The crowd erupted with thunderous applause. It had been a spectacular display - two powerful fire users clashing with everything they had, Phoenix bloodline ultimately proving superior through regeneration and raw power advantages.

Medical staff rushed to attend Emmet while Kyle stood victorious in the center of the ring, barely breathing hard despite the intensive fight.

He looked toward where I sat in the spectator section, his expression carrying clear message: You're next.

I met his gaze evenly, unfazed by the implicit challenge. A small smirk formed on my face.

Come on...then.

Kyle had defeated Emmet convincingly through bloodline advantages and exploitation of weaknesses. It was an impressive performance, and I wasn't surprised. Kyle had a supreme bloodline just like me, it wasn't out of the box that he had managed to defeat Emmet.

Still, Emmet had put up a good fight, and I was proud to have him on my side. The current Emmet was getting really close in terms of combat power towards Seraphina, and the next time they fought, it would be difficult to determine who would win.

I ignored Kyle, because when we inevitably faced each other, whether in semi-finals or finals, I'd be ready.

For now, Emmet had fought well despite the loss. His tactical fire manipulation had been exceptional until the bloodline weakness manifested, and even then he'd lasted far longer than most opponents could have against Phoenix regeneration.

No shame in losing to someone with that level of innate advantage.

Match 2: Adrian Blackwood vs Marcus Vale - Primary Arena

After medical staff finished attending to Emmet and the arena was reset, the announcement echoed across the amphitheater.

"Competitors for Match Two - Adrian Blackwood and Marcus Vale - please enter the ring!"

I made my way to the arena floor while Marcus approached from the opposite side. He was a solid Elite-rank fighter I recognized from one of the other premier classes - someone with respectable combat record and decent bloodline advantages, though nothing extraordinary.

Marcus met my eyes as we took our positions, and I saw resignation mixed with determination in his expression. He clearly understood the capability gap after watching my previous performances, but he was going to fight properly anyway rather than forfeit or give up immediately.

I respected that.

The referee positioned between us. "Standard tournament rules. Ready?"

We both nodded.

"BEGIN!"

Marcus came forward with solid fundamentals, his sword work competent and his positioning. He wasn't rushing recklessly or fighting with desperation - he was approaching this as a learning experience and opportunity to test himself against superior opponent.

I responded by matching his pace initially, not overwhelming him immediately but engaging at a level that allowed proper exchange.

Our blades met repeatedly as Marcus demonstrated his capabilities. His technique was textbook academy training - nothing innovative, but fundamentally sound. His footwork was decent, his guard positioning was proper, and his attack timing showed practice and discipline.

Against most Elite-rank opponents, he'd be competitive. Against me with 2nd Order Supernatural Physique and peak-Elite foundation, he was outmatched in every parameter.

But I deliberately didn't make it look easy.

I defended his attacks with appropriate effort, occasionally allowing him to land glancing strikes that demonstrated his technique was connecting. I countered with strikes that he could defend if he positioned properly, teaching through combat rather than just overwhelming.

The crowd watched with interest, recognizing this was different from my demolition of Seraphina. This felt more like an instructional match where the superior fighter was allowing the lesser one to demonstrate their capabilities fully.

Marcus understood what I was doing and fought with increased confidence, knowing he could perform without immediate humiliation.

Around the five-minute mark, after he'd shown everything in his arsenal and gained whatever benefit he could from facing me, I shifted to conclusion mode.

"You've fought well," I said clearly enough for him to hear.

He nodded understanding, setting his stance for final exchange.

I increased my speed and power output significantly, my enhanced physique allowing movements that Marcus couldn't match. His defenses held for perhaps thirty seconds of intensive pressure before inevitable openings appeared.

My blade knocked his weapon from his grip with precisely calculated force, then I closed distance and delivered a controlled strike to his chest that sent him backward but didn't cause serious injury.

Marcus landed on his back, weapon out of reach, clearly defeated but not humiliated.

"Winner: Adrian Blackwood!"

The crowd applauded respectfully. It had been professional and decisive without being cruel.

I extended my hand to help Marcus up. He accepted with a wry smile that mixed appreciation and rueful acknowledgment.

"Thank you," he said quietly. "For not making that worse than it needed to be."

"You fought with proper technique and discipline," I replied. "No reason to humiliate someone who approaches combat well."

"Still... the gap is pretty overwhelming." His wry smile widened slightly. "Good luck in the finals. I'm rooting for you against kyle."

"Appreciate it."

We left the arena together, Marcus heading toward the medical station for routine examination while I returned to the competitor section where Kael and Elen waited.

"That was surprisingly cordial," Elen observed. "Given how you handled Seraphina, I expected more... dominance."

"Marcus didn't deserve the same treatment," I explained. "Seraphina is really strong, understimating her is just asking to lose. Even I can't underestimate her, different opponents warrant different approaches."

Kael nodded understanding. "Strategic mercy. Makes you look strong without being cruel."

Match 3: Kael Frost vs Helena Ashcroft - Ring Two

Kael's quarterfinal match began shortly after mine concluded, positioned in one of the secondary rings since it wasn't expected to draw as much attention as the featured matches.

His opponent, Helena Ashcroft, was a skilled wind mage with reputation for speed and evasive tactics. She'd advanced through quick, mobile combat that frustrated opponents who couldn't pin her down.

The referee signaled start, and Helena immediately activated her wind enhancement.

She began moving rapidly around the arena perimeter, using superior speed to avoid direct engagement while preparing wind blade attacks from safe distance.

It was the same strategy that had worked for her in previous matches - stay mobile, attack from range, exhaust the opponent through constant evasion.

Against Kael, it was insufficient.

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