“No,” Serith replied. “There’s no need for that.”

He stepped closer, his champion behind him, staring at me with daggered pupils lined with red irises.

“I already signed us up. So many people are looking forward to it,” the man explained with a troubled expression. “And Kris here is so excited, aren’t you?”

Kris moved closer, extending his purple hand toward me. “Lucan was so kind. I only wanted to repay the favor.”

He spoke with genuine politeness, and if it weren’t for his guardian standing behind him, I might’ve believed it.

I took his hand while studying him. Stone scales covered parts of his body like armor. His face was exposed, but the rest of his head was encased in grey rock, forming a helmet-like structure.

Nothing happened like it had with Daniel. It was simply a exchange of a polite gesture. I smiled and shook. Kris did the same, minus the smile. His expression never changed. Stone-faced.

I was already wondering if he shared the same poor attitude of his company.

What caught my attention even more were his horns. They were thick and solid black, curving backward from his skull. 

The trait reminded me of a particular vision I had recently.

Though, with creatures with elf-like ears, humans, and robotic species all gathered here, it was entirely possible something similar to the Voidseed had developed independently. Still…

“Who gave you the authority to sign me up for something, Drema?” Serith asked.

Drema tucked a lock of hair behind his ear, smiling brightly. “You were once m—”

“You had no right,” Serith cut him off.

“It’s already done,” Drema said, narrowing his eyes. “Just come.”

I glanced back at Nova. “Am I even a champion yet?”

A pixelated set of wide, oval eyes blinked onto the screen. [“No. Not yet. Not until you touch the screen with your blood.”]

“Miss Serith?” I asked quietly. “Technically I can’t participate yet, right?”

She glanced at me, clearly seeing through my attempt to get out of it, and shook her head. “It’s fine. We will go.”

“Excellent!” Drema said gleefully. “We’ll be waiting at the arenas.”

He walked away. Kris gave me a brief nod before following.

“Is everything alright?” Thea asked. “You didn’t want to avoid it?”

Serith sighed, gesturing for me to complete the registration. “No. We’d just be delaying the inevitable. Besides, it’s a good opportunity for you all.”

“For what?” Elric asked.

“To see how weak you are in comparison,” she answered bluntly. "He is a real talent. One who could face mine... Not measure up, but face."

The words clung to me as I swiped the glass-screen with my blood. The droplet was absorbed instantly, vanishing as if it had never existed.

[“You are now the official Champion of Western Caedia’s Serith.”]

“Thank you, Nova,” Serith nodded. “Let’s meet up later, okay?”

[“Of course.”] Nova turned toward me, pausing briefly before adding, [“Good luck. It will be hard, but your life will change now. Being a champion is a massive opportunity.”]

I followed Serith, the others trailing behind. “Thanks. I’ll just try not to embarrass your friend.”

We boarded another floating platform, rising higher.

“So, what can I expect from the tutoring?” I asked nervously. “You made it sound like I’m going to lose no matter what.”

Serith placed a hand on my shoulder, smiling. “I suppose it depends on that young man. He isn’t cruel, but he’s loyal.”

Elric chuckled dryly. “So if his master asks, Kris will stomp Peter?”

“Mmm. No. Peter is strong too. But...” She hesitated briefly. “He has no Bloodline. Unlike the rest of you. And a strong bloodline—I'm sure you know how powerful abilities can be.”

We stepped onto another clear floor. The constant transparency was starting to become nauseating. Who wanted to design a place in such a scary way?

“Do they cultivate here?” Thea asked, a mixture of worry and fascination in her voice.

“That... is difficult to answer,” Serith replied honestly.

“I don’t understand. You once had a hub of knowledge, right? Wouldn’t you know plenty about Force?” Thea pressed, referencing what I had told the group before.

Serith chuckled softly. “I had a wonderful library, yes. But our people were likely much like Peter’s before the disasters. The blessings made us strong enough to face what came, and to build upon it. Of course, there are records, but even I find myself fascinated by your discoveries.”

“Really?!” Thea brightened. “Then what about systems? You have to know a lot about that. It could help Peter, Elric, and the rest of us come up with more. And then we can share, and—”

“Ah—looks like we don’t have time right now,” Serith cut her off, quickly changing the subject as she pointed ahead toward solid ground, the first flat surface free from the endless heights.

A small group had gathered there, perhaps a couple dozen, circling a blue-tiled arena. But only two figures at the platform steps mattered.

“I’m so glad you could make it. It seems others were eager to watch the fun!” Drema called. “Shall we begin quickly?”

Serith grunted. “Let’s just get this over with. Unlike you, I don’t have time to stand waiting around for others.”

With a light push from Serith, I stepped forward, standing before Kris.

“Sooo… what do we do?” I asked, unsure.

He pointed toward two small pillars on either side of the stairs. “Touch one. I’ll take the other.”

“How is that necessary?!” Serith suddenly shouted, making me jump slightly.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Kris’s guardian shrug. “No one wants a death here.”

I had already placed my hand on the pillar, feeling something surge into me. A strange energy rushing through my body, moving faster than I could think. It took something, then slipped away, returning back to where it came from.

“Death?” Elric cut in. “What kind of man of high standing offers to show newcomers around, then threatens death? Do you have any shame?”

The surrounding murmurs fell silent.

“Someone of your standing has no right to speak,” Kris warned, glaring at Elric.

“Please, if you all weren’t so transparent, I wouldn’t have any issues. Ever heard of subterfuge? That master of yours is so obvious. I can only imagine how he would fare if he grew up how I did. My guess? He’d be no better than a dead rodent.”

I felt a growing heat beside me, something violent.

“Repeat that. I dare you.”

Elric shrugged, clearly ready to push it further. Before he could, I stepped in.

“I already touched whatever this is. Let’s get your tutoring over with,” I said, stepping up onto the platform. As I passed Kris, I gave him a light pat on the back, feeling the rough texture of his stone armor beneath my palm.

“STOP! Why are you going up there if you could die?!” Thea shouted behind me.

“Your servants are quite talkative,” Kris commented as he stepped past me. “The point is for you not to die once you’ve touched that.”

“Not my servants.” I continued forward onto the arena, realizing the floor was made of soft mats rather than solid tiles.

That was nice.

I know you told me not to rely on her—

I started, but Wyrem cut me off. No. Ruin these morons if you can. Luna, you have plenty of poison, don’t you?

Oooh yes, Luna answered with euphoric anticipation.

It’s nice having good teammates. Besides, by their words, no need to worry about killing him… I think.

I stood on one side while Kris took the opposite.

“So, how do we know when to start?”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he pointed upward.

From a hanging light above, a translucent clear barrier extended downward, slowly forming a protective dome around the elevated arena.

I watched as his armor shifted. The stone scales crawling across his body like living beetles, covering him fully.

I readied myself. My dmain activated and I linked my sight with Luna. My gauntlets appeared an instant later.

A heartbeat.

A blink.

[“Please begin.”]

I didn’t even blink before Kris was already on me.

He appeared like he was already standing there before.

The air warped as my Domain pulsed, his life force lighting up sharply. For a brief moment, Kazriel’s image flashed in my mind. The same instantaneous speed. The same crushing pressure.

My instincts barely kept pace. I stepped back, throwing up a rushed barrier with one hand while summoning several Core Powder pellets with the other.

Kris’s foot swept forward in a wide arc, colliding with the barrier.

Crack.

The barrier shattered instantly, just as the pellets scattered.

All five detonated, releasing clouds of freezing mist that coiled into the arena like a living fog.

Kris reeled back, his balance shifting, clearly affected by the sudden blinding and cold.

I didn’t hesitate.

My fist lashed out, punching into his armored abdomen. A Blasting Wave burst forth on impact, rippling around him. Several stone plates cracked free, revealing glimpses of pale skin underneath.

The skin, Peter! Luna shouted.

“ARRAHG!” Kris let out a scream, but whether in pain or frustration, I couldn’t tell. He only stepped back once.

One step. That’s all I had gained.

I stared at him, stunned, and his red irises locked onto me through the thinning mist completely unblinking.

Focused.

Then he vanished.

My Domain pulsed again behind me.

I lunged forward, barely ducking beneath his sweeping leg. It passed inches from where my head had been—

The world spun violently.

My vision collapsed into black.

What’s that ringing? “Uggh. My head...”

PETER, RAISE YOUR ARMS! Wyrem ordered sharply.

Light snapped back into focus just as a golden-plated hoof descended toward me like a hammer.

I moved on instinct, raising both gauntlets to shield myself.

“Urgh—” The force slammed into my arms, driving me into the mats beneath. The surface dipped from the pressure as sharp cracks webbed across my gauntlets, glowing with fracture lines of energy.

What happened? I asked, mind still spinning.

He kicked you, Luna answered flatly.

I pushed everything I had outward. The Silencing Current exploded from my core, frost erupting in every direction.

The mats glazed over instantly, a thin sheet of ice spreading beneath us.

For barely a heartbeat, Kris froze along with his next descending kick, now halted mid-motion.

I used the brief moment to drag myself upright, ignoring the screaming pain surging through my head. My legs nearly gave out immediately with the surge of dizziness.

The window closed just as quickly. Kris disappeared before I had any chance to counter attack.

Luna? I called, scanning with my Domain but seeing nothing.

I don’t know, Peter. H–he’s just gone, she warned.

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