The morning bell rang across the academy.
Students gathered in the main arena, a massive coliseum-like structure built just for combat events. Seats filled with spectators—students, staff, and even a few guests from powerful families.
On the stone platform at the center, the head instructor stepped forward, voice booming through a sound crystal.
> "Today begins the Top 10 Combat Tournament!"
The arena buzzed with energy as students gathered for the school's 1v1 tournament. Only the top 10 were allowed to compete, and the air was thick with competition—and gossip.
Yeong-ho (Jin's clone body) stepped into the preparation area. Whispers followed him everywhere.
> "That's Yeong-ho, right?"
> "Didn't he kill a cursed mage in the last dungeon exam?"
> "No way. He probably just got lucky."
> "They say he sed to be average. Now suddenly he's strong?"
> "He's probably hiding behind someone powerful."
Jin kept a calm face. He heard it all—doubt, jealousy, and fear. He didn't care. The only thing that mattered was proving his strength on the stage.
A loudspeaker buzzed. "First match: Yeong-ho versus Kang Dae-jin."
The students turned as a tall, muscular boy with sharp eyes stepped forward. Kang Dae-jin was known for his Earth Spike ability—B-rank. Dangerous, but not invincible.
Jin entered the ring. Dae-jin smirked.
> "Didn't think your luck would last this long, fake hero."
Jin didn't reply. He raised his stance and waited.
The referee raised his hand. "Begin!"
Dae-jin slammed his foot into the ground. A jagged spike of earth shot toward Jin. Jin dodged to the side, flames flickering across his palms.
> "Flame Palm."
He launched a burst of fire at Dae-jin, who ducked and rolled behind a stone pillar he created with his powers.
> "Stone Wall."
The fire singed the edge, but didn't penetrate.
Dae-jin popped up and threw two more spikes at Jin.
Jin gritted his teeth and used Camouflage Veil. He held still, vanishing from sight.
Dae-jin froze. "What the—?!"
From behind, Jin whispered, "Too slow."
He struck with a fiery punch to Dae-jin's back. The blast sent him crashing into the arena wall.
The crowd gasped. The referee ran forward.
> "Winner: Yeong-ho!"
Dae-jin groaned on the floor, trembling from the pain and fear.
In the stands, some students clapped—but others watched in silence.
> "He's not weak anymore…"
> "That wasn't luck."
> "He's dangerous."
Jin walked off the stage calmly.
In the shadows, a boy with silver hair clenched his fists. He had Steel Skin—an A-rank power. And he didn't like being second to anyone.
His eyes locked onto Jin.
> "We'll see how long you last, faker."
The sun was still high as the next match was called.
"Next battle: Chae Rin versus Park Hyeon!"
The crowd leaned forward in excitement. Chae Rin walked confidently to the center of the ring. Her long hair swayed, and a faint breeze danced around her fingertips. Her ability—Windcall—made her light on her feet, dangerous from a distance, and nearly impossible to pin down.
Park Hyeon, her opponent, cracked his knuckles. He was known for his fierce temper and his B-rank ability Stone Fangs, which let him summon jagged stone spikes from the ground and hurl them like missiles.
Jin leaned forward in his seat. "This will be interesting," he murmured.
Baek So-mi, seated beside him, glanced at him. "You think she'll win?"
Jin just smirked.
---
The whistle blew.
Hyeon wasted no time. He slammed his palms to the ground. Stone pillars erupted in a straight line toward Chae Rin.
She slid to the side, barely touching the floor—then with a spin, a sharp gust of wind burst from her palm, slicing the top off one of the stone spikes.
> "Fast!" someone in the crowd gasped.
Hyeon growled. "You won't dodge this!"
He launched a wave of stone shards, like a shotgun blast. Chae Rin clapped both hands together and twirled—creating a tornado shield of air that deflected the projectiles.
Wind exploded from her feet as she dashed forward—her movements blurred.
She appeared behind him.
> Whoosh!
A slicing blade of wind cut across his back. He screamed and tumbled forward.
"You—!" he turned, furious. Spikes burst from the ground again, but Chae Rin leapt high into the air.
> Sky Step! Her Windcall boosted her jump.
Above him, she formed a wind blade between her hands. With a shout, she threw it like a boomerang.
It curved mid-air, slicing through three of his stone pillars—and slammed into Hyeon's shoulder.
He crashed to the ground.
> "Winner—Chae Rin!"
The crowd erupted in cheers and whispers.
> "That wind ability is insane…"
> "She's strong—and pretty too."
Jin smiled faintly.
Baek So-mi looked at him. "She's on your team, right?"
"Yeah,"
The crowd's energy buzzed through the arena as the tournament's first round neared its conclusion.
Match 4: Seo Hana vs. Lee Da-bin
Seo Hana walked onto the stage with a calm, elegant presence. Her sky-blue hair shimmered under the arena lights, and a chill followed every step she took. Across from her stood Lee Da-bin, a confident close-combat fighter with enhanced strength and reflexes.
The referee raised his hand.
"Match 4, begin!"
Da-bin charged in, fists glowing with energy. He launched a flurry of strikes, but Seo Hana was unmoved.
> "Frost Guard."
A sudden burst of cold exploded around her. Ice formed a shield around her body, stopping Da-bin's attack mid-air. He jumped back, frost covering his gloves.
> "Damn... it's freezing...!"
Seo Hana raised her hand again.
> "Frozen Lance."
Spikes of ice erupted from the ground, forcing Da-bin to dodge and roll. He barely managed to escape, but his movements slowed—his limbs were going numb.
> "I won't lose to some rich princess!"
He rushed forward again, pushing past the pain.
Seo Hana's eyes narrowed.
> "Cryo Bloom."
A field of frost bloomed from beneath her feet, trapping Da-bin's legs in solid ice. His upper body twisted violently, trying to break free—but it was no use.
The referee stepped forward. "Match over! Seo Hana wins!"
The crowd clapped with a mix of awe and fear. Even Jin, watching from the sidelines, raised an eyebrow.
> "That girl... is colder than she looks."
Seo Hana stepped down from the stage, barely winded.
---
Match 5: Nameless Duel – Brutal and Tragic
The fifth match was between two lesser-known students—one with earth-based powers, the other with sonic bursts. They weren't famous. They weren't rich. But both fought like their lives depended on it.
> "This one might be bloody," someone in the crowd whispered.
It was.
The two clashed in a brutal brawl. The earth user created walls and launched stone fists. The sound-user shattered those walls with explosive shockwaves. The arena cracked and trembled.
One slammed into the ground, nose bleeding. The other fell with a broken arm.
By the end, both were unconscious. The referee checked their pulses, then raised his voice.
> "Double forfeit! Neither can continue to the semi-finals!"
The medical team rushed in.
---
As the dust settled, the semi-finalists were clear:
1. Jin – The rumored noble with deadly skills.
2. Chae Rin – The wind dancer with sharp instincts.
3. Seo Hana – The frost princess with terrifying control.
4. Steel Skin boy – The brute who hadn't been touched once.
The final four.
> And everyone knew: the next fights would decide more than just rankings.
They would decide the strongest in school.