Lukas was really impressed with the fight, and he went to the restroom to take care of his business.

On his way, he overheard the princess and the prince talking.

“Give up and return to the castle,” Prince Rudolf said to Princess Elisabeth. “Ask Father for forgiveness. You know the strength of these people is beyond your abilities, and the only reason you came this far is because Rowan was made to throw away the match.”

“That may be true,” Princess Elisabeth replied, “but I won’t give up. I’ll win and leave the royal family to become an adventurer. I’ll live freely, far from the mocking of the family.”

“Well, if that’s what you wish,” Rudolf said coldly. “Carry on. I couldn’t care less about it.”

He walked away.

Elisabeth stood there, saddened that even her own brother didn’t understand her or share her pain.

Then Lukas appeared.

“Why don’t you come and join our party after the tournament?” he asked.

“Heh?” Elisabeth snapped. “This doesn’t concern you.”

She turned and left.

Lukas stood there, confused. He had thought she would be glad.

“I guess I misunderstood… well,” he muttered.

“That idiot,” Elisabeth said quietly to herself as she walked away.

When Lukas returned, the host was already preparing for the next match.

“Are you guys ready?” the host shouted.

The crowd replied with a loud roar, full of energy and hunger for more fights.

The scene shifted to the podium.

“Where did you go?” Lancelot asked.

“I just went to relieve myself,” Rudolf replied.

The host’s voice rang out again.

“Our next match is a tag battle!”

“Sofie and Marco versus Lukas and Princess Elisabeth!”

The trio froze in shock.

Sofie turned toward Lukas with a dangerous smile.

“If you hold back,” she said, “I’ll personally kill you myself. Got it?”

Marco sighed. “It was bound to happen sooner or later. Anyway, good luck, Lukas.”

“Good luck,” Lukas replied back.

The scene shifted to the podium again.

“Is this your arrangement?” Reinhard asked Rudolf.

Rudolf smiled. “We’ll never know, I guess,” he said, giving a sinister smirk.

On the arena floor, Lukas spoke casually.

“Ah, we’re on the same team. What are the odds?” he said to Elisabeth.

“Don’t get in my way,” Elisabeth replied coldly.

On the opposite side, Marco and Sofie discussed quietly.

“His speed is hard to counter,” Sofie said.

“We’ll have to work together,” Marco replied.

The host raised his hand.

“Begin!”

Princess Elisabeth charged forward immediately and struck at Marco, but Marco stopped her with his gravity magic and threw her away.

Lukas rushed in and caught her before she hit the ground.

She pulled away from him without thanking him.

“If you don’t want to fight your friends, that’s fine,” she said. “I’m strong enough to defeat them myself.”

Before Lukas could respond—

“Water Magic: Tidal Wave!”

A massive tide of water formed and swallowed the area where Lukas and Elisabeth stood.

As they tried to escape, Marco used his gravity magic to pin them down, trapping them in place.

As the water closed in, Lukas raised his hand.

“Light Magic: Crimson Annihilation.”

A burst of intense light erupted from Lukas, instantly evaporating the incoming flood. Steam filled the arena, and the sudden backlash forced Marco to dodge, causing him to lose focus.

Taking that opening, Lukas grabbed Elisabeth and pulled her out of the danger zone.

Marco and Sofie quickly regrouped.

“We’ll tire him out,” Marco said. “Exhaust Lukas as soon as possible.”

Lukas turned to Elisabeth.

“Cover me,” he said. “I’ll support you from the back.”

Now realizing that Marco and Sofie were not amateurs who could be easily disregarded, Elisabeth followed his plan.