Zeke smirked, flames dancing at his fingertips.

“I will eventually be stronger than Izell, the Flame God! So I could never lose to an eight-year-old trash like you!” he roared, thrusting out his hands.

“Blazing Serpent!”
A snake of fire spiraled forward, heat distorting the air as it lunged at Riki.

Marcus wasn’t far behind. “Don’t get cocky, runt! Stone Gauntlet!” His fists hardened into jagged rock as he charged in.

But Riki stood his ground, raising his palm calmly. “Void Lance!”
A dark spear of crackling void energy tore through the flaming serpent, splitting it in half before exploding in a shockwave that made the ground tremble.

Aria, trapped inside Riki’s protective barrier, pressed her small hands against it, eyes wide with fear. “Master, please be safe…”

Marcus’s stone fists came crashing down, but Riki shifted with fluid steps, countering with Arcane Burst, a concussive wave that threw Marcus back across the arena.

“Damn outsider, how dare you embarrass nobility!” Ella spat from the stands, her fists clenching tightly as sparks of fire mana surged around her.

For the first time, fear and awe twisted together in her chest.

Riki’s barrier shimmered, protecting Aria as the brothers launched more attacks.

Zeke shouted in frustration, his pride stung. “Inferno Wall! Flame Spear Barrage!” Dozens of fiery spears rained down, turning the air into a storm of burning death.

Marcus roared. “Quake Slam! Earth Rupture!” The ground split apart, jagged spikes of stone jutting toward Riki.

Inside the chaos, Aria clutched her chest. “So much power… master… please win…”

But Riki’s voice cut through the destruction, calm and unyielding. “Abyssal Chains.”
Black chains erupted from the shadows, wrapping around several of the spears midair and shattering them like glass. With his free hand, he conjured another Void Lance, piercing through the collapsing ground spikes and sending shockwaves that rattled the arena walls.

Zeke’s flames clashed with Riki’s void again and again, each collision exploding like thunder. Sweat dripped down his forehead, fury in his eyes. “Why… why are you stronger?! I’ll make you pay, filthy fodder!”

The crowd gasped, murmurs rising at the sheer intensity of the battle. Even the nobles who once sneered at Riki now watched in silence.

Just as Zeke prepared another spell, a slow clap echoed through the hall.

“Enough.” Zell’s calm yet commanding voice silenced the arena. His sharp gaze swept across the battlefield. “I’m satisfied with what I’ve seen. Yes… this will do splendidly.”

Confusion spread, but Riki narrowed his eyes. He knew Zell was testing something deeper.

Zeke’s pride burned hotter than his flames. “Father, I’m not finished yet!”

But Zell’s expression darkened, his tone turning icy. “You dare defy me when I say it’s over? What I say is the word.” His oppressive aura swept over the field, forcing Zeke to flinch in terror.

Zell then straightened, returning to his composed tone. “Ah, where was I? Oh yes… seeing your feats has brought to my attention the need for you all to become adventurers. To build our family, like fire rising from the ground to ascend the heavens. So no noble family, no god, will disobey us.”

The audience held its breath as Zell’s words thundered.

“I know you are young,” he continued. “So in four years’ time, you will leave to be adventurers. Do me proud.”

Ella, still fuming, glared daggers at Riki. But Riki, looking up at the ceiling, clenched his fists.

He whispered to Aria, who wiped her tears. “We need to get stronger. We’ll travel this world together… uncover the truth about myself and this mysterious place. It might be dangerous… but I hope you’ll be with me.”

Tears welled in her eyes, her voice trembling but sure. “Yes, Master!”

Meanwhile, Zeke and Marcus, being carried away in shame, seethed with fury.
“I’ll pay you back,” Zeke thought bitterly. “Just watch, you filthy fodder.”

And so, with Zell’s words lingering in their hearts, four years passed in the blink of an eye.