"I... I'm sorry, Elder Alicia, Association Master Morris... I wasn't able to win the first match," Hitch said softly, bowing his head in shame.
Alicia smiled gently and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry about that. You did your best, and your determination impressed everyone. Even though you lost to Yves, I'm certain that you will grow into a powerful Adventurer one day."
"Don't let this bring you down, alright?" she continued, her voice firm but kind. "Let this loss become your lesson. Learn from your weaknesses and grow stronger. The next time you meet him in battle, you'll be the one who stands victorious. Now, get some rest. Come sit with us and watch the next fight."
Hitch felt a weight lift from his chest after hearing her words. Yet still, a sliver of unease remained—he had yet to hear a single word from Morris. The Association Master's gaze remained fixed on the arena below, where the next battle was about to unfold: a clash between a member of the Ancient Seven and a member of the Burning Seven.
--
Ashe remained beside Finn, both of them watching the stage below where two young girls were preparing to fight. Both girls were at the 4th Level Scarlet Gold Rank—just one rank below Ashe herself.
Finn's eyes were drawn to the girl clad in black: Jeene Sieve of Ancient Darkness Island. He wasn't looking at her out of attraction—there was something strange about her presence, a mysterious aura that gnawed at his senses.
The book he read about the Seven Great Factions had been accurate. The Immortal Sword Pavilion was said to be the strongest. Ancient Darkness Island was the most mysterious. The Alchemist Association, the most influential. The Soul Puppet Sect, the most dangerous. The Burning Heaven Sect, the most aggressive. The Ice Feather Sect, the most arrogant. And the Cloud Soaring Sect—his sect—was known to be the kindest.
And now, Finn was feeling that strange aura from Jeene. Still, he chose to ignore it. He didn't come here to unravel the secrets of every faction—he came to win. To earn the respect of the powerful adventurers watching from above.
Silence blanketed the stadium. Only the soft rustling of wind could be heard. Neither Jeene nor her opponent Edelina made a move—Jeene gazed disinterestedly at the ground while Edelina stared her down.
Then, in a flash, Edelina dashed forward and leapt high, aiming a fierce kick straight at Jeene.
She thought her attack would land—but to her surprise, Jeene shifted at the last moment and sprang backward. Edelina's foot slammed into the stone floor, cracking it beneath her. Dust billowed around her feet, but she didn't stop. She charged again, unleashing a powerful punch—only for Jeene to block it with crossed arms.
In that instant, Jeene struck back with a counterpunch.
Edelina blocked it—but the sheer force of the blow sent her flying.
Jeene gave no chance to recover. She surged forward, leapt into the air, and aimed a kick downward. Edelina met it with an uppercut, creating a blast of force that sent wind howling through the arena. Her feet sank into the stone floor from the impact.
Watching closely, Finn shook his head. "Are they really planning to finish this with just brute strength? If they keep this up, their bodies will give out before they even use their energy."
Ashe heard him and scowled. "You just don't understand how we girls are."
"Oh, right," Finn said with a playful smile. "You're prideful and hate being outdone. If one doesn't use her power, the other won't either."
Then—BANG!
A sudden explosion rocked the arena. They were finally using soulforce!
Black energy cloaked Jeene's arms. In the distance, Edelina collapsed to one knee, her body bruised and trembling. The fiery shield that once covered her began to fade.
Shock filled Edelina's eyes. She couldn't believe it—she'd been overpowered in both skill and strength. Not even her strongest defensive ability could withstand Jeene's assault.
Clenching her fist, Edelina reached for her interspatial ring. A long spear appeared in her hands, and flames began to burn around her.
Flaming Spear Strike!
As she charged, the spear's blade ignited into roaring fire. But just as the tip neared Jeene—
She stopped.
Her weapon slipped from her hands. Her aura vanished.
And then, she collapsed.
Gasps and murmurs filled the arena. Jeene turned away in silence and calmly walked off the field.
"She pushed her body too far," Ashe explained. "That final attack consumed what little strength she had left. Her body was already worn out from Jeene's strikes. Using an armament on top of that just sped up her downfall."
"Even though they were at the same level," Ashe continued, "Jeene had a clear advantage. That's the difference when you combine the techniques of the Earth Sieve Family with those of Ancient Darkness Island."
Finn nodded in agreement. If Edelina had used her spear from the start, she might've stood a chance.
Helbram's voice echoed over the stadium.
"The winner of the second match—Ancient Darkness Island!"
A female Elder descended from the Burning Heaven Sect and helped Edelina to her feet. She gave the girl a Recovery Pill, and color began to return to Edelina's pale face.
"I'm sorry, Teacher," Edelina said softly.
"There's nothing to apologize for," the Elder replied with a kind smile. "You fought with courage and honor. I'm proud of you."
"Thank you, Teacher!" Edelina said, bowing deeply.
Though she had lost, her heart was filled with gratitude and a renewed desire to become stronger—for her teacher who had guided her all the way from being a mere Inner Sect member of the Scarlet Flame Family.
--
Night fell, but the Seven Great Faction Games pressed on.
Following Jeene and Edelina's match came the third duel—Ice Feather Sect versus Soul Puppet Sect.
Finn calmly observed the members of the Ice Feather Sect. As he studied them, one particularly beautiful girl locked eyes with him. Her glare burned with hatred and disdain.
Finn merely smirked.
'If I ever go up against someone from your faction… don't blame me. You chose the wrong side.'
Ashe noticed his strange smirk and frowned with unease.
'Is he really from an Ordinary Clan like he claims? Father's right. This guy isn't ordinary—and I'll find out his secret, no matter how long it takes.'
Soon, two new contestants entered the arena—a blue-uniformed girl and a scarred boy wearing brown.
The torches burned brightly, lighting the entire arena despite the late hour. A cold aura radiated from the girl, while something large and wrapped clung to the boy's back.
"What luck!" the boy grinned. "I get to fight such a pretty lady. But don't think I'll go easy on you because of that."
"Disgusting," Issabella Frois snapped back, glaring at him.
Without another word, she took a step forward. Frost trailed beneath her boots.
Nine Ice Step!
Her pace quickened. From her ring, she drew a glowing blue sword and leapt into the air, aiming it at her opponent.
But something blocked her blade—a hideous skeleton with stringy hair and glowing red eyes. Its stench alone made Issabella recoil and leap backward.
The skeleton returned to the boy's side.
"Like my puppet?" he grinned. "She used to be a powerful Profound Rank adventurer. I found her corpse deep in the forest, so I made her my puppet."
"She might've been powerful in life, but now she's nothing more than a 3rd Level Scarlet Gold Rank!" Issabella shouted.
"Good enough to wear you down. Once you're tired, I'll finish what she started," he smiled.
"Fight me yourself if you're a real man!" she barked.
He laughed, amused. "You must not know how the members of Soul Puppet Sect fight. Just like armaments, we mark our puppets and control them with soulforce. It's not cheating—it's our style."
Realizing her mistake, Issabella clenched her jaw. Each faction had its specialties—hers was ice, his was death.
With a scream, she charged. The puppet intercepted again, blocking each strike. Even weakened, its former Profound Rank durability made it a difficult wall to break.
Watching intently, Finn narrowed his eyes.
'I know that technique...'
Thanks to his system and Kurt's memories, he understood how to control corpses too—though his technique was more efficient and allowed multiple puppets at once. But for now, it was too dangerous to reveal. If the Soul Puppet Sect found out, they'd try to take it from him.
He would wait—until the day he reached Sky Rank. Then, he'd craft puppets of his own.
Meanwhile, the battle drew to a close. Issabella was exhausted. Even Syrome's puppet was falling apart, but he remained smiling, staring at her with mockery.
"Still want to continue?" he asked, amused.
Issabella gripped her sword tightly, then glanced at her Elder—who slowly shook her head.
With a heavy sigh, she sheathed her blade.
"I... surrender," she whispered.
And with that, the third match came to an end.
"The winner—Soul Puppet Sect!" Helbram declared.
"The next match… Immortal Sword Pavilion versus Cloud Soaring Sect!"
"Sword Seven, Jacobus Rid… versus Soaring Seven, Finn Doria!"
All eyes turned to Finn.
Ashe smiled, her heart quickening with excitement.
'Finally… the moment I've been waiting for.'