After Ralph's battle ended, Michael turned toward the waiting area to prepare for his own match. Around him, familiar faces lingered—Torren, Katsu, Felix—and none of the participants had left. Even Katsu, who usually would have been gone by now, stayed. The story of Michael's awakening during the last round had spread quickly. Curiosity lit up Katsu's eyes; he leaned against a wooden pillar, arms crossed.
Michael finished tightening his gloves when Ralph, bruised and limping, approached.
"How strong has he become since yesterday? Tell me," Ralph muttered without looking directly.
Michael turned his head away, replying coldly, "Shut up. I'm not going to tell you anything about him."
Ralph chuckled humorlessly and limped to the stands where Spinner and Renald sat. Spinner smirked, "Man, he really beat you down."
Ralph dropped heavily into his seat. "He's beyond yesterday's limits. Zigrane's already beyond the ninth rank."
"Beyond!?" Renald gasped.
"Yeah. Probably the first tenth rank in this tournament," Ralph confirmed.
Nearby, Katsu overheard and quickly shared this revelation with Torren and Felix.
Meanwhile, the elder raised his staff, gathering attention.
"Dear friends! We've witnessed many great battles today, but now, the final and most awaited match begins!"
Excitement buzzed through the crowd.
"Now entering the arena: Participant number 2, Michael Blazeheart, and participant number 7800, Rob Frostflare!"
Michael exhaled slowly and stepped forward, eyes locked onto Rob, who mirrored his calm, focused walk.
"Let's do this," Rob said lightly.
"I'm ready," Michael replied.
The elder raised his hand. "Begin!"
The battle erupted immediately.
"Ice Magic! Forbidden Magic! Exploding Ice! Ice Cubes!" Rob shouted, hurling multiple ice cubes charged with explosive magic.
Michael dodged swiftly as the cubes detonated around him, sending shockwaves through the arena.
"Ice Magic! Forbidden Magic! Exploding Ice! Ice Sword!" Rob continued, summoning a sword shimmering with unstable, dangerous ice.
Rob charged. Michael attempted to close the distance, weaving between attacks. He succeeded, but just as he got close, Rob formed a shield from exploding ice.
Michael struck the shield, but it held firm. Every time he tried to attack, Rob either blocked or countered with small explosions.
Minutes passed. Michael's stamina began to falter. Sweat beaded down his face. He struggled to keep pace, and the crowd's energy dropped — they had expected a fiery clash, not a slow exhaustion.
Seeing this, Rob asked aloud, "Why aren't you using what you learned yesterday?"
Michael blinked in confusion. "What are you talking about?"
Rob only gave a sly smile.
Michael's mind raced. Then realization hit him—he had completely forgotten about his fire magic.
"Right... I awakened it yesterday!"
Michael focused. Heat shimmered around his fists, steam rising as his hands turned a glowing yellow-red.
He roared and charged again.
This time, when his burning hand struck the ice shield, it melted rapidly. Cracks webbed through the shield, and with another blow, he shattered it entirely.
Michael pushed forward, smashing Rob's ice sword to pieces, causing it to explode in a harmless puff of mist.
Rob stepped back quickly, forming thick ice walls around himself.
"Ice Magic! Forbidden Magic! Exploding Ice! Ice Walls!" he cried.
The barriers rose high and dense, meant to trap Michael outside. But Michael didn't hesitate. Flames swirling around his arms, he melted through the wall and entered the enclosure.
Inside, Rob conjured another wall, but Michael blasted through that as well. His strikes were searing, unstoppable. Blow after blow pushed Rob further back.
Realizing he had no choice, Rob triggered the walls to explode.
A thunderous boom shook the arena, smoke and ice shards flying in all directions.
The spectators shielded their eyes.
As the dust cleared, the scene became visible: Rob lay motionless on the ground, while Michael knelt nearby, breathing heavily.
Rob groaned weakly. His clothes were torn nearly to shreds, and bruises marked his body.
Michael's attire wasn't in better shape—ripped and scorched—but he was still conscious.
Rob gritted his teeth, tried to move, but collapsed again. He raised a shaking hand.
"I yield!"
The elder raised his staff. "Three! Two! One! The match is over! The winner is participant number 2, Michael Blazeheart!"
The crowd roared, but the fighters barely heard them.
Michael smiled faintly, pride swelling in his chest. He had made it. He was advancing.
But as he tried to stand, his vision blurred. His legs gave way.
He collapsed face-first onto the ground, unconscious.
Gasps rippled through the stands.
Katsu, Torren, Felix, even Ralph leaned forward, tense.
The chapter closed with Michael lying motionless under the setting sun, victorious—but utterly spent.