Read THE MAGE WHO USE LIGHT MAGIC :: CAPTAIN OF THE RSF

The arena fell into stunned silence.

Whispers spread like wildfire as a man stepped forward and stopped the match with nothing more than his presence. Many in the crowd wondered the same thing—

Why would an RSF captain interfere in a tournament?

Reinhard’s cold gaze swept across the arena before settling on the princess.

“Return to the castle,” he said, his voice calm yet absolute. “Or there will be consequences.”

Princess Elisabeth clenched her fists and shook her head. “I refuse.”

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

Rowan, however, reacted very differently. The moment he recognized the man before him, all color drained from his face. He didn’t speak. He didn’t protest. He simply lowered his head and bowed in silence.

As the crowd began to grow restless, Reinhard sensed the danger. Any forceful action now would only ignite chaos. After a brief pause, he turned away.

“The match may continue,” he said.

But before leaving the arena, Reinhard stopped beside Rowan and spoke quietly—words only Rowan could hear.

“Throw the fight. No scene.”

Rowan stiffened… then nodded.

Lukas watched all of this with confusion twisting in his chest. He leaned toward Sofie and Marco.

“Who was that?” he asked. “Why is everyone so scared of him?”

Sofie blinked in surprise. “Oh… right. You wouldn’t know.”

She lowered her voice as she explained.

“That was Reinhard. Captain of the RSF—the Royal Special Force.”

Marco continued, his tone serious. “They work in the shadows. Hunting traitors among nobles. Maintaining the kingdom’s hierarchy.”

Sofie added, “He’s a ice mage. His magic is silent. Deadly. And his anima…”

Marco exhaled. “On par with the Royal Knight Commander.”

Lukas swallowed.

Reinhard departed to the upper podium, observing from above. The Royal Knight Commander—his cousin from House Ignivar—stood nearby. The princess, too, was family. For now, they allowed the match to proceed.

Back in the arena, the battle resumed.

The princess unleashed another anima-infused sword strike.

Rowan didn’t dodge.

The blow sent him skidding across the arena floor. To most, it looked like a clean victory.

Only a few noticed something was wrong.

Rowan had let himself be hit.

No one dared speak.

The match was declared over.

Princess Elisabeth turned away immediately, fury burning in her eyes as she exited the arena.

Lukas hurried after her. “Congratulations—!”

She ignored him completely and walked past.

Moments later, Lukas felt something was wrong.

A group of soldiers moved swiftly through the corridors—RSF uniforms, black and silver, emblazoned with the emblem of a hound. No symbol of hatred. Only loyalty. Fierceness. Hunters who moved as one.

Then he saw it.

They were carrying the princess.

Lukas followed at a distance, keeping his presence hidden. He didn’t attack. He wanted answers.

Suddenly—

A figure appeared before him.

Reinhard.

“Turn back,” the captain said calmly. “Do not interfere with RSF affairs.”

“Why are you taking her?” Lukas demanded.

“It is the king’s order,” Reinhard replied. “To avoid commotion.”

“That’s not an answer.”

Lukas stepped forward.

In the next instant—

Pain exploded through his body.

The air suddenly dropped in tempreature .

Ice spear, infused with anima, struck him before he could even react. Lukas crashed to the ground, vision blurring, unable to comprehend what had hit him.

Darkness swallowed him.

Back at the arena, Marco and Sofie searched anxiously.

“Where did Lukas go?”

They couldn’t find him.

The host soon returned, raising his voice to excite the crowd once more. Another match was announced—Claude versus Vick, both anima users.

As the battles continued, Lukas slowly regained consciousness. He healed himself, groaning as memories rushed back.

By the time he returned to the guild hall, the first day of the tournament had already ended.

Sofie rushed toward him the moment she saw him. “You’re okay?!”

Marco crossed his arms. “Where did you disappear to?”

Lukas explained everything.

Sofie sighed. “Day one’s already over.”

Lukas froze. “Did… did my match happen?”

They stared at him seriously for a moment.

Then—

“Relax,” Marco said with a grin. “You’re safe.”

Lukas exhaled in relief.

The Guild Master approached, expression stern. “Do not interfere in royal affairs again. You survived this time by luck alone.”

Lukas nodded.

That night, Lukas suggested celebrating Marco and Sofie’s victories.

Sofie shook her head. “No. I didn’t really win.”

Marco smirked. “Like you said—he felt your aura and ran.”

She frowned. “Not this time. He was strong. Stronger than he showed. I felt like he didn’t even use half his power.”

Silence followed.

Marco finally said, “Then let’s wait. No celebration until the tournament ends. Whoever stands at the top—that person will be the strongest among us.”

They all agreed.

Marco glanced at Lukas. “Joining the Royal Defense Forces?”

“No,” Lukas replied. “I want to adventure. Explore the kingdoms.”

Marco laughed. “Then let’s form a party after this.”

Lukas smiled. “Deal.”

They turned to Sofie.

“I’m joining the Royal Mage Corps,” she said quietly.

They cheered her on.

“You’ve got this.”

Meanwhile, in the castle…

Princess Elisabeth stood before the king once more. This time, she did not bow her head.

“If I win,” she declared, “I will become an adventurer and leave the royal family.”