Theo calmly walked towards the center of the arena.

Cheers, whistles, boos, and countless voices mixed all around him. Unexpectedly, some outright shouted his name.

’It’s a lot more decorated now,’ he thought, glancing around.

Bright white lights illuminated the field from every direction, while large camera drones and enormous screens with his image floated just above the transparent barrier.

’’Having only shown up a few days before this day,’’ the announcer’s booming voice rang out. ’’Theo Lane was an incredible dark horse in this tournament!’’

The screens above the field flickered.

After a moment, a single video of his final attack on Lucienne started playing.

’’In all my years here, I don’t think we’ve seen stronger pre-admission students!’’ the announcer continued enthusiastically.

"And today, for the very first time, our finals are being broadcast across the globe! Millions of viewers are tuning in to witness who will walk away as this year’s champion!"

Thunderous applause rang out from the stands.

Theo paid little attention to it, though.

Having come to a halt in the center of the arena, his gaze locked onto a screen in the distance.

It displayed a simple bracket, with his name at the very top.

Underneath, four unfamiliar names lit up brightly.

’Only four?’ he thought, narrowing his eyes. ’Didn’t expect that...’

Not counting himself and Lucienne, half of the remaining top ten had chosen not to challenge him.

As he went down the list, something else caught his eye.

’Both the number two and three aren’t challenging me?’

He remembered them from his talk with Jim.

Theo glanced at the list for a moment longer, nodding slowly.

’Very interesting...’

If even the second and third ranked students had backed down, then yesterday’s duel had clearly shaken more people than he’d expected.

Just then, the announcer’s loud voice echoed through the arena again.

’’It seems several of the top pre-admission students have voluntarily withdrawn their challenge rights!’’

A wave of murmurs spread through the crowd.

’’However!’’ the announcer continued, raising his voice. ’’Four challengers still remain, each determined to seize the number one position for themselves.’’

The bracket shifted once again.

The lowest-ranked of the four, rank ten, lit up first, while the other names dimmed down.

’’The opening match will begin shortly!’’

Theo rolled his shoulders and tightened his grip around the umbrella.

’Let’s see,’ he thought. ’I’m sure there are a few of them who’ve been hiding their strength.’

As seconds ticked by, the announcer continued rambling on.

The cheerful man reiterated the stakes, with the winner receiving three S-rank resources of their choice, valued at up to fifty million dollars.

Even after the inheritance Theo had received, that was still a massive sum.

"As part of this year’s special event, every opponent Theo defeats will earn him an additional five million dollars, generously sponsored by the Whitmore family!"

’’The only condition... if Theo rests longer than five minutes, he forfeits all gains of this challenge!’’

The announcer paused for a moment, letting the gasps settle.

"But should he lose even a single match... every reward earned today will be forfeited!"

For a brief moment, the arena fell silent.

In that moment, the doors on the opposite side shifted open.

’’Please welcome our first challenger!’’

The highlighted name flashed brightly on every screen as the cameras shifted away from Theo.

Heavy footsteps echoed out from the other side.

A tall, muscular young man slowly emerged into the light, a massive, spiked metal club on his shoulder.

’’Hector Vargas!!!’’

The young man grinned savagely, raising his metal club into the air.

Several people jumped up in the crowd.

"Vamos, Héctor!"

’’Dale! Dale!’’

’’Sí se puede!’’

Theo raised an eyebrow.

Just then, the announcer’s voice rang out again.

"As you can hear, Hector is a student who came here all the way from Mexico!" the announcer said. "But will he be able to stand against Theo Lane? We’re about to find out!"

As Hector approached the center of the arena, three instructors walked forward from the sides.

They met halfway between the two contestants before one of them stepped ahead, acting as the judge.

His calm gaze swept over both young men.

"You already know the rules," he said firmly. "The match will begin on my signal. Until then, neither side is permitted to attack."

Theo gave a small nod.

Hector mirrored the movement, the head of his massive spiked club dragging across the stone for a brief moment before he lifted it onto his shoulder again.

The two locked eyes for a moment, only a dozen yards apart.

’He seems to be a brute force fighter,’ Theo thought, glancing at his club. ’I should keep my distance and try not to waste too much mana.’

Hector also sized him up for a moment.

Suddenly, he raised a thumb in front of him and slowly turned it until it pointed down.

The message was crystal clear.

Theo merely looked at him for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh.

’Really?’

He twirled the umbrella once in his hand before planting its tip lightly against the ground.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

Then he returned the gesture.

Only, instead of a thumbs-down, he casually beckoned with two fingers.

’Come.’

The corners of Hector’s mouth twitched.

Veins bulged along his forearm as his grip around the spiked club tightened.

The judge glanced between the two before slowly raising his hand into the air.

The entire arena seemed to hold its breath.

Even the commentators fell completely silent.

A bright flash appeared on the giant screens above, displaying the countdown.

’’3...’’

Bright purple flames burst out from Hector’s club.

’Mutated flame?’ Theo noted.

’’2...’’

Water burst forth around his umbrella, slowly swirling its way to the top.

’’1...’’

The judge swung his arm down.

’’Begin!’’

CRACK!

The stone beneath Hector’s feet shattered as he shot forward like a cannonball.

At the very same moment, Theo took a single step back, the water around his umbrella rapidly forming a shield.

The distance between them vanished in the blink of an eye.