Time passed as the finale drew near. After just over an hour in the infirmary, Yuki had fully recovered thanks to the nurse's unusual healing method. Though the experience might haunt his dreams, it had done its job.

He gave a polite bow of gratitude and left the room, heading toward the stands to join the other students.

The crowd was already gathering, filling the seats with eager chatter. All eyes turned toward the arena, waiting in anticipation for the final battle and the crowning of a new king.

Most bets were on Sawano. With her overwhelming strength, she could crush any underhanded trick the peasant might try.

As the break ended, the headmaster rose from his seat. Magic was unnecessary; his presence alone commanded silence. Every student turned to him, anticipating the announcement of the final battle.

"My dearest pupils, we have reached the end of the tournament. You have shown strength and determination, each of you striving with valiant effort for the title of king," his voice echoed through the arena.

"And now, the time has come for the bravest and strongest among you to take their rightful place as leaders of this school. Let us begin!"

His words rang out with excitement, marking the start of the finale.

"Sawano Torafuku, daughter of Kimiko Torafuku, hero of the Demon War! Take your place!" the headmaster's voice rang across the arena, filled with excitement.

The crowd erupted in cheers as the orange-haired tigress strode confidently to the center. With a sword resting at her hip, a spark of excitement lit her face.

"Ryuji Sato, our newest addition to the school, take your place! Show us you belong here!" the headmaster called once more.

But the crowd stayed silent. Fear still hung heavy in the air.

Ryuji stepped into the center, his infamous suit catching the light. He carried no weapon, yet his presence alone demanded attention.

Sawano's eyes gleamed with excitement, a fierce hunger burning for the thrill of the hunt. She could feel the chase starting before a single strike had been made.

Ryuji's gaze landed on her sword, a longsword heavy and razor-sharp, one she did not use in her fight with Yuki. He took a slow, steady breath, measuring her every movement.

Without hesitation, Sawano advanced. Ryuji didn't flinch. He matched her step for step, closing the distance until they stood inches apart, the air between them thick with anticipation.

They locked eyes. She wore the eager expression of a masterful hunter. He carried a cautious, calculated seriousness.

"What's with the sword? Thought you were skilled in martial arts," Ryuji asked, curiosity in his voice.

"Hehe! I want to use all kinds of fighting styles against you! Let's have a blast!" she said, raising her fist toward him, clearly expecting a fist bump.

Ryuji chuckled softly and met her gesture with his own fist.

"Very well then. Have it your way," he replied.

The two young warriors shared a gentle laugh before returning to their positions.

Once in place, they turned to face each other, their long hair whipping in the breeze.

Sawano drew her straight sword in a single, swift motion. The steel gleamed in the sunlight, aimed directly at her opponent.

Ryuji returned the gesture, warping his shadows once more. From the depths of his shadow storage, his katana shot to his side, arriving just as he reached for it.

Sawano gasped, unable to hide her excitement. Ryuji drew his sword quickly, swinging it to shoulder level while his left hand stayed near his hip, holding the sheath firmly.

When the gong faded, Sawano sprang toward him with a wide smile, delivering a powerful downward slash. Ryuji spotted it instantly and deflected the blow.

Their eyes met, and both smiled before a relentless barrage of attacks erupted. Each strike was met and countered in a blur of motion. Steel clashed against steel with blinding speed. Every parry was answered with a fierce assault. Their reflexes were perfectly honed, locked in a deadly dance of precision. Neither gave an inch.

Tension filled the air, thick and electric. The clash of swords sent shockwaves echoing throughout the arena, amplifying the intensity of the battle.

The crowd erupted in cheers. The sight of flawless swordsmanship awed them; the skill of the warriors exceeded all expectations.

The barrage of strikes continued, and with the final clash, both swords deflected off each other. The young knights struck back immediately, locking their weapons in a fierce contest of strength.

They stood close, sweat trailing down their faces, wide grins forming as they held each other's gaze.

But the moment didn't last. Using a superior technique, Ryuji rotated his sword sharply, knocking the young tigress's weapon aside and pushing her back as she lost her footing.

The straight sword soared high above her, landing in the soil behind her.

Ryuji moved his sword toward Sawano's neck, intending to force her to yield. But Sawano would never give in. As his blade came at lightning speed, she regained her footing and brought her hand up to meet it. Her steel nails grew swiftly and smashed against his sword, deflecting it and leaving him open to a counterattack.

Ryuji tried a rotating side sweep, but Sawano ducked under his blade.

Her nails retracted as she clenched both fists. With a powerful blow to his abdomen, she sent him flying. The strike was so strong that he lost his grip on his sword, which slid and spun across the ground before coming to a stop.

Still airborne, Ryuji executed a quick backflip, aiming to regain his footing.

Sawano did not pursue him. Both warriors stood in awe of one another; their eyes filled with respect and ambition. In this moment, all they desired was to overcome the challenge before them.

Noticing that Sawano was unarmed, Ryuji flicked his hand and called upon his shadow magic. The sword's shadowy reflection in the soil surged, swallowing the blade as if it were drowning in darkness, then shot up and hovered beside him once again.

He grasped his sword and slid it back into its sheath, his eyes locked on hers as she studied him carefully, trying to anticipate his next move.

Ryuji flung the sheathed blade to his side, releasing his grip and letting it sink into his shadow until it disappeared completely. He drew a deep breath, then swung his arms forward and clenched his fists tightly, ready for the brawl of his life.

Sawano's joy was overwhelming; she could not contain it.

Both warriors leaped at each other, exchanging a relentless barrage of strikes. Each attack met a counter, and each counter met a powerful punch, smashing through the air with lightning speed. The blows rang like thunder, sending shockwaves across the soil and vibrations through their bodies. Each strike was faster than the last, a perfect mix of speed and strength, their hands becoming weapons of destruction in a cataclysmic rhythm.

The ground trembled beneath them as their fists collided in the center. Neither gave an inch. With a final clash, their hands locked tightly. The impact sent a deafening shockwave radiating through the arena, a fierce contest of strength. Here, Sawano held the advantage.

Ryuji pushed with all his might, trying to gain the upper hand. But his efforts were in vain; Sawano pressed back harder, forcing him to drop one knee to the ground and wince in pain. She continued to push, aiming to crush him under her mighty claws—but Ryuji had a trick up his sleeve.

The force against him grew stronger. Ryuji held her hands tightly and let himself fall, dragging her into his shadow. Her head smacked against the soil, and her body ricocheted off the ground. In a flash, he reappeared behind her, delivering a powerful left sweep with his leg that sent the young tigress flying several feet. She quickly rotated mid-air, landing gracefully and regaining her footing.