The morning after, Ryuji woke to the room still thick with the scent of sex. He looked around and realised they must have lost control as there were signs of intercourse everywhere. Today would be the first match of the last sixteen, and yet Ryuji felt no danger or urgency.

''Today, we fight one of the kingdom''s native chosen.''

Ryuji had been looking forward to it before—however, now he just wanted to finish the tournament and leave Grigor, knowing that the longer he stayed. More issues for Alan and Avandar would be created, though he wished to help them. It was beyond his means, at least right now.

He rubbed his tired eyes, trying to wake himself fully while feeling a warm weight on his chest—someone was wrapped around his body with their soft lips touching his chest, hot breath blowing down his abdomen as they slept quietly.

Ryuji didn''t need to look to know who it was. The smell was distinct. The warmth, the touch, the feel of her skin against his, he remembered it well.

''Ciela.''

After taking her anal virginity last night, he spent most of the time with her, soothing her and cuddling while the other two enjoyed a blissful pleasure, especially Erika, who now seemed to have vanished completely along with Yumiko. Ryuji''s fingertips stroked along Ciela''s soft brown ears, the long tips swaying with her breath.

"Good morning," Ciela yawned as she slowly opened her eyes.

The first thing she saw was Ryuji''s gentle smile, which caused her to flush and her body to heat up in excitement.

Then she began to gasp as she tried to move her hips, only to fall back onto his chest, her hands placed on his shoulders. "Ah....Nn... it''s hard to move, my legs and hips are so weak, like a slime..."

"Sorry," Ryuji said, his fingers caressing her ears while his free hand traced up her back shoulder blades, causing her to arch and let out a light moan. "I went a little overboard last night."

"Overboard?" She giggled softly, her face reddening as her tail swished, flicking his legs. "I had so much fun. I never thought my ass could feel so good, and you did such strange things to me, making me lose my mind. I was like an animal, a beast, and it was wonderful."

Ryuji could understand where she was coming from, as he had enjoyed her body immensely. Yet, he still couldn''t forget her importance and how she depended on him to guide her forward.

"You do understand what we did was not proper."

"Why? We are lovers, aren''t we?" She asked, her voice a little unsure, while her head tilted to the side. "I guess it is something frowned upon by many who believe in the tenets of light. However... I am an elf~ we don''t believe in that goddess."

Ryuji chuckled, finding her straightforward attitude and mannerisms a delight to witness. He knew she was older than him, and yet she acted like a young girl.

Her words and mannerisms were cute, her ears flicking as she nuzzled against him, enjoying his touch. "Mmm... where are Yumiko and Erika... those two were even worse than me... Erika even wet herself...."

"Ah... forget that, she will cry for real..." Ryuji coughed while lifting the soft body of Ciela into his arms as they cuddled on the enormous bed together. He noticed her gaze was moving across the room.

"It''s a mess, isn''t it?" Ryuji sighed while stroking her ear.

"Mmm... the bed is soaked with sweat, and our clothes are strewn everywhere. I can see where you make Erika beg for forgiveness and..." Ciela said while her hands intertwined with Ryuji''s.

"We should go take a bath; maybe today''s battle, you should rest, Ciela. You still haven''t recovered completely."

"A bath together?" Ciela asked, her ears twitching as her eyes gleamed.

"Yes, a bath together."

"Ah... I would love that. As for the battle... Mm, I want to fight with you, but you... such a beast, I can still feel the sensation of you in my ass..." Ciela whined.

"I''m sorry."

"No, no, no... don''t be. It was amazing, and I really enjoyed it. My insides just feel a little sore—it''s just a dull ache, but I don''t mind~."

"Okay, come then," Ryuji said, getting up and lifting Ciela in his arms. She had no complaints, giggling while hugging his neck. Ryuji ignored the mess in the room, deciding to let the cleaning crew take care of it.

"Are you sure? Why isn''t he here?"

"Well, you see, he was doing some naughty things to a cute little elf last and those two last night. So it''s likely he''s enjoying a warm bath with that elf right now while we are stuck here watching this battle in the cold!"

"Are you jealous because you are a virgin, uncle?"

"Humph!"

Alan huffed before turning away from Anne, ignoring the giggling girl while staring at the field.

Yumiko and Erika had woken up, their eyes clear and focused, their bodies ready and prepared for the fight.

"Erika, protect me and use your speed to avoid their close-range attacks, as for any magic or ranged attacks. Leave it to me. I will protect you."

"Okay!"

The two nodded before looking towards the entrance of the field as a man appeared, clad in blood-red armour and holding a massive halberd.

"That''s him, the Bloody Butcher." Maki, the announcer''s voice, sounded before five other males in black robes and holding butcher knives appeared. It seemed the enemy today was a close-combat-orientated group.

"Today''s match is between the Chosen ''Blood Tyrant and the Bloody Butcher!'' A spectacle of blood and brutality! Who will win... But it seems that the Tyrant has sent only two of his female fighters today! What a cruel and cold man!"

"Hah!" Alan scoffed. "You have no idea, idiot. That man has the biggest heart."

"How do you know that?" Anne questioned, her eyes focused on the fight.

"I can feel it from the way he looks at those women. Ryuji isn''t a cold man to those he lets into his heart."

"What do you mean?"

"You will know when you meet him in battle. Afterwards, you will never go against him again. I guarantee it." Alan said with a sad smile.

"Hmph!"

"Oh! It seems the two groups have made their preparations and the Bloody Butcher cannot wait for the match to be started!" Maki announced as the Bloody Butcher and his men charged, their weapons raised.

"BEGIN!"

"Ice prison!"

"Shadow Blades!"

Yumiko and Erika unleashed their spells, trying to slow the enemies, but the Bloody Butcher was Rank-A, a high-level existence.

A beautiful cage of ice began to form in the arena, its cold, icy aura wrapping around the four men who followed the Butcher and formed around him, too.

However, the Bloody Butcher seemed to have predicted her move. His muscles bulged as he swung the heavy weapon with incredible speed, the tip of the weapon glowing.

"Giga Breaker!"

The swing of his weapon shattered the entire ice prison into pieces, the fragments shooting towards Erika, who was still in the process of casting her Shadow Blades spell, which allowed her to create a shadow blade made from compressed shadows.

"Erika! This battle is going to be tough!"