As Helion, Zezzy, Yuri, and Liena walked along the upper ring of the stadium, their eyes were glued to the crystal projections broadcasting the final two battles.
On one screen — Arion vs. Team Sapphire.
On the other — Syrus vs. Team Amethyst.
And in both… it wasn't close.
Explosions of elemental magic, high-speed strikes, and dominating pressure filled the air as both captains unleashed far more than what they'd shown before.
Liena crossed her arms. "They're… not holding back, are they?"
Yuri adjusted his glasses, eyes sharp.
"Helion… do you think they're kicking it up a notch? Since they lost?"
Helion watched a moment longer. Arion launched a blast of nature magic that sent half the opposing team flying into the barrier.
"…Yeah," Helion said slowly. "Looks like they're taking it more seriously this time."
He didn't sound entirely surprised — but the shift in intensity was undeniable.
Up above, in a private booth perched higher than the captain's podiums, Zeyr Chrono sat with one leg crossed, casually sipping from a flask of cooled nectar.
Beside him — the silent white wolf, Loken, ears twitching at the thunder of battle below.
Zeyr chuckled, watching Arion crush a fire-user under a wave of vines.
"Hoho… Syrus and Arion, blowing off steam, huh?" he muttered. "Can't say I blame them."
He leaned back with a smug grin.
"The Aqua Kingdom's little break-in's got 'em riled up… Or maybe…"
He let out a loud, amused laugh.
"Maybe they're just salty they lost to rookies!"
Loken turned his head toward Zeyr, unamused, tail flicking.
Zeyr held up a hand, still grinning.
"Hey, don't look at me like that. I'd be cranky too if I got schooled by kids."
High above the stadium, in the private booth, Loken perked up.
The massive white wolf stood, ears twitching, tail swaying in growing impatience. The battles below no longer held his interest.
Then—
A flicker.
A sliver of light cast through the booth's enchanted glass struck the arena far below… bouncing off something reflective. Loken's sharp eyes locked on it instantly.
He leaned closer, head tilting.
The glint had come from a sword scabbard — one strapped across Helion's back.
The reflection shimmered just for a second…
And Loken vanished.
Down below — Team Crimson was just shifting position near the Arch Hall entrance when—
FWOOOM!!
A sudden flash of light flared at Helion's back — then burst outward as a massive white blur leapt from it.
"WH-WHAT THE—?!" Zezzy jumped back.
"Is that—A WOLF?!" Yuri shouted, nearly dropping his glasses.
Before anyone could react, the giant wolf tackled Helion with full joy, pinning him to the ground and smothering his face with a flurry of wet, happy licks.
"GAH—haha! Loken! Okay, buddy—buddy! Calm down!!" Helion laughed, trying to sit up as the wolf wagged his tail like a storm.
Helion finally got to his feet, holding the wolf's huge head with both hands, beaming.
He turned toward his stunned teammates.
"Heh… Everyone, meet Loken."
He gave the wolf a solid pat on the back.
"He's my best friend."
Loken tilted his head at Team Crimson — regal, curious, and proudly smug. His bright fur shimmered faintly with a magical glow.
"HOW THE HELL DID A WOLF GET IN HERE?!" Yuri blurted, eyes wide.
"He's huge," Liena said with a grin. "And he just… jumped out of your back??"
"Oh yeah," Helion chuckled. "That's one of his abilities. He can slip in and out of reflections."
Zezzy blinked. "That's not just a pet, man. That's a spirit beast!"
Liena laughed, clearly intrigued. "He's definitely bonded to you somehow. That kind of ability doesn't just… happen."
Helion glanced down at Loken, who nudged against his side.
"Yeah," Helion said quietly.
He scratched Loken behind the ears, smiling.
"He's my family".
Helion crouched beside the massive white wolf, gently placing a hand on his back.
"Alright, Loken… we talked about this," he said with a small sigh. "You're only allowed in the booth—or wherever Zeyr takes you."
Loken's ears drooped slightly.
"If the Royal Knights catch you roaming down here, I could get disqualified."
The wolf let out a soft growl, reluctant but understanding.
Helion chuckled. "Don't give me that. You snuck out, didn't you?"
He reached for his scabbard, tilting it until the polished edge caught the stadium light—casting a faint reflection across the stone floor.
"Come on, bud. Time to go back."
Loken gave one last look—deep, loyal, and full of reluctance—then leapt straight into the reflection with a soft flash of light.
Up in the booth…
The light shimmered against the enchanted glass for just a second—
WHUMP.
Loken landed soundlessly inside.
Zeyr, seated with arms crossed, didn't even turn right away.
A pause.
"You thought I wouldn't notice?"
He finally glanced over his shoulder, eyebrow raised.
"What did we say about disappearing without telling me?"
Loken didn't make a sound. He avoided Zeyr's gaze completely, curled up on the floor, and laid his head down dramatically with a low huff.
Zeyr stared at him for a second longer…
"…You little brat."
But there was the faintest smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
As Zeyr refocused his gaze toward the arena, a familiar presence drew his attention.
Syrus stepped onto the platform—calm, composed, and walking with quiet finality.
Behind him, Team Amethyst followed… battered, bruised, and silent.
Team Crimson's eyes widened.
The battle was over.
And Syrus held the glowing crystal—dangling casually from his side like a trophy.
Zezzy blinked, stunned.
"They lost…" she murmured.
Just then, the voice of the announcer echoed across the stadium, amplified through magic:
"Team Amethyst has been defeated. Captain Syrus has rendered all members unable to continue the match."
A pause.
Then—
ROARS.
The crowd erupted in a wave of cheers, whistles, and cries of admiration:
"SYRUS!"
"He didn't hold back this time!"
"Absolute domination!"
But not everyone was cheering.
Gasps. Murmurs of disappointment.
Whispers rippled through the crowd:
"…Team Amethyst didn't make it?"
"They were supposed to go far…"
"They're out?"
On the platform, Syrus said nothing.
Syrus turned to face the battered members of Team Amethyst, his voice steady—amplified so the stadium could hear.
"Your team has been eliminated from this match."
He paused for a breath, gaze calm but unreadable.
"You failed to retrieve the crystal… but you fought with strength and spirit."
A respectful nod.
"We commend you for making it this far in the Royal Draft."
Team Amethyst—some standing, others barely upright—lowered their heads. Defeat was heavy in their posture, but there was no shame. Only the weight of the moment.
Without another word, Syrus turned from the field and ascended the steps to the high podium—where Arinelle and Axel waited.
Arinelle watched him closely, her expression unreadable.
Axel leaned back, arms crossed.
"Someone's letting off steam," he muttered with a smirk. "That was brutal."
Syrus didn't respond.
He simply took his seat beside them.
Eyes forward.
Unshaken.
Syrus now spoke, his voice low but clearly carried by the amplification magic.
"They were prepared. They had strength…."
He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked back toward the field.
"But power alone isn't enough. They weren't working together—not like the others."
His tone hardened, final.
"They failed to prove they were ready."
A ripple of quiet murmurs spread through the crowd. Some agreed. Others looked on with a mix of disappointment and awe.
Syrus remained still.
There was no celebration in his tone.
Just truth.
A Hyper Beam struck the center of the arena — light flaring brilliantly across the stadium.
In an instant, Arion and Team Sapphire appeared.
The crowd leaned forward, silent with anticipation.
Giulia Valden dropped to her knees the moment she rematerialized. She was gasping for air, sweat running down her brow as she clutched her side.
"He cyphaned all of our power" she murmured
Her teammates were in no better shape.
Vines slithered across the ground, gently lowering the others—wounded and unconscious—into a resting position.
A hush fell over the stadium as the reality sank in.
Then—
The voice of the stadium mage echoed out through amplification magic:
"Team Sapphire has been defeated."
The crowd erupted into mixed reactions—shouts, gasps, some cheers, but mostly disbelief.
Another elite team… eliminated.
And now, only four remained.
The remaining teams were called forth, instructed to gather on the central stage alongside Team Amythst and Team Sapphire. One by one, the winning squads emerged from the Arch Hall into the blinding light of the arena.
Team Gold was the first to enter.
Draven led them—shoulders squared, expression unreadable. As he passed by Giulia Valden, still kneeling and catching her breath, he didn't even glance in her direction. Just cold footsteps against the marble floor.
Then came Team Pearl.
Clipso, walking ahead of his squad, slowed when he saw her.
Without hesitation, he broke formation and crouched beside her.
The crowd murmured.
Giulia looked up, surprised—but said nothing.
Clipso extended a hand, his tone softer than anyone expected.
"You did great, Giulia."
"Our family might not see it that way…"
He gave her a small, crooked smile.
"But you won in my eyes."
It was awkward—vulnerable, even—but genuine.
For Clipso, that alone was a quiet rebellion.
Giulia blinked, stunned. Then—slowly—she reached out and took his hand.
He helped her to her feet.
And in that brief moment, the heat of rivalry gave way to something rare in the arena:
Respect.
As the remaining teams were brought into the stadium, they lined up side by side beneath the towering arena walls—faces solemn, postures proud.
Arion returned to the captains' podium, and Syrus stepped forward once more, his voice soaring through the enchanted amplification magic.
"Team Silver. Team Crimson. Team Gold. Team Pearl—"
"Congratulations. You have officially advanced to the Third Round of the Royal Draft."
The crowd roared in approval, a thunder of cheers echoing from the stands.
Syrus continued, turning slightly toward the other end of the line.
"Team Amethyst. Team Sapphire… You have shown great skill and heart—but you have been eliminated from this year's draft."
A respectful hush passed through the stadium.
"We thank you for your strength, and we hope to see your names rise again in the years to come."
Then, after a pause—
"With that… the Second Round of the Royal Draft is officially concluded."
Cheers erupted once again, lightning-bright and passionate.
Syrus turned toward the remaining competitors.
"The final challenge will begin tomorrow at 7:00 a.m. sharp."
"The rules and structure will be announced by Captain Axel Nova himself."
He bowed his head slightly, then turned his back to the crowd.
The message was complete.
As Team Amethyst and Team Sapphire exited the arena, the crowd still offered their praise—clapping, whistling, and shouting their names. No shame in the fight they gave.
Down below, Team Crimson huddled together near the edge of the stadium.
Helion looked at his teammates.
Yuri, full of energy despite the tension, suddenly spoke:
"Whatever happens tomorrow…"
He smiled wide.
"Let's promise we'll always be friends. No matter what."
Helion threw an arm around Yuri's shoulder with a laugh.
"You know it."
Zezzy and Liena exchanged a small nod—silent, but certain.
All four of them pulled into a quick huddle—laughing, bumping shoulders, letting the tension drop just for a second.
And then—one by one—they stepped away.
"See you tomorrow," Helion said, walking off in a different direction.
The sun dipped lower, casting long shadows behind them.
The final challenge awaited.
the edge of the stadium gates, just as the golden light of sunset kissed the stone walls, Zeyr and Loken stood waiting.
Zeyr gave a firm nod as Helion approached.
"You did great out there, kid."
Before Helion could respond—
WHUMP!
Loken leapt into him, tail wagging, tongue lashing out in excited licks.
Helion laughed and caught him in a hug.
"Easy, buddy! I missed you too."
Zeyr folded his arms, his tone shifting slightly—calm, but serious.
"Now… you'll need to prepare your mind and spirit for tomorrow's challenge."
"This is it. Everything you've worked for—it's right at your fingertips."
He paused.
"Let's finish strong."
Helion looked up, his eyes steady.
"You know it, Zeyr."
He bowed slightly.
"Thank you. I couldn't have come this far without you."
Loken leaned into Helion's side with a low, contented growl.
Zeyr chuckled, eyes warm.
"Hey hey, This? This was all your doing."
They walked side by side for a moment, then parted at the stadium's outer arch—Zeyr slipping into the shadows of the corridor, returning as the interim Head Captain.
Helion, meanwhile, stepped forward into the shadows of the corridor.
One step closer.
To his dream.
In becoming a Royal Guard Knight.