The epic battle between the masked Girassol and the giant Brutus had been all over people's mouths in the crowd. They had never witnessed such a demonstration of bravery and mastery of skills, even amidst injuries. Now during the interval before the next fight, the expectation was at its peak. Everyone was anxious for the next confrontation, which promised to be no less spectacular. On one side was Snifferer, the humble warrior who had won over the people with his talent and unpretentious spirit. Despite not having a noble pedigree, his victories in the qualifying rounds showed that he should not be underestimated. On the other side was Shiera Felwave, daughter of the mysterious and powerful Lord Silvus Felwave. Rumors about her unique family magic had spread throughout the empire. Would her talent be real or just another legend?

The stadium boiled over with bets and comments. Some cheered for the underdog Snifferer, others for Shiera's glamour nobility. But everyone was eager for the spectacle that would unfold, promising emotions like no other fight so far. Everything was ready for this new challenge to begin and uncover the secrets of its combatants. The arena would fall silent and the battle would begin.

The sound of trumpets announced the entrance of the fighters. First, Snifferer entered the location amid applause from the audience. Scrawny as he was, he carried a focused and calm demeanor. With a short sword in hand, he positioned himself in the center of the arena, awaiting his opponent. Then, the towers on each side opened again. At once emerged Shiera Felwave in all her grace. With long black hair and ruby red eyes, ebony skin like marvelous onyx, wearing an elegant red robe with gold thread details. Her exotic beauty only made her aura more mysterious.

As she entered the location, for an instant red threads like lightning came out of her figure. Many swore they saw a red lightning in the shadows behind her. Would it just be an illusion or an omen of her gifts? Shiera gracefully advanced until positioning herself on the other side, facing Snifferer. They studied each other attentively, assessing each other's abilities. Meanwhile, the audience went into a frenzy, anxiously awaiting this new dispute to unfold. The master of ceremonies took the podium and made his usual speech, declaring the beginning of the combat. The competitors prepared themselves, ready for the clash.

Snifferer took a fighting stance, and without yet knowing Shiera's hidden powers, used his speed to try to confuse the girl. True to his nickname, Snifferer moved fast like the wind, changing from side to side:

"Can you keep up with me, girl?" Snifferer asked in the midst of his movement.

Shiera looked at Sniffer and with a slight finger movement, made a superficial cut on her own wrist. To everyone's amazement, drops of her blood detached floating in the air, as if they had a will of their own. Shiera said:

"Blood Magic: Crimson Chrysanthemums"

The blood drops around Shiera lit up with a red glow illuminating the entire arena red, it was a terrifying sight for the audience but at the same time beautiful, the drops seemed like Chrysanthemums surrounding the girl infused with a bright crimson glow. Snifferer advanced confidently, but stopped stunned to see the blood swiftly heading towards him. Before he could react, the red threads enveloped his neck and wrists, pinning him in place. Shiera closed her fist and the crimson chrysanthemums tightened, making Snifferer let out roars of pain.

Before the dumbfounded crowd, the young Felwave raised her hand toward her now totally incapacitated enemy. New blood drops sprouted from her palm and flew at high speed, perforating Snifferer's body like fine stakes all over. In a matter of moments, the warrior was targeted by dozens of red projectiles, falling bloodied to the arena floor. The audience gasped in horror, then fell silent. Shiera showed her hands dirty with blood, victorious in combat without her opponent even being able to react.

Her blood magic proved lethal and unprecedented. Everyone understood why the Felwave House was so feared. The young heiress had proven to be a terrible adversary like her mysterious father.

The public remained in shock, speechless before the quick execution of Sniffer. No one expected such a demonstration of power and ruthlessness. Shiera left the arena in silence, enveloped in an aura of mystery and fear. Her once ruby eyes glowed with a deep crimson tone, almost supernatural. It was obvious that her blood magic had fully awakened after the brief but devastating confrontation. Slowly, the audience recovered their speech and exploded in frenzied comments. Some acclaimed her, others trembled in fear of facing her. No one doubted anymore that the next member of the Felwave House would emerge as a top candidate to be champion of the tournament.

They were already talking about Shiera's assassin-like capacity when she attended the Academy, so young and startling in her unique mastery of her family's magic. The legend of Lord Silvus seemed to have taken on new contours after witnessing the power demonstrated by his daughter. The Arena of the City of Waters had never witnessed magic as lethal as that of the Felwaves. With this overwhelming performance, Shiera clearly emerged as the new competitor to be defeated. But few would dare to stand in her way after such an impressive and lethal exhibition of her innate talent.

While the agitation caused by the previous fight still reigned in the arena, the great doors opened once more. On one side came in Kal, receiving warm applause from the audience who appreciated his bravery. On the other side emerged Hiugo, the magician known for his gifts with fire. Last year he had reached the finals of the tournament, but had been defeated by Arthan. Now he returned to try to regain the glory of champion. Positioning themselves facing each other, Kal and Hiugo exchanged greetings, showing mutual respect. Knowing this would be a fierce fight.

When the signal sounded, the circus of attacks began. Hiugo quickly drew signs with his hands and incandescent projectiles flew towards Kal. However, he skillfully dodged them, then advancing. The sound of metal clashing was heard when their weapons met. A dizzying exchange of blows began, leaving everyone stunned. The emotion resulting from this new dispute began to overshadow the tension of the previous fight. It would be a battle worthy of finals!

The arena was taken over by intense smoke, hampering everyone's vision with the countless fire magic shots fired by Hiugo. Inside the blazing fog, only the dancing silhouettes of the combatants could be seen, exchanging blows at great speed. From time to time, a flash would illuminate the arabesques of their movements. Meanwhile, the spectators watched tensely from above, awaiting some sign of what was happening down there. It was then that they noticed, to many's surprise, Kal's eyes glowing an intense yellow through the smoke. His glow was stronger than ever, almost outshining the flames surrounding them. It seemed that Kal's gifts were taking another step in that clash fueled by the powerful attacks of his opponent. The encounter between warriors had almost become a battle of fire magic versus some mysterious and powerful energy represented by Kal's yellow eyes. Who would emerge victorious from this battle of talents?

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The only thing you need to know now is that Domeh and I inhabit the same body," Kal remembers Domeh saying to him.

"Two spirits coexisting in the same place."

"Who are you?" Kal asks Domeh.

"I am primordial light, I am everything I want to be," Domeh responds.

"I am also what you want to be!!"

"But all of this depends only on you, not me."

"How so?" Kal retorts.

"You can be everything that I am, after all I am you and you are me," Domeh says.

"But that depends exclusively on you."

"I want to say that, despite you being everything that I am, your will and spirit control everything."

"I cannot die unless your spirit is not strong enough to live!"

"I cannot be defeated unless your spirit is not strong enough to fight!!"

"I cannot be deceived unless your spirit is not strong enough to know."

"Sometimes when you wake up, you feel like you can do something you never learned before."

"That is actually a piece of your spirit that connected to mine."

"I cannot fully pour myself into your spirit, that could kill you."

"Having all of this depends only on you, how ready your spirit is to use me."

"But Professor Terona said that the spirit is immutable, how can I evolve mine?" Kal asks sitting on the mountain.

"Your spirit is not like others, Kal, you have to reach your limit for the doors to open a little more for me," Domeh says.

"Train your spirit, Kal, train..." concludes Domeh, making Kal wake up from his memory.

Inside the blazing fog, Kal seemed like a shooting star moving at great speed, thanks to the training he had with Suzannah and Domeh, his other self. He unleashed a devastating sequence of blows against Hiugo, who barely blocked them. At one point, a more vigorous charge reaped the magician, knocking him down. But he quickly rose back up, preparing new spells.

"5th Circle Fire Magic: Fire Elementals"

He then summoned dragons, phoenixes and other fiery beings that hissed and raged furiously in the arena, throwing flames at Kal. However, he dodged gracefully, seeming to intuit the creatures' movements. Hiugo began to show himself cornered before the speed and discernment of his opponent. He decided to risk all his power, drawing a burning circle on the ground. An enormous fire beast erupted from it, charging at Kal in a final attack.

The great fire elemental charged swiftly towards Kal. For an instant, it seemed it would hit him head on. But at the last second, he performed a lateral somersault, skillfully avoiding the flames. Even so, his clothes quickly caught fire and part of his arm was hit by the blaze. Kal roared in pain, rolling on the ground to put out the fire. Then he rose up, injured but still willing to fight. Hiugo let escape a smile, thinking he had found an opening. However, to his surprise, Kal renewed the attack, perhaps propelled by the pain of the burns. His speed seemed even greater and the blows, more precise. The magician began to clearly tire in the face of his opponent's resistance. When he decided to conjure his magic with more impetus and desperation, fearing defeat. The entire arena boiled in an intense battle of elemental powers, where a simple slip could mean victory for either side. The outcome was approaching in an adrenaline-filled climax.

In the stands, Emperor watched attentively the fight, furrowing his brow. He feared some unknown manifestation of Kal's powers, which seemed to intensify with each blow exchanged. Dean Suzannah fervently cheered for her pupil, proud to see him overcoming adversities with such bravery. Below, Kal dodged with ever-greater agility, leaving Hiugo bewildered. The latter began firing desperate fireballs in all directions, in his second consecutive year on the verge of defeat. One almost hit a spectator in the stands, causing screams of panic. The Emperor ordered that the magician be contained, fearing for his safety and others. Then, amid the chaos, Kal went for the final attack. With a precise blow, he disarmed Hiugo, putting him out of combat. He was declared the winner amid applause, while Dean Suzannah smiled proudly. Another epic victory for the warrior of luminous eyes.

When the dust from the fight settled, Lilla arrived still disguised, curious to see the end. She observed Kal being declared the winner, while Hiugo gritted his teeth in rage. Taking advantage of a moment of distraction from his opponent, he prepared a last fireball to attack him from behind. But to everyone's surprise, Kal suddenly turned around. With an almost supernatural movement, he caught the flame in the air with his bare hands, without burning himself. Then, in the blink of an eye, he materialized before Hiugo. His yellow eyes shone with unknown intensity, making the magician tremble.

"You are not worthy to fight here!" Kal sentenced in a deep tone.

The terror seized Hiugo before that manifestation beyond the common. He retreated staggering, while the multitude sighed, stunned. Was Kal more than a mere warrior? So many mysteries surrounded that winner.

After leaving the arena amid applause, Kal headed towards the infirmary and found Lilla standing there. They exchanged a knowing look and she congratulated his victory. The two greeted each other with a handshake. High up, the Emperor closed that memorable day of fights. Before leaving, he called Suzannah and questioned her about Kal's progress at the Academy.

"How has his performance been at the academy? Did you notice anything unusual about his powers?"

"Don't worry Mordret, the Red Queen is not dead yet," Suzannah said with a mocking smile on her face.

"Hmm..." The Emperor pondered. "Keep a close watch. This young man guards secrets that even he may not yet know. His talent may yet prove valuable, or dangerous. Keep me informed of any developments."

"Okie Dokie," Suzannah concludes leaving with apparent joy.

Although she knew more than she let on, Suzannah did not reveal anything about what she had so far discovered about Kal. However, the emperor was no fool, and kept spies nearby at all times, and any manifestation of dangerous power, the spies had permission to kill him. Upon leaving the arena, a mysterious man named Loui watched closely the fights in the arena. An experienced spy for Felix Saladon, Duke of his lands, he could not help but notice Kal's tremendous skill. Something in the young warrior rang familiar to him, when he remembered the time he was a child and saw the old King and Queen of the now destroyed Kingdom of Tenai, the place that today is dominated by Saladon for years. The resemblance to Kal was disturbing.

Loui feared he might be a surviving descendant of the ancient royal family, seeking revenge. He needed to find out the truth and report to Saladon. With caution, he would start prowling around the Academy grounds and spying on Kal's steps. That day, he saw him meet Lilla as they left the arena. The story of how Kal arrived here still remained a secret... but he would not give up until finding out the whole truth, before he could return to the Grand Duchy of Saladon.

In the Felwave mansion, Lord Silvus Felwave received his daughter Shiera after her crushing victory in the arena.

"Congratulations on your success today. However, I expect even better performances going forward. You are a Felwave, you must always surpass limits."

Shiera merely nodded, accustomed to her father's coldness. Noticing his interest in the new warrior Kal, she commented:

"Kal seems promising. Perhaps he will be a worthy opponent for me in the future."

"Hmm, that boy has piqued my interest," Silvus turning to one of his servants.

"I want to know everything about him. Spy on his steps at the Academy..."

The servant promptly left to carry out orders. Silvus thought: "This Kal hides a mysterious past. Will he have the talent to entertain me as Shiera's next challenge? Only time will tell. But I intend to uncover all his secrets."

At the city festival, away from prying eyes, Kal shared some sweets he had bought with Lilla.

"Thank you for bringing me here today. It was good to be able to talk without secrets, as friends," said Lilla sweetly.

"Friends forever. Your company has become precious to me," Kal replied with a smile.

Lilla blushed, wanting to talk about the affection she felt for him. But when she looked at him, she realized that Kal still did not understand what she was truly feeling. She decided not to force him.

"I promise I will reach the finals, after defeating Arthan. And you, after Shiera. Then we can face each other, as we promised."

"It will be an honor to fight you, princess. Good luck in your next challenge."

They said goodbye with a gentle handshake. Lilla's eyes revealed her passion, but she said nothing. She just watched Kal walk away, carrying her heart. She knew that time would reveal their destiny.