The rumors surrounding the mysterious "White Swordsman" had spread throughout the Kingdom of Ryūgū at an astonishing speed.
Ever since the fall of the Moyasu Gang and the arrest of the former Leo Gādian, taverns, training halls, guild headquarters, and even royal officials could not stop talking about the unknown Elementalist responsible.
Stories changed depending on who was telling them.
Some claimed he could cut mountains in half.
Others believed he was a secret disciple of the Grand Elementalist.
A few even insisted he wasn't human at all.
Yet one detail remained consistent.
White hair.
White blades.
And an immunity to spells.
A monster among Elementalists.
"The White Swordsman."
The conversation naturally found its way to Ryūsei's group while they sat around a large table inside the restaurant.
Kayosha tilted her head curiously.
"Wait... isn't that just a rumor?"
She stabbed a piece of meat with her fork as she spoke.
Yuki nodded in agreement.
"Exactly. There is no way an Elementalist could become completely immune to spells."
Shadow leaned back in his chair.
"Well..."
He took a sip of his drink.
"There are the Crowned Dragons."
The table immediately quieted.
Even among Dragon Sages, the Crowned Dragons were considered legends.
Ancient beings who existed beyond ordinary Elementalists.
Beings spoken of only through stories.
"Nobody has seen one in ages though," Shadow continued.
Shizen folded his arms.
"That may be true."
Then his gaze slowly shifted toward Ryūsei.
"But let's face reality."
His expression remained completely serious.
"Ryūsei is probably the White Swordsman."
The entire table immediately looked at Ryūsei.
The white-haired boy nearly dropped his drink.
"W-Wait!"
His eyes widened.
"Why me?!"
Kasai smirked.
"You disappeared exactly when the rumors started."
Ryūsei froze.
"That's circumstantial evidence!"
"You use white swords."
"Lots of people use swords!"
"You have white hair."
"..."
Ryūsei opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
Then opened it again.
Nothing came out.
Shadow immediately burst out laughing.
"He's guilty."
"I'm not guilty!"
"That sounded guilty."
"It did."
"It absolutely did."
Ryūsei buried his face in his hands.
How did they figure it out so quickly?
Yuki rested her chin on her palm.
"Well..."
A playful smile appeared on her face.
"If you really are the White Swordsman, then there's only one way to find out."
Ryūsei instantly sensed danger.
The same danger he felt whenever Kayosha started smiling too much.
Kasai suddenly pointed directly at him.
"After lunch."
Ryūsei sighed.
"Kasai..."
The fire-attributed Dragon Sage grinned.
"Let's have a spar."
The table erupted into excitement.
"Why?!"
Ryūsei immediately protested.
Kasai laughed.
"I just want to see how strong you've become."
Ryūsei quickly looked away.
"Let's save the show for the Grand Shōtotsu."
Shadow's grin widened.
"Oh?"
"Looks like somebody is hiding a few tricks."
Ryūsei groaned.
Unfortunately for him, the teasing had only just begun.
Before anyone could continue bothering him, Kayosha suddenly raised her hand.
"If Ryūsei isn't fighting..."
Everyone looked at her.
A competitive smile appeared on her face.
"Then how about I fight Kasai instead?"
The entire table froze.
Kasai blinked.
"Seriously?"
Kayosha nodded confidently.
"I need practice before the tournament."
Kasai's eyes immediately lit up.
"Sure."
His grin widened.
"Let's do it."
The decision was made.
And moments later—
The entire group left the restaurant and headed toward the royal castle.
The walk through the capital was filled with laughter and casual conversation.
Kasai, as usual, was the loudest among them.
"Hey Ryūsei."
"What?"
"Are there any drinks at the castle?"
Kayosha immediately sighed.
"We literally just ate."
"I'm thirsty."
"You drank three glasses."
"I am still thirsty."
Sora lowered her head apologetically.
"I'm sorry..."
Everyone looked at her.
"He's always like this."
Kasai laughed.
"No shame whatsoever."
Ryūsei shook his head.
"Let's just get to the training room before you two start fighting."
"Too late."
"We're already fighting."
"See?"
The group continued walking.
The closer they got to the castle, the larger the structure appeared.
White stone walls stretched toward the sky.
Massive towers overlooked the capital.
The symbol of the Azure Dragon fluttered proudly atop the highest spire.
It was a symbol of protection.
A symbol of hope.
And today...
It was about to become a battlefield.
The Royal Training Hall was enormous.
The room alone was nearly the size of an arena.
Stone walls reinforced with magical barriers surrounded the area.
Rows of spectator seats overlooked the battlefield.
The room had been designed specifically for powerful Elementalists.
Which was fortunate.
Because what followed would have destroyed an ordinary building.
Kasai and Kayosha stepped into the center of the arena.
The atmosphere immediately shifted.
Gone were the playful smiles.
Gone was the casual conversation.
Two Dragon Sages now stood opposite one another.
Ready for battle.
Ryūsei stepped forward.
As acting referee.
"Ready?"
Both nodded.
The room became silent.
Then—
"Begin."
The instant the signal was given—
Both fighters vanished.
A loud explosion echoed throughout the arena.
"Fire Dragon: Inferno Blade!"
A blazing crimson sword materialized in Kasai's hand.
Flames erupted from the weapon like a miniature volcano.
At the same moment—
"Water Dragon: Tidal Trident!"
A brilliant blue trident formed within Kayosha's grasp.
Water swirled around the weapon with incredible density.
The two weapons collided.
BOOM!
The impact shook the training hall.
Sparks and water exploded in every direction.
Kasai immediately pressed forward.
His fighting style was aggressive.
Relentless.
Every strike flowed into the next.
His flaming sword moved with tremendous speed.
Kayosha, however, remained calm.
Every attack was blocked.
Every opening was covered.
Her trident moved elegantly through the air.
Deflect.
Counter.
Retreat.
Advance.
The exchange continued at an incredible pace.
Neither side gaining an advantage.
Up in the spectator section—
Yuki watched with a tired expression.
"Aren't they..."
"They're overdoing it."
Shizen finished her sentence.
The others nodded.
Neither combatant seemed interested in a friendly spar anymore.
This had become a real battle.
Kasai grinned.
"You've gotten stronger."
Kayosha smiled back.
"So have you."
Suddenly—
She noticed something.
A small flame gathering inside Kasai's mouth.
Her eyes widened.
She immediately jumped backward.
A split second later—
"Fire Dragon: Hellfire Breath!"
A massive torrent of flames erupted from Kasai's mouth.
The attack surged across the battlefield.
Kayosha reacted instantly.
"Water Dragon: Severe Wave!"
A gigantic wave of water exploded forward.
The two spells collided.
Steam erupted throughout the arena.
The resulting shockwave shook the spectator stands.
Ryūsei shielded his face.
"Okay..."
A gust of hot steam blasted past him.
"They're definitely overdoing it."
The battle intensified.
Water spheres.
Fire blasts.
Explosions.
Shockwaves.
The training room began suffering visible damage.
Cracks spread across the floor.
Stone shattered.
Magical barriers flickered.
Yet neither combatant slowed down.
Then—
Kasai's Inferno Breath suddenly became larger.
Much larger.
The firestorm swallowed the battlefield.
Kayosha barely had time to react.
The attack struck her directly.
The explosion launched her across the arena.
She crashed into the ground.
Burn marks covered her body.
For a moment—
Everyone thought the battle was over.
Then Kayosha stood up.
Kasai's eyes widened.
The burn wounds were disappearing.
Healing.
Instantly.
Water suddenly covered her body.
Half of her hair transformed into flowing blue liquid.
Ryūsei stared in shock.
"What..."
Kayosha slowly rose.
A powerful aura surrounded her.
"My ability..."
Her watery hair drifted through the air.
"Maiden of Blue."
Kasai's smile vanished.
Now he understood.
This was her awakened ability.
And she had been holding back until now.
The real battle was finally beginning.
The massive training room of the Kingdom of Ryūgū echoed with the sounds of crashing elements.
Water and fire collided relentlessly across the battlefield, sending clouds of steam spiraling upward toward the reinforced ceiling. The polished stone floor had long since become soaked with water and scorched black by flames.
What had started as a friendly spar had already escalated into something far beyond what most Elementalists would consider practice.
And everyone watching knew it.
Kasai stared at Kayosha with genuine surprise.
The burns that had covered her body moments ago were already disappearing.
The reddened skin was restoring itself.
The damage was vanishing.
It was as though the injuries had never existed.
"I must say, I'm surprised—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Kasai suddenly vanished from his position.
His body shot forward like a blazing arrow.
The floor cracked beneath his feet.
He intended to close the distance before Kayosha could fully adapt to his increasing firepower.
Unfortunately for him—
His body suddenly stopped.
Completely.
The momentum disappeared instantly.
Kasai nearly stumbled forward.
"...Huh?"
His eyes widened.
"What the???"
He tried moving his arms.
Nothing.
His legs refused to respond.
Even his neck felt restrained.
"What's going on?!"
He struggled harder.
"Why can't I move my body?!"
Across from him, Kayosha smiled.
Not her usual gentle smile.
This one held confidence.
The confidence of someone who knew she had already taken control of the battlefield.
"Water Dragon: Tidal Bind."
The watery strands of her hair suddenly extended.
They moved like living serpents.
The blue locks wrapped around Kasai's arms.
His legs.
His torso.
Even his neck.
The water compressed tightly around him.
Holding him firmly in place.
In the spectator area, Shizen blinked.
"...What's going on?"
His gaze shifted toward Yuki.
Yuki smiled proudly.
"Kayosha's Second Form."
"Second Form?"
Shadow raised an eyebrow.
Even Ryūsei looked interested.
Yuki nodded.
"Whenever Kayosha activates her ability, Maiden of Blue, she enters a special state."
Everyone looked back toward the battlefield.
Half of Kayosha's hair had transformed into flowing water.
The liquid strands drifted around her body like living ribbons.
"In that form," Yuki continued, "she can freely manipulate any part of her body and transform it into water."
Ryūsei's eyes widened.
"So that's why her injuries healed."
"Exactly."
Shadow folded his arms.
"That's a ridiculous ability."
"It really is."
Even Shizen looked impressed.
Back on the battlefield, Kayosha raised her left arm.
Water gathered around it.
The liquid compressed and sharpened.
Moments later—
A massive blue blade formed from her arm.
"Water Dragon: Tsunami Blade!"
The weapon gleamed beneath the training room lights.
Kasai's eyes narrowed.
"Tch."
Without hesitation, he inhaled deeply.
"Fire Dragon: Hellfire Breath!"
A massive torrent of flames erupted from his mouth.
The fire wave slammed into the watery restraints.
Steam exploded outward.
The bindings evaporated.
Kasai immediately regained movement.
The moment he broke free—
Kayosha attacked.
Her water blade swung toward his torso.
Kasai twisted.
Dodged.
Then counterattacked.
"Fire Dragon: Inferno Knuckle!"
Flames erupted around his right fist.
His punch shot forward.
Fast.
Precise.
Deadly.
The attack connected directly with Kayosha's face.
Or at least—
It should have.
Kasai's fist passed straight through her head.
"...What?"
For a brief moment, his brain refused to process what had happened.
His fist had literally gone through her.
Like punching water.
His eyes widened.
"What the—"
Before he could react—
SLASH!
Kayosha's water blade struck him across the chest.
The impact launched him backward.
Kasai crashed across the floor.
Stone shattered beneath him.
Steam erupted everywhere.
"That ability is broken."
Shadow stared blankly.
Ryūsei silently nodded.
He completely agreed.
Kasai rolled onto one knee.
His chest stung.
The cut wasn't deep.
But it hurt.
A lot.
Before he could recover—
Kayosha inhaled.
"Water Dragon: Severe Wave!"
A gigantic wave exploded from her mouth.
The roaring torrent raced across the battlefield.
Kasai reacted instantly.
"Fire Dragon: Inferno Hell Sphere!"
Flames erupted from the floor.
A massive wall of fire rose before him.
The two spells collided.
BOOOOOOM!!
The entire room shook.
Water and fire exploded together.
A shockwave burst outward.
Both combatants were launched away.
Kasai skidded across the floor.
Kayosha landed several meters away.
Steam filled the entire battlefield.
Kasai rubbed his forehead.
"That hurts..."
He exhaled.
Maybe he really had underestimated her.
Meanwhile, Kayosha wasn't giving him any time to recover.
She sprinted forward.
Leapt into the air.
And extended her arm.
"Water Dragon: Tidal Torment."
Her right arm transformed completely into water.
The liquid stretched across the battlefield.
Like a giant blue whip.
Before Kasai could react—
The water wrapped around his head.
Then expanded.
A giant sphere formed around his face.
Trapping him inside.
Ryūsei immediately stood up.
"Isn't Kayosha going a little too far?"
He looked concerned.
"I mean..."
His gaze shifted toward the struggling Kasai.
"She might actually drown him."
Yuki laughed.
"It's fine."
"They know what they're doing."
Sora nodded nervously.
"Besides..."
A faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
"I know Kasai is strong enough to escape."
Meanwhile—
Kasai was having significantly less confidence.
Inside the sphere, he couldn't breathe properly.
Water surrounded his entire head.
His vision blurred.
His lungs burned.
He desperately tried forming words.
"Fi..."
Bubble.
"Re..."
More bubbles.
His face turned red.
"Dr..."
The spectators stared.
"Is he actually drowning?"
Shadow asked.
"Looks like it."
Shizen replied.
Kasai clenched his teeth.
No way.
No way was he losing like this.
Not in front of everyone.
Especially not in front of Sora.
With every ounce of strength—
He forced the chant out.
"Fire..."
The flames began gathering.
"...Dragon..."
Heat built inside his body.
"...Inferno..."
Steam formed around him.
"...Breath!"
BOOOOOOM!!
A gigantic blast of flames erupted from his mouth.
The water sphere exploded.
Steam engulfed the battlefield.
Kasai staggered backward.
Coughing heavily.
"That..."
He took a deep breath.
"...was close."
Kayosha stared at her reddened hand.
Then glared.
"You burned my hand..."
Kasai pointed dramatically.
"And I'll keep doing it again!"
"YOU—"
The two immediately began arguing again.
Ryūsei sighed.
"They act like children."
"They ARE children."
Shizen replied.
Ryūsei couldn't argue with that.
Kayosha raised both hands.
"Water Dragon: Tidal Tsunami!"
An enormous torrent formed above her.
The water condensed.
Compressed.
And launched toward Kasai.
The pressure behind the attack was terrifying.
Even Ryūsei felt impressed.
Kasai prepared to counter.
"Fire Dragon—"
Suddenly—
Pain.
A sharp pain erupted through his right shoulder.
His face twitched.
Only slightly.
But someone noticed.
Sora.
Her expression changed instantly.
"Kasai..."
Her voice became quiet.
Concerned.
She knew that look.
She knew exactly what it meant.
His injury was acting up.
Kasai gritted his teeth.
"...Inferno..."
The pain worsened.
"...Hellblitz!"
A fire blast erupted.
But it was weaker.
Far weaker than normal.
Sora immediately realized it.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
The attacks were seconds from colliding.
And if they did—
Someone would get seriously hurt.
Without hesitation—
Sora stepped forward.
"Sky Dragon: Skyblitz Roar!"
A massive hurricane erupted from her mouth.
The wind blast smashed into both attacks.
Water.
Fire.
Wind.
The three forces collided simultaneously.
For a split second—
Silence.
Then—
BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!
The training room exploded.
The ceiling cracked.
Walls shattered.
Windows exploded outward.
Debris flew everywhere.
Dust consumed the battlefield.
Several moments later.
The dust settled.
The spectators stared at the devastation.
Half the training room was gone.
The floor looked like a battlefield.
The ceiling had a giant hole in it.
Broken stone littered the area.
Ryūsei folded his arms.
"And there goes the training room."
Everyone nodded.
That was a completely fair assessment.
Kayosha immediately dismissed her transformation.
Her watery hair returned to normal.
She turned toward Sora.
"What's the matter?"
Concern filled her voice.
"Why did you interfere?"
Everyone knew Sora wasn't the type to interrupt a battle.
Not unless something was wrong.
Sora slowly walked toward Kasai.
Then—
SMACK.
She hit him on the head.
Everyone froze.
Even Kasai.
"...Ow."
Kasai rubbed his head.
"What was that for?!"
Sora puffed her cheeks.
"You need to stop."
Kasai blinked.
"...What are you talking about?"
He tried acting innocent.
Unfortunately—
Nobody believed him.
Sora pointed directly at his shoulder.
"You said you weren't going to push yourself until your injuries healed."
Silence.
Everyone slowly turned toward Kasai.
Kasai immediately looked away.
Sweating.
Very suspiciously.
"Injuries?"
Shizen's eyebrow twitched.
"Kasai."
Yuki's smile vanished.
A dangerous aura surrounded her.
"Care to explain?"
Kasai suddenly wished he was fighting Kayosha again.
That felt safer.
"Well..."
He scratched his cheek.
"You see..."
Nobody looked convinced.
"I kinda..."
Still nobody.
"...got shot in my right shoulder."
The room became silent.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"A couple days ago."
Yuki immediately smacked him.
"YOU WHAT?!"
Kasai covered his head.
"It wasn't that serious!"
"Not serious?!"
Yuki looked ready to freeze him.
"YOU GOT SHOT!"
Shizen groaned.
Then rubbed his forehead.
"I swear..."
"You people are going to kill me from stress one day."
He pointed at Kasai.
"And you."
Kasai straightened up.
"Yes?"
"Stop fighting when you're injured."
"...Okay."
Shadow suddenly grinned.
"Look at that."
Everyone looked toward him.
"What?"
Shadow pointed at Sora.
"You've got your girlfriend worried sick."
Sora froze.
Her brain stopped functioning.
"...G-G-Girlfriend?"
Steam practically came out of her ears.
Her face became bright red.
"I-I-I..."
Words failed her completely.
Kasai immediately crossed his arms.
"She's not my girlfriend."
Sora visibly relaxed.
Then Kasai added—
"...Yet."
The room exploded with laughter.
Ryūsei covered his face.
"The 'yet' part is exactly what worries me."
"I agree."
Kayosha nodded.
"I feel sorry for Sora."
"What does THAT mean?!"
Kasai protested.
Nobody answered.
Which somehow felt worse.
Kasai then turned toward Sora.
A mischievous grin appeared on his face.
"I'm a good boyfriend, right babe?"
Sora's soul nearly left her body.
The girl instantly turned away.
Her entire face was crimson.
"I-I-I have no idea what you're talking about..."
Her voice was barely audible.
The others burst into laughter once more.
And for the first time in weeks—
After battles, injuries, kidnappings, and near-death experiences—
Ryūsei simply sat back and smiled.
The Grand Shōtotsu was approaching.
New challenges awaited all of them.
But for this brief moment, surrounded by friends, laughter, and absolute chaos...
Everything felt peaceful.