Inside the Velundria waiting hall
Eldric sat back down, his face twisted in frustration. His voice low but laced with anger.
"Who would've thought a sensory-type magic user would be in the Eldoria Kingdom..."
Just then, a group of students entered the room, dragging in Kairon, still unconscious from the earlier match. One of them poured water on his face.
Kairon jolted awake, coughing. "Wha—?!"
Before he could fully sit up, Eldric grabbed him by the hair, yanking his head up.
"Do you know why you lost, huh?!"
Kairon's lips trembled. "N-No, sir..."
"You lost because you underestimated her! Just how stupid can you be?" Eldric growled. "You didn't even know what type of magic she used and still let her go first. Did you think her attack would be weak? You should've been ready for anything! And you call yourself a sword mage?!"
Kairon trembled in fear, eyes wide. Eldric's voice got louder.
"Do you have any idea what we're up against now?!"
"Mr. Eldric," one of the students said nervously, "You're shouting. People might be listening..."
Tch.
Eldric let go of Kairon and waved them all away.
"Get out of my sight."
As the room cleared, he sat back down with a sigh, his anger simmering into something colder.
"...It can't be helped," he muttered. "Even if he'd fought seriously, the outcome wouldn't have changed. The ability to attack nerve cells and the brain... it's a terrifying technique. Whoever taught her that must be a skilled mage..."
He paused, glancing toward Lyra in the distance.
"...No. She's the skilled one—for mastering something like that. If she keeps this up, she'll be a formidable sword mage."
He looked to the girl beside him.
"You're up next," he said firmly. "Fight with all your strength. Don't end up like that fool."
"Yes, sir!" she replied with fire in her eyes.
"Good."
Arena – Announcer's voice echoes through the hall
"The next match: Callista Vortigen vs. Sona!"
Cheers erupted in the arena.
Arthur turned to Gareth, who stood quietly nearby. "Hey... Aren't you gonna wish your sister good luck?"
He approached him. "Hi, I'm Arthur."
Gareth didn't even look at him. "We're in the same class. No need for introductions. Get to the point."
"Right..." Arthur rubbed the back of his head. "Well, you didn't say anything to your sister. Not even a 'do your best' or anything..."
Gareth finally turned his eyes on him, cool and sharp.
"Will that guarantee her victory?"
Arthur blinked. "Huh?"
"All those Velundria students were wished luck before their matches... and they all lost. Strength wins battles, not words. Luck and well wishes... they're just illusions that comfort the weak. Callista doesn't need that. She's strong on her own."
Arthur tried to reply, but Gareth cut him off.
"If that's all, leave."
Arthur muttered under his breath, "Sheesh... he's so arrogant."
Hyorinmaru's voice echoed in his mind.
"Leave him be. If you think about it, he has a point."
Arthur nodded slightly. "...That's true." He looked back at the arena. Callista was already walking up.
"I hope she wins..."
Arena
Callista stepped into the ring. Confident. Calm. As the cheers filled the stadium, she whispered to herself:
"Arthur... watch me."
She drew her blade.
"Bloom… Fujijaku!"
Her sword transformed—its blade shifting into a curved sickle, glowing with emerald energy.
Sona entered next, her smirk cocky.
"What are you gonna do with that... a farm tool?"
She raised her own blade.
"Harden… Ganmetsu!"
Her weapon transformed into a thick spear, embedded with spiraling earth drills. She spun it once, jabbing it into the ground.
"This'll be fun."
Sona didn't wait.
"Earth Magic—Rock Maze!"
With a sudden rumble, massive rocks rose from the arena floor, walls twisting and closing in—forming a maze that blocked even the audience's view. Dust filled the air.
Inside, Callista stumbled back, eyes scanning the rising walls.
"...Is this really the time for hide and seek?" she muttered. "Now I kinda wish I had Arthur's magic... he was so cool fighting Damon..."
She blushed slightly before shaking her head.
"Focus! Not the time for daydreaming."
Spectator stands
Eldric smirked. "She's going in for the kill."
Raelor turned. "What do you mean?"
"She calls this move Maze of Confusion. Only she knows the layout. The enemy gets lost while she stalks them. It's a deadly strategy."
Raelor's eyes widened. "That's awesome…"
Back in the maze
Callista stood still. "If I can't find my way out... then I'll fly!"
She slammed her palm to the ground.
"Plant Magic—Vine Bird!"
Green vines burst from the earth, twisting and forming into a giant winged creature. She hopped on and it lifted her up into the air.
Sona's voice echoed:
"Fool."
Suddenly, the walls grew taller, merging at the top, forming a dome. The light vanished. The vine bird disappeared, and Callista dropped back to the ground.
"You're not going anywhere," Sona taunted. "Your defeat is guaranteed."
Callista stood, dirt on her clothes, scratches on her arm.
"Stop hiding and fight me face-to-face!"
Sona chuckled. "Getting mad won't help you."
Rocks launched from both sides—Callista dodged, but one grazed her shoulder.
"Tch... I'm wasting time. I need a way to find her or I'll lose."
She raised her hand.
"Plant Magic—Magic Guidepost!"
A flower sprouted from the ground, glowing softly. The petals opened and displayed a full layout of the maze.
Callista's eyes locked on a moving shadow.
"There you are."
Vines shot south—Sona dodged, slicing them midair.
"How... did you find me?!"
Then she saw it—the glowing flower.
"...So that's it."
She raised her spear and launched a spinning drill of rock at it. The flower shattered. The projection vanished.
Callista rolled aside. "Now you can't dodge!"
Vines formed around her blade, glowing intensely.
"Plant Magic—Pea Laser!"
A glowing green beam fired straight at Sona.
Sona blocked with her arms, but the impact launched her upward, smashing through the top of the dome. She flew out of the maze, crashing outside.
The stone maze crumbled. The arena returned to normal.
Callista climbed out of the hole, breathing hard. The crowd gasped.
Sona stood, bleeding from her hand. She screamed and charged at Callista.
Their blades clashed—Callista's curved sickle met Sona's spear. Sparks flew.
Then—snap!
Callista's blade split into four sickles, twisting around the spear, forcing it open and cutting through.
Sona jumped back, panting, holding her injured hand.
"Your blade... splits?!"
Callista twirled her weapon, the four blades spinning like petals. She smiled.
"When I released my blade, you asked if I was farming, right?"
She raised it high.
"Well… I was." Her eyes gleamed. "Farming for victory."
She pointed the blades at Sona.
"It's time... for a bountiful harvest."