The third day began quieter.
Not in the city. Outside, Vaillor was boiling. People had been gathering since early morning, long lines forming in front of the arena, merchants shouting offers, flags being raised again. But inside the mansion, the silence was almost absolute.
I woke up before sunrise. My body hurt in a different way. It wasn't just fatigue. It was accumulated wear, the kind that doesn't go away with rest.
I sat on the bed for a few minutes, breathing deeply, feeling the weight of my own body. Today was the last day of the tournament. Group semifinals. Final right after. There was no more room for mistakes, hesitation, or improvisation.
When I went downstairs, I found Liriel in the kitchen. She was preparing tea, her movements calm, almost ritualistic.
"You didn't sleep either," I said.
"Sleeping isn't the problem," she replied. "It's waking up knowing what's coming."
I accepted the cup she offered me. The warmth helped a little.
Shortly after, Elara appeared. Her face was pale, but her eyes were alert.
"My mana hasn't fully recovered yet," she admitted. "But I won't be a burden."
"You never were," I replied.
Vespera entered right after, already equipped, her expression closed.
"Today is not a day to save strength," she said.
Scarlet arrived last. As always, she seemed untouched. No visible signs of wear. That annoyed me more than I wanted to admit.
"Group semifinals," she said. "Humans versus demi-humans."
"The elven guild isn't fighting now," I commented.
"They have an advantage," she replied. "Always have."
The path to the arena seemed shorter that day. Maybe because I already knew exactly what awaited me. Maybe because my mind was too focused to notice the rest.
In the internal corridors, the atmosphere was heavy. Fewer conversations. Fewer taunts. Just long glances, evaluating, calculating.
The semifinal opponents were two Rank S demi-humans, known for fighting together for years. One focused on absolute defense, the other on direct and brutal attacks.
"Don't separate," Elara said in a low voice.
The signal was given.
The fight began explosively. The attacker came straight at me, without hesitation. The impact almost threw me backward. Scarlet entered from the flank, attacking with surgical precision. Elara offered support when she could, while Vespera tried to open gaps.
It was chaotic. Shouts from the crowd. The sound of metal, flesh, and energy colliding.
I took a blow that nearly made me fall. I felt something snap in my shoulder, but ignored it.
"Now," I shouted.
Scarlet understood. She advanced with everything. I held the defender long enough. Vespera hit a critical point.
When it was all over, the two demi-humans were on the ground.
Victory.
There was no celebration. Only heavy breathing.
The arena announced the final.
Humans versus elves.
The most powerful guild against the one that never won.
The elves entered with confident posture. Two Rank S adventurers, synchronized, cold, efficient. They had fought less. They were more rested.
"Let's finish this quickly," said one of them.
The final fight was different from anything I had ever experienced.
The elves were fast, precise, almost perfect. Every mistake of ours was punished immediately. Every opening was costly.
Scarlet fought like a monster. I pushed my body beyond its limit. At some point, I stopped feeling pain. I just kept going.
When I saw a minimal opening, I advanced.
It all came down to a single instant.
When the last elf fell, there was absolute silence.
Then, the arena exploded.
Humans champions.
Seven hundred years later.
I barely managed to stay on my feet when the result was announced. Scarlet leaned on me for a second.
"You were better than I expected," she said.
"So were you," I replied.
The ceremony was brief. Medals, speeches, applause. Everything felt distant.
When it was all over, Scarlet approached me. Her gaze was different.
"At first, I thought you were just rumors," she said. "Now I know I was wrong."
She got closer than she should have.
Before I could react, I felt her lips on mine.
The world stopped.
I heard a distant scream. Rai'kanna being held back by Lyannis, furious. Elara, Vespera, and Liriel clearly irritated.
I pushed Scarlet away immediately.
"Enough," I said.
She smiled, satisfied. "Until next time, Takumi."
We returned to the mansion later. The atmosphere was strange, heavy.
At night, I went to the room, too exhausted to think.
One by one, I felt presences approach. Bodies settling beside me. Even Rai'kanna, too close.
I closed my eyes.
The tournament was over.
But its consequences were only just beginning.