Lyra jumped out of range; the spinning water column crashed on her previous spot. The ground was like grinded, a hole appeared in the arena, with water recovering the spot.

"You should give up; your arrows are no match for my crushing cyclone Rune," Filz said proudly. Lyra still didn't answer; her body moved around Filz, aiming with her bow. Another arrow whistled through the void, colliding with the water cyclone, but it could not stop it. Filz was embarrassed; she seemed completely uninterested in answering him.

"As you wish," he glared, another Rune was drawn. The crushing cyclone surged forward, hammering her previous spot once more. She dodged, stepping to the side, but the water was like a violent cyclone; the ground shook upon impact, sending water raining everywhere, splashing. Her body was now covered in water, her wetted dress accentuating her curves.

"Such power to think water can be this powerful; how long will Miss Lyra be able to handle such power?" the lady commented, retreating to avoid water splashing. Lyra's long white hair flowed as she kept moving in a circle; many onlookers couldn't lift their gaze off her. She continued her maneuver.

"What is she doing? If this continues, she will certainly lose," Amarok said, a little agitated. "The crushing cyclone Rune is among the strongest known water Runes for Rune sorcerer apprentices," Calder explained.

"Look carefully, Amarok, and learn," Neo said knowingly. Staring at the arena, he couldn't help but nod. "What do you mean, master?" Amarok squinted his eyes, staring intensely. "You too, Mist," Calder said.

Lyra finally stopped running; she picked up her last arrow. "You should have prepared more arrows, or did you think you would win that easily? Unfortunately, you had to face me," he said arrogantly.

The spinning water column was charging. Lyra smiled as she let the string of her bow. With a whooshing sound, the arrow crushed the distance. As it moved, strange lights agglomerated at it. More and more lights appeared; the void was cracking at the tip of the arrow. Lightning flashed as the two collided.

Filz turned ugly as he jumped back; the arrow was destroyed, but the lightning coursed through the spinning water column. When he landed back, Lyra smirked. Filz cried as his foot landed in the water flickered that was surrounding him. He finally understood everything, but it was too late. His body was sent flying out of the arena, his head facing the ground.

"I lost again," Filz said with a bitter expression before falling unconscious. The crowd looked at the petite figure in the arena with awe. She was not only beautiful; she was very smart. Amarok was delighted as he started clapping. Suddenly, everyone started clapping.

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"We have our winner. Miss Lyra, what an impressive show you have just displayed. What is happening this year; it's crazy how Rune warriors at the initiate rank can defeat those above them at the apprentice rank. What's even more, they are Rune Sorcerers," the lady came back to the arena, commenting.

The crowd was equally dazzled; it was to be noted that Rune warriors were at a natural disadvantage against Rune Sorcerers, not even speaking when there was a rank difference.

Were these Rune warriors simply too talented, or were their opponents too weak? Lyra nodded and left the arena, her eyes looking into the first person who started clapping. A genuine smile bloomed on her face before she left.

"Who is she looking at with such a smile?" the others couldn't help but question themselves. Soon their eyes fell on Amarok. They were curious who he was. His body was entirely covered in bandages, making it hard for people to recognize him. "It's the boy from the banquet," one added. "So it's him. He doesn't look anything like what people said. Looks like rumors are nothing more than exaggerated views," some commented.

....

The night had fallen, and the arena was already empty. The first round was finished; a lot of dazzling figures appeared, but only four caught any attention: the arrogant Kinty, who defeated his opponent in three moves; the beautiful Lyra with her bow; Kleid, and Agris, who defeated his opponent in a single move.

"I will be back soon; I have one last thing to do before leaving. Coming with me, Wisdom?" Amarok said to his little friend. Wisdom still glared but jumped on Amarok.

"Mist will go with you, just in case," Calder said seriously. "I don't need a nanny," Amarok was startled; he didn't want to stay with this crazy lady. "The next time you call me that, you wouldn't be called a man anymore," Mist retorted.

"Take it as a trip with a beautiful girl. You should be happy," Neo insisted, leaving with Calder. "Is your boyfriend not going to be mad with that?" Amarok asked with a sly smile; he was certain it should be enough to shove her off.

"What's a boyfriend?" she asked clueless. "What?!" Amarok cried, "You don't know that, and you call me ignorant." He couldn't help but laugh.

"Let me explain. It's a person that always wants to tie you and follow you everywhere in the night. Do you understand?" Amarok asked, a smile at the corner of his mouth. She stared at him, not saying anything. Looking at his smile, she simply couldn't believe him. Suddenly her eyes flashed with realization; he was making fun of her. "You! You're dead," she said, taking chase. Amarok sprinted, his laughter unhindered.

Amarok had a clear destination in hand. They first went to the golden garden before going to his destination. He quickly arrived before a familiar manor.

"I need to see someone inside; can you wait for me here?" Amarok stopped joking and said. "I'm already here," Mist said with a sigh. Has she really turned into a nanny? Whatever, she couldn't go against her master's orders.

Amarok went to the gates, but to his surprise, the guard didn't let him in. "I know Lyra; you can call her to verify. Say it's her friend from the golden garden," Amarok tried to explain, but the guard would not listen.

"Leave if you don't want me to call the key guards. They will be glad; they are all itching to cut you into pieces," the guard said. Amarok was baffled; what a radical change of attitude. Last time, it was these same guards that saw him off. He had been so polite and present that day. Had something happened in the meantime? Amarok was unwilling to give up; he would enter that manor one way or another.