Southern Entrance To The Kendo Dungeon…
Meanwhile…
At Hero Academy's Base
Things weren't looking too good.
Billy already had a bad feeling when their communication with the two swords, Xvian and Jvocik, cut off. Then the clash somewhere close—massive, sharp, and violent enough to shake the earth under their boots.
He still couldn't believe people only a few years older than him were capable of creating that level of destruction.
His heart hammered. His hands were sweating.
This was his first year. He knew he wasn't supposed to be witnessing anything close to this. Powers like this were the kind only shown by people like Ronga.
And Ronga was terrifying.
His two Shields—both second-years—looked even worse. Pale faces. Shaking hands. Eyes darting in every direction.
They were waiting for him to decide.
They didn't want to be the ones to say it out loud.
They didn't want to be the ones responsible.
But the fear in their eyes said everything.
"He should do it."
"Someone has to step out."
"We can't win this…"
Billy swallowed.
No. He wouldn't force it on them. Even if they wanted him to.
He took a slow breath, then stepped out of the safe zone.
Just one step.
That was all it took.
He didn't look back at his Shields. He didn't want to see the relief on their faces—the kind that disgusted him to his core.
For a moment, he wished—truly wished—that he was born on the mainlands. If he had been, he would have applied to Four Stars Academy.
At least there, from everything he'd heard, even the weakest senior would rather take a hit—would rather fall—than abandon their honor.
He envied that.
He stepped forward again.
And the moment his foot broke the boundary—
The runic barrier flared.
The disqualification was official.
---
Grand Stadium — Main Arena
Screens all across the stadium blinked to life, shifting feeds as thousands leaned forward in their seats.
Keel Kun slammed his palm on the desk.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN—WE HAVE AN OFFICIAL DISQUALIFICATION!
HERO ACADEMY HAS FORFEITED THE MATCH AT THE SOUTHERN GATE!"
A wave of shock spread through the audience.
On-screen, Billy stood motionless outside the safe zone—expression unreadable, shoulders tense.
In the stands, Hero Academy trainees lowered their heads.
Some sighed in frustration.
Some muttered under their breath.
Some covered their faces with their hands.
Disappointment hung over the Hero Academy section like a storm cloud.
Back at the Southern Gates of the Kendo Dungeon—
Korimer and Edward Blooms froze mid-movement, the announcement echoing through the dungeon entrance.
Both slowly lowered their blades.
Korimer exhaled deeply, brushing dust from his sleeve as he sheathed Asolith. Edward rolled his shoulder with a wince.
They walked past each other, stopping just long enough for a parting glare.
Korimer's lips curled.
"Next stage… don't even think of backing down."
Edward scoffed.
"Back down? You'll be the one crawling."
They split in opposite directions, the tension between them still sharp enough to cut stone.
---
Northern Entrance To The Kendo Dungeon…
The massive steel doors slid open with a slow groan, releasing a gust of cold, mana-thick air. The runic walls pulsed like living things.
Moving as a unified group, Five from Four Stars Academy entered:
Itekan Lie
Hands in pockets. Calm eyes. Focused.
Itoyea Pilton
Steady and analytical, always aware of the others' energy signatures.
Bukanami Ao
Silent. unreadable. A shadow among them.
Jokovik Martennel
Relaxed posture, but eyes sharp, tracking everything.
Nuelle Ness
Quiet, poised, carrying a presence heavier than most third-years.
Without a word, they disappeared into the dungeon's darkness.
---
Hero Academy Arrives
Not long after—
A colder aura swept in.
Arizel Frost approached the entrance, jaw set, expression fierce. His rivalry with Itekan practically radiated off him.
He didn't spare the Four Stars group a second glance—not on the outside.
Four Hero Academy trainees followed him briskly.
They entered the dungeon second.
---
Rangers Academy Arrives
Then the ground seemed to thrum with something steadier, more grounded.
Shzekcl stood at the front of a five-person squad—tall, calm, efficient. The kind of trainee who didn't need to raise his voice to command attention.
Four Rangers followed him, steps quiet but disciplined.
They entered last.
The doors slid shut behind them.
---
Back at the Grand Stadium
Keel Kun nearly leapt out of his seat.
"AND THAT'S IT—THE LAST DUNGEON OF ROUND ONE IS NOW UNDERWAY!"
Highlights flashed across the screens—Arizel, Itekan, Nuelle, Shzekcl—each captured in crisp frames of their previous matches.
"THE NORTHERN ENTRANCE HAS JUST BEEN TAKEN BY THREE ACADEMIES AT ONCE!"
Keel boomed louder:
"FOUR STARS ACADEMY's ITEKAN LIE will be facing off indirectly against his old rival—
ARIZEL FROST of HERO ACADEMY!"
A cheer shook the arena.
"And don't forget FOUR STARS' second strongest trainee—NUELLE NESS!
One of the most dangerous precision fighters in the entire tournament!"
The audience erupted again.
Keel Kun slammed the desk one more time.
"AND ENTERING THE SAME DUNGEON—THE ACE OF RANGERS ACADEMY: SHZEKCL!
Fans of the Rangers—THIS IS THE FACE-OFF YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!"
As the crowd chanted names—
As the screens zoomed in on the dungeon's dark interior—
Keel Kun delivered the final hype:
"THE FINAL PART OF THE FIRST ROUND OF THE TATUM–DERU TOURNAMENT…
HAS NOW… OFFICIALLY… BEGUN!"
The stadium roared like thunder.
Inside the dungeon, the three academies marched deeper, unaware that their greatest clashes were only moments away.
.
.
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Spiritual Energy (SE)
Spiritual Sea (SS)
Spiritual Signature (SST)