As the match between a water mage and a fire mage was announced, the entire colosseum buzzed with anticipation.

Would water extinguish fire?
Or would fire reduce water to nothing but steam?

The host’s voice rang out clearly, and cheers erupted from every corner of the arena.

Sofie moved first.

Mana surged through her body as she extended her hand, releasing a high-speed stream of compressed water, sharp and fast like a bullet. It tore through the air toward Edward—

—but never reached him.

Edward calmly raised his arms, and a wall of blazing fire erupted in front of him. Sofie’s spell evaporated instantly, steam hissing violently as heat distorted the air.

The crowd gasped.

“So strong…”

Unfazed, Sofie clicked her tongue and charged forward. Water surged beneath Edward’s feet, rising like a liquid prison and engulfing him completely.

For a brief moment, hope flickered.

Then the water boiled away, disappearing under Edward’s overwhelming heat.

Sofie didn’t stop.

She summoned another spell, forming a thin wave of water beneath her feet, riding it like a board. She darted across the arena with agile movements, firing water bullets from every direction.

Yet none of them landed.

Edward’s defense was impenetrable.

Marco clenched his fists. “How is his defense that solid…?”

Lukas watched silently, eyes narrowed. Who is this guy? he wondered. And how is he controlling fire so precisely?

“Sofie! You’ve got this!” Marco shouted.

Lukas joined him. “Don’t give up!”

Hearing them, Sofie’s confidence surged.

But Edward struck first.

A massive wave of fire roared toward her. Sofie barely managed to block it with water, but thick steam exploded outward, blinding her.

In the next instant—

Edward emerged from the steam and punched her square in the chest.

The impact sent Sofie crashing across the arena floor.

The crowd fell silent.

Marco’s breath caught. “Sofie…!”

Edward followed up with another spell, flames crashing down on her unmoving form.

For a moment, it seemed over.

Then—

Sofie pushed herself up.

Her body trembled, pain etched across her face, but she stood. Cheers erupted instantly, the sound shaking the colosseum.

Edward’s expression darkened.

Annoyed, he gathered mana again and launched an even larger fireball. Sofie tried to dodge—but she was too slow.

She hit the ground once more.

Marco took a step forward, panic flooding his face. He wanted to stop the match—but he couldn’t. All he could do was watch.

Then Sofie stood up again.

Bloodied. Exhausted.

Still standing.

“I didn’t want to use this…” she said firmly. “But you forced my hand.”

Mana exploded from her body, pressure alone making the crowd recoil.

“Water Magic: Dragon Water.”

A colossal dragon formed entirely of water roared into existence and surged toward Edward.

Edward’s eyes widened.

“…So that’s your trump card.”

Grinding his teeth, flames spiraled wildly around his fists.

“Fire Magic: Inferno Fist — Thousand Strikes!”

Blazing fists collided with the water dragon. Explosions shook the arena as steam flooded the sky.

Edward managed to destroy the spell—but staggered backward, gasping for air. His mana was nearly depleted.

Then he felt it.

A presence.

Edward’s gaze shifted to the stands.

A hooded figure, standing apart from the crowd.

Their presence was subtle—but overwhelming.

Edward’s heart skipped a beat.

…So you’re watching.

Sofie stepped forward, gathering mana again, preparing another spell.

Edward clenched his fists.

Before she could release it—

“I yield.”

The words echoed across the arena.

For a moment, silence reigned.

Then chaos erupted.

Boos poured down from every direction. The host stared in disbelief.
“C-Contestant Edward has surrendered?!”

Sofie clenched her fists. “Coward!” she shouted. “What—are you scared to fight me? Can’t beat a girl?!”

Edward didn’t answer.

His eyes flicked once more toward the hooded figure—only to find them gone.

Clicking his tongue, Edward turned and left the arena without another word.

Later, in the infirmary, the three regrouped.

“He was strong, wasn’t he?” Marco said, frowning. “Then why throw away the match?”

Lukas nodded. “It didn’t make sense.”

Sofie crossed her arms smugly. “Obviously, he was scared of me. He sensed my real trump card.”

Both Marco and Lukas stared at her.

“…You’re lying.”

Sofie bristled. “Hey! Take me seriously!”

They burst out laughing, quickly apologizing and showering her with exaggerated praise until she calmed down, grumbling.

From the corner of the room, a white-cloaked figure wearing a blank mask watched quietly.

It must be nice…
To have friends.

Deep within the stone corridors of the colosseum, Edward stopped.

The hooded figure emerged from the shadows.

“You’ve grown careless,” the figure said coldly. “Return to your training. Do not appear again until the time of the Exorcism.”

Edward lowered his head. “…Understood.”

Without another word, he vanished into the darkness.

Back in the arena, excitement surged once more.

Only twenty participants remained.

The host raised his voice. “Next match!”

A pause.

Then—

“E… versus Rowan!”

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

E—the masked contender clad in white.

Rowan—the wind mage rumored to be the strongest among all remaining participants.

From the stands, Lukas felt that same unfamiliar aura again.

And this time—

It was drawing closer.