The city woke up differently on the second day of the tournament. There wasn't only expectation in the air, but a silent respect. The name of the human guild circulated through the streets with a different tone, less mocking, more cautious.
We returned to the arena early again. The sun reflected off the enchanted stone structures, and the guild banners swayed slowly. It was the longest day of the tournament, the one in which many would be eliminated for good.
"Today there's no going back," Vespera said, stretching her arms. "Either you advance, or you're done."
Elara nodded in silence. Her face still showed signs of fatigue from the previous day, but her eyes were steady.
Scarlet arrived alone, as always. She wore a simple dark red combat outfit, without adornments. Even so, she drew attention as if the world insisted on looking at her.
"You're still in one piece," she commented. "Good sign."
"Not everyone fights like you," Liriel replied, without aggression, but also without sympathy.
Scarlet smiled faintly.
"That's why the tournament exists."
The announcement echoed through the arena, more solemn than before.
"Second day of the Annual Guild Tournament. Beginning of the quarterfinals."
The fights began almost immediately. This time, there were no easy confrontations. Each opponent carried experience, scars, and reputation.
The first name called was Liriel's.
She took a deep breath before stepping onto the field. On the other side, a dark-skinned demi-human warrior with golden eyes wielded two curved blades.
The combat was direct. Swords clashing, quick steps, calculated movements. Liriel did not use offensive magic. Only technique, endurance, and precision.
The demi-human was fast, pressing relentlessly. Liriel suffered superficial cuts, retreated, breathed.
When the opponent attempted a more open attack, Liriel spun her body and disarmed one of the blades. The next strike ended the fight.
Victory.
She left the field limping slightly, but smiling.
"That was close," she said as she sat down.
"But it was yours," I replied.
Vespera was called soon after. Her opponent was a bestial warrior from the demi-human guild, too large to ignore.
The fight was brutal. Little refinement, a lot of strength. Vespera used mobility, flew low, attacked from behind, retreated.
The combat lasted longer than expected. When Vespera tried to finish it, the blow missed by inches.
The counterattack came hard.
She fell.
The announcement sounded without delay.
"Victory for the demi-human representative."
The silence was immediate.
Vespera stood up with difficulty, wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, and left without looking back.
"Sorry," she murmured as she passed by us.
"There's nothing to apologize for," Elara replied. "You went far."
But the elimination weighed heavily.
Elara fought next. This time against a fairy mage. The fight was tense, full of magical exchanges. Elara held on as long as she could, but her mana reserve couldn't keep up with the pace.
When the field closed in around her, the result became clear.
Defeat.
Elara accepted it in silence, taking a deep breath.
There were fewer of us left.
My fight came soon after. The opponent was a human adventurer from another guild, known for coldness and efficiency.
The fight was technical, without exaggeration. Precise strikes, few mistakes. I felt the fatigue from the previous day, but I couldn't retreat.
I won after a brief opening, seized at the right moment.
When the announcement confirmed my victory, I noticed something change in the stands. There was no more surprise. Only acceptance.
Scarlet fought last.
And it was a massacre.
Her opponent, a demi-human known as the Dragon Slayer, barely had time to react. The fight lasted seconds. One advance, one dry impact, and it was over.
The crowd fell silent for a moment before exploding.
She left the field without even seeming out of breath.
"She's not on the same level," someone murmured behind us.
The second day ended with fewer human representatives than expected. The elf and demi-human guilds were still strong.
We returned to the mansion at nightfall. The mood was strange. There was pride, but also frustration.
During dinner, no one spoke much.
"I failed," Vespera finally said.
"We all fail at some point," I replied. "What matters is that we're still here."
Scarlet watched in silence, leaning against the wall.
"You didn't break," she said. "That matters more than winning."
Later, when I lay down, I felt my body heavy and my mind restless.
The tournament was coming to an end.
And the hardest confrontations were still to come.