a circular shockwave that forced Rhys to shield his face. The air burned with electricity.

When the lightning storm cleared, Kael was already mid-air, spinning. "Heaven Flash!"

Rhys's eyes narrowed. His sword moved — faster than sight.

"Vertical Slash!"

The two attacks met midair.

Lightning and darkness collided, twisting together before exploding in a white flash. The audience stood, cheering wildly as the two fighters landed on opposite sides of the arena, smoke rising between them.

Kael panted, his armor cracked, sparks dancing off his gauntlets. "You're good… too good for a Rank 2."

Rhys tilted his sword slightly. "Rank means nothing here."

Ruinous Darkness began to hum — a deep, eerie vibration that resonated through the air. Its red glow grew stronger, forming faint shadow tendrils around Rhys.

Lyra, watching from the stands, whispered, "The sword's reacting. He's pushing it too far…"

Aria leaned forward, excited. "No, he's just getting started!"

Rhys raised the blade slowly.

"Abyss Rend."

He slashed.

The sword released a horizontal wave of shadow energy — fast, silent, and dense. Kael tried to block, but the sheer pressure shattered his lightning barrier and slammed him backward into the arena wall.

The sound was like thunder hitting metal.

The arena went quiet.

Kael's sword clattered to the floor, lightning fading from its edge.

He coughed, still conscious but unable to stand. "What… is that sword…?"

Rhys rested the blade on his shoulder, the glow dimming slightly. "A weapon that remembers darkness."

The referee's voice echoed across the coliseum:

"Winner — Rhys of the Crescent Division!"

The crowd erupted, chanting his name.

Rhys gave a small nod, then sheathed Ruinous Darkness. The crimson light faded completely, leaving only a faint black shimmer behind.

From the stands, Aria yelled, "THAT'S MY TEAM LEADER!!"

Caria sighed. "And so much for keeping a low profile."

Sophia smirked. "Too late now."

Lyra simply watched Rhys as he left the arena, her eyes thoughtful.

The sword at his side pulsed once — quietly, as if whispering.

And though he'd won easily, Rhys could feel it:

Ruinous Darkness wasn't satisfied.

It wanted more.

Rhys stepped through the tunnel leading out of the arena, the crowd's cheers still echoing behind him. The air inside was cooler — quiet, dimly lit by glowing blue crystals embedded in the walls. Each step he took sent faint ripples of energy across the stones, like the sword's aura was bleeding into the ground.

He exhaled slowly. Too much resonance that time.

His hand brushed the hilt of Ruinous Darkness, and the blade gave a low hum — a whisper more than a sound. Almost like it was breathing.

Puddle appeared beside him in a puff of light, small and shimmering in her spirit form. "Master strong! But sword angry."

Rhys gave a faint smile. "Yeah. I felt that."

"It's most likely developing its spirit," Lyra said, pointing at the Ruinous Darkness blade. "That's why it reacted that way."

She stepped closer, her gaze steady. "It needs more experience — more battles. Once it reaches its limit, it will give birth to its own spirit."

Rhys nodded, looking down at the sword in his hand. The blade's crimson veins pulsed faintly, as if listening. "Then I'll be ready when that happens."

Lyra smiled slightly. "You'd better be. A sword spirit chooses its master as much as the master shapes it. If it doesn't recognize you completely…"

Rhys raised an eyebrow. "It'll fight back?"

"Worse," she replied quietly. "It'll try to take over."

They walked through the corridor together, the sounds of the crowd fading behind them. The energy of the arena still buzzed faintly in the air, but the sword's presence drowned it out — heavy and alive.

As they reached the resting chambers, Aria burst through the door, practically tackling Rhys. "THERE you are! That fight was awesome! You blew up the whole arena!"

Caria followed, shaking her head with her usual calm annoyance. "Correction — he destabilized the arena's mana field. "

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