The days passed with relentless, intensive training for every participant in the tournament. A fierce determination grew within everyone's heart as the final night before the competition finally arrived.
Inside his room, Shion Lan was quietly observing his magic, just as he always did. This time, however, he managed to see both of his magic circles. At the center of each floated a star, surrounded by clouds of stardust, making them resemble spiral galaxies radiating blue and crimson light.
At Shion's command, the two galaxies drifted closer together and began revolving around one another, while the stardust continued to orbit their shared center. The sight within his mind was breathtaking, as though the red and blue lights were painting a masterpiece across an endless black sky.
As the aura of the (Path of the Stellar River) technique flowed through him, a mysterious energy appeared between the two galaxies. It was the neutral force that both separated and united water and fire.
Shion focused his consciousness on that energy and noticed traces of Sword Aura emanating from it. He then concentrated on the spell itself and thought,
'The spell I'm creating is so unique that no one but me can decipher it. Unlike ordinary spells, it isn't built upon a single elemental foundation. If it were, I could simply seek assistance from other mages. Unfortunately, this is a stellar spell—it relies on the stars themselves. It took me a long time just to fill it with power. Now, I should finally be able to unleash the first attack of this spell.'
With a single thought, the spell formula emerged from the two magic circles that had taken the shape of galaxies. Intricate magical patterns wrapped themselves around the mysterious energy born from the galaxies' convergence.
Although Shion couldn't fully understand what was happening, his instincts guided him.
He cleared his mind and began chanting while forming hand seals for the spell.
'This is a fourth-level spell, but I still can't use the Mage's Mind. I'll settle for drawing out only a fraction of its true power. Even that will count as a temporary success.'
The stars within his mind began to shine brilliantly.
As his eyes glowed with stellar radiance, he extended his hand, and a silver sphere formed above his palm.
It was beautiful—a transparent orb filled with tiny silver lights continuously spiraling toward its center before reappearing along its outer edge. At first glance, it resembled the (Water Bomb) spell, yet it was fundamentally different.
While continuing his incantation and moving a single finger, the sphere slowly floated from his palm toward the tip of his finger. It approached the wall, but with another gesture he pointed to the right, and the sphere obediently followed. He moved his finger upward, then downward, and the silver orb mirrored every motion perfectly.
After recalling the sphere, Shion headed toward the training room inside his residence. There, he spotted a metallic training dummy and guided the sphere toward it.
The instant it came close, the orb's outer shell vanished, leaving only its brilliant silver-white core.
The core slammed into the dummy.
A terrifying explosion echoed throughout the room.
Shion noticed a blinding light spreading together with an overwhelming wave of destructive heat. He instinctively covered his eyes with his hand to shield himself from the intense flash.
A moment later, the heat subsided.
When he opened his eyes again, he froze in shock.
"Th-This...!"
He simply couldn't believe what he was seeing. The metal dummy had been completely destroyed.
Shion thought to himself,
'I merged the properties of (Water Bomb) and (Paths of Fire). This spell possesses devastating destructive power while also allowing its projectile to be guided freely. Fire amplifies the intensity of the explosion, while water grants smooth movement and precise control over the sphere. This is insane... and incredible! But just how much control can I maintain over this spell? Using it only once has already consumed an enormous amount of my mental health!'
Despite the tremendous drain and exhaustion, Shion showed no sign of disappointment. Instead, he smiled and said,
"I'll reach the fourth level very soon."
He then watched as the two galaxies separated once more.
"To draw out my full potential, I have to use both the technique and the spell simultaneously. But there's one problem... I still don't have enough pressure to force that power out."
With that realization, Shion calmly sat down and continued practicing the spell over and over in preparation for the tournament.
...
Early the next morning, a young man awoke in his room.
He had snow-white hair and cold blue eyes, yet the excitement on his face was unmistakable.
He got out of bed, took a bath, carefully groomed himself, and put on his academy uniform.
His icy features naturally gave off an air of superiority. As far as he was concerned, only two people had the right to stand on equal footing with him—
Shion Lan and Kin Light.
Standing before the mirror, Glass Sano wasn't comparing himself to them in terms of appearance, but in talent and strength.
"Kin Light has learned a new technique... I can't wait to fight him."
Glass always became excited whenever he thought about Shion and Kin. They were the same age as him and possessed talents capable of rivaling his own—the Moon and the Stars.
Thinking of Shion, Glass wondered,
"Why did Shion join Jewel Guild instead of the Noble Alliance? Does it have something to do with his lack of wealth? If he'd only asked, I would've gladly helped him."
However, he shook his head.
"Shion isn't that kind of person. He'd never ask for help... even if it cost him his life... I think."
He left his suite and found a young woman waiting outside.
She had black hair and blue eyes resembling the waves of the sea.
"What brings you here?"
She smiled.
"When my fiancé is competing in a tournament, it's only natural that I come to cheer him on."
She was Glass's fiancée, and like him, she belonged to the Sano Family. However, she came from the branch that specialized in the Water Element rather than Ice. She was also a first-year student.
The two walked side by side.
As they proceeded through the dormitory, doors opened one after another. Members of the Six Great Families and the royal family emerged from their rooms, yet none of them caught Glass's attention.
Ignoring everyone around him, he headed toward the residence of the Noble Division.
When he arrived, he immediately spotted the girl who was always with Kin.
Only one thought crossed his mind.
"That annoying girl?"
It was Nell Stroman.
She was standing outside Kin's room, knocking repeatedly on his door.
Receiving no response, she simply knocked even harder.
The loud banging disturbed the other students, and several of them came out of their rooms.
"Who's knocking like that this early in the morning?!"
Nell didn't even bother answering.
She merely shot them an arrogant glance before raising her fist again.
Just then, the door opened.
Kin stepped outside.
"What are you doing?!"
Nell answered without hesitation,
"I have to be with my fiancé while he heads to the tournament."
Kin immediately clutched his stomach.
"I think I'll withdraw from the tournament... I'm really not in the mood anymore."
Before anyone else could react, Glass interrupted.
"Come on. You can't back out now!"
Everyone's attention shifted toward Glass the moment he entered.
Some looked at him with awe.
Others gazed at him with admiration.
A few girls stared at him with sparkling eyes.
The instant Kin saw Glass, it was as though all his energy had returned.
"If it's Lord Sano... then I suppose I can push myself a little longer."
Glass smiled, revealing crystal-like white teeth that instantly enchanted many of the girls nearby.
Not to be outdone, Kin ran his fingers through his hair, brushing it back with effortless elegance, displaying a charm capable of captivating women without even trying.
Before their silent rivalry could continue, two young women stepped in.
"Looks like you're both enjoying yourselves."
The two young men immediately stiffened.
Glass looked around.
"But where is he?"
Kin replied,
"He hasn't come out yet."
At that very moment, another door opened... revealing a young man with white hair and silver eyes.
Shion glanced at the crowd gathered outside.
"Did someone get engaged?"
Glass chuckled.
"No. But are you ready for the tournament?"
Shion answered calmly,
"I only hope there's someone capable of pushing me to my limits. Otherwise, this tournament won't mean anything to me."
The surrounding nobles instantly erupted in anger.
"How arrogant!"
"Who does he think he is?!"
The nobles glared angrily at Shion.
"Doesn't he have any humility?!"
"How can someone be so confident?!"
As for Glass and Kane, they simply smiled.
The three of them looked at one another.
The atmosphere between them became intense, as if an invisible flame was burning in the air.
After a moment, Shion decided to leave.
"I'll go take care of my own matters."
As he walked away, everyone watched his back.
"That guy is unbelievably arrogant!"
"Don't worry. Both Kin and Glass can defeat him easily!"
"Don't forget. He is too strong like them."
"It won't be easy."
"Lord Sano..."
Several nobles immediately approached Glass and Kin, attempting to flatter them.
A short while later, Glass walked out of the dormitory with his fiancée.
Together, they headed toward the battle arena.
The decorations surrounding the area moved with the wind, and the enormous preparations revealed that this was not merely a competition, but a grand festival.
Glass calmly looked toward a certain place.
There stood a carriage carrying the emblem of his family.
It was a symbol of a circle gathering waves at its center, containing three different shades of blue.
From the carriage stepped a powerful man.
His aura belonged to the eighth level, his black hair and blue eyes making him appear as though he carried the heart of the ocean itself.
When he saw Glass, he smiled at him and his fiancée.
"Glass, come here!"
"Yes, Family Head."
Glass moved toward him alongside his fiancée.
This man was Brad Sano, the head of the Sano Family, and more specifically, his fiancée's father—his future father-in-law.
Brad looked at him.
"So, how are you?"
Glass answered confidently.
"I'm fine. I mean, the tournament is about to begin, and I'll sweep through everything until the final rounds."
Brad stared at him in surprise.
"That's strange. You didn't say anything like this last year when you competed."
His daughter smiled.
"That's because he's looking forward to facing certain opponents."
Glass immediately turned toward her.
"Marin, stop!"
Brad looked thoughtful.
"Are you talking about Kin and Shion?"
"Shion?"
A feminine voice suddenly came from inside the carriage.
A woman in her twenties stepped down.
She was extraordinarily beautiful.
She was Glass's older sister—
Beliza Sano.
Beliza looked at them with interest.
"Is Shion participating in this tournament?"
Marin Sano was surprised by her cousin's sudden excitement.
"Yes. Lord Lan will participate in this tournament."
Beliza smiled.
"Then something interesting will definitely happen during this tournament."
Glass could only smile helplessly at seeing his sister react this way.
However, Marin suddenly asked,
"Are you perhaps interested in Shion?"
The entire place fell silent for several seconds.
Beliza waved her hand casually.
"He's around the same age as my little brother. Although he is handsome and powerful, I don't feel any attraction toward him. It's just that excitement seems to follow him wherever he goes."
Her expression remained completely natural, as if she hadn't been accused of anything.
Marin relaxed.
"Good, because I don't know how to describe my feelings toward Shion."
Beliza immediately teased her.
"Glass! Your fiancé is being stolen away without even realizing it!"
Marin trembled in panic.
"No! No! That's not what I meant! I swear that I..."
Glass quickly calmed her down.
"She's only teasing you."
Marin looked at Beliza, who was laughing.
Brad sighed while scolding Beliza.
"Girl, she can't handle jokes like that!"
Beliza smiled.
"Sorry, Uncle..."
Then she looked at Marin and asked,
"So what did you mean when you said you couldn't describe your feelings?"
Marin thought for a moment before answering.
"If Glass's icy beauty requires some warmth to melt it, and Kin's charm is enough to make women around him fall for him without him doing anything..."
She paused briefly.
"Then Shion is different.
It's as if he possesses a certain kind of magic that, unlike the other two, makes you step back before him."
She looked thoughtful as she continued.
"Like a king who is loved by his people, but they do not dare approach him unless he grants them permission. But still, you can't be comfortable with him at any way."