In the wide arena, two young men stood facing each other. One was grinning, while the other wore a meaningful smile. These two were none other than Finn and Seve. And at that moment, they were about to begin their battle for the diamond seat, which symbolized first place in the competition. Everyone waited silently for the fight to start. They wanted to see just how far Finn could go as a 7th Level Bronze Rank.
After witnessing the fight between Matt and Finn, no one dared underestimate Finn's strength anymore. He couldn't be compared to an ordinary 7th Level Bronze Rank adventurer, since he had so easily defeated Matt, who was an 8th Level Bronze Rank.
"Do you think that just because you defeated Matt so easily, you can beat me too? HAHAHA! You're amusing me, Finn Doria," Seve said with a laugh. A moment later, his expression turned serious as he continued, "If it had been me facing him, I could have taken him down in a single strike."
No one present considered Seve's words mere arrogance. Maybe they found him conceited, but truthfully, they believed what he said.
Seve was a 9th Level Bronze Rank adventurer, only a step away from reaching the next rank. He couldn't be compared to ordinary adventurers, either, for he came from the Black Tiger Family—a clan with excellent skills and techniques.
Finn remained calm in the face of Seve's remarks. He simply looked at him and said in a soft voice, "If you can defeat your lackey in a single blow, why don't you try it with me? Come at me."
"Hmph," Seve snorted. His aura changed, and he glared sharply at Finn. "This time, I'll make sure you pay for the humiliation you brought upon the Black Tiger Family!"
With that, he charged at Finn, clenching his fist, which became wreathed in a black light. When he was close enough, he opened his hand and shouted:
"Black Tiger Palm!"
This was the same technique Lance had used in his fight against Troy. However, this version was clearly more powerful and forceful.
As Seve's attack closed in, Finn still showed no sign of moving.
BANG!
A deafening explosion echoed throughout the area. The wind howled and whipped around the two young men. Dust engulfed the arena, hiding the outcome of Seve's strike.
Moments later, a figure leapt backward out of the dust. A mocking smile was etched across the young man's face.
Seve Marren!
"What happened to Finn?!" Isake asked anxiously, staring into the arena.
"Hmph. He was too arrogant. He deliberately took my attack, so he's probably bleeding out on the floor by now," Seve taunted.
"You…!" Isake trembled with fury, as though he wanted to climb into the arena himself to challenge Seve. He was seething, but the fear for his friend was still plain in his expression.
"Instructors, aren't you going to declare my victory?" Seve asked respectfully, with a smile.
The Instructors didn't answer. Instead, one of them stood and approached the arena. He waved his hand to disperse the dust still covering parts of the platform. As it cleared, everyone was stunned by what emerged.
Finn stood there calmly, smiling. There wasn't a single wound or mark on him, not even dust on his white uniform—it looked as pristine as if it had just been put on.
"How…?! I clearly hit you in the stomach! How are you still standing?!" Even Seve couldn't believe his eyes.
Finn ignored Seve's bewilderment and turned to the Instructor who'd cleared the dust, giving a slight smile. "Thank you for sweeping away the dust, Instructor. I nearly got dirt in my eyes."
The others didn't know how to react to those words.
An adventurer, worried about a bit of dust? Ridiculous!
"Hahaha. You can take that kid's attack head-on, but you're afraid of a little dust?" the Instructor chuckled as he returned to his seat.
Most of the students thought the same thing. It almost seemed like Finn feared the dust more than Seve's brutal attack.
"I suppose we should continue our match. What do you say, Seve Marren?" Finn asked pleasantly, turning back to Seve, who still looked dazed.
"This fight isn't fair! You're wearing armor! How else could you withstand the Black Tiger Family's technique?!" Seve shouted angrily, pointing a finger at Finn.
"Armor?" Finn laughed upon hearing the accusation. He shot Seve a scornful look and calmly said, "Aren't you ashamed of yourself, Seve? Is everyone from your clan this pathetic? If you can't win against me, just surrender. Stop spouting baseless accusations."
Many turned to look at Seve. Some shook their heads while others simply snorted in disdain.
"What right do you have to insult our Black Tiger Family?!" Seve screamed, enraged. He lunged at Finn again, his entire right arm wrapped in black light.
"That's the Tiger Explosion Fist! That's a Rank 2 Skill. It's powerful enough to shatter a massive boulder! This time, Finn Doria won't survive!" one of the students commented in excitement.
"Finn, watch out! That attack is strong!" Isake called out in alarm from the stands.
As Seve closed in, Finn finally moved. He charged forward, his own fist glowing blue.
"What?! He wants to clash head-on with Seve's strike? Is he insane?!"
"I think he's trying to get himself killed!"
"It's hard to say which of them is stronger. Pay close attention to Finn's technique. I can feel it's not ordinary."
"Hmm. I sense the intensity of that attack, too. Regardless, let's just watch and see who wins."
The students erupted in excited discussion. Many were eager for this tense duel, while others worried about what would happen to the loser—it was certain they would be severely injured.
As the two closed the gap, their fists collided, and a tremendous gust of wind burst outward, whipping the hair of everyone watching.
Azure Wood Fist!
Tiger Explosion Fist!
BANG!
A massive explosion thundered through the arena. Dust and smoke billowed out, but quickly cleared to reveal the result of their clash.
Everyone gaped in shock. One figure stood smiling, rubbing his fist. The other lay outside the arena, soaked in his own blood. His uniform was shredded, and he was unconscious in the grass.
"LORD SEVE!" one of the older Outer Students screamed.
All the Black Tiger Family members rushed to Seve's bloodied body. One of them glared at Finn and shouted furiously, "Don't you realize he's the son of the Black Tiger Family's leader?! Once Lord Frederick hears what you've done to his son, you'll pay for this tenfold!"
But Finn didn't lose his smile. He remained perfectly calm even under their murderous glares.
"Hmm? So does that mean he's not allowed to be injured in this competition? If so, they should have just declared him the winner from the start, since none of us are allowed to touch him. Haven't you been taught that in this world, only strength decides everything?" he said mockingly to the students from the Black Tiger Family.
"You have a sharp tongue! If it's strength you believe in, then I'll show you what real strength looks like!" one of them bellowed and charged at Finn, only to freeze when the Instructor's voice rang out.
"Earl! This is a competition among the new Outer Students! Will you violate the rules the Institution Master himself established?!" the Instructor roared. "Even your clan leader, Frederick, wouldn't dare disgrace himself before the Institution Master!"
"But, Instructor—" Earl began to protest, but another Instructor interrupted him.
"Finn Doria broke no rules. Injuring other participants is inevitable in a competition like this, and you know that. Seve Marren didn't suffer critical damage—he'll recover in a few days if you give him the right medicines," the second Instructor said gently but firmly.
"Hmph. I'll remember this, Finn Doria!" Earl growled, glaring at Finn. "Let's go!"
Rage was still etched on Earl's face, but he had no choice but to leave, along with the other Black Tiger Family members. Even Lance left, knowing there was no point fighting Isake—he couldn't possibly beat someone on Seve's level.
"Thank you, Instructors," Finn said politely once the students from the Black Tiger Family had departed.
"We're just enforcing the rules we created," the Instructor replied calmly.
"Since you won the match, the first seat is yours for now. But others can still challenge you until the final seating is confirmed," added another Instructor.
Everyone understood that no one would dare challenge Finn now. He had defeated Seve in a single blow—who would be foolish enough to face him?
Finn descended the arena steps, smiling, and sat in the diamond seat. Isake took the golden seat beside him. As with Finn, none of the other students even thought about challenging Isake. Everyone knew Seve and Isake were equally strong, and none of them could match either one.
The battles continued until the final rankings were announced:
Fifth place: Vasuki Wasser of the Calm Water Family
Fourth place: Nyssa Ventus of the Blue Wind Family
Third place: Nygell Reeve of the Golden Lion Family
Second place: Isake Reeve of the Golden Lion Family
First place: Finn Doria of the Azure Wood Family
The rewards were distributed based on their placement. Each received a Common Armament Medallion, exchangeable at the Contribution Hall for weapons, armor, shields, or other equipment useful to adventurers. Those who didn't place couldn't help but feel envious as they watched the winners receive their medallions—and gold coins.
First place received a thousand gold coins; second place, seven hundred fifty; and the amounts decreased with each rank.
While others valued these rewards highly, Finn Doria found them meaningless.
"Instructors, may I give these things away?" he asked politely.
"Since they're yours, you're free to do whatever you wish with them," an Instructor replied with a smile.
"Then thank you," Finn said. He slowly walked over to one of the new Outer Students—Troy Vargr, a fellow member of an ordinary clan.
"Take this," Finn said, offering Troy the interspatial sack holding all his winnings.
Troy frowned, still clearly suffering from his injuries. "We both come from ordinary families. Why give this to me? If you wanted to pass it on, why not to someone from your own clan?"
Finn shook his head and replied gently, "Those things have no value to me anymore. I'm giving them to you because I admire your courage. You were right—even if we are weak, it's better to be beaten and defeated than to surrender without trying."
"But—"
"Since my friend has given you those treasures, you'd best just accept them. And don't worry—I'll make sure no one dares steal them from you," Isake said, draping an arm around Finn's shoulder, his tone serious.
"T-thank you!" Troy stammered gratefully. He had received the prizes meant for first place. All around him, the other students watched with jealousy. Many cursed their luck, wishing they could have been the ones to receive the reward and Isake's protection.
"I think I'll return to my dormitory now," Finn said, glancing at Isake.
Isake nodded. The two of them were about to head back when a beautiful young woman stepped in front of them.
Myrtle Silver—known as the strongest Outer Student in the entire Sacred Dragon Institute.
"What do you want, Miss Myrtel?" Isake asked nervously.
He wasn't afraid of male students stronger than himself. But for some reason, he always felt anxious in front of this girl.
"To you? There's nothing," Myrtle replied coldly. Isake let out a relieved breath.
Everyone knew Myrtle was the most powerful Outer Student in the Outer Institute. Even Earl Marren was no match for her. Though Isake's clan gave him some security, he still sensed danger when facing her.
Then Myrtle turned her cold gaze to Finn and spoke again—this time pointing straight at him:
"But to him? There is something."