The noise in the coliseum hadn't died down since morning.
Three matches in, three crowd-pleasers.
Minjae's loss had been a comedy show, Rina's lightning duel nearly blew the speakers, and Hyunwoo's fire display still left half the audience sweating.
Now, the announcer's voice echoed again.
"Next match — Han Jiwoo versus Kwon Daesung!"
The crowd buzzed. The E-rank again versus a ranked mage! Everyone leaned forward.
Rina nudged Jiwoo as he stood from the bench. "You ready?"
Jiwoo gave a quiet nod. "Yeah."
Minjae raised a fist. "Win this one so I can brag that I trained with you once!"
Jiwoo smirked faintly. "You watched me train."
"Still counts."
Jiwoo stepped onto the field.
Across from him, Daesung cracked his neck, his breath visible from the cold aura building around him. Ice trailed his shoes as he approached the center.
"Sorry in advance," he said, his tone calm but sharp. "This won't take long."
Jiwoo held his sword low, shoulders relaxed. "You're right. It won't."
The referee's hand went up. "Begin!"
A sudden chill swept through the arena.
The floor glazed over instantly, frost creeping in from every direction. Daesung's hand moved in a circle, pulling water from the air until it hardened into dozens of floating shards.
They shot forward — fast. Jiwoo stepped through them like wind, deflecting each strike with short, precise cuts. Shards exploded into dust as he weaved closer.
The mage clicked his tongue. "Fast."
He slammed his palm down, a line of ice spikes erupting from the ground in a wave. Jiwoo jumped, spun midair, and sliced through the final spike before landing cleanly.
The crowd gasped.
"He cut through that?!"
"Isn't he E-rank?"
"You haven't watch him fight have you?" someone added.
Daesung exhaled slowly, spreading both arms. Mist thickened, hiding him completely.
Jiwoo's eyes narrowed. A faint crackle of sound came from the fog—he twisted just in time as a spear of ice shot past his cheek.
He dashed forward, using the trail of frost to slide across the floor. The moment Daesung's silhouette appeared through the mist, Jiwoo swung upward.
Steel rang out.The ice armor shattered, fragments scattering like glass.
Daesung stumbled back, panting. "You—"
Jiwoo stepped forward, blade stopping at the side of his neck.
The mist dissolved.
Silence.
Then the referee lifted his hand. "Winner—Han Jiwoo!"
The stands erupted.
"Again?! He beat another mage!"
"And without mana amplification!"
Minjae whooped from the seats. "That's my guy! That's my physically traumatizing training partner!"
Rina laughed. "He makes it look too easy."
Jiwoo lowered his sword, exhaling slowly. "He's strong," he muttered.
Daesung stood up, rubbing frost from his sleeve. "You read everything. No wasted moves. Guess that's my loss."
Jiwoo nodded lightly. "Good fight."
The mage smiled faintly. "Good fight."
From the observation deck, Instructor Baek smirked. "See that? Clean, no bluffing. He fights like he's been doing this for years."
Soomin leaned forward. "That's what's strange. His reactions… they're too trained."
Kain didn't respond, eyes narrowing slightly. "Just keep watching."
The crowd barely had time to settle before the announcer spoke again.
"Next match — Kang Jisoo versus Lee Byungho!"
Both stepped onto the field — two swordsmen, both known for speed and aggression.
The arena's energy shifted from cold to electric.
Byungho grinned. "You're Hyunwoo's brother, right? Hope you're not just riding his name."
Jisoo smirked. "Guess you'll find out."
The whistle blew.
Blades collided in a flurry of sparks. Neither gave an inch — step, parry, twist, counter. The audience barely kept up.
Rina leaned over the railing. "Their timing's crazy. Jisoo's not even holding back."
Jiwoo watched silently. "He's reading every move."
Byungho shouted, breaking the deadlock with a burst of mana through his sword. The impact pushed Jisoo back several steps, boots scraping against stone.
"Not bad!" Jisoo yelled, eyes bright. He spun, feinted left, and drove his elbow into Byungho's guard before slashing upward. The blow sent Byungho's sword flying.
The referee's hand went up immediately. "Winner — Kang Jisoo!"
Cheers thundered again. Byungho exhaled hard, sweat dripping down his chin. "Guess you're not just a name."
Jisoo grinned. "You can say it louder next time."
He walked off to the loud applause, tossing a wave toward Jiwoo's section. Jiwoo raised his hand back, smiling slightly.
"Show-off," Rina muttered.
Minjae crossed his arms. "He earned it."
As the crowd calmed, the final match announcement rang out.
"Last battle of the day — Park Doyun versus Kim Haneul!"
The arena rumbled again.
Doyun, the tank from the combat division, stepped out — broad-shouldered, quiet, shield strapped across his arm. Across from him, Haneul cracked her knuckles, mana glowing faintly around her hands.
The referee signaled. "Begin!"
Haneul struck first — waves of compressed wind shot across the arena, slamming against Doyun's shield like cannon fire. He didn't move.
The impact sent dust swirling, but his boots never shifted. Each gust died against his defense, until finally, he lowered his shield and walked forward through the storm.
Haneul grit her teeth and gathered another spell. "Don't underestimate me!"
"Not doing that," Doyun said simply — before rushing in.
For someone his size, he moved fast. Too fast.
Haneul jumped back, firing another blast. He blocked it mid-charge, closing the gap, and swung his shield sideways. The blow hit like a hammer — her barrier cracked instantly.
She dropped to one knee, mana flickering out.
The referee raised his hand. "Winner — Park Doyun!"
The coliseum roared again.
Rina whistled. "That guy's a fortress."
Minjae nodded. "Remind me never to spar him."
Jiwoo folded his arms. "That makes six winners today."
As the crowd slowly dispersed, Headmaster Kain stepped forward again.
"Today's quarterfinals have ended. Six remain."
The audience cheered, names echoing across the stands:
Kang Hyunwoo. Han Jiwoo. Park Doyun. Han Jiwon. Kang Jisoo. Kang Rina.
Kain's voice carried clear across the arena.
"The semifinals begin tomorrow. Rest well, and be ready."
The banners of Eclipse fluttered in the cold evening breeze.
From the seats, Jiwoo looked at the arena floor one last time before standing.
Rina stretched. "That's our cue. Tomorrow's gonna be rough."
Minjae groaned. "You mean you're fighting tomorrow. I'm just the moral support-slash-food critic."
Jiwoo smiled faintly. "Let's make sure Eclipse still has something to cheer for."
They walked out together as the lights dimmed, the last echoes of the crowd fading behind them.