With the challenge accepted, Havel and Shirei moved towards the training arena, followed by the crowd eager to witness the confrontation. By mutual agreement, the demigods had decided to consider lunch over.

The tension in the air was palpable as everyone prepared to see who would prevail in this epic duel. On one hand the strongest demigod in the place, on the other the mysterious revelation of the moment. Marina could only admit her curiosity. She feared, however, that the same story of the lesson she held with Cragar's sons at the training arena would repeat itself.

She had to make Havel give up.

Ien's daughter continued with a determined step and reached the demigod.

"Hey, Havel..." she called his attention, trying to appear calm despite the tension that pervaded her.

"Oh hello!" Sidal's son turned with a broad smile, "What do you need, Maria?" He responded by giving her a disinterested look.

"Marina", corrected the girl in a slightly irritated tone.

"Right, right," Havel nodded, pretending to remember. "So? Do you want an autograph?" He added, posing as if he was a celebrity.

Marina took a deep breath before replying, trying to calm the urge to kick him in the groin. "No, I'd like you to call off the fight," she said, looking the boy in the eyes.

Havel laughed lightly. "Too late," he replied confidently. "The crowd asked for it."

Seeing the blonde's worried face, he hastened to add, "Don't worry, it will only be a demonstration. Your boy will return safely to your arms."

Marina swallowed, trying to hold back the emotion that was rising in her throat. Her boyfriend, Shirei. She and Shirei engaged, together.

She stopped.

"W-we don't…" she stammered, pausing to search for the right words. "Good luck," she finally concluded, turning to leave before turning red.

Sidal's son smiled and winked back at her, "You're telling it to the wrong person!"

Again that usual arrogance, Marina hated it to death. She didn't have to look in the mirror to know, she was starting to turn really red, but from anger and not embarrassment.

She smiled back and imitated the demigod's voice, "I don't think so!"

Then she snorted and walked away from him. If before she was worried that something serious would happen, now she seriously hoped that Shirei would win the fight.

The training arena was lit by bright sunshine as the two combatants prepared for the upcoming battle. Many demigods were present, intrigued by the outcome of the duel and eager to witness a show of strength and skill. Some weren't even in the canteen, they must have joined when they saw the large group moving towards the mezzanine floor. Among the crowd, one could also see some magical creatures, inhabitants of nature who watched with interest and attention. Everyone was full of expectations and wanted to see how the confrontation between the two demigods would unfold. The sons of Lodal, god of money and gold, began to hold bets, offering odds that reflected their judgment of the possible outcome.

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Marina heard some kids calling out the ratings.

There was a win rate of 30% for Shirei and 70% for Havel according to the public, so betting on Cragar's son would have been a bigger win. The crowd was divided between those who believed in Havel's consolidated strength and those who hoped for Shirei's power.

If he could summon the tenebrae, maybe the statistics wouldn't be so much against Hollow, thought Marina

The daughter of Ien looked up, hoping that Aena would descend from the sky to stop the pointless battle. However, not seeing any pink sign in the sky, symbolizing the arrival of the goddess of love, she felt anxiety rising.

All she had to do was cheer. Maybe Shirei would have given that puffer Havel what he deserved: a good lesson.

She decided to approach Ada Bonaventura and wait for the fight to begin.

Rutia's daughter called to the contestants' attention, "A few rules before we begin. The fight ends when one of the two is knocked down or suffers a moderate wound."

Ada pointed to her companion, "Our healer is here, so you don't have to worry about anything. Just think about giving your best and showing off your skills."

The last part was aimed at Shirei, but the boy didn't seem to understand it.

"So, are you ready for the show?" Havel shouted to the crowd.

The spectators burst into cheer for the demigod, chanting his name in chorus.

Sidal's son focused on Shirei, "And you? Are you ready?"

Ada silenced him, giving him a cold glare. "It's my place to ask."

Then he turned to the purple-eyed boy and said, "Ready?"

With a nod from Cragar's son, Ada solemnly declared the duel to begin. The crowd of demigods held their breath, ready to see who would prove the victor.

Havel, with his experience and reputation as a feared warrior, moved with precision, taking advantage of the initial opportunity. His intent was to deliver a powerful, well-aimed blow against his opponent. His strategy was clear and simple in Marina's eyes: exploit his power and skill in combat to test Shirei's abilities, in order to demonstrate his 'clear' superiority.

On the other hand, the violet-eyed specter took the challenge calmly. .

Same as usual, Ien's daughter smiled.

Havel charged forward, drawing his axes, but Shirei used his supreme agility to avoid the blows.

Marina grimaced and commented involuntarily. "He's not looking for an opening to counterattack..."

Ada gave her a cold smile, "He demonstrates surprising dexterity and tactical intelligence, as well as prudence. Maybe he's just scared he won't be up to the challenge."

Ien's daughter shook her head, "I don't think so."

"Do you know him well?"

Havel leaped and swung his axes in a vertical swing, but his strike missed. Sidal's son grunted in anger.

Marina looked back at Rutia's daughter, she didn't know how to respond. "I think so, he's... a friend of mine."

The tension in the air was palpable as the leader of the elite did not give Shirei a moment's respite. He constantly chased him with ferocity and determination, eager to emerge victorious from the confrontation that could change the hierarchy of power at the Lilies Park.

Marina managed to divert her attention from the two and asked, "Where's Darryl?"

The dark-eyed demigoddess remained silent for a few moments, searching for the right words to respond with.

"He took a break. He said he would wander around the mortal world for a while and come back if necessary."

The answer saddened the blonde, "Did he say why?"

Ada shook her head in the negative. "I think it had to do with Aena's decision, but she didn't say anything."

"He always keeps things to himself as if he had a dark past to hide," Marina complained to express her dissent.

"Yeah," Rutia's daughter confirmed, "Do you think he can beat Havel?"

Marina followed the girl's gaze to Shirei, "Maybe, if he decides to get serious we could even find out."

"You like him, don't you?"

Ien's daughter turned red, "You've been here for a day, don't get involved too, please!"

The two girls burst into short laughter which was interrupted by Havel's fighting cry. The unsheathed axes glittered in his hands as he prepared to harness his father's power. It was clear that Cragar's son's shy attitude was making him quite nervous.

Marina didn't miss the opportunity and tried to stop the fight by saying: "You know, I don't think it's a very fair fight if Shirei isn't armed..."

Rutia's daughter raised an eyebrow, "Do you think I'm stupid?"

"No," the girl replied with a nervous smile.

"He has a blade hidden in the Interworld with him, don't kid me."

Marina lowered her gaze and remained silent. Her plan hadn't worked, so all she had to do was act as a bystander.

Shirei dodged to the side, yet another strike missed. The son of Sidal had enough of that game.

"Stop being a coward!"