Zeke charged forward, hurling bursts of flame with reckless fury.

From the sidelines, Zell Val, the Fire Rat, calmly sipped his tea. His sharp eyes didn’t miss a single movement.
“Ella,” he said without even glancing at her, “appraise Zeke and Marcus.”

“Yes, Master.” The young girl nodded, focusing her magic on the fighters. After a moment, her eyes widened.
“They’re… both C-rank. At their age, that’s already impressive. They have the advantage in this fight.”

Zell chuckled.
“Impressive, yes. But watch carefully, Ella. The tide will change soon. You’ll understand why I’m interested in that boy.”

She frowned, puzzled. Why does Master care so much about some nobody child from nowhere?

On the battlefield, Riki easily sidestepped Zeke’s wild fire blasts. But Zeke’s speed was nothing to underestimate—he suddenly appeared in front of Riki, reaching out with one hand to grab him while a blazing fireball burned in the other.

“Master Riki!” Aria shouted, her voice filled with panic as she tried to rush to him.

Marcus laughed mockingly, stepping in her path.
“You shouldn’t worry about him, weakling. I’m your opponent.”

A sudden explosion shook the ground as Marcus unleashed a barrage of flame. Aria barely managed to block it with her dark barrier.

“Oh?” Marcus sneered. “So the filthy kin of the Demon Lord finally shows her magic. Tell me, maid—what rank are you?”

Aria ignored his taunts, her eyes only on Riki. But Marcus didn’t let up, bombarding her with firebombs that forced her back.
“Forgive me, Master Riki…” she whispered, straining to hold her defense.

Meanwhile, Riki deflected Zeke’s grasp, spinning with a powerful Wind Kick that sent the boy flying backward.

“Damn bastard… wind magic, huh?” Zeke spat, struggling to his feet. His gaze darted to Aria. She’s trying to protect him, but how do I get closer?

Without hesitation, Riki dashed toward Marcus.

“Not so fast!” Zeke roared, firing a volley of flaming arrows that rained down on him. He circled rapidly, his speed making it hard to track, trying to cut off Riki’s path.

Aria seized the chance, weaving dark mana into her hands.
“Dark Entanglement!”

Shadowy tendrils wrapped around Marcus, forcing him to the ground.

But before she could move again, Zeke’s arrows smashed through her barrier, striking her directly. Aria cried out as the blast tore across her body, sending her staggering.

“Aria!” Riki appeared at her side in an instant, deflecting the incoming arrows with a sweep of his blade. His voice was firm.
“Rest. Leave the rest to me.”

Zeke grinned, his magic burning brighter.
“Let’s see how you handle the two of us at once!”

He fired relentlessly, breaking apart the dark entanglements that bound Marcus. The two boys stood together, flames flaring around them.

Zell’s laughter echoed through the hall.
“Yes… now it’s time. Show me, boy. Show me the power you’ve been hiding.”