Day two of the Dawnforge Tournament began with confusion.
Everyone expected the first match of the day to be:
Match 3 — Zack Kreiger vs Selene Ward
…but when the announcer called—
"First match of Day Two: Roger Castellan vs Naomi Crest!"
—the stadium exploded with murmurs.
"Huh? Wasn't Zack supposed to go first today?"
"Why did the schedule change?"
"Did something happen!?"
Inside the Hero Class waiting room, Rain clasped her hands nervously.
"…Zack still hasn't shown up."
Astra's gaze sharpened.
"He injured himself while training last night. Burns. Severe ones."
Roger exhaled.
"Damn idiot… why was he practicing fire maneuvers alone?"
Raze completed the answer calmly:
"He was trying to refine mid-air fire propulsion. He lost control."
Rain whispered anxiously:
"What if he can't fight…?"
Before anyone could say more—
A staff member rushed in.
"Zack Kreiger is receiving emergency treatment.He may not be able to fight on schedule."
That's when Roger stepped forward.
"Move my match earlier.I'm ready."
And so the order changed.
Roger vs Naomi happened first.
And it ended with one of the most explosive comeback victories in tournament history.
◆ ◆ ◆
But now—
With the stadium still buzzing from Roger's triumph,the announcer's voice thundered again:
"Next match!Zack Kreiger vs Selene Ward!!"
The stadium went silent.
"Is he even able to fight?"
"Is he coming?"
"He was bandaged head to toe…"
Then—
FWOOOM!!!
A burst of flames erupted from the entrance tunnel.
A figure walked out.
Bandaged.
Burned.
Limps stiff and painful.
But eyes blazing.
Zack Kreiger had arrived.
The crowd erupted in disbelief.
"He showed up!?"
"With those injuries!?"
"He's insane!"
Across the arena, Selene Ward stood frozen—violet eyes wide in fear and worry.
She took a step forward.
"Z-Zack…!You shouldn't— you're hurt— y-you—"
Zack raised a hand sharply.
"No excuses.No backing down.I'm here to fight."
Selene swallowed hard—
then nodded with determination.
"…Okay."
The referee lifted his arm.
"Match Start!"
◆ ◆ ◆
Lightning Strikes First
Zack pushed off the ground—
but the pain slowed him.
Selene vanished instantly.
ZAP—!!
Lightning struck his ribs.
Zack stumbled.
"Kh—!"
Again—
BZZT!A jolt hit his shoulder.
Selene bit her lip.
"…y-you're too hurt…"
Zack snarled:
"Don't pity me!"
He ignited—
FOOOOM!!
The flames roared too violently.
He winced, burns reopening.
Selene saw it.And her face hardened.
She didn't want to hurt him—
but she respected him too much to go easy.
"Lightning—Pierce!"
ZAP! ZAP! ZAP!
Three precise bolts hit him in a row.
Zack dropped to one knee.
Rain whispered:
"She's faster… and she's holding back as little as she safely can."
Astra nodded.
"She knows he would hate mercy."
◆ ◆ ◆
Zack's Counterattack — Fire Cyclone
Zack slammed both hands to the floor.
WHOOOSH—!!!
Flames spiraled upward,
forming a rising tornado of fire.
The heat forced Selene backward, shielding her face.
Zack roared:
"I'm not… done yet!!"
His cyclone surged toward her—
Selene threw up a lightning barrier—
BOOOOOM!!
The arena shook under the clash.
Zack's flames flickered dangerously—
but he stood tall,
body shaking,
eyes fierce.
"I'm still fighting—!"
◆ ◆ ◆
Selene's Hidden Power — Lightning Halo
Selene inhaled slowly.
"…Then I'll use it."
Tiny sparks formed around her feet.
Then her arms.
Then her whole body.
Electricity rose above her head,
forming a glowing ring of rotating lightning.
Astra's eyes widened slightly.
"That's not basic lightning. She's advancing."
Rain whispered:
"Her control is stabilizing… she's awakening more of her Nexas."
The halo pulsed like a storm.
Selene pointed at Zack.
"…Lightning—Burst."
The halo exploded downward—
KRA-KOOOOOM!!
Zack braced—
but lightning swallowed him whole.
His flames struggled—
then slowly shrank.
His body vibrated violently.
Muscles locking.
Burns searing.
He screamed:
"AaaAAAHH—!!"
And the flames…
went out.
◆ ◆ ◆
Endgame
Selene stood trembling.
Not from fear—
but from emotion.
She raised one trembling hand.
"…I'm sorry… Zack."
ZAP.
A small, precise bolt struck his chest.
Not lethal.
Not cruel.
Just enough.
Zack coughed once—smiled faintly—
"Heh…Guess you win…"
Then collapsed.
The referee raised his arm immediately.
"Winner — Selene Ward!"
The stadium roared.
◆ ◆ ◆
Aftermath
Selene rushed to him instantly.
"Z-Zack—!! A-are you okay—!?"
Zack groaned:
"I'm alive.Barely.You hit like a lightning storm."
She flushed—sparks popping in embarrassment.
"I-I'm sorry…"
He smirked.
"Don't apologize.You won fair."
Astra stepped forward.
"Well fought."
Rain nodded.
"That lightning control… remarkable."
Roger whistled.
"You two nearly burnt and electrocuted the stadium."
He slapped Zack's back.
"That was sick!!"
Zack winced.
"Ow— idiot— burns—!"
Raze approached quietly.
"You stood your ground even when you shouldn't have.That spirit alone makes you stronger."
Zack breathed out, satisfied.
"I said I'd fight no matter what.And I did."
Selene bowed deeply.
"Th-thank you… for the match…"
Zack waved a weak hand.
"Next time, I won't lose."
The announcer's voice boomed over the cheers:
"That concludes Match 3 of Day Two!Prepare for the next battle!"
The crowd thundered with excitement.
The fire wielder had fallen—
but not in disgrace.
The lightning girl had risen—
not in arrogance.
Respect filled the air.
The Dawnforge Tournament marched on…with its fourth victor decided.