The coliseum was louder than ever before. The banners of the Ironwood Kingdom waved in the air, and the royal family filled the front rows of the spectator stands. Today was not just a tournament—it was a display for those in power.
On the central dais, King Arvedis of Ironwood sat regally, his golden crown gleaming in the sun. Before him, the royal family received hushed whispers and respectful bows.
Seated nearby were members of the Ignis family, famous for their flame and thunder prowess—vassals sworn beneath the Ironwood royalty. Lord Ignis, Fayden's father, sat with his arms crossed, his gaze sternly fixed on his son.
"That's it," he muttered. "Don't shame us, Fayden."
Beside him, Fayden's mother whispered, "He must prove himself today. To be worthy of standing alongside Princess Alisa…"
Fayden Ignis stood at the edge of the arena, gripping his sword. His amber eyes flickered briefly toward the royal dais where his family sat. His chest felt tight.
*"Always compared. Always in her shadow. No matter how hard I train…"*
Across from him, Princess Alisa Ironwood entered the arena with grace. The sunlight captured her hair, making her pure aura blaze like a beacon. Unlike Fayden, her face held no strain, only a calm determination.
---
**A Glimmer of the Past**
Fayden's mind drifted back.
*"Why can't you be more like Princess Alisa, Fayden? She is younger, yet she surpasses you in everything!"*
The words from his parents had been etched into his memory. And yet, Alisa had always been kind. She had never lorded her strength over him. They had trained together, competed together, laughed together.
But her effortless brilliance had become a blade piercing his pride.
*"Today... today I have to surpass her."*
---
**The Match Begins**
The referee's voice boomed out.
"First Semifinal! Fayden Ignis of Class A versus Princess Alisa Ironwood of Class A! The match begins!"
Fayden's sword erupted like a thunderclap. "Storm Fang!" He launched forward, his speed as swift as lightning, the ground cracking with every step.
Alisa raised her spear, golden light shimmering. "Radiant Ward." A ray of holy light manifested, blocking his strike. Sparks scattered as thunder clashed against divine brilliance.
Fayden growled in frustration. "Not this time, Princess!" He struck again and again, thunderbolts scattering fiercely, pushing Alisa back.
She smiled gently. "Fayden-dono… you've grown even stronger."
"Don't mock me!" His eyes blazed. "I'm not in your shadow anymore!"
---
**Thunder and Light**
"Thunderstorm Spiral!" Fayden slammed his sword into the ground, and thunder exploded around him in violent, spiraling waves.
The arena floor cracked slightly, and the crowd gasped as fragments of stone flew.
But Alisa stepped calmly into the storm, her holy aura protecting her like a gentle sun. She raised her spear.
"Luminous Chains!" Golden rays of light shot forward, coiling around the thunder waves, dissipating each one.
Fayden gritted his teeth. He broke free and raised his sword high, the blade humming with intense power. "I'll prove myself here and now!"
Alisa's eyes softened. "Fayden-dono… you don't have to prove anything to me."
"Silence!" he roared, and his attack came crashing down.
Alisa whispered softly, "Sanctified Judgment."
A massive wave of holy energy erupted from her spear, bathing the entire arena in a brilliant glow. Fayden's thunder was completely swallowed. His body was lifted from the ground and thrown back, crashing into a stone barrier with a resounding boom.
---
**Defeat and Silence**
The entire coliseum fell into stunned, awed silence. Fayden struggled to stand, blood trickling from his lip, the sword in his hand trembling. His family's eyes were fixed on him like blades.
Alisa lowered her spear and slowly approached. She extended a hand to him.
"Fayden-dono," she said gently, "you have always been strong. But strength isn't for surpassing others. It's for protecting what you value."
His amber eyes trembled. For a moment, his pride screamed to refuse. But finally, the sword slipped from his grasp, clattering against the stone. He took her hand.
"...You always win. Just like always."
The referee raised his hand. "Winner—Princess Alisa Ironwood!"
---
**The Royal Gaze**
The crowd erupted in cheers.
King Arvedis smiled faintly. "My daughter is as expected."
At the same time, Fayden's father's expression was stern. "Useless… he lost even to a girl."
But for the first time, Fayden felt a strange lightness. He looked at Alisa, who gave him a warm smile. His pride hurt, but his heart whispered, *"Perhaps… losing to her isn't so shameful after all."*
Kuro watched silently from the spectator stands. His eyes narrowed as if seeing something beyond the brilliant light. *So she emerges… a light even demons would fear.*
In the distant shadows, Selvaria whispered to Lucien, "The princess with holy power… she's dangerous. If she grows stronger, she could become our greatest obstacle."
The semifinals had begun, setting the course toward the final battle.
---
✦ **To Be Continued...**