The Second Round: A Trap in Disguise
Team 13 advanced to Round 2.
The arena? A giant floating battlefield made of magical platforms, suspended above a lake of molten mana.
The enemy? A small, unknown team from Dorm D.
"They're nobodies," Lyra scoffed. "Should be easy."
But Kael's instincts screamed danger.
When the battle started, it became obvious:
They weren't students.
They were trained assassins in disguise.
Sent to kill Kael.
The Battle Breaks Down
One assassin went straight for Kael with a poisoned dagger that shimmered with anti-magic venom.
Another conjured shadow beasts to separate the girls from him.
A third began a forbidden chant, summoning a sealed curse from the underworld.
Zara rushed to Kael's side, intercepting the dagger with her forearm.
Aeris cut down two shadow beasts, eyes burning with fury.
Selene began decoding the curse in real time.
Iris merged with the shadows to protect Kael's blind spots.
Veyra summoned a storm dome, protecting everyone — except herself.
"Come at me, cowards!" she roared, holding off five enemies alone.
Kael stood still.
Calm.
Too calm.
The Divine Within Awakens… Again
Kael's pupils shifted.
His breath slowed.
A silver sigil appeared behind him — glowing faintly with a divine pattern.
"Enough," he said.
In a single motion, he walked through the battlefield.
The assassins froze.
Their magic shattered mid-cast.
Time… slowed down.
Kael whispered one command:
"Kneel."
And the assassins dropped, one by one, screaming as divine pressure cracked their bones.
The crowd gasped.
Even the Headmaster stood up.
"That pressure… no mortal should have that!"
A New Girl Appears
After the battle, Kael was taken to the infirmary for mana examination. The others rested, except Veyra — who had taken the brunt of damage protecting everyone.
As Kael sat alone…
The doors opened.
A girl walked in.
She wore flowing white robes stitched with ancient moon glyphs. Her hair shimmered like starlight, and her eyes… they radiated sadness and power.
"Kael," she said, kneeling before him."You don't remember me, do you?"
He blinked.
"Should I?"
She placed a glowing crystal on his palm.
And suddenly—
He remembered her.
On a battlefield of gods.
Fighting by his side.
Kissing him before the final battle.
Crying as he sealed himself away.
"I was your bride," she whispered."I came back because I promised… to find you again."
Her Name Was Lunaria
Title: Priestess of the Eternal MoonPower: Moonlight Divine Magic, Spirit ContractsPast Life: Kael's secret wife — a marriage hidden from the godsCurrent Status: Transferred from the Temple of Celestial ArtsNow: Wants to rejoin Kael's side… and win his love back
The Harem Reacts
Zara: "You WHAT now?!"
Lyra: "There's already too many of us competing. This is insane."
Selene: "We need a whiteboard to keep track of this."
Iris: "… I predicted this exact development."
Veyra: "Figures. You always had the type."
Lunaria: "I didn't come to fight. I came to protect him. Even from all of you."
Kael just sighed.
"Can I get through one tournament without a goddess declaring marriage?"
Meanwhile…
In a hidden chamber beneath the Academy, the divine fragment whispered.
A cloaked figure watched Kael's battle through a glowing crystal.
"He's unlocking faster than I expected."
"Release the next phase."