The roar of the crowd gradually settled into a humming buzz, but the tension in the Great Spirit Arena lingered like the crackle of static in the air. Ashzure lay unconscious at the center of the stage, the final echo of Dark Kiva's sonic shockwave still reverberating through the stone floor.
As the summoned Riders faded like mist into the ether, Li Wei stood alone in the aftermath, his breath steady, his aura unfazed. The Diendriver dematerialized from his hand with a soft shimmer.
The announcer's voice rang out once more, almost hesitant to break the stunned silence.
"Winner: Li Wei!"
Thunderous applause erupted again, shaking the coliseum.
From one of the elevated rest areas, several students had gathered—some sitting on benches, others standing along the railing, watching every second of the match.
Tang San leaned slightly forward, arms resting on the railing. His eyes, calm but keen, reflected a rare sharpness.
"That wasn't just spirit power," he murmured. "It was battle experience… and a tactical summoning system. Completely different from usual use of martial souls."
Xiao Wu's ears twitched as she blinked, still a bit stunned.
"Those armor guys he summoned… they moved like they were alive. And he didn't even flinch once! He barely moved!"
Zhu Zhuqing, standing quietly beside them, narrowed her eyes. She had seen glimpses of Li Wei at the academy, often quiet and distant, almost ghostlike. But now.
"So it really was not a flux that he already a spirit ancestor… even compare to other Spirit Ancestor, his control is at another level." Her voice was calm, but there was a spark of challenge in her gaze.
Ning Rongrong pouted slightly, though her eyes shone with interest.
"I thought Oscar's sausages were rare. But that guy… he has cards that summon warriors? It's like he's commanding an army."
Behind them, Dai Mubai let out a low whistle as he crossed his arms.
"Still just as sharp as the first time I watched him. Back then, I thought he was just lucky. But this?"
He shook his head with a smirk.
"This is a guy who doesn't just rely on luck."
Oscar leaned forward from the bench, scratching his head.
"Those were real attacks too. Not just flashy illusions. That Knight fellow cut through Ashzure's defense like paper. And that red one… what did he do?"
"Clock Up," Ma Hongjun answered, eyes wide with excitement. "I heard the name. It's like… speed beyond speed. He moved faster than Ashzure could even react. I don't even know how you'd defend against that."
Dai Mubai glanced toward the exit of the stage.
"That is not the only thing that he do, new student. You can say that, every time he summon that armor warrior it usually a different one. When he become serious then you will see he use the strongest armor warrior in his repertoire"
Ma Hongjun quip more.
"Don't need to. If he's on our side, it's better we never have to."
As if summoned by their words, Li Wei emerged from the corridor and walked toward their group.
His footsteps were unhurried, his expression unreadable. But his eyes flicked from face to face—Tang San, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing—and then to Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun.
Dai Mubai raised a brow.
"Quite the show you put on, Li Wei. Ashzure looked like a fried fish by the end."
"I aimed for restraint," Li Wei replied calmly. "But he kept escalating the fight so I need to put him down before it became hard to contain. He is strong if I let him stand too long."
Oscar chuckled.
"So your idea of restraint is summoning six armored guys and a lightning god in a cape. Got it."
Ma Hongjun slapped his thigh, laughing.
"I liked the one with the shotgun elbow! Boom! Right into the wall! Man, that was brutal."
Xiao Wu peered up at him.
"Do all your fights go like that?"
Li Wei paused, then gave a small, almost imperceptible shrug.
"Only when they underestimate me."
Tang San nodded slightly.
"The way you use your martial soul is different from the others. You did not even deployed your soul ring, if not for the other said you are soul ancestor I am not even sure to realize that you are a soul ancestor"
Li Wei looked at him, eyes cool but not unfriendly.
"Technically. But not one you'll find in any textbook."
Ning Rongrong's curiosity got the better of her.
"Then where did you get it?"
Li Wei offered a thin smile, just enough to dodge the question.
"That's a story for another time."
Zhu Zhuqing studied him quietly, her feline instincts sensing something deeper beneath his composure.
"You didn't use your full power."
Li Wei met her gaze.
"Didn't need to."
There was silence for a moment. Then Dai Mubai clapped his hands together.
"Well, how about we go eat dinner. After that work out, some of us need the energy. We're supposed to celebrate a good match, aren't we?"
Oscar nodded.
"As long as it's not my treat."
Ma Hongjun raised a hand.
"Seconded."
Xiao Wu beamed.
"I'm in! I want to know more about that clock thingy!"
Li Wei said nothing at first. But then he gave a single nod.
"Alright. Perhap... Just don't ask me to summon anything indoors. I do not think the place able to accommodate my summon"
As the group began to move together, the distant noise of another match rang out from the arena. But in this small corner, among future elites and quiet monsters, a new bond was beginning to form—not of equals, not yet, but of acknowledgment.
And perhaps, in time… camaraderie.