The battles in the arena raged on. With eight thousand fighters participating, the first round was bound to take a long time. To speed up the eliminations, four smaller arenas were opened on either side of the main altar. Novice knights, including Robb and Rogg, were assigned there, regarded as mere "newcomers."
"According to the rules, whoever takes the longest to beat their opponent has to treat us all!" shouted Robb with an eager grin on his face.
"Hey Vuuxi, don't forget—you needed three minutes and thirty seconds to win just now," Robb added with a wide smirk.
Vuuxi slapped his forehead.
"What? You guys made a bet like that?!"
Brisena could only stare at her brothers in disbelief. "A wager on who finishes faster? Are you serious?"
"Yep, Brisena," Vuuxi replied while scratching his head. "And I completely forgot about it. If I'd remembered, I would've finished him off in seconds!"
Brisena huffed. "Vuuxi, you've really changed since you started hanging around Robb."
And she wasn't wrong. Vuuxi, once quiet and withdrawn, had become more cheerful and talkative since joining Robb and Rogg. In the past, aside from Brisena, only Nyx, Elandra, and Selena Kythora—Bunda Brigita's personal guard—had ever really heard him speak. They were the only ones regularly around him.
Rogg offered a faint smile at his younger siblings' antics.
"I'm up next," he said casually. "Hope I get an easy one, so it doesn't take long."
Brisena's eyes widened. "You joined the wager too?!"
Robb and Vuuxi burst into laughter at her reaction.
As Rogg stepped into one of the smaller arenas, no one gave him much thought. Smokeland was full of physically imposing knights, but everyone knew real strength wasn't just about muscle—it was about willpower, resolve, and experience.
Then the absurdity began when Rogg's opponent appeared—a middle-aged man from a common Doliex family, with graying hair and a slightly round belly.
Robb and Vuuxi instantly howled with laughter. "Rogg just hit the jackpot!"
With iron determination, the older man charged at Rogg and threw a shaky punch into the air. Rogg simply shifted his foot, and the man tripped, tumbling out of the arena on his own.
The crowd went silent. A few jeered at Rogg for "fighting an old man."
But Robb and Vuuxi laughed even harder, clutching their stomachs. "Fastest win in history! The old man knocked himself out!" Robb exclaimed between gasps.
Rogg just shrugged with a flat expression. "A win's a win."
Meanwhile, Brisena turned her attention to the grand altar, where Nyx Varelyn was fighting. Nyx, who had made the top ten two years ago, wrapped up his match in a flash—even though his opponent was ranked in the top 500.
"Once Nyx steps in, it's over," Brisena murmured in admiration. On the sidelines, Vuuxi and Robb were still laughing so hard their faces turned red.
Then it was Brisena's turn to step into the arena. The once-noisy crowd fell into a hush of anticipation. Dressed in elegant yet practical combat gear, Brisena walked confidently to the center. Her sharp eyes radiated burning determination. Her simply styled hair danced in the wind. Seeing her about to fight, it was clear that Rogg, Robb, Vuuxi, and her two close friends, Nyx and Elandra, wouldn't miss it for anything.
"You've got this, Sis! You better win!" Rogg shouted, his voice full of conviction.
"Hey, wouldn't it be better if you just watched instead of fought?" Robb teased with a grin.
Brisena gave a faint smile. "I'll prove I can finish my match faster—faster than Vuuxi." Her tone was filled with challenge.
Vuuxi scratched his head, reminded of how his tendency to draw out fights had cost him the bet earlier. Robb caught her words and chuckled.
"You want in on the wager? Alright, I accept your challenge," Robb said with enthusiasm.
Brisena had once ranked in the top 20 two years ago, at just fifteen years old—a remarkable feat. But her success had alarmed Bunda Brigita. Her opponents then were among the top assassins from the Doliex clan. Fearing for her daughter's safety, Brigita had pleaded for Brisena to be withdrawn from the tournament. Though Brisena had fiercely refused, she was fortunate that Vuuxi—her opponent at the time—intentionally let her win, ending the match without hurting her.
Last year, Brisena and fifteen of the finest assassins didn't participate in the tournament. They were on a crucial mission: to retrieve Rogg—a mission that took far longer than expected.
Now, Brisena had returned to the arena with a stronger resolve than ever. The deep, echoing gong signaled the beginning of the match. She stepped into the center of the arena, her sharp gaze locked onto her opponent—a fighter who had ranked within the top thousand the previous year. Although he seemed an easy target, Brisena didn't underestimate him. In an arena full of surprises, anyone could become a serious threat.
Her opponent was a fierce young man named Zarek Draeven of Faelin. Wielding dual long swords, he had clearly improved since the last tournament. Brisena, on the other hand, gripped Lunaris Fang, the legendary Heraxes dagger, its silver blade shimmering under the sunlight.
The match began with Zarek launching straight into a swift offensive. His movements were agile and well-calculated, twin blades slicing through the air with deadly precision. Brisena dodged gracefully, her body moving like a dance upon the wind. Each of Zarek's strikes was elegantly evaded.
The audience was captivated by Brisena's flowing movement, as if she were dancing between blades. Cheers erupted when she countered with a series of attacks that nearly threw Zarek off balance.
But Zarek didn't back down. With a fiery spirit, he lunged forward again, slashing with a deadly dual strike. Brisena was ready. Spinning to the side in a blur, Lunaris Fang flashed through the air like lightning.
Her counterattack was swift and exact. In a blink, she was behind Zarek. With one perfectly measured motion, her dagger halted right at his neck. Silence fell upon the arena. Zarek froze, his breath ragged, sweat trickling down his temple.
"Strike again," Brisena whispered.
But Zarek shook his head, defeated. "I yield," he said hoarsely.
The arena erupted. Applause thundered as the crowd rose to its feet, cheering for Brisena's elegant and commanding victory.
Lowering her dagger, Brisena looked at Zarek with respect.
"Tell me your name," she said firmly.
"Zarek Draeven of Faelin, my lady. It was an honor to fight you," the young man replied with sincerity.
Brisena gave a faint smile. "Rise. After this tournament, meet me at the Hall of Knights. I will ask Master Thalion Velary to train you."
Zarek's eyes widened. "That would be an incredible honor, my lady. I will be there. Thank you—truly!"
Brisena gave a graceful nod and walked back toward the edge of the arena. The cheers still echoed, stronger than ever. Those who once saw her as merely a tomboy now beheld her in a different light—beautiful, graceful, and fiercely powerful.
From the royal stands, Rogg and Robb watched with proud smiles. Vuuxi nodded in admiration. Nyx and Elandra exchanged glances, clearly impressed by Brisena's dazzling performance.
"I have to admit, she's phenomenal," Nyx said.
"Faster than Vuuxi," Elandra added with a soft chuckle.
Vuuxi let out a long sigh. "Fine. She beat me this time," he muttered in surrender.
Back in the arena, Brisena stood tall, head held high, gazing at the cheering crowd. In her heart, she knew this was only the beginning—a new chapter in her journey as a true warrior.