Kazel pushed Rhys back with a burst of wind and jumped away, putting distance between them. His breathing was rough now, and sweat trickled down his neck.

"Damn it… you weren't this strong a minute ago," Kazel muttered.

Rhys adjusted his stance, gripping Ruinous Darkness tightly. "I got serious."

The sword hummed again, low and hungry, like it wanted more.

Kazel wiped his mouth. "Then I will too."

He raised both blades.

Wind gathered again, thicker and sharper than before.

Skill — Storm Predator Barrage!

Kazel shot forward, slashing dozens of times in rapid bursts. Wind blades flew in every direction.

Rhys didn't dodge.

He moved straight through them.

Skill — Mana Shield (Reinforced)!

A thicker barrier formed around him. Wind blades shattered on impact like glass.

Rhys closed the distance instantly.

Kazel's eyes widened. "Oh—!"

CLANG!

CLANG!

CLANG!

They exchanged blows.

Kazel used both blades to parry, but Rhys pushed harder with each strike.

Rhys's sword felt heavier with every swing—almost pulling him forward.

Lyra's voice was tight. "It's feeding too quickly…"

Sophia frowned. "Rhys needs to finish the fight now."

Puddle clutched her head. "Master… please stop glowing scary purple…"

Back in the arena—

Kazel tried to jump back—

Rhys didn't let him.

He swung horizontally.

Skill — Crescent Breaker!

A wide arc of dark mana shot out.

Kazel crossed his blades in a panic—

BOOM!!!

The blast pushed him across the arena, dragging his feet through the stone. He gasped for breath, arms shaking from blocking.

Rhys took another step forward.

Kazel glared. "…You're a monster."

Rhys replied quietly, "Not trying to be."

He rushed in again.

Kazel had one chance left.

He roared—

"Fine! Let's go all the way!!"

His aura exploded.

Skill — Storm Predator Claw!

Wind wrapped around his hand like a giant beast claw. He swung down with everything he had.

The attack tore a trench in the ground.

The crowd screamed as dust shot up.

Rhys didn't step back.

He lifted his sword—

Ruinous Darkness roared with him.

Skill — Abyss Break!

The two attacks collided.

BOOOOOOOOM!!!

Wind howled.

Darkness exploded outward.

The shockwave hit the barrier surrounding the arena with a loud crack.

Everyone covered their faces from the blast.

When the dust settled…

Kazel was on his knees, blades fallen from his hands.

His clothes were torn, and a long slash mark cut across his chest armor—but he was conscious.

He looked up at Rhys, who stood over him, breathing heavily but still steady.

Kazel forced a tired laugh. "Damn… you really beat me."

Rhys lowered his sword. "Good fight."

The rune above them lit up:

VICTORY — RHYS

The arena erupted in cheers.

Aria screamed, "YES!! HE DID IT!!"

Caria almost dropped her notebook. "That was insane…"

Sophia breathed out softly. "He won."

Lyra's eyes finally relaxed. "And he stayed in control. Barely."

Puddle shot toward Rhys like a glowing missile. "MASTER YOU SUPER SUPER SUPER STRONG!!!"

Rhys caught her with his free hand, sighing with a tiny smile.

"Thanks, Puddle."

And Ruinous Darkness slowly dimmed… finally satisfied.

The roar of the crowd slowly faded into background noise as Rhys stepped out of the arena, guided by the sisters and Puddle orbiting him like an excited firefly.

He handed his victory badge to the attendant at the gate and took a long breath.

Only then did he realize how hot his body felt—mana churned under his skin like leftover storm energy.

Lyra touched his arm, her voice soft but firm. "Sit. Now."

He nodded and sat on the stone bench against the wall while she inspected him with a diagnostic spell.

Aria leaned forward. "Any damage?"

Lyra sighed in relief. "He's fine. Just… overcharged. The sword's influence spiked at the end."

Puddle puffed up proudly. "Master strong! Sword hungry but Puddle watch it! Puddle glare at it!"

She gave Ruinous Darkness her fiercest tiny glare.

Sophia smirked. "I'm sure the sword is terrified."

Rhys exhaled, letting the last of the purple aura fade off his skin. He sheathed the blade, feeling the weight settle again—calmer now, but still pulsing, as if pleased with the fight.

Back in the arena… the Day 3 qualifiers continued.

As Rhys recovered in the stands, the fourth match began with a thunderous explosion.

A hammer-wielding barbarian charged across the field, clashing against a mage whose spells burst like fireworks.

Aria whistled. "That's a pure damage matchup."

Caria scribbled rapidly. "Barbarian's name is Vrann. The Sword mage is Liora Evensong. Her fire control is top-tier."

Sophia watched quietly, eyes sharp. "Rhys, note the mage's casting rhythm. She strings short spells to stall before using her high-output Sword moves."

Rhys nodded. "I see it."

Puddle sat on his head, tiny legs dangling. "They noisy…"

Lyra glanced at him. "How do you feel?"

"Like I could fight again if I had to," Rhys admitted. "But… I should rest."

"Correct," she replied. "Your sword is still settling from feeding off your mana bursts."

The hammer crash echoed.

BOOM!!!

Vrann slammed his weapon into the ground, sending Liora flying backward with a shockwave. The crowd roared as she barely recovered with a flame jet.

The fight continued fiercely, sparks and dust filling the air.

Aria tapped her chin. "Rhys, either of them could end up facing you in the next round."

"Then I'll watch carefully," he said.

And he did.

His eyes stayed locked on the battlefield—studying footwork, timing, breathing, mana distribution. Everything that mattered.

Puddle, however, stood on his shoulder, imitating the fighters' poses with her tiny arms.

"Puddle strong too! Hya! Pcha!"

Caria giggled. "Adorable."

Sophia cracked the faintest smile. "Focus, Puddle."

By the eighth match of the day…

The arena was blazing with energy. Fighters from various classes clashed—archers, summoners, armored knights, beastkin monks.

The crowd grew louder with each victory.

Rhys leaned forward slightly. "There's a lot of strong people here."

Lyra nodded. "Strong, but not impossible to defeat. The top 10 will be the real test."

Aria grinned. "And you're heading there at full speed."

Caria nudged him. "After that last fight? People will rank you top three."

Puddle puffed proudly. "MASTER NUMBER ONE!"

Sophia shook her head. "That's not how rankings work…"

"But master number one!!" Puddle insisted, hugging Rhys's cheek.

Rhys chuckled quietly. "Thanks, Puddle."

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