The atmosphere in the arena became calm.
The woman holding the name box used Wind Magic, causing the pieces of paper inside to swirl around.
The woman holding the number box did the same.
She raised her hand while closing her eyes, just like the other woman, and both of them waited.
Eventually, the papers fell into their hands.
The remaining papers returned into the boxes.
After opening the papers, the results were announced.
"Shion Lan, Number One!"
Shion's name appeared on the match board.
He thought to himself,
'I guess I will start the first match, then.'
The names gradually began appearing.
"Sterai Shine, Number Four!"
"Mowait Stroman, Number Seven!"
"Kin Light, Number Nine!"
"Fiore Tai, Number Thirteen!"
"Lav Flair, Number Fifteen!"
"Harry Gill, Number Six!"
"Hope Desi, Number Three!"
"Cole Leon, Number Eleven!"
"Violet Night, Number Twelve!"
"Sol Hart, Number Eight!"
"Misa Jura, Number Five!"
"Baro Ferrer, Number Ten!"
"Braj Torano, Number Fourteen!"
"Remo Joul, Number Two!"
"Glass Sano, Number Sixteen!"
After the lottery was completed, everyone looked toward the board.
The announcer announced the matches:
"The first match: Shion Lan versus Remo Joul!"
"The second match: Hope Desi versus Sterai Shine!"
"The third match: Harry Gill versus Misa Jura!"
"The fourth match: Mowait Stroman versus Sol Hart!"
"The fifth match: Kin Light versus Baro Ferrer!"
"The sixth match: Cole Leon versus Violet Night!"
"The seventh match: Fiore Tai versus Braj Torano!"
"The eighth match: Glass Sano versus Lav Flair!"
After announcing the matches, the announcer said,
"Everyone, prepare yourselves for your matches! We will continue until the finalists are determined!"
Everyone left the arena.
Shion thought about his match against Remo.
'I have seen his match before. He is both a Fire Element swordsman and mage, and he definitely possesses excellent skills...
Well, I will defeat him anyway.'
In the waiting room, Shion noticed the arena.
There was a poet there whom he recognized.
"Wasn't he the one from the annual celebration who claimed to be the Moon Poet?! What is he going to present this time?!"
Shion waited for the poet's next words.
Unexpectedly, the poet said,
"This poem was composed in honor of Crown Princess Jina Joul."
The poet began reciting his words.
He praised and glorified the princess's status, describing her features with elegant expressions.
Everyone listened carefully.
Shion thought while observing,
'It seems he has become better at using words, similar to the poem I presented before. However, there are still some areas where he lacks.'
After a few moments, the poet moved on to describing her beauty.
But then unsuitable words began appearing.
"The flame of longing?"
"The fire of jealousy?"
"The heat of love?"
Shion thought,
'Isn't Jina's element lightning? This poem would have been much better if he described her beauty as something that strikes the mind and captures the eyes, something impossible to follow because of its intensity... like lightning that cannot be chased.'
Shion began correcting the mistakes in his mind.
As for Princess Jina...
Her expression became dark.
She thought,
'That bastard dared to confess again... but this time publicly!'
After the poem ended, the audience and nobles applauded.
However, Shion's mother did nothing.
She simply said in a calm voice,
"As far as I remember, Her Highness's element is lightning. But aren't the things mentioned in this poem characteristics of the fire element? I mean... I feel as if this poem is describing someone else."
Despite her calm tone, many ears caught her words.
Many eyes turned toward her.
Rita felt a slight tremble.
"Did I say something I shouldn't have?"
However, she said it while maintaining the noble image of herself that never wavered.
This gave her a strong position, causing many people to reconsider.
"Yes, I think Lady Lan is right!"
"No wonder Young Master Lan possesses such refined artistic sense!"
"This lady is truly impressive, yet she acts with humility!"
Rita felt the pressure surrounding her and realized she could not endure it.
The maid Marie noticed this and whispered to her to leave for a moment and calm herself.
Under everyone's eyes, the noble lady left with her maid.
Princess Jina looked at the poet with an annoyed expression.
"Even the calm Lady Lan felt disgusted by this poem. This represents an offense toward a noble. Do you have any final words?"
Under the gazes piercing through him, the poet could not endure it.
He said,
"It was not my fault, Your Highness! It was Lord Remo Joul who paid me to create this poem and use certain words that indirectly suggested his presence because he possesses the fire element! I swear I never intended this!"
King Jord Joul calmed the situation and said,
"Alright. You may leave. I believe Lady Lan will forgive you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Before the poet left, Princess Jina said,
"Shion's poetry is better than this nonsense."
The poet wanted to argue that the poem Shion presented was not actually his own creation as Shion said before.
However, under the pressure he felt, he left the place silently.
The announcer ignored what had happened and announced,
"And now, the first match: Shion Lan versus Remo Joul!"
Two gates opened.
Shion entered while feeling embarrassed because of what had happened.
Remo entered as well, but he was extremely angry at Shion.
Rita returned to watch her son after calming herself slightly.
Remo thought,
'That girl Jina... Her brother prevented me from seeing her because she was part of a deal. But now she is showing feelings toward another person...
And that person is the idiot standing in front of me!
Shion Lan!'
With a faint smile, he thought,
'He used to be trash, wasn't he? That spell should definitely work on him.'
Shion looked at him and prepared himself for the match.
When the announcement for the beginning was made...
Shion moved with quick steps and pushed his sword forward.
Remo blocked with his own sword.
The battle between them began.
At first, their movements were light.
Then they became faster and faster, leaving marks across the ground.
Shion looked at his opponent.
Remo was strong.
However, he had not used his techniques yet.
The two entered another sword clash.
Neither of them showed any sign of retreating.
Until Shion breathed deeply and shouted,
"(Cutting Stars)!"
Nine star-like sparks appeared and rushed toward Remo.
Remo used his technique,
"(Red King: King's Flames)!"
The edge of his sword turned red.
He released flames toward the incoming attack and blocked it.
Then he said,
"Shion, do you know that every person has something they regret?"
"What?"
Shion did not understand what his opponent meant.
But Remo threw his sword aside and began forming several shapes with his hands.
He muttered incomprehensible words.
When Shion decided to advance and stop him...
He suddenly found himself unable to move.
He noticed a magic circle beneath his feet.
Or more accurately...
Parts of a magic circle created from the marks left by their sword clashes.
With something shining red inside it, Shion realized he was in a dangerous situation.
When Remo finished his spell, King Jord noticed the magic circle.
However, a hand stopped him.
The Academy Director, Tim Ayr, said,
"This match will be interesting."
The king said nervously,
"It's one of the secret spells in the royal family! Shion will be harmed!"
"And we can confirm if Shion is became good or not."
Remo shouted,
"(Burning Guilt)!"
Four magic circles harmonized with the fragments on the ground.
The red piece inside them shone brightly.
Shion thought anxiously,
'This is bad!'
The circle ignited.
A pillar of flames erupted and surrounded Shion.
However, he quickly covered himself with his stellar aura, preventing the flames from piercing through.
But his energy was being consumed rapidly.
Shion thought with concern,
'This is the worst part when facing someone who has mastered a level and can release fourth-level power.
It will depend on the amount of energy.
Since I possess two aura stars and two magic circles, I have no chance of enduring this for long.'
Remo fixed his gaze on him while continuously increasing his magical power.
As Shion endured the pressure, he thought,
'Is this pressure enough for me to release my power?'
He closed his eyes.
He gathered his stars and magic circles.
Power began forming.
But when he considered releasing it...
He found that the pressure surrounding him was still insufficient.
He opened his eyes and said,
"Weak."
Remo heard him.
His expression changed.
He immediately pushed his magical power to its absolute limit.
The aura surrounding Shion shattered.
The flames consumed him.
Inside the fire...
Shion saw the memories of his life.
Memories filled with mistakes, sins, and regrets.
They appeared before him.
The flames grew stronger.
A terrifying blaze erupted, frightening everyone watching.
"Shion!"
Rita suddenly screamed when she saw the horrifying scene.
However, Remo smiled and said,
"Referee, announce my vict—"
"Weak."
Shion's voice interrupted Remo's words.
With a single strike, he stopped the flames.
He appeared without any injuries.
Not even a trace remained.
Remo felt that what he was seeing was impossible.
Shion looked at him and said,
"I understand how this magic circle works."
He continued,
"It depends on the memories experienced by the body, which become fuel that ignites the soul afterward."
He looked at Remo.
"Isn't my explanation correct?"
Remo was shocked.
He staggered from the excessive use of magical energy and could no longer think clearly.
Trying to stand properly, he asked,
"How... did you... know that?"
Shion answered,
"I almost burned.
But my body remained fine.
I only felt a slight pain... an uncomfortable feeling that wasn't physical."
He touched his chest.
"So I realized that it was affecting my soul."
Remo grabbed his sword.
Because of the headache beginning to affect him, he rushed toward Shion.
But Shion simply moved slightly to the side.
He struck the ground, activating the magic circle.
Then he said,
"I want to know how much you can endure from your own technique."
The pillar of flames rose again.
But this time...
It was much larger than the one that had surrounded Shion.
A sharp scream came from inside the flames.
"Aaaaaahhhh!!! No!!! No!!! Stop!!! I surrender!!!"
With a movement of his hand, the director stopped the magic circle.
Shion stood there with his usual pride.
Remo had lost consciousness.
The announcer announced:
"The winner of this match is The Apex Star, Shion Lan!"
Shion left the arena.
Remo was carried away on a stretcher.
The announcer began speaking again,
"And now, the second match: Sterai Shine versus Hope Desi!"
The two entered the arena.
Sterai's superiority was obvious.
His body radiated heat...
...
Meanwhile...
"Shion, are you alright?! Where do you feel pain? I will bring treatment for you!
Why aren't you speaking?!"
Pearl Jewel was checking on Shion with obvious worry.
However, Shion ignored the world around him and thought,
'I remember every action my hands committed.
Everything I did appeared before me at that moment...
From oppressing commoners, to hurting my younger siblings, to acting in disgusting ways...'
He felt strange.
'But... for some reason, those memories passed as if they were unrelated to me.
They burned, but they barely approached my soul.
As if those actions belonged to someone else and had nothing to do with me.'
Shion asked himself,
'Could the reason be Shi Yun Lan?
But how did my soul change to this extent?
Or is it related to Shiu Won Lan?"
He wasn't dead at that time.
I remember from the trial that Shi Yun Lan was with me from the moment I was inside my mother's womb.'
His eyes ignited.
'I will ask him directly when he returns... and I hope he doesn't avoid the answer.'
While Shion continued walking, someone grabbed his hand.
He turned around.
It was Pearl.
She was angry, with a few tears in her eyes.
"Why aren't you answering me?!
Do you see me as something that isn't worth your time?!
I am worrying about you, you..."
She couldn't finish her words.
Shion smiled weakly.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you worry, but...
The effects are still affecting my head.
Please don't worry."