The arena was bathed in increasingly intense light. Waves of energy clashed like storms trapped within stone walls. The crowd screamed, but their voices were drowned out by the roar of magical explosions and the clang of steel.

Dragon's Pursuit held the line. Valdor, at the head of the formation, led the team with surgical precision.

"Arwen, right flank! Kael, keep the rhythm! Mayuri, now!" — commands fired from his lips like blades, each perfectly synchronized with the team's movements.

Shadow Raven wouldn't back down. Tensho, standing on the opposite side of the arena, analyzed everything—every breath, every flash of aura, every trace left by Valdor's weapon.

"Team Two, rotation!" — he said coolly. His tone was calm, but the fire of competition smoldered in his eyes. — "Break their rhythm. Don't let them gain the upper hand."

The hiss of fire cut through the air. Noah of the Dragon Hound fired a stream of flames that crashed into Shadow Raven barriers. Hundreds of sparks flared at the point of impact, as if the entire arena had turned into a rain of fire.

Mayuri, at the rear of the formation, activated her crystal. For a moment, her hands glowed with a blue light that spread across the battlefield, bolstering the allies' strength.

"Hold your positions!" — she shouted, her voice cutting through the din.

Valdor charged forward. His sword glowed with blue fire, pulsing in time with his heartbeat. Each of his movements was heavy but precise. The Shadow Raven began to retreat, though they continued to launch counterattacks. Tensho anticipated several of them, but a hint of tension flashed in his eyes.

"His power… this is no ordinary magic." — he whispered.

In the box, the emperor leaned forward slightly.

"This is what the legacy of the Dragons looks like." — he said quietly.

The advisor looked at him with concern.

"Your Majesty… this is the same energy that once nearly burned the border to the ground."

The emperor smiled almost imperceptibly.

"Back then, it was a destructive force. Now, it may be our hope."

In the center of the arena, Valdor struck the ground. A wave of energy spread across the field, forming a semicircle of burning symbols. The Shadow Raven reacted instantly — Tensho raised his hand, creating a barrier of black energy, but Valdor's fire cut through it like paper.

"Valdor!" — Mayuri shouted. — "That's too much power!"

"I know!" — he growled, gripping the hilt of his sword tighter. — "But if I don't do this, we won't make it any further!"

The fire changed color. From blue, it turned into a white, almost transparent flame that didn't burn but pulsed with pure energy. The crowd fell silent.

The commentator even forgot to breathe. — "Ladies and gentlemen… this is impossible… it's Dragon's Breath! The legendary technique from the time of the war between the Dragons and the Empire!"

The Emperor rose from his throne, looking at Valdor. — "That power. From my father's stories. Prince Valdor has returned."

In the arena, Shadow Raven fought desperately, but the white flame consumed their defenses. Tensho tried to counterattack; his blade whistled with precision, but Valdor anticipated his every move.

Valdor made his final move, slicing through the air, and an arc of white fire shot from his blade, shaking the arena. The explosion was blinding.

When the dust settled, Shadow Raven was kneeling. Tensho, breathing heavily, raised his head and smiled slightly.

"Impressive… Dragon's Pursuit truly deserves to be called the favorite."

The commentator raised his hands, shouting at the top of his lungs:

"VICTORY! Dragon's Pursuit advances! What a fight! What power!"

The crowd erupted in a roar.

Valdor stood in the center of the arena, his body still radiating a pale light. Steam rose from his mouth, as if he were burning from within.

Arwen ran up to him, grabbing his arm.

"Valdor! Are you all right?"

"Yes…" — he replied, catching his breath. — "I'm still… in control."

The Emperor's voice rang out from above:

"Dragon's Pursuit, your battle was legendary. The Empire sees once again what courage means."

Valdor looked up and furrowed his brow.

The emperor simply smiled broadly.

Tensho approached Valdor and offered him his hand.

"That was a good fight. I wish you luck."

Valdor took his hand.

"Thank you."

Tensho let go of Valdor's hand and walked away with his team toward their gate, raising his hand in the air.

"See you later, Dragon's Pursuit. You'd better win."

As the team made their way off the arena, their eyes met those of the next contestants. Wolf's Edge — a team known for its brutal effectiveness and cold discipline — was already standing at the entrance to the ring. Their captain, Arok, rested his sword on his shoulder and nodded to Valdor with a slight, warlike smile.

"Good job, Dragon's Pursuit." — he said calmly. — "But now it's time to see how the real beasts fight."

Valdor returned his gaze.

"We'll see who goes down first… Arok."

Their shoulders brushed past each other, and the energy between them was as thick as smoke after a battle.

The commentator, excited, leapt to his feet:

"Ladies and gentlemen! Dragon's Pursuit triumphs, but the excitement doesn't let up! Next match: Wolf's Edge versus the Fallen Crosses!"

The crowd roared again. The drums beat; the sound of the gong echoed throughout the arena.

A new fight was about to begin, but the echo of Valdor's white flame still lingered in the air, reminding everyone that the Dragon's Pursuit was only just beginning its march toward victory.