Leon swung his flame blade downward—

a wave of fire shooting across the arena.

KRAKOOM!

FWOOSH!

Lightning collided with fire in the center.

A shockwave blasted outward.

The front row students screamed as their hair stood straight up.

Rhys clung to his chair armrests.

"Why does every match look like the world is ending?"

Puddle nodded seriously.

"They need a therapist. And milk."

Lightning vs. Fire

Mira zig-zagged around Leon, her blades flashing like lightning spears.

Leon rotated, slashing fiery arcs to keep her away.

ZAP! — Mira's hit landed.

BOOM! — Leon's counter-fire exploded.

The arena floor cracked.

Smoke filled the air.

The protective barrier flickered.

Lyra muttered,

"Do any of them know the meaning of holding back?"

Sophia shook her head.

"No."

Turning Point

Mira finally caught Leon from the side—

a direct lightning strike to his ribs.

Leon skidded back, gasping.

Mira went in for the finishing blow—

—but Leon's sword suddenly flared white-hot, brighter than ever.

He roared,

"Blazing Reversal!"

A burst of heat erupted outward.

Mira was caught mid-attack and blown backward, flipping across the arena.

She hit the ground, sliding until she slammed into the barrier.

Her blades flickered, then went still.

She tried to stand—

but her legs gave out.

She dropped her swords and let out a shaky laugh.

"Fine… You win this time."

The referee immediately raised his flag.

"Winner: Leon Embersteel! He claims the final Top Five spot!"

The stadium erupted.

Lightning and fire fans screamed their lungs out.

Leon raised his sword triumphantly… then immediately winced and held his ribs.

Rhys exhaled.

"So he's my potential opponent tomorrow… Great. Just great."

Fate punched the air, excited.

"THE FINAL TOP FIVE IS SET!"

Puddle clapped.

"MASTER WILL FIGHT FIRE BOY OR DARK BOY OR ICE BOY OR SHINY LADY! ALL BAD OPTIONS!"

Rhys nodded weakly.

"…Yeah. All of them are terrible."

Lyra looked at him calmly.

"You'll survive. Probably."

Sophia patted his shoulder with a gentle smile.

"We'll make sure you're ready."

Dreamer leaned forward.

"Tomorrow is going to be wild."

Rhys stared at the arena, pale.

"…Tomorrow is going to kill me."

The arena finally quieted as the last cheers faded.

The Top Five were decided.

The crowd began to leave, buzzing with excitement about tomorrow.

Students talked, shouted, argued—everyone had predictions.

Rhys didn't care about any of that.

He just lay limp in his seat, staring at the ceiling like he had accepted his fate.

Puddle sat on his chest like a concerned doctor.

"Master… you breathing?"

Rhys croaked,

"Barely."

The team gathered their things and walked toward the exit.

Zenith passed by silently, sword resting on his shoulder.

He gave Rhys a single glance.

Rhys felt his soul tremble.

"…Why did I sign up for this tournament?" he whispered.

Aristea walked by next, smiling politely.

"Rest well, Rhys. Tomorrow will be difficult."

Rhys nodded back automatically, terrified.

Rulian followed, icy mist trailing behind him.

He said nothing—just gave a calm nod.

Rhys nodded back, sweating.

Then Leon limped past, wincing from his rib injury.

He shot Rhys a grin.

"Hope you're ready for tomorrow."

Rhys forced a smile.

"I'm not."

Leon laughed and walked away.

The sun was starting to set, painting the campus orange.

Sophia stretched her arms.

"We should head back. You need sleep."

Lyra glanced at Rhys.

"And training."

Rhys choked.

"…Training? Now? I just survived trauma."

Fate slapped his back.

"EXACTLY! You need to survive MORE trauma!"

Rhys stumbled forward coughing.

Dreamer lifted a hand.

"Relax. Not intense training. Just preparation."

Rhys sighed in relief—

until Dreamer added,

"…Mental preparation. Because you'll be fighting monsters tomorrow."

Rhys groaned loudly.

They reached their building.

Everyone split up for the night.

Sophia waved.

"Rest. Eat something light."

Lyra gave him a long look.

"No sneaking out. No extra fights. Understand?"

"Yes ma'am," Rhys nodded.

Dreamer smirked.

"See you tomorrow, Deadman Walking."

Fate yelled,

"TRAIN YOUR LAST WORDS!"

Rhys slammed the door behind him.

Rhys's Room

He collapsed onto his bed, arms spread.

Puddle hopped beside him.

"Master scared?"

"…Terrified."

Puddle hugged his face like a plush toy.

"Master strong. Master no die. If master die, I revive you and scold you."

"…That's… somehow comforting."

Puddle puffed her chest proudly.

The whole City now knows of the Top Five

The final five fighters rested—

Zenith, Aristea, Rulian, Leon… and Rhys.

Not ranked.

Not crowned.

No champion yet.

Just five fighters left,

each one strong enough to crush normal students.

Rhys stared at the ceiling.

"…I don't even care about Rank 1. I just want to survive."

Puddle nodded.

"Master goal good."

Rhys sighed and closed his eyes.

"Tomorrow… everything starts."

Rhys woke up with one thought:

"I'm not ready."

He sat up anyway.

Puddle stretched beside him like a tiny watery cat.

"Master, today is scary day!"

"…Thanks for the reminder."

After a quick wash and a faster breakfast (mostly Sophia forcing food into his hands), the group headed to the arena.

The academy grounds buzzed with excitement.

Students pointed at Rhys everywhere he walked.

"Look! One of the Top Five!"

"He's the explosion guy!"

"No, he's the multi-element sword psycho!"

Rhys nearly tripped.

"…Why do I have titles?"

Lyra replied calmly,

"You earned them."

Fate added cheerfully,

"You'll earn NEW ones today! Like 'The Survivor' or 'The Burnt One'!"

Rhys groaned.

The giant arena gates opened again.

The crowd roared at the Top Five walking in.

Zenith, cold as ever.

Aristea, glowing calmly.

Rulian, icy aura flowing.

Leon, fiery and grinning.

Rhys, panicking internally.

The announcer stepped forward.

"WELCOME TO THE FINAL FIVE ROUND!"

The arena shook with cheers.

"Today, four fighters will battle for the right to face the finalist who received… a BYE for Round One."

Spotlights flashed.

And then—

"THE ONE WITH THE BYE IS…

Rhys Everlight!"

The crowd screamed.

Rhys froze.

Puddle gasped dramatically.

"MASTER! YOU GOT FREE SURVIVAL!"

Rhys blinked rapidly.

"I… don't fight the first match?"

Lyra nodded.

"You skip the first round. You go straight to the Top Three."

Sophia smiled.

"That gives you time to rest."

Fate clapped him on the back.

"SEE?! YOU'RE ALREADY CHEATING DEATH!"

Rhys collapsed to his knees in relief.

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