Morning in the Eclipse Academy's arena, the air itself trembling under the voice of thousands of spectators. For the first time in years, the great banners of Eclipse didn't hang in shame — they blazed under the morning light like challenges to the world.
A wave of cheers followed — deafening, electric, hungry. After years of silence, Eclipse was alive again.
In the prep hall below, tension replaced the noise. Students stretched, paced, or whispered silent prayers.
Minjae stared at the trembling walls, his gloves half-pulled on, voice dry.
"Tell me this doesn't feel like we're marching into an execution."
Rina's lightning sparked faintly across her fingertips, the air around her crackling in rhythm with her heartbeat.
"Maybe it is," she said flatly, eyes sharp.
"Encouraging," Minjae muttered, tugging at his collar.
Across the room, Jiwoo adjusted his training jacket, gaze steady and calm.
He could already feel the pressure of the crowd — like a storm pressing against his chest.
"Just breathe," he said simply.
Minjae shot him a look. "Easy for you to say, you psychopath. You don't even flinch before a duel."
Jiwoo's lips curved faintly. "Then maybe try not flinching."
"Not funny," Minjae groaned.
A sharp clang echoed through the halls — the signal for round one. The ground rumbled beneath their feet. The arena doors began to open.
And for the first time in years, Eclipse Academy's battlefield awakened.
Headmaster Elias Kain stepped onto the stage. The arena instantly went quiet.
"Students of Eclipse," Kain began, his tone calm but heavy.
"Today begins the selection that will decide who represents this academy in the National Tournament."
He glanced around the arena, meeting the eager eyes of hundreds of students.
"For too long, Eclipse has fallen behind. This is our chance to stand among the best again."
He raised his hand. "The selection will consist of duel matches. Two brackets — upper and lower. Twenty contenders each.
The top four from both sides will advance . Only six will stand in the end — four main, two substitutes. Support Division will have a separate test."
The crowd stirred — excitement and tension mixing in the air.
"This is not about awakening ranks," Kain continued.
"It's about skill, will, and discipline. Show me that Eclipse hasn't forgotten what pride means."
Cheers erupted across the arena.
Instructor Soomin walked to the stage with a clipboard.
"The brackets are finalized. Each participant will fight within their bracket until only one remains."
She held up the board, names lighting up one after another.
UPPER BRACKET
Kang Hyunwoo – Combat (Fire) Han Jiwoo – Combat (Swordsmanship)
Choi Dojin – Combat (Tank) Lee Jinho – Combat (Spear)
Seo Nara – Combat (Swordsmanship) Bae Hojin – Combat (Saber)
Kim Doyun – Mage (Earth) Park Eunsol – Mage (Light)
Han Taek – Combat (Swordsmanship) Yoo Daewon – Combat (Spear)… and ten more names — all from the academy's top 30.
LOWER BRACKET
Han Jiwon – Combat (Swordsmanship) Kang Jisoo – Combat (Swordsmanship)
Rina Lee – Mage (Lightning) Minjae Park – Combat (Swordsmanship)
Yoo Sena – Mage (Ice) Cho Kyuri –Combat (Dagger)
Im Daeho – Combat (Wind) Hwang Jin – Mage (Fire)
Lee Bora – Mage (Water) Seo Hyuk – Combat (Tank)…and ten more rising names from the lower leaderboards.
Whispers broke out immediately.
"Even the top 30 joined?"
"Looks like it's not just the elites anymore."
"Han Jiwoo's in the upper bracket. His sister's in the lower. Imagine if they both reach finals…"
Rina smiled faintly. "That'd be interesting."Minjae groaned. "Interesting for you maybe! I'm in their bracket! I'm basically doomed!"
Jiwoo smirked. "Then don't lose early."
"Easy for you to say, Mr. Calm-and-Collected," Minjae muttered.
***
In the faculty Observation Room
Instructors gathered around a projection of the arena. The chatter was constant.
Sanghoon laughed. "This year's crazy. Half the leaderboard's in the selection. Who came up with this format?"
Baek leaned against the wall. "The headmaster. Said it'd wake the academy up."
Hyerim raised her teacup. "Well, it's working. Everyone's on edge."
Soomin glanced at Baek. "You're smiling again."
Baek shrugged. "I like seeing students underestimate the quiet ones."
Sanghoon groaned. "Let me guess — Han Jiwoo again?" Baek grinned. "You're catching on."
Kain, watching the field below, only said quietly, "Let's see who rises when the pressure's real."
***
"First round — begin!"
The mana barrier shimmered to life, surrounding the combat stage. The noise from the crowd filled the coliseum — every match drew cheers, roars, and gasps.
The first few duels set the tone.
Hyunwoo finished his fight in less than a minute. A single sweep of flame burst across the stage — the barrier rippled, glowing bright red before the system announced:
"Winner: Kang Hyunwoo!"
Rina's lightning danced like liquid light, her movements sharp and quick.
Her opponent barely saw the final strike coming.
"Winner: Rina Lee!"
Jiwon's sword moved like a mirror of perfection — clean arcs, flawless control .Her opponent fell before even landing a hit.
"Winner: Han Jiwon!"
Jisoo followed soon after — fierce, determined, his strikes heavier than before.
He crushed his way through, his blade slicing through mana shields like paper.
"Winner: Kang Jisoo!"
Minjae… did his best. He lasted longer than anyone expected before being tossed back by a mana shock. He got up with a grin, though limping. "I call that… personal growth!" The crowd laughed.
Then it was Jiwoo's turn.
The crowd hushed as the two stepped onto the arena floor. Dust drifted lazily in the shafts of afternoon light. Jiwoo rolled his wrist once, the wooden blade balanced lightly in his grip. Across from him, Seo Nara already had her weapon raised — confident, almost cocky.
Ranked twelfth overall. Class 2-A's pride. Known for her speed and flawless precision.
She smirked. "An E-rank? Don't blink too much — I'd hate for you to miss the moment you lose."
Jiwoo said nothing. His eyes stayed calm, unreadable.
He lowered his center of gravity, grounding his stance — small adjustments, subtle but practiced.
"Begin!"
The sound of the referee's shout was drowned instantly by the crack of movement. Nara dashed forward, her blade flashing through the air like silver lightning. Jiwoo met her strike cleanly — wood against wood, a sharp echo splitting the silence.
Then another.
And another.
Clack. Clack. Clack.
Each strike came faster than the last, her attacks flowing seamlessly from one form to another. Jiwoo parried each one by a hair's breadth, his expression never changing. He wasn't reacting — he was observing, studying the rhythm behind her speed.
"Too slow!" Nara shouted, twisting her foot and spinning into a low slash.
Jiwoo sidestepped, her strike grazing his sleeve. The audience gasped.
She followed through with a vertical strike aimed at his shoulder——but Jiwoo's sword moved before hers landed.
A clean deflection. Their blades locked for a heartbeat, the pressure between them vibrating through the air.
Jiwoo's eyes narrowed slightly. She's strong… but predictable.
He shifted his weight and broke the lock. Nara staggered back half a step.
Before she could recover, Jiwoo closed the gap.
One step. One swing.
The wooden blade stopped just short of her neck, the wind from the motion brushing her hair aside.
Silence.
The referee's voice rang out, clear and sharp.
"Winner — Han Jiwoo!"
For a split second, no one moved. Then the stands erupted.
"Wait—he won?"
"He beat Seo Nara? She's rank twelve!"
"He didn't even use mana again!"
Nara blinked in disbelief, staring at the blade hovering inches from her skin. Her pride wavered — then she exhaled, stepping back with a faint, bitter smile."…Not bad, E-rank."
Jiwoo lowered his weapon and bowed slightly. He didn't smile. He didn't need to.
As he walked off the stage, the cheers grew louder. Some shouted his name. Others whispered in disbelief.
From the viewing platform, Instructor Baek smirked faintly. "Told you," he muttered. "He's learning to fight like himself."
Headmaster Kain, watching from above, said nothing — only tapped his finger against his armrest, eyes narrowing slightly.
The arena went silent for half a breath — then exploded in cheers.
"He beat a ranked 12 in the leaderboard!"
"And he didn't even use mana again!"
In the observation room, Soomin smirked. "He makes it look easy." Baek crossed his arms, grinning. "It's not. That's what makes it fun to watch."
Kain, standing behind them, spoke softly, "technique over power. Just like his mother."
Baek glanced at him. "You're thinking the same thing I am, huh?"
Kain didn't reply — only watched Jiwoo quietly as the boy stepped off the stage, calm as ever.