The third day dawned heavy.
It wasn't the kind of weight that came from physical exhaustion, but the kind that settles in the chest when something important is about to happen. The mansion was too quiet. Not even the servants dared to break the calm with hurried steps.
I woke before the sun rose. My body ached in specific places, clear reminders of the previous fights. Even so, it wasn't pain enough to stop me from getting up.
I looked around the empty room and took a deep breath.
"Today is the day."
In the main hall, I found Liriel sitting at the table, holding a cup of tea still untouched. Her gaze was distant.
"Couldn't sleep?" I asked.
"I could," she replied. "But I woke up thinking about what comes next."
Elara appeared soon after, her hair tied simply, expression serious. Vespera came last, quieter than usual.
Scarlet was already waiting for us outside, leaning against one of the mansion's entrance columns. She wore the same red outfit from the previous day, impeccable.
"No speeches today," she said. "No promises. Just do what you know."
The walk to the arena was different from the other days. The streets were crowded, but people weren't shouting as much. They watched. They evaluated.
When we arrived, the atmosphere grew even denser. The banners of the remaining guilds were raised prominently. Humans, elves, and demi-humans.
The announcer's voice echoed loudly.
"Beginning of the semifinals of the Annual Guild Tournament."
The first fights would decide who advanced to the grand final. There was no more room for mistakes.
The call came quickly.
"Human representative, Vespera."
She took a deep breath, closed her eyes for a second, and stepped onto the field.
On the other side, an S-rank fairy. Her translucent wings reflected the light, creating an almost hypnotic glow. The crowd murmured. It was a rare confrontation.
The fight began at absurd speed. The fairy dominated the air, launching compressed mana projectiles. Vespera responded with quick movements, taking advantage of every minimal opening.
The clash between them was constant. Fast attacks, precise dodges, no room for hesitation.
Vespera was hit more than once. Blood ran down her arm, but she didn't stop.
When the fairy attempted a direct attack, trusting too much in her own aerial superiority, Vespera advanced in a straight line, ignoring the pain, and landed the final blow.
The silence lasted a second.
"Victory for the human representative."
The arena exploded.
Vespera fell to her knees, panting, but smiling.
"You did it," I murmured when she left the field.
"Barely," she replied. "Very barely."
Elara was called next.
Her opponent was a dwarf adventurer known for absurd endurance. The fight was short, but intense. Elara concentrated all her remaining mana into a single spell.
When the explosion ceased, the dwarf was still standing… but fell shortly after.
Victory.
Elara left leaning on an improvised staff, clearly exhausted.
"I can't fight anymore today," she admitted.
"You've already done more than enough," Liriel replied.
Then came the call that tightened my stomach.
"Takumi, human representative."
The opponent was an S-rank elf, calm posture, cold gaze. His name was announced with respect.
The fight was long.
Every strike required total concentration. The elf was precise, technical, almost without wasted movement. I was forced to use everything I had learned since the beginning of the journey.
When I found the opening, I didn't hesitate.
The blow landed.
The elf fell to his knees, breathing heavily, and raised his hand in surrender.
Victory.
The roar of the arena was deafening.
Scarlet fought soon after.
And again, it was too fast.
Her opponent barely had time to react. The difference in level was glaring. When the fight ended, she didn't even seem sweaty.
With the semifinals concluded, the result became clear.
The final would be a doubles match.
Humans against elves.
Takumi and Scarlet would represent the human guild.
As we left the arena, I felt the weight of what was coming.
"You're tired," Scarlet commented, walking beside me.
"I am," I admitted.
"Don't hold back tomorrow," she said. "Or you lose."
Back at the mansion, the atmosphere was strange. Pride, tension, expectation.
Rai'kanna appeared at the gate, accompanied by Lyannis. She ran toward me without thinking.
"You won," she said, with a smile mixed with concern.
"For now."
She held my hand tightly.
"I knew it."
That night, I tried to sleep early, but sleep didn't come easily.
The final of the guild tournament would take place the next day.
And I knew that nothing would be simple from then on.