The afternoon deepened, shadows stretching longer across the courtyard.
The quarterfinal matches were about to begin.
The dueling stage had been repaired quickly — a few deep cracks smoothed over by instructors wielding spiritual energy.
The crowd of students buzzed with excitement and tension.
Even those who hadn't broken through gathered eagerly, wanting to see the rising stars of the school.
Derrin stood at the edge of the stage, bouncing on his toes nervously.
His opponent was none other than Kaelen — the fast, precise fighter from Class A.
Arin and Sera watched from the side.
"You think Derrin stands a chance?" Sera asked, tilting her head slightly.
Arin shrugged, a faint smile on his lips.
"Maybe if Kaelen trips and falls."
They both chuckled under their breath.
The match began with a sharp call.
Derrin immediately burst forward — or at least, he tried to.
His attempt at a dramatic sprint turned into more of an awkward hop-skip as he tripped slightly over his own foot.
The audience snickered.
Even Kaelen looked momentarily confused.
Seizing the chance, Derrin launched a wild punch — surprisingly close to hitting.
Kaelen, however, sidestepped smoothly and tapped Derrin's shoulder with a concentrated burst of spiritual force.
Derrin stumbled back, windmilling his arms dramatically before collapsing onto his back with a loud "oof."
The instructor stepped forward, barely suppressing a laugh.
"Match over! Winner — Kaelen!"
The crowd applauded politely.
Derrin lay on the ground for a moment, staring up at the sky, then sat up with a sheepish grin.
As he limped back toward Arin and Sera, he raised both arms like a victorious gladiator.
"I almost had him," he declared proudly.
"You almost had the ground," Sera teased, helping him back to his feet.
Derrin winked. "That's called strategy. I made him underestimate me."
Arin just chuckled.
Even in defeat, Derrin's spirit stayed bright.
With Derrin eliminated, only four students remained:
Arin, Sera, Kaelen, and Yula.
The semifinal matchups were quickly drawn — and fate was not merciful.
Arin found himself matched against Sera.
As they walked toward the stage together, neither spoke.
There was no need.
Both understood: this was more than just a match.
It was a test of everything they had learned — and of how far they had yet to go.
The instructor raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Sera moved first, quick and sure.
She closed the distance with graceful steps, her palm striking out sharply toward Arin's shoulder.
Arin reacted just in time, deflecting the blow and stepping back.
The force of her strike still sent a jolt through his arm.
She wasn't holding back.
Neither would he.
He counterattacked, driving forward with a low sweep aimed at unbalancing her.
Sera hopped lightly over it and launched a fast series of jabs, each laced with a fine thread of spiritual energy.
Arin blocked two — the third grazed his arm.
He winced but pressed forward, forcing her to retreat with a quick combination of strikes.
The audience leaned forward in silence, captivated by the dance unfolding before them.
Blow after blow, step after step, they tested each other's defenses and reactions.
There were no cheap tricks here.
No flashy techniques.
Just raw effort, instinct, and stubborn will.
Arin's breath came faster.
Sera was relentless — clever with her angles, quick to capitalize on even the smallest mistake.
But Arin had something else — endurance.
He waited, defending patiently, letting her spend energy bit by bit.
When Sera finally made a slightly wider step than necessary — a tiny slip — Arin seized the chance.
He twisted under her guard, sliding his palm against her chest with a burst of spiritual energy.
Sera stumbled back, catching herself at the edge of the ring.
The instructor stepped forward immediately.
"Match over! Winner — Arin, Class A!"
For a moment, neither moved.
Then Sera smiled faintly and straightened, brushing dust from her sleeve.
"You were lucky," she said lightly.
"Maybe," Arin replied, breathing hard.
"But you almost had me."
Sera laughed softly, nodding in respect.
The applause from the watching students grew louder.
As they walked off the platform side by side, Derrin ran up to them, beaming.
"That was awesome! Both of you looked like you knew what you were doing!"
Sera ruffled Derrin's hair fondly.
"Unlike someone we know."
Derrin grinned, unbothered.
High above, the principal watched quietly, his hands clasped behind his back.
The elders around him murmured among themselves.
The strongest students were beginning to emerge.
But soon, the truly exceptional would need to be separated — chosen — for the path ahead.