The last crash of fists and blades finally died out inside the Lemurian Hunter Academy arena.
Qualification battles had eaten up the whole damn day.
Fight after fight under that killer sun. Crowd screaming one minute, groaning the next, arguing nonstop about who was actually good and who just caught a break.
When the final match wrapped, the big screens overhead blinked once and locked in the results.
Only a handful of names stayed lit.
Everyone else got scrubbed.
Instructor Glenn walked out onto the platform. Whole place went quiet fast.
"Qualification round's over," he said, voice carrying clear.
Murmurs rolled through the stands.
Most kids looked like someone had punched them in the gut. They shuffled out with heads down, jaws locked. A few muttered they'd train harder next year, like saying it out loud would fix anything.
But the ones still sitting there?
They'd just taken their first real bite.
Glenn didn't stretch it out.
"All winners move to the Elimination Round. They'll post the matchups tomorrow morning."
Whispers exploded. Quick. Hungry.
No more easy fights. From here on, every opponent had already proved they could end you.
Glenn scanned the arena one last time, eyes hard.
"Get ready."
He turned and left.
The stands emptied slow. Students stretched stiff muscles, grabbed their bags, and headed for the exits. Some were still hyped, laughing loud. Others looked half-dead. A bunch were already muttering about possible matchups, voices low and sharp.
Down near the lower seats, Rei fell in step with Aaron, chest out like he'd won the tournament single-handed.
"…Brother Aaron."
Aaron glanced sideways. "Yeah?"
Rei grinned. "We survived round one."
Aaron kept walking. "That's one way to say it."
Rei jabbed a finger at him. "No. We owned that shit."
Aaron's mouth twitched. "You tripped the guy into the barrier."
"That was advanced misdirection," Rei shot back, not even blinking. "Learn the difference."
Aaron let out a short laugh. They pushed through the crowded exit with everyone else. The sky over Lemuria City was bleeding orange, sun dropping fast. Even Aaron felt the long day sitting heavy in his legs and shoulders.
Rei went quiet for a beat, then leaned in close. "…Brother Aaron."
Aaron raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"Real talk now."
Aaron waited.
Rei dropped his voice like the walls had ears. "You think Kang Yue actually saw my win?"
Aaron stopped walking. Turned slow. "You're still on that?"
Rei sighed, dragging it out. "Man's heart is messy, alright?"
Aaron shook his head. "Worry about not dying tomorrow instead."
Rei waved it off. "That's side stuff."
"Side stuff?" Aaron echoed, staring at him.
"Romance is the real war," Rei said, completely serious.
Aaron started walking again. "You're hopeless."
They reached the dormitory district. It was quieter here. Cool breeze sliding between the tall buildings. Winners clustered in groups, still buzzing. Losers walked alone, eyes on the ground.
As they got close to their block, Luna was waiting on the stone path.
Frostblade leaned against the wall beside her. Last sunlight catching in her hair.
Rei froze mid-step. "…Brother Aaron."
Aaron didn't even look. "What?"
"I just remembered something I gotta handle," Rei said, clearing his throat. "Catch you later."
He spun and practically jogged toward the next building before Aaron could answer.
"Coward," Aaron muttered, watching him disappear.
Luna walked over, boots quiet on the path.
"Saw your match," she said.
Aaron leaned back against the dorm wall, arms loose. "And?"
Her eyes stayed steady, but her lips pressed tight for half a second. "You almost impressed me."
Aaron's grin came slow. "I'll take it."
They stood there. Breeze tugged at the trees. Shadows stretched long across the pavement.
Luna picked up her Frostblade. "Elimination round changes everything."
"I know," Aaron said.
She met his eyes straight. "If we face each other in there…"
"You won't hold back," he finished.
Luna gave one sharp nod. Then she turned and walked off down the path.
Aaron watched until the shadows swallowed her completely.
He pushed off the wall and stepped into his building. The hallway was dead quiet. Most doors were already shut, muffled voices leaking out here and there — strategy talk, tired bragging, early crashes.
Aaron opened his own door.
Same plain bed. Same desk. Same window looking out over the academy grounds, now almost dark.
He sat on the edge of the bed and rolled his shoulders once, feeling the day settle deep into his muscles.
Today had stirred the pot.
Rumors about him would be flying twice as hard now.
Didn't change a thing.
The real fight hadn't even started.
Aaron lay back, staring at the ceiling.
They'll post the matchups tomorrow morning.
And after that…
Only the strongest would still be breathing.