The arena was still restless.
Even after several matches had passed, the spectators were still talking about what had happened during Arven’s battle against Rylan Voss.
Nobody could explain it.
One moment, Rylan’s attack had been moving toward Arven.
The next…
Arven had appeared behind him.
To most people, it looked like incredible speed.
But the Great Mages knew there was something else.
Kael remained seated above the arena.
His eyes followed Arven as he returned to the waiting area.
That wasn’t speed.
Something happened to the flow of time.
Below the platform, Arven joined Elyan.
Elyan crossed his arms.
“You’re going to have to explain that eventually.” Arven glanced at him.
“Explain what?” “The part where Rylan was attacking you…” Elyan paused.
“…and then suddenly you were behind him.” Arven looked toward the arena.
“I don’t completely understand it myself.” Elyan studied his expression.
“You really don’t?” Arven shook his head.
“I knew I could do something with time.” “But I’d never stopped it before.” Elyan’s expression became thoughtful.
“So you can control time.” “Apparently.” Elyan laughed softly.
“That’s not exactly a normal ability.” Arven smiled.
“Neither is your swordsmanship.” Elyan’s expression changed for a moment.
Then he looked away.
“Let’s not talk about that.” Arven noticed the reaction.
But he didn’t press him.
Before he could say anything else— Boooooong!
The academy bell rang.
The magical display above the arena changed.
Another name appeared.
MATCH TWENTY-EIGHT ELYAN DRAVEN VS KAELAN ROSS Elyan looked up.
His grin faded.
“Looks like I’m next.” Arven nodded.
“Good luck.” Elyan smiled.
“I won’t need it.” He stepped forward.
The Second Battle Elyan entered the arena.
His opponent was already waiting.
Kaelan Ross stood calmly in the center of the battlefield.
Unlike most candidates, he wasn’t carrying a normal weapon.
A pair of short magical blades rested in his hands.
His eyes were sharp.
“So you’re Elyan Draven.” Elyan stopped several meters away.
“That’s me.” “I watched your first battle.” Kaelan raised one of his blades.
“Your swordsmanship is impressive.” Elyan drew his sword.
“Thank you.” “But…” Kaelan’s magical aura suddenly expanded.
“…I don’t intend to lose.” The examiner raised his hand.
“Candidates ready?” Elyan lowered his stance.
Kaelan’s magical energy concentrated around his feet.
“Begin!” Kaelan disappeared.
Elyan immediately raised his sword.
Clang!
A blade struck his weapon.
Kaelan attacked again.
Elyan stepped backward.
Another strike.
Clang!
Another.
Clang!
The two fighters moved across the arena.
Kaelan was fast.
Much faster than Marcus had been.
But Elyan’s expression remained calm.
He watched.
He listened.
He waited.
Kaelan suddenly changed direction.
His second blade came toward Elyan’s side.
Elyan twisted his body.
The blade passed beside him.
Elyan countered.
His sword moved toward Kaelan’s shoulder.
Kaelan blocked.
Clang!
The impact forced him backward.
The spectators reacted.
“He pushed him back!” Kaelan stared at Elyan.
He’s reading my movements.
Elyan advanced.
One step.
Then another.
His sword moved.
Kaelan blocked.
Again.
And again.
The rhythm of the battle changed.
Elyan wasn’t simply defending anymore.
He was controlling the pace.
Kaelan suddenly released a burst of magical energy.
Elyan jumped backward.
A wave of force crossed the arena.
Dust filled the battlefield.
Kaelan smiled.
“I’ve got you.” He raised both blades.
Magical symbols appeared around him.
Several blades of energy formed in the air.
They pointed toward Elyan.
Then— they fired.
Elyan’s focus sharpened.
He lowered his sword.
The atmosphere around him became strangely quiet.
He took one step.
Then another.
His movements became incredibly precise.
One magical blade passed by his shoulder.
He turned.
Another passed beside his face.
He shifted his weight.
A third passed directly in front of him.
Elyan continued moving.
Not faster.
Not stronger.
Simply…
perfect.
The final magical blade disappeared behind him.
Elyan was standing directly in front of Kaelan.
Kaelan’s eyes widened.
“When did you—” Elyan’s sword stopped beneath his chin.
The examiner immediately raised his hand.
“Victory!” The arena erupted.
Elyan lowered his sword.
Kaelan stared at him.
“Your movements…” Elyan smiled.
“What about them?” “They’re too precise.” Elyan turned away.
“I’ve practiced.” He left the arena.
An Ancient Sword Arven was waiting for him.
“That was impressive.” Elyan smiled.
“I told you I wouldn’t lose.” Arven looked at his sword.
“Where did you learn that technique?” Elyan stopped.
“What technique?” “The way you moved.” Elyan remained silent for a moment.
Then he answered.
“My family.” Arven tilted his head.
“Your family?” “My grandfather taught me.” Arven smiled.
“He must have been an incredible swordsman.” Elyan looked toward the arena.
“He was.” There was something in his voice.
Something distant.
Something almost nostalgic.
Arven didn’t ask anything else.
He didn’t know that Elyan’s family carried an ancient bloodline.
A bloodline connected to a hero who had lived three thousand years ago.
A hero from the Golden Age.
The greatest swordsman of his era.
And Elyan…
was his descendant.
The Watchers Above the arena, Kael remained silent.
Selene looked toward him.
“What do you think?” Kael didn’t answer immediately.
His eyes remained fixed on Elyan.
“That swordsmanship…” He slowly narrowed his eyes.
“I’ve seen something similar before.” Selene turned toward him.
“Where?” “Old records.” Kael’s voice became quieter.
“Very old records.” The Director looked at him.
“Are you suggesting there’s a connection?” Kael shook his head.
“It’s too early to say.” His gaze shifted toward Arven.
“First the boy who can manipulate time.” Then toward Elyan.
“And now a swordsman with that kind of technique.” He leaned back.
“Interesting.” The Next Match The tournament continued.
The remaining candidates fought with everything they had.
Some were eliminated.
Others advanced.
The level of the battles kept increasing.
Then— the magical display changed.
The conversations stopped.
A new name appeared.
MATCH FORTY-THREE ARVEN VALERIUS The crowd began whispering.
Arven looked up.
Elyan walked beside him.
“Again?” Arven nodded.
“This is my second battle.” The display flickered.
Then his opponent’s name appeared.
RAYNE LIEBERT The atmosphere changed.
Several candidates became silent.
Even some of the examiners exchanged glances.
Elyan stared at the name.
“…Rayne Liebert.” Arven looked at him.
“You know him?” “Not personally.” Elyan sobered.
“But I’ve heard about him.” Arven looked toward the arena.
“What have you heard?” Elyan answered quietly.
“He’s one of the strongest candidates here.” Arven smiled.
“Perfect.” He tightened his grip around his sword.
“I was getting bored.” Elyan laughed.
“You’re insane.” Arven started walking toward the arena.
Behind him, the magical display continued to glow.
ARVEN VALERIUS VS.
RAYNE LIEBERT The second battle was about to begin.
But this time…
Arven wouldn’t be facing an ordinary candidate.
And above the arena, Kael watched him in silence.
Something about this examination was beginning to feel different.
As if the academy itself…
had been waiting for these two boys to arrive.
To Be Continued…