The echoes of applause faded slowly as Kang Yue disappeared through the arena gate, leaving the crowd to process what they had just seen.
For several moments the spectators continued discussing the match in overlapping waves of admiration and speculation. The golden arrows. The perfect spacing. The flawless timing. Even the instructors seated in the higher viewing section nodded slightly. An A-Rank class truly lived up to its reputation.
In the lower spectator rows, Rei leaned back against his seat and let out a long breath.
"…Brother Aaron."
Aaron glanced at him.
"Yes?"
Rei looked toward the arena exit where Kang Yue had disappeared. "I have to admit something. She's really strong."
"Her fundamentals are solid."
Rei blinked. "Fundamentals?"
"She controlled the distance the entire time." Aaron gestured toward the arena floor. "Every arrow forced her opponent to move exactly where she wanted."
Rei stared at him. "…You analyzed all that?"
"It wasn't subtle."
Rei rubbed his chin for a moment, then sighed. "Still… being rejected by someone that strong somehow hurts less."
Aaron looked at him. "That's a strange conclusion."
"If she had been weak, I would feel humiliated." Rei nodded with complete sincerity. "But losing to someone like her? It feels… almost honorable."
Aaron chuckled softly. "Only you could turn rejection into a compliment."
The display screen flickered as the next match results were recorded and a few more fights played out across the arena floor. Some lasted only seconds. Others stretched longer as evenly matched students circled each other carefully, testing limits before committing. The atmosphere in the stands grew tighter with every passing round, anticipation layering over anticipation.
Then the screen shifted again.
**Match 11**
**Aaron Emegrey**
**vs**
**Johan Liebert**
Rei shot out of his seat. "Brother Aaron!"
Aaron had already seen it. His name glowed clearly on the display. Around them, several nearby students noticed it too, and the whispers spread before Rei had finished grabbing his shoulder.
"Aaron?"
"The Laborer?"
"The Stoneback Bear rumor guy?"
"Is he really strong?"
Rei puffed out his chest with proprietary pride. "Of course he's strong!"
Aaron ignored the growing attention and began walking toward the arena entrance. Before stepping through the gate, he paused briefly and opened his system interface. A translucent panel appeared before his eyes.
Player: Aaron Emegrey
Class: Laborer
Rank: E
Level: 10
EXP: 0 / 15,000
[Attributes]
Strength: 52
Agility: 38
Constitution: 40
Spirit: 21
Free Attribute Points: 10
[Class Skills]
Titan Grip – Enhances grip strength and weapon stability, allowing the user to control heavier weapons and amplify close combat force.
[Equipment]
Froststeel Hunter Dagger
Attack Power: +52
Additional Effect: Frost Energy
Effect Description: Attacks apply freezing energy to wounds, slowing enemies and damaging internal structures.
Durability: Perfect
[Inventory]
Windstep Hunter Boots
Beginner Energy Potion ×3
Academy Survival Kit
Empty Slots: 46
Aaron looked over the panel briefly. Everything felt comfortable. His lips curved into a small smile, and then the panel disappeared.
"Alright," he murmured. Time to fight.
He stepped through the gate. Sunlight caught his eyes as he walked onto the combat platform. Across the arena floor stood his opponent, Johan Liebert, a muscular young man with a broad steel sword resting across his shoulder. His class appeared on the screen above. D-Rank Heavy Warrior. Johan looked Aaron over with open curiosity.
"So you're the Laborer everyone keeps talking about."
"That's what people call me."
Johan Liebert chuckled, lifting his sword into a ready position. "I heard you killed a Stoneback Bear. But rumors don't win fights."
"We'll see."
The arbiter stepped between them. "Participants. Prepare."
Johan planted his feet wide. Aaron reached behind his waist and drew his weapon. The Froststeel Dagger caught the light with a faint cold shimmer, its blade short and clean. Several spectators frowned at the sight of it.
"A dagger?"
"Isn't that a bit small?"
From the stands, Rei's voice cut across the arena floor. "Brother Aaron! Don't embarrass me!"
Aaron ignored him. The arbiter raised his hand.
"Begin!"
The instant the signal dropped—
Johan charged forward, his heavy sword swung downward with enormous force.
"Take this!"
The blade crashed toward Aaron.
CLANG.
Aaron stepped sideways calmly as the sword slammed into the arena floor, sending small cracks across the stone.
Johan immediately swung again, this time a horizontal sweep aimed at Aaron's midsection.
But this time—
Aaron moved faster.
His body slipped past the arc of the sword like a shadow, as his Froststeel Dagger flashed.
SLASH.
A thin cut opened across Johan's armor, leaving a faint frost mark along the edge.
Johan jumped back, his eyes narrowing. "…Fast."
Aaron didn't answer.
Instead, he activated his class skill.
Titan Grip.
His hand tightened around the dagger's grip as the muscles in his forearm subtly flexed. Then he moved forward again, and this time the dagger struck Johan's sword directly.
CLANG!
The sound rang sharply across the arena. Johan's expression changed. The force behind that small blade was far heavier than it had any right to be. Before he could recalibrate, the dagger flashed again.
CLANG. CLANG. CLANG.
Three rapid strikes in quick succession drove Johan steadily backward, frost marks spreading across his armor with each hit, his footing growing uncertain beneath him. The spectators stirred.
"That dagger…"
"Why is it so strong?"
Johan roared and swung his sword in a wide desperate arc. Aaron stepped inside it. The dagger moved like a single clean thought, driving into the weak point at Johan's shoulder armor. A burst of freezing energy crackled across the metal. Johan's arm stiffened instantly, his grip failing. The sword dropped from his hand. Then the dagger came to rest just below his throat.
The arena went silent.
The arbiter stepped forward. "Stop." He raised his hand. "Winner. Aaron Emegrey."
For a moment the stands were simply quiet, the crowd processing what they had just watched. Then the murmurs began spreading outward through the sections.
"That was clean."
"He didn't even struggle."
"The Laborer is actually strong."
In the stands, Rei leaped to his feet. "I knew it!"
Aaron sheathed his dagger calmly and turned toward the exit without looking back at the crowd. The tournament continued, but something had shifted in the arena, something quiet and difficult to name. Everyone in the stands had begun paying attention to one name.
Aaron Emegrey.