A hush fell over the entire arena, so absolute that the only sounds were the relentless clashes between Ashe and Ezekias echoing across the grounds. The spectators stared, jaws slack, their gazes darting back and forth between Finn and Roy.
"He… he kicked Roy out of the arena…"
"But how… How did Finn break free from one of the strongest, most famous skills of the Lightning Wind Family like it was nothing?"
"Am I dreaming…?"
Almost no one could process what they'd witnessed—or perhaps they simply refused to believe it. This had been a duel between a 9th Level Gold Rank and a 2nd Level Scarlet Gold Rank. The gulf between those levels was enormous. Yet in the end, Finn Doria—still officially only a Gold Rank—had emerged victorious, defeating Roy with a single, effortless kick.
The Elders exchanged looks.
"Ah…"
One Elder tried to speak, but no words came. He finally gave up and fell silent, still grappling with his confusion.
"It's not impossible that Finn escaped Roy's Lightning Chain," Marcus murmured, his brow furrowed. "Roy was exhausted after all those attacks. He used up quite a few weaker skills too. But what I don't understand…is how Finn did it without using any soulforce at all."
No Elder offered a reply. Each one sank into quiet thought.
Meanwhile, Ashe and Ezekias felt the shift in atmosphere and slowed their heated exchange.
"Hm?"
They glanced around in confusion. When their eyes followed everyone else's stares, their faces froze in shock.
There, outside the arena boundary, Roy was struggling to stand, trembling with humiliation.
'Finn Doria beat Roy? How…?' Ashe thought, bewildered.
As they watched, members of the Lightning Wind Family—including Lore—wore complicated expressions. Who would be happy to see a clansman defeated yet again—and by a supposedly weak 9th Level Gold Rank?
Finn, still on the second platform, looked calmly down at Roy.
"Finn Doria!" Roy bellowed hoarsely. "We're not finished yet!"
His hand flew to his interspatial ring. With a flicker of light, a silver spear appeared in his grip. Electric arcs raced along its length as he poured soulforce into it.
Roy leapt back onto the platform. His eyes burned with reckless rage as he thrust the spear straight for Finn's throat.
"Finn Doria—this is your end!"
But before the weapon could strike, a slender woman's hand snapped out and caught the spear shaft in midair, extinguishing its crackling power instantly.
"Roy Lilytel! You have violated the rules of this selection match!" the female Elder thundered. "You fell from the arena. Your defeat is clear!"
The Elder's presence was imposing. She had a long mane of hair and an ageless, dignified bearing, younger than most of the other Elders but just as respected.
"B-but, Disciplinary Hall Elder, it was just a moment of carelessness!" Roy stammered. "Please—let me keep fighting! I hadn't even used my armament properly!"
"That is your own fault. You have no one to blame but yourself," she said icily. "Because you broke a rule of the selection, you will leave this arena immediately and forfeit the right to participate in any future matches. Once this competition ends, you will be escorted to the Disciplinary Hall for appropriate punishment."
Roy went pale. Cold sweat trickled down his back.
He had simply lost control for an instant, blinded by frustration. Now he faced expulsion—and worse. Not only would he be barred from proving himself, but the Lightning Wind Family would surely impose their own harsh discipline once they learned what he'd done.
As despair welled up inside him, an unexpected voice spoke up.
"Good day, Disciplinary Hall Elder."
Finn stepped forward, bowing respectfully.
"If I may… Please don't strip Roy Lilytel of his right to participate in the next rounds. It's true he violated the rules, but in my opinion, he only acted in a moment of emotional turmoil. And forgive me for speaking out of turn, but I suspect he believed the match was still ongoing, since no announcement of victory was made."
The entire arena went silent in astonishment.
No one had imagined Finn—the one Roy had tried to kill—would be the first to defend him.
Even the Elders looked startled. Only then did they realize that, in their shock over the duel's outcome, they had indeed neglected to declare the winner.
Roy stared at Finn, his eyes wide, an unsteady tide of emotion swirling there: disbelief, shame, and a dawning gratitude.
The female Elder slowly released the spear and fixed Finn with an appraising look.
"You realize he nearly killed you," she said quietly. "Don't you wish him to be punished?"
Finn met her gaze calmly. "No, Elder. I was never in real danger. I know you would not have allowed anyone to die in such a minor competition. I saw how quickly you acted. And besides, Roy is a fellow member of the Cloud Soaring Sect. I see no reason to demand punishment. We are both young people chasing our dreams—only our paths are different."
The Elder exhaled, then turned her eyes to comrades. When she saw Noah nod once, she returned her focus to Finn and offered a faint, almost approving smile.
"You have earned my respect, Finn Doria."
She looked back to Roy, her voice turning cold again.
"Because of this intervention and the Sect's decision, you will not be punished today. But be warned, Roy Lilytel—if you ever do this again, you will go straight to the Disciplinary Hall. Is that understood?"
Roy's shoulders sagged with relief. He bowed deeply, voice shaking.
"Yes, Elder! Thank you for your mercy!"
"Do not thank me," she said sternly. "If not for Finn Doria's plea, this would have ended quite differently."
Roy turned, bowed again, this time to Finn.
"Thank you… I won't forget this. One day, I'll repay you."
Then he straightened, sheathed his spear into his ring, and left the arena without another word.
The Elder finally raised her voice.
"Since Roy Lilytel fell from the platform, Finn Doria is declared the winner and advances to the next round."
The crowd erupted into applause and cheers—first scattered, then swelling into a chorus that filled the arena.
"Finn Doria!"
"Finn Doria!"
"Finn Doria!"
"I never imagined he was that strong—and that compassionate!"
"From now on, he's one of my idols. He's not just powerful—he's genuinely good!"
--
Finn stepped down as the Elder announced the result.
"And since Ezekias Sieve can no longer continue, Ashe Vermillion is also declared the winner of the first round!" Marcus proclaimed.
Everyone turned to the first platform, where Ezekias lay sprawled, his sword slipping from battered fingers. His body was covered in bruises and gashes.
Not far away, Ashe stood panting, gripping her blazing weapon. She turned, her crimson eyes locking onto Finn.
But Finn ignored her and walked straight to Leo's side.
He found Leo deep in thought, troubled.
"You all right?" Finn asked quietly.
"Ah—yes. Yes, I'm fine. Congratulations on your victory," Leo answered with a forced smile.
From across the arena, Ashe's eye twitched in irritation at being so completely disregarded. She sheathed her armament, retrieved a healing pill from her ring, and swallowed it before stepping down to join the others.
Marcus raised his voice once more.
"First platform—Lan Vermillion versus Yasue Silver!"
"Second platform—Lore Lilytel versus Leo Reeve!"
Hearing this, Finn finally understood why Leo had looked so unsettled.
It was because his opponent was the strongest core member—Lore herself.
Leo and Lore climbed into the arena. As soon as they revealed their armaments, the watching crowd gasped in disbelief.
"That's…that's a Top-tier Rare Armament! But Leo comes from an Aristocrat Clan—how could he possibly have one?"
"I don't know. But even with a Rare Armament, he won't win."
Envy flickered through the audience. None of them knew this armament had been given by Finn long ago to the Golden Lion Family—and passed to Leo.
The duel lasted only minutes.
"Since Leo Reeve is unable to continue, Lore Lilytel is the victor and advances to the next round," Marcus announced flatly.
No one was surprised. Lore was a 5th Level Scarlet Gold Rank with a Top-tier Rare Armament. Leo was only 3rd Level.
Leo staggered to his feet, retrieved a recovery pill, and limped to Finn's side.
"I didn't even last half an hour…" he mumbled bitterly.
Finn smiled and clapped his shoulder.
"He's stronger than you. That's all there is to it. Next time, maybe your luck will turn."
Leo didn't reply. He just nodded, silent and thoughtful.
Side by side, the two young men watched the remaining duels.
When it finally ended, Marcus announced the victors.
"Finn Doria, Ashe Vermillion, Lore Lilytel, Lan Vermillion, Kiel Lilytel, Zeno Sieve, and Carine Pier—congratulations on your victories. Please come forward to draw lots. One of you will draw a blank. That person will face Ezekias Sieve in the next match."
Finn walked up and drew his number.
When he glanced at it, his heart sank.
Number one—again.
He lifted his eyes and saw Ashe beaming at him, holding up her matching slip of paper for all to see.
'Unlucky,' he sighed inwardly.
He wasn't afraid of Ashe. He simply didn't relish fighting someone he considered…crazy.
Marcus continued.
"Vios Vermillion, Roy Lilytel, Leo Reeve, Juvia Wasser, Claus Thunor, Yasue Silver—you have one loss. You must win this round to remain. Please come forward to draw your numbers."
Once everyone had finished, Marcus read out the matchups.
"First arena—Finn Doria versus Ashe Vermillion!"
"Second arena—Lore Lilytel versus Carine Pier!"
Ashe practically skipped onto the arena, eyes locked on Finn.
Finn raised a hand to Marcus and spoke politely but firmly.
"Elder Marcus—I have no chance of defeating Miss Ashe. I concede this match."