Marco rolled his shoulders once and let out a slow breath.

“I’ll be back,” he said, flashing a confident grin.

“Don’t get carried away,” Sofie replied, crossing her arms. “This isn’t a guild spar.”

Lukas smiled. “Good luck.”

Marco nodded and headed toward the arena gate.

The colosseum roared as he stepped onto the sand.

The host’s voice echoed through the stands.

“Our first contender—Marco of the Adventurer’s Guild! A mage who commands **gravity**!”

Cheers erupted instantly.

Marco raised one hand casually, acknowledging the crowd.

“And his opponent—Carlos! A **swordmaster** who relies solely on **anima**!”

A man clad in light armor stepped forward, sword resting loosely at his side. He showed no reaction to the crowd, his eyes fixed on Marco.

“This match,” the host continued, “will demonstrate the clash between **magic and anima**!”

The signal horn sounded.

Marco acted first.

Gravity surged.

Carlos’s body was yanked downward, slamming into the arena floor with a heavy thud. Before he could recover, Marco lifted him again—gravity reversing violently—then hurled him back down.

The crowd exploded in cheers.

“He’s finished!”

“That’s gravity magic for you!”

Dust rose as Carlos lay still.

Marco exhaled. “Stay down.”

Then—

Carlos stood up.

His movements were sudden, explosive.

In a blink, he closed the distance.

Marco barely reacted in time, twisting his body as a blade cut through the air where his neck had been a moment earlier.

*Fast.*

The fight shifted instantly.

Carlos pressed forward relentlessly, sword flashing as Marco manipulated gravity to keep distance. The arena filled with sharp impacts and distorted air, neither side gaining a clear advantage.

Marco gritted his teeth.

*Then let’s end this.*

Chunks of debris lifted from the arena floor, compressed by gravity into dozens of small, dense bullets.

He fired.

Carlos moved—dodging with impossible precision—but one projectile slipped through, slamming into his upper chest.

Before Carlos could recover, Marco surged forward.

Gravity condensed around his fist.

He struck.

The impact sent Carlos skidding across the arena floor, his sword slipping from his grasp.

Silence.

Then the horn sounded.

“The winner—**Marco of the Adventurer’s Guild**!”

The crowd erupted.

Marco staggered, then laughed breathlessly.

Later, in the infirmary, he lay on a bed with bandages wrapped around his torso.

“You look terrible,” Sofie said, smirking.

Lukas nodded. “Like you got hit by a falling building.”

Marco groaned. “You two are awful.”

They laughed.

Before they could say more, the announcement echoed again.

“The next match will begin shortly. Contenders, prepare.”

Sofie stiffened.

Her name was next.

She stood quickly. “Guess it’s my turn.”

Lukas smiled. “Don’t hold back.”

Marco smirked. “Show them what a water mage can do.”

Sofie nodded and hurried toward the arena.

The host’s voice rang out once more.

“Next contender—Sofie! A **water mage** of the Adventurer’s Guild!”

Applause followed, mixed with curious murmurs.

“And her opponent—Edwards! A **fire mage**!”

Heat shimmered around Edwards as he stepped forward, flames flickering faintly at his fingertips.

Water and fire.

The crowd leaned forward in anticipation.

Sofie took her stance.

The horn sounded.