While the tournament continued… the training began in secret.

The first semifinal match was between Lukas and Orion.

The battle was fierce, but in the end… Lukas emerged victorious.

The second match followed soon after — Griffin versus Arthur.

Arthur’s overwhelming magic secured him the win.

Then came the final semifinal battle… Princess Elisabeth against Bjorn.

Despite her determination… Bjorn claimed victory.

The arena roared with excitement as the finalists were announced.

The championship match… to be held one month later…

Arthur.
Lukas.
Bjorn.

But for Princess Elisabeth… defeat cut deeper than any blade.

She had lost her chance to fulfill the wager she made with her father.

The scene shifted to the King’s chamber.

The King looked down at her with a stern gaze.

“Now that you have lost… you have no choice but to honor the contract you made.”

His words echoed in her mind long after she left the room.

Later… alone in her chambers… Elisabeth sat in silence, drowning in frustration.

A knock came at the door.

Standing there was the Crown Guard of House Eisenhart.

“If you truly wish to grow stronger,” he said calmly, “come to the training grounds.”

He turned to leave.

“I will be waiting.”

Elsewhere…

Lukas, Arthur, Bjorn, and Griffin were escorted to a hidden location — a secret training ground used exclusively by the three great noble houses.

The land itself pulsed with dense mana and spiritual essence.

There… the training was merciless.

They pushed their bodies and magic to the limit…
refining their spells…
expanding their mana reserves…
and even creating entirely new techniques.

Failure meant exhaustion.
Success only brought harder trials.

Back in the royal palace…

Princess Elisabeth trained relentlessly under the Crown Guard.

Day after day… she swung her blade until her hands bled.

She refused to remain weak.

Meanwhile… in the shadows… the true enemy moved.

The organisation plotting the kingdom’s downfall began making preparations.

Lord Joseph of House Aquelyn — leader of the RSF — tracked their movements alongside trusted members from Houses Aquelyn and Ignivar.

After weeks of pursuit… they finally discovered one of the faction’s hidden bases.

A swift ambush followed.

Low-ranking members were captured alive.

Through harsh interrogation… the RSF uncovered critical information.

At last… the enemy had a name.

The Hallow Faction.

And their goal…

“To cleanse the land… by exorcising the ‘unclean souls’ of the Three Great Noble Houses.”