The crowd erupted into cheers. The two fighters traded punches nonstop, faces snapping from each hit, blood spraying with every impact. Celia's lip split open, blood dripping down her chin. Sela remained mostly unscathed, her indestructible skin barely showing a mark.

Still, Celia refused to back down. Both of them were breathing heavily now, panting, fists trembling, sweat and blood mixing on their faces.

"What's going on?" Sela thought, panting. "She finally made me bleed… there's blood on my mouth. Her punches, they're heavier than mine. But why… why doesn't it hurt? I can feel it… I'm getting stronger. I can tell."

Celia took a few steps back, breathing hard. "What the? Why am I moving back? How am I even losing ground?" she thought, frustration burning in her chest. "My life consuming technique isn't like others. It makes me indestructible, gives me monstrous strength… so how, how strong is this girl!?"

"Damn you, Celia!" Sela roared, swinging again. Her punches came in waves, each one shaking the arena.

Celia gritted her teeth and met every blow head on. Now's my chance, she thought, her eyes narrowing. There, an opening.

With a low breath, she slipped under Sela's next punch. Her sword materialized back into her hand from her inventory box, glowing faintly. In one swift motion, she slashed across the same spot where Sela's mouth was already bleeding.

A burst of red.

Sela stumbled back, touching her mouth in disbelief. "Ah, blood? I'm… bleeding?!" she gasped. "I'm not supposed to bleed! How… how dare you make me bleed!"

She glared at Celia, anger and shock in her eyes. Celia didn't hesitate. She gathered all her energy, channeled everything into one final strike, and drove her fist straight into Sela's face.

The impact thundered across the arena. BOOM!

Sela's body hit the ground hard, cracking the stone beneath her.

But she wasn't finished. Sela tried to push herself up, fury still burning. Celia sprinted forward, leapt into the air, and landed on top of her, then unleashed a barrage of punches, raining down on Sela's face again and again.

"Stop! Stop!" Sela tried to shout, her voice fading under the blows. Her face began to swell, her eyes darkening, blood trailing from her nose.

"I give up!" Sela screamed.

The crowd exploded in cheers. The entire arena roared her name.

"The winner… is Celia!" the emissary announced, voice echoing through the coliseum.

The audience went wild.

From the stands, Nolan raised his hand, a soft light glowing from his palm. Instantly, both Celia and Sela's wounds closed. The swelling vanished, the blood dried, both stood healed as if nothing had happened.

Sela touched her face, astonished. "My injuries… they're gone. The bleeding stopped. What's going on?"

"It's my master," Celia said with a tired smile. "I'm sure he healed us."

"Your master? Why would he do that?" Sela asked.

"Well," Celia said, smiling faintly, "he's not like your master, or like you. He's kind."

Sela looked down for a moment. "It was… a good fight," she said quietly.

"Yeah," Celia smiled. "It was."

As Celia turned and walked away, Sela stood there in silence, watching her back disappear down the tunnel.

I lost… she thought. After all the things I said about her, after all my pride… she's not even angry. It's like she already forgave me.

"Who are these people?" Sela whispered, eyes lingering on Celia as the cheers echoed across the arena.

Meanwhile, as Celia left the arena, the crowd still roaring her name, she walked back through the tunnel. Her heart was pounding, not from fear, but from excitement.

When she reached the back, she turned and made her way up the steps toward the stands where Nolan and Lyra were waiting.

"Wow," Nolan said with a proud smile, folding his arms. "You actually did really well out there."

Celia smiled and bowed slightly. "Yeah, I did my best, Master."

"Yes, you did," Nolan said. "But… since when were you that strong? I didn't know your physical strength had grown this much."

Celia chuckled lightly, scratching her head. "Hmm… I guess it started the day you transferred your mana to me. About three days later, I noticed something. My strength, my stamina, even my reaction speed, everything just… skyrocketed. But honestly, I didn't think I'd be able to go toe to toe with someone like Sela, trading punches like that."

Nolan smirked. "Well, all that matters is that you won. You made me proud out there."

Celia smiled brightly. "Thank you, Master."

Just then, the emissary's voice echoed across the arena again.

"Wow, wow, wow! That was an outstanding match!" the announcer shouted, hyping up the crowd once more. "Sela may have lost, but that was one of the most thrilling battles we've ever seen! Now, moving on, there are four participants remaining in the tournament!"

The crowd erupted into cheers again.

"The remaining contestants are: Nolan, Celia, Kyrion, and Fenva!" the emissary declared. "Everyone, get ready for what's next. Sit tight, because up next, it's Kyrion versus Fenva!"

"Whoa," Linda said from the stands, leaning forward. "That's going to be a tough one."

Lyra nodded. "Yeah, both of them are monsters in their own right. Their strength is insane."

"But still…" Nolan said quietly, his eyes narrowing. "I have a feeling Kyrion will win this one."

"Why's that?" Lyra asked, glancing at him.

"His speed," Nolan replied. "It's not normal. You saw it last time. He moves like someone under the influence of a forbidden spell. Whatever technique he's using, it's not ordinary. But…" he paused, watching the empty arena below as the crowd's anticipation built again, "…we'll just have to wait and see who truly stands at the top."

Then, Sela, the one who had just been defeated by Celia, returned quietly to the stands. She walked toward where Kyrion was seated.

"Master… I failed," Sela said softly, her voice trembling.

As the white glow around her faded, her body returned to normal size. Her aura dimmed, the fierce warrior now looked small, almost fragile.

Kyrion didn't respond at first. He simply looked at her with a cold expression. Then he said, "You failed… just like Korra did."

Sela lowered her head, unable to look him in the eyes.

"Follow me," Kyrion said sharply. "Before I head to the arena."

"Yes, Master," Sela whispered as she followed him.

They walked to a quiet corner beside the stands, a place shadowed from the crowd's view. No one noticed them slip away.

Kyrion turned suddenly. "Stay here," he said coldly. He clenched his fist, then without warning,

SLAP!

The sound echoed faintly. Sela's head snapped to the side as his hand struck her cheek.

"How dare you disgrace me in front of everyone?" Kyrion snarled. "You and Korra, both useless failures. You think you can carry my name and then lose like that? I should never have taken in weaklings who can't keep up with me!"

He raised his left hand again, his knuckles tightening, ready to punch her across the face.

Sela flinched, closing her eyes. Her lips moved in a trembling whisper no one could hear. "I… hoped…"

But before Kyrion's fist could land,

A strong hand caught his wrist.

"Hey."

The voice was calm, but heavy with anger.

Nolan stood there, his grip firm on Kyrion's arm. "Don't ever raise your hand against a woman," Nolan said coldly. "She called for help and I'm here."

Sela's eyes widened. She slowly opened them, seeing Nolan standing between them.

Kyrion pulled his hand back roughly. "What the hell are you doing here, Nolan?" he growled.

Nolan met his glare. "I'm not a fan of men who beat women for losing a fight," he said, his tone sharp as steel. "No matter how strong you think you are."

"Get lost from here now, or you're gonna pay," Kyrion said.

"Well, what if I say I won't?" Nolan replied calmly. "You need to be taught a lesson. I was thinking of waiting until we met in the arena, but since you're escalating it here…"

Kyrion smiled coldly. "Don't forget your place, weakling."

He raised his fist toward Nolan and swung. Nolan ducked just in time, the punch slicing past his head. In the same motion, Nolan pulled back his arm, ready to strike back.

But Sela stepped in front of him, her hands raised. "Please, stop!" she cried.

Nolan froze, lowering his hand. "What are you doing? Are you really going to forgive him after what he did to you? He has to pay for that."

"It's fine… please, you both shouldn't fight," Sela said softly, her voice trembling.

From the arena, the emissary's voice echoed through the wind amplifier: "Contestant Fenva is already at the arena. But Kyrion isn't. Kyrion, report immediately."

Kyrion glanced toward the sound, then smirked. "Well, I guess I'm going. But don't forget, after I win this, you're next, Nolan. You'll be the first one I make sure actually dies here."

He turned and walked away toward the back of the arena, his smirk lingering.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.