The sky was clear.
Yet the air felt heavy.
Flags of different academies stood tall around the arena, each carrying the pride of a kingdom, a bloodline, a legacy.
But in the stands, only one name echoed.
"Kashikari Lior… Arcanis' representative."
"The silent one."
"The echo of destruction."
Kashikari walked forward.
Each step sent faint ripples of gray aura across the ground.
No weapon.
Only his hands.
Jinwi whispered from within.
"They came to test you."
"I don't need to be tested."
"They want to see how much of you is still… human."
The first opponent stepped forward.
A northern warrior.
Muscular, aggressive, holding two spears.
He charged without hesitation.
The ground cracked beneath his feet.
Kashikari did not move.
For a moment—
The spear almost touched his chest.
Then—
Gray light bent the air.
The weapon dissolved mid-strike.
The warrior froze.
Kashikari's voice was cold.
"Loudness is weakness."
A second later, the opponent collapsed.
The referee raised his hand, still in shock.
"Winner… Kashikari Lior!"
The second match began immediately.
A mage.
Fire and water, controlled at the same time.
Flames rose like a storm.
Rain followed, crashing down.
The arena shifted between destruction and restoration.
Kashikari stood still.
"Power is balance," the mage said.
Kashikari answered calmly.
"Balance gains meaning when it is broken."
His aura expanded.
The flames vanished.
The water disappeared.
Both swallowed into gray.
Only silence remained.
The mage fell.
Unconscious.
The audience didn't cheer.
They watched.
Quietly.
"This child… erased nature itself."
The third opponent was already moving.
Fast.
Too fast for normal eyes.
A blur.
A distortion.
Jinwi's voice returned.
"Does speed decide victory?"
Kashikari lowered his head slightly.
"No."
A pause.
"Time does."
His eyes glowed faint gray.
Everything slowed.
The crowd froze.
The opponent hung mid-motion.
Kashikari walked forward.
Placed a hand on his shoulder.
Time resumed.
The body dropped instantly.
The referee barely spoke.
"Winner… Kashikari Lior."
High above, Selvan observed.
"This is no longer a student tournament."
Dorum nodded slowly.
"It's imbalance."
Selvan's gaze hardened.
"He represents destruction."
"They don't know."
A pause.
"And if they do?"
Dorum exhaled quietly.
"…Then the world changes."
Selvan didn't respond immediately.
"…Maybe it should."
Kashikari sat alone in his assigned room.
Silence surrounded him.
Jinwi spoke again, this time different.
"You grow quieter with each victory."
"Because words lose meaning when power speaks."
A pause.
"…Your silence disturbs me."
Kashikari looked up slightly.
"For the first time?"
"No."
Another pause.
"For the first time… I am proud."
Kashikari stood before the mirror.
His reflection stared back.
For a brief second—
His eyes were not gray.
They were completely black.
Then it disappeared.
"Tomorrow… quarterfinals."
A quiet breath.
"This time… I won't just show power."
His voice lowered.
"I'll show what I am."
Nyari couldn't sleep.
She turned in her bed, restless.
Each of Kashikari's victories carved something deeper into her chest.
Pride.
Fear.
Mixed together.
"He feels different…"
"Those gray eyes… they're getting darker."
She held her pillow tighter.
"But I can still feel him."
A small whisper escaped her lips.
"Win… no matter what, Kai."
Morning came.
The arena was louder than ever.
Flags waved.
Voices rose.
"Kashikari Lior!"
"Kashikari!"
"Kashikari!"
He stepped forward again.
No expression.
No hesitation.
The referee's voice echoed.
"Arcanis Representative Kashikari Lior!"
A pause.
"Opponent: Armored Mage, Zane Or'thar!"
Kashikari stood still.
Then spoke quietly.
"Let the silence begin."
Jinwi responded, almost amused.
"You no longer represent destruction."
A pause.
"Then what?"
Kashikari's answer was simple.
"Silence."