The referee's voice echoed through the arena.
"Begin!"
Lyra and Kairon backed away slightly, staring each other down.
Kairon chuckled, rolling his shoulders lazily.
"You're gonna have to compensate, you know," he said. "You made me wait so long my legs started aching. What were you doing? Hiding somewhere? Were you scared?"
Lyra smiled, calm and steady.
"Sorry for the wait," she said, her voice soft.
Then, her face sharpened like a blade.
"But I wasn't scared."
In one smooth motion, she drew her sword.
"Disrupt… Mikazuki no Me."
With a flash, her blade transformed. Its edges split, curved like a crescent moon.
Kairon laughed loudly.
"What the hell is that supposed to be?" he teased.
He swung his arm, summoning his own blade.
"Let me show you a real weapon."
He raised his sword high.
"Stream… Mizukiri no Yaiba!"
Water exploded from his blade, swirling around until it reshaped itself into a long staff with blades on both ends.
He twirled it once, grinning wildly.
"Shall we begin?"
They charged.
Lyra thrust her blade forward.
Kairon deflected with ease, slicing at her — water cutting behind his strike like a whip.
Lyra bent backward, dodging at the last second.
A slash tore across the stone wall behind her.
She glanced at the scar left on the wall, her heart pounding.
(If that had hit me… I would've lost my head.)
Steadying her breathing, she glanced briefly up at the stands — at Arthur.
(Believe in what you've learned.)
She gripped her sword tighter.
Kairon laughed.
"Oops. Looks like I can't control Mizukiri's power properly," he said with a fake-sounding grin.
Lyra narrowed her eyes.
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
"Who knows?" Kairon said with a shrug.
"But enough talk. Let's continue."
Lyra frowned.
"If you're gonna fight like that, I have no interest," she said coldly.
Kairon blinked. (She's right...)
(If I get too reckless, I'll get disqualified.)
He smiled.
"Fine. My bad. I'll let you have the first move."
Lyra tilted her head.
"Really? You're sure?"
"Why not?" he said, twirling his staff lazily.
She began to circle him, slow and steady.
Kairon turned with her, tracking her movements.
(I still don't know what her magic is… I have to stay cautious.)
Up in the stands, Arthur smiled knowingly.
"She's using it," he said.
Seraphina squinted.
"Using what? She's just walking around him."
Arthur chuckled.
"Look closer. That circling... it's not random. It's sending a false signal to his brain through tiny electric impulses. It makes him think he's still in control... even though he's not."
Seraphina leaned in, eyes widening.
"You're right... she's getting closer without him realizing."
Arthur nodded.
"It's a technique that only Lyra can use. Because of her magic."
Down below, Lyra's eyes sharpened.
"Now!"
She lunged forward.
Kairon, caught off guard, barely had time to react.
Her blade brushed past his cheek — a thin line of blood appeared.
He stumbled back, touching his face in shock.
"What... How? I was watching you so carefully!"
Lyra pointed her blade at him, calm and composed.
(I can't use it twice. He'll be on guard now.)
Kairon growled.
"Water Magic… Water Slash!"
Streams of water shot from his spinning staff, sharp and fast.
Lyra dodged, dancing around his attacks, but Kairon gritted his teeth.
"I don't know what trick you pulled, but I won't let you use it again!"
Suddenly, he froze mid-attack.
"What…?!" he gasped.
His muscles locked up. He tried to move — but his body didn't respond.
Lyra stepped in quickly, her blade touching his forehead.
"Sensory Magic... Nerve Disruption."
She tapped his head gently.
Kairon's vision spun.
"How...?" he mumbled, before collapsing to the ground with a heavy thud.
For a few seconds, the arena was dead silent.
Then the referee's voice shattered the stillness:
"Winner — Lyra Everhart!"
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Up in the stands, Seraphina tugged Arthur's sleeve, eyes wide.
"How? How did she do that?!"
Arthur grinned.
"I told you — only she can use that technique. Her magic is sensory magic."
"Sensory magic? I've never heard of that."
Arthur nodded.
"Most haven't. It's rare."
He leaned in, explaining.
"Remember her blade? Look at its shape. It's not made to kill. Kairon realized it too — that's why he underestimated her."
Seraphina frowned, still confused.
Arthur smiled.
"Her blade releases a neural toxin when it cuts you. It attacks your nerve cells, heightening your senses way beyond normal. Your body gets overwhelmed and shuts down. It's not fatal, but it's an amazing defensive technique."
Seraphina's eyes lit up.
"That's so cool...! And you taught her that?"
Arthur shook his head, smiling warmly.
"No. I just helped her believe in herself. She won this with her own strength."
Lyra looked up at the cheering crowd.
She smiled faintly, tears forming at the corners of her eyes.
(Thank you, Arthur... I'm glad I asked for your help that day.)
Her body swayed.
Everything blurred — and she fell.
[Flashback: After Darius' Battle]
Under the setting sun, Lyra stood nervously in front of Arthur.
"So... that's why you asked for my help?" Arthur said.
She nodded, lowering her head.
"My magic... it's not one of the four elementals," she said quietly.
"It's sensory magic... and honestly, I've always felt useless because of it..."
Her voice cracked. Tears welled in her eyes.
"I can only sense things far away. I can't fight like the others. I'm... not special."
Arthur smiled gently and tapped her head.
"Don't say that. I'm jealous just hearing what you can do."
Lyra blinked up at him, stunned.
"Your magic's uniqueness makes you special, Lyra. No one else has what you have."
He grinned.
"Tell me — can you sense if there's a bird two kilometers from here?"
Lyra blinked, wiped her tears, and whispered:
"Sensory Magic."
A golden circle appeared beneath her feet.
"There are five birds."
Arthur laughed.
"See? That's amazing!"
He mumbled under his breath:
"Thank the gods that old perv didn't have this magic..."
Lyra giggled.
"What was that?"
"Nothing!" Arthur said quickly.
He smiled.
"Every magic has strengths and weaknesses. You just couldn't see yours yet. But I see it. You're special, Lyra. Never forget that."
Lyra smiled brightly for the first time in a long while.
(Special... maybe I really am.)
[Back to Reality]
Lyra's eyes fluttered open.
She saw Callista healing her, her friends crowded around with worried faces.
"She's awake!" Callista said.
Cheers filled the air.
Selene sat beside her, smiling warmly.
"You did well, Lyra."
Lyra smiled back.
Across the arena, Arthur waved at her.
She smiled wider.
Nathaniel approached.
"How are you feeling?"
With Selene's help, Lyra stood up.
"I'm fine. Just a little tired," she said.
Nathaniel chuckled.
"Rest well, champion."
The referee's voice echoed again.
"Next match — Callista Vortigen!"
Callista turned to go, but Seraphina stopped her.
"Good luck!"
Before Callista could answer, Lyra suddenly stepped between them, resting her hands on both their shoulders.
She leaned in and whispered:
"Don't think I didn't notice you two spying on me and Arthur."
She smiled innocently and walked away.
Seraphina and Callista froze, faces pale.
Arthur blinked from the stands.
"I wonder what that was about..."
Hyorinmaru snorted.
"When it comes to girls... it's better not to think about it."
Arthur nodded sagely.
And so, the tournament continued.