Kain gasped.

Liora: "It worked! It worked! Thank the heavens—he is breathing!"

Rion collapsed from exhaustion and immense strain on his body. He had torn through the tendons in his leg and shoulder.

Then, we were found by knights who had seen the chaos spread by the elite dragon, Tempus. He lay there and died as morning came, engulfed in flames.

Liora passed out from expending all her mana.

Six hours later, Celestia, Kain, and Rion were found by knights who had spotted the dragon from the city. They were still breathing but in critical condition, barely clinging to life, thanks to Liora's healing. She was found unconscious, completely drained of mana.

The school was shut down for two months for an inspection, and the forest was forbidden to all by the king.

TWO WEEKS LATER

I woke up in a hurry.

Rion: "Huh? Where am I?"

Liora: "You're in the hospital. It's been two weeks."

Liora explained everything that had happened. Kain had surgery but survived. He was no longer in critical condition and had woken up two days ago, now healing. Celestia had a stroke but was recovering, and the doctors said she would fully heal in six months. I had woken up a day after Rose.

Unfortunately, Rose had entered a deep coma. The doctors said she might wake up in ten days… or ten months… or ten years… or even decades. They didn’t know. They estimated around a year.

I was shocked at their condition. Every day, I talked to Rose and recorded everything in a diary for her and everyone else when they woke up.

Rion: "Hey, Rose… Everyone is recovering. We’re all fine—just waiting for you now. Anytime… promise me you'll wake up. Let us see you again. Your parents came the other day. They're really worried about you…"

I broke down.

Rion: "I miss you. I… I now realize I need you. I… I love you. Please come back to me as soon as you can. Please, Rose… for me… for your parents… for your friends…"

I started to leave, but then—

Her eyes opened slightly. I immediately alerted the doctors, and another week later, she woke up.

Rion: "Hey, Rose… You didn't happen to hear what I said, right?"

Stolen story; please report.

Rose: "What are you talking about?"

Rion: "N-Nothing! Nothing! Haha… Umm…"

THE TOURNAMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

The school reopened, and on the first day, we received an announcement.

Teacher: "Students, starting tomorrow, a great tournament will be held—the Dragonbane Clash. The winner will be awarded the legendary Dragonbane, an enchanted blade of immense power—the greatest beast-slaying blade ever created. The winner will also earn the Rank S Dragon Slayer title, aiding the king and knights in battles against elite dragons.

There are only two ways to achieve Rank S:

* Kill three Dragon Monarchs.

* Win this tournament.

Here’s how it will work: Each team will have five members. In the qualifiers, you will face off against other teams in three battles—a 1v1, a 2v2, and another 2v2.

After the qualifiers, the strongest team in the school will face off against the top team from rival academies.

The tournament begins in two days. Good luck!"

TOURNAMENT PREPARATIONS

I rested for two days, and then it started.

That morning, we arrived at the academy, prepared to fight.

Teacher: "Are you all ready? Here’s how it works:

* Form teams of five members.

* You will be placed in qualifier blocks.

* The team that defeats everyone in their block will move on to the main tournament.

* There will be four block winners who will then face off in the semifinals.

* The final two teams will clash in the championship match!

Now, get into your teams of six."

Rose: "We have five people, but we need one more—someone powerful who matches our team's strength and can coordinate well with us."

Celestia: "Uhhh, come on…"

Rion: "What? Do you know somebody?"

Celestia: "In elementary school, there was this super annoying kid who talked too much. He even stalked me for a bit."

Kain: "He what?! I will kill him!"

Rose: "I thought he was nice. You hated him only because he once beat you in an exam. True, he can be annoying, but he could sync up with Rion, and he's in our class. He was trying to give you your homework, not stalk you! So do NOT kill him!"

Kain: "Who is this person?"

Rose: "He comes from Nuristan, the Islamic continent in the east. It's a really amazing place. He has a weird last name, and he moved here a while back."

Rion: "What's his name?"

Celestia: "Yassin Abo-Naem."

Rose: "He's a big talker—yaps too much."

Rion: "If you're this fond of him, then we should have him join our party."

Kain: "Where is this dude?"

Yassin: "DID YOU SPEAK MY NAME?!!!"

Rion: "Ahhh! Incite Battle Arts—BURN!!!"

Yassin: "Ahahahahaha!"

Liora: "Heal!"

Yassin: "What are we calling ourselves?"

Rion: "Dragon Slayers! Team Dragon Slayers!"

THE TOURNAMENT BEGINS

A couple of days passed, and the tournament’s first round began.

Teacher: "First will be 3-on-3 matches. Team Dragon Slayers will face Team Blaze. The winner will fight the winner of the match between Team Dragon and Team Diamond."

Rion: "Me, Yassin, and Kain will deploy."

Rose: "Not a chance! We won’t showcase all our most powerful members' abilities in the first round, dummies."

Celestia: "She’s right. Me, Celestia, and Kain will deploy—just in case they turn out to be too strong."

The first fight was over quickly. They were dominated in minutes, thanks to Celestia and Rose’s strength and speed.

We moved on to the semifinals, where it was finally my turn. I would go with Yassin and Rose.