The air was heavy with heat and mana.
Every corner of the forest shook with explosions, elemental roars, and battle cries as thirty teams fought for dominance. Trees cracked, the soil trembled, and the faint shimmer of mana veins glowed beneath the earth.
Sho Ardenthal stood in the center of it all — his sword drawn, its edge flickering with mana light. Beside him, Liyana's silver-white hair fluttered with every breeze, her calm eyes scanning the surroundings.
Sho: "We've already gathered eight golden sticks."
Liyana: "Two more, and we pass. But…"
She turned her head, sensing a wave of pure, divine pressure closing in.
Sho felt it too — a combination of regal grace and holy light.
From the far ridge, Princess Arisa Varellis stepped into view — elegant as ever, her long golden hair glowing faintly in the sunlight. At her side, the Saint Alisa Yurica followed, her holy aura shimmering like morning dew.
Behind them stood their knights — armored elites, their mana flaring like burning torches.
Arisa (smiling lightly): "We meet again, Lord Ardenthal."
Sho: "Your Highness. I didn't expect our paths to cross this soon."
Alisa: "It seems fate enjoys setting rivals against one another."
Sho raised his sword slightly.
Liyana stepped forward beside him, her gaze sharp but unreadable.
Liyana: "You're in our way."
The air cracked — and then everything exploded into motion.
---
⚔️ The Clash Begins
Arisa gestured with one hand, forming a circle of radiant sigils around her.
"Solar Blades!" — countless golden swords of light flew toward Sho and Liyana like arrows.
Sho raised his arm — mana surging from his palm.
"Mana Barrier!" — a hexagonal wall of blue energy flared, shattering under the first wave. He blinked forward in a burst of speed, leaving a blue afterimage as the blades crashed into where he stood.
Liyana stepped past him, her hand gliding through the air — a swirl of flame spiraled from her fingertips.
"Flame Veil."
The golden blades evaporated in a wave of searing heat.
But Alisa was already moving.
She raised her staff, and a holy circle spread beneath her.
"Blessed Bind."
Ribbons of light shot forth, wrapping toward Liyana like divine chains.
Liyana smirked faintly — she raised her hand and snapped her fingers.
A small pulse erupted from her, shattering the chains effortlessly. The knights watching gasped.
Knight (shaken): "What kind of mana output… was that?!"
Sho appeared behind Alisa in a blur — Blink activated. His blade stopped just a hair's breadth from her neck, the pressure of mana shaking her golden staff.
But before he could strike, a radiant shield of light flared between them.
Arisa: "You think I'd let you touch her?"
A wave of wind burst out — the ground split, trees snapped, and Sho was pushed back several meters, sliding to a halt beside Liyana.
Sho (grinning): "That was close."
Liyana: "You're smiling."
Sho: "Can't help it. It's been a while since I felt this alive."
---
⚔️ The Royal Knights Join
The two royal knights stepped forward — one wielding twin spears, the other a greatsword.
Knight Captain: "Forgive us, Your Highness. We'll assist."
Mana surged again — this time the battlefield shook as the knights coordinated with Arisa's spells and Alisa's blessings.
Sho: "They're coordinated… Tch, this is bad."
Liyana: "Stay close to me."
She raised her arm, eyes flashing crimson for just a second. Flames burst from the ground, spiraling around her in perfect motion. She danced between attacks like wind and fire intertwined.
Sho darted forward with Blink, slashing through the knight's guard — steel ringing against steel.
Mana bursts exploded from his strikes, throwing sparks of blue fire.
Arisa raised her sword, conjuring a radiant phoenix made of pure light.
Liyana responded by releasing her own — a crimson dragon illusion made of fire and heat.
The two creatures collided in the sky, their explosion painting the heavens gold and red.
---
💥 The Breaking Point
One of the knights sneered toward Liyana between heavy breaths.
"You hide behind that boy… for someone so proud, you're nothing more than—"
He didn't finish.
The air went silent.
Then it roared.
A crushing weight filled the entire clearing. The ground cracked. Leaves fell from trees like dying embers.
Even Arisa's face paled slightly as her instincts screamed danger.
Liyana's eyes glowed faintly — her voice low, trembling with restrained anger.
"...Say that again."
The knight couldn't move — none of them could.
The very mana pressure froze them in place. The gravity around her distorted — rocks floated, and weak students in the distance collapsed, coughing blood.
Sho gritted his teeth. Even he could barely move.
He forced one step forward — then another — until he stood right before her.
"Liyana."
Her head turned slightly, her crimson eyes wild.
He reached out and gently tapped her shoulder.
"I'm here. You're not alone."
A long silence.
Then — like a ripple breaking the storm — the pressure vanished.
The floating stones dropped to the ground. The air became still again.
Liyana blinked — her expression softening. A faint blush rose to her cheeks.
"You… always say strange things."
Sho smiled weakly, lowering his sword.
"Guess it's my habit."
---
🌙 After the Clash
The knights and royals slowly retreated, realizing this was no ordinary skirmish.
Arisa raised her hand slightly. "Let's end it here for now. This battle's already decided."
Sho nodded silently, catching his breath.
Liyana turned away, hiding her face as the faintest smile appeared.
As they walked side by side through the quiet forest, Sho glanced at her.
"You alright?"
She didn't answer immediately. Then — softly —
"You should take responsibility for the things you say, Sho."
He blinked, confused.
"What do you—"
She turned her head, her silver hair glowing under the fading light.
"Nothing. Just… don't forget."
And for a moment, the mighty dragon pretending to be human — smiled.
---
[ System Notification ]
> Quest Progress: Battle Royale – 60% Complete
Temporary Objective: Survive until the final bell
Hidden Reward Unlocked upon Completion: Dimination Pulse (Permanent Unlock)