A flurry of movement followed as names were called for the first round across the different arenas.

  Among them—

  Official: Chase, step forward!

  He inhaled sharply, rolling his shoulders before stepping into the ring.

  Selena: I’ll be watching, so don’t embarrass yourself~!

  Chase: (Chuckle) Watch me!

  The air buzzed with excitement, the scent of dust and sweat thick in his lungs. Opposite him stood a burly man, towering over most competitors—a well-built warrior gripping a poleaxe.

  Elimination Match - Round 1

  Korin: Hey! Aren’t you that kid from Brookstead? The one who took the Ashenford Mission and came back empty-handed?

  Chase barely glanced at him.

  Chase: Hm? Sorry. I’ve done a good job of forgetting that town.

  Korin let out a hearty laugh.

  Korin: Hah! No offense, yeah? I’m just here for some fun. Let’s see if the courage you’ve shown back then has any bite to it!

  Referee: Fighters, ready?

  The moment the referee backed away, Korin lunged.

  A wide, sweeping strike came first, his poleaxe slicing through the air. Chase ducked under it, the wind from the swing brushing past his hair. Seizing the opening, he drove forward, aiming a thrust at Korin’s exposed side.

  But Korin was quick. He twisted mid-motion, sidestepping the strike while bringing his weapon down in a heavy vertical chop.

  Chase barely moved in time, slipping sideways as the axe blade smashed into the ground. Stone cracked under the force.

  Not giving him a moment to recover, Korin followed up with a sweeping attack, his weapon carving through the air in a deadly arc.

  Chase had no choice but to leap.

  Korin grinned—he had expected this. Using his momentum, he spun with his weapon, aiming a mid-air strike at Chase.

  Their weapons clashed. The sheer force sent Chase hurtling towards the edge of the ring.

  But he wasn’t out yet.

  Twisting his body mid-flight, he planted a foot against the ground, skidding backwards in a controlled slide. The moment he stabilized, his eyes flicked up—Korin was already charging.

  The poleaxe-wielding fighter barreled toward him, aiming to tackle him out of bounds.

  Chase reacted in an instant.

  At the last second, he leapt onto Korin’s shoulder, using the man’s momentum against him.

  Then, with a swift kick to the back, Chase sent Korin stumbling forward—right past the edge of the ring.

  Referee: And the winner of round one—Chase!

  As Chase steps down the arena, Selena immediately went to him.

  Selena: (Grin) Not bad, Chase. Try not to lose before I get my turn.

  Chase: Haha! Worry about your own match.

  Elimination Match - Round 4

  Then, it was Selena’s turn.

  Selena: Watch me carefully, Chase. You wouldn’t want to miss a thing~!

  Chase: (Chuckle) Would I?

  She walked toward the center of the arena with slow, deliberate grace, her golden eyes locked onto her opponent—Calen, a young adventurer armed with a sword and shield.

  Calen swallowed hard.

  Calen (to self): So this is what it feels like to stand before a beast… Behind that cute facade lurks something deceptively dangerous—an overwhelming presence that tells me to run.

  Selena’s ears twitched as if she could hear his thoughts. She bared her fangs in a knowing grin.

  Calen stiffened. He tried to mask his unease, but it was too late. She had already seen it.

  Selena (to self): Mmm… scared, little adventurer?

  The referee signaled the start of the match.

  Selena moved—

  Or at least, it seemed like she did.

  Calen flinched back, his body reacting before his mind could process. He overextended, bracing for an attack that never came. But when he blinked—

  She was gone.

  Calen: W-where—?

  Calen looked to his sides before he felt something clamp onto his shoulder from behind.

  In an instant, his legs buckled, and his body folded under an unseen force, forcing him to sit.

  In an instant, his legs buckled, and his body folded under an unseen force, forcing him to sit.

  Calen: W-what…? Why am I—

  He noticed two beastly hands, both holding his shoulders firmly. Then, Selena spoke softly.

  Selena: Give up, little adventurer?

  Calen looked up. Selena was smiling at him, her eyes closed as if she had already lost interest. And yet… her grip held him firm. She had won before he even realized he had lost.

  His fingers trembled before loosening around his sword. It clattered to the floor.

  Referee: And the winner of round four—Selena!

  Selena walked away from the arena, heading directly toward Chase.

  Chase: Did you really have to scare the poor guy before the fight even started?

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  Selena: (Smile) Oh? How observant of you.

  With the elimination rounds complete, the winners were granted a brief break back at their tents before the next round starts.

  Semi-Finals - Round 1

  The semi-finals had begun.

  As Chase stepped into the arena, his next opponent was revealed—and his eyes widened in surprise.

  Chase: G-Gilbert?

  Gilbert: Long time no see, Chase.

  Chase: So… you survived the attack on Windmere, too?

  Gilbert: Yeah. Actually, I wanted to show myself to you earlier, but…

  His gaze flicked toward the stands—where a certain golden-maned lioness lounged with her arms crossed, tail flicking lazily behind her.

  Gilbert: …Looks like you were a little preoccupied.

  Chase: You mean Selena? (Chuckle) Yeah…

  Gilbert: Chase, I tried looking for you after things settled. But I couldn’t find anything. So I thought…

  Regret crept into his face, shoulders tensing.

  Chase: You’re right. I should’ve been dead by now. But Selena—she found me and took care of me. She’s the reason I’m still alive.

  A few rows up, Selena’s ears twitched.

  Gilbert: (Exhales) Damn… I should’ve searched harder.

  Chase: Hey, it’s alright! I don’t blame you. Don’t let it bother you, okay?

  Then, Gilbert lets out a sigh of relief.

  Gilbert: Thanks… Hey! Want to catch up after the tournament?

  Chase: Yeah, I'd like that.

  The referee stepped between them.

  Referee: Combatants, take your stances!

  Chase drew his sword.

  Chase: Hey, Gilbert! Show me what you’ve got, yeah?

  Gilbert unsheathed his twin blades, twirling them once before settling into position.

  Gilbert: (Smirk) I was thinking of the same thing.

  Then, the referee signals.

  Referee: Fight!

  In an instant, both of them rushed forward.

  Their thoughts aligned—same opening attack.

  Chase dropped his stance and slashed horizontally targeting Gilbert’s legs. But Gilbert leapt over it, twisting midair before swinging both blades heavily downward.

  Chase rolled forward, barely avoiding the strike. The moment he turned, Gilbert was already charging.

  Sparks flew as their weapons clashed, rapid blows and parries testing each other’s reflexes.

  Gilbert takes the offensive, bringing his right sword down in a fierce vertical slash. Chase dodged to the side, but it was a feint. In the same instant, Gilbert’s left sword shot forward in a sudden thrust, aiming straight for Chase’s chest.

  Chase barely had time to react. He twisted his weapon to meet the attack, deflecting the blade just enough to send it gliding off his guard. But Gilbert wasn’t finished. His right sword swung upward in a quick arc, forcing Chase to step left to avoid the sharp edge.

  A fraction of a second later, Gilbert brought both swords down in a powerful, crushing blow. Chase braced himself, crossing his weapon to block the strike. The force sent a jolt through his arms as their weapons locked, muscles straining in a battle for dominance.

  For a moment, neither gave ground—until Gilbert suddenly shifted. A smirk flickered across his face as he pulled back his right sword, repositioning for a horizontal slash aimed directly at Chase’s neck.

  Chase reacted fast. He dropped low, spun, and struck Gilbert’s face with a sharp kick.

  Gilbert staggered. Chase seized the moment. He swung his sword downward, forcing Gilbert to cross his weapons in an X-shaped defense.

  But Chase didn’t stop. As soon as his sword struck, he followed up with an upward slash, throwing Gilbert off balance.

  A solid punch to the stomach.

  Then a powerful horizontal strike.

  Gilbert tumbled across the ground.

  When he pushed himself up, he found Chase standing over him, sword pointed at his chest. He chuckled, shaking his head.

  Gilbert: You’ve gotten stronger…

  Chase smirked, lowering his sword slightly.

  Chase: Hm! Perhaps because I have a lioness always beside me.

  He didn’t realize Selena could hear that. Her ears perked up. Her tail flicked—then swayed in a subtle but unmistakably pleased manner.

  Gilbert let out a small laugh before releasing his grip on his weapons.

  Gilbert: I yield.

  Chase exhaled and offered a hand. Gilbert took it, and with a firm pull, Chase helped him to his feet.

  Gilbert: I’ll see you later. Maybe introduce the team to your lioness?

  Chase: Sure! (Exhale) So… everyone made it out too?

  Gilbert’s gaze flickered downward for a moment before meeting Chase’s eyes again.

  Gilbert: We’ll talk later…

  His voice carried a weight—something unspoken, something left behind. Chase noticed but didn’t push. This wasn’t the time or place.

  Chase: S-sure. See you later.

  From the stands, Selena watched. Her tail, which had started with small flicks, was now moving just a bit too eagerly as Chase walked out of the arena and toward her.

  Selena: I heard that!

  Chase: Heard what?

  Selena: (Giggles) Nothing...

  Selena’s eyes gleamed with mischief. Chase knew better than to ask her what she meant—he had a feeling he was about to regret it.

  Chase: What are you talking about?

  Selena leans in, purring.

  Selena: You know... What you said about me in front of your opponent... (Smirk) Aren’t you so sweet, Chase?

  Chase: Y-You heard that?!

  Selena: All of it!

  Chase: (Blush) I-I didn’t mean it like that!

  Chase turns his gaze away. Then, Selena pokes his cheek playfully while saying,

  Selena: Oh, but you sure sounded like you did...

  Chase gently shoves her hand away and quickly changes the subject.

  Chase: Oh! Your match is about to begin. You should prepare.

  Selena: (Giggles) Trying to escape, huh?

  Chase: Just get ready. You’re next!

  Then, the announcer calls for the next match.

  Semi-Finals - Round 2

  The arena was buzzing with excitement as the second semi-final match was about to begin. The crowd murmured as Selena stepped forward, facing her opponent—Yohann, a self-proclaimed prodigy who carried himself with the arrogance of someone convinced the world revolved around him.

  Yohann smiled, brushing a hand through his golden locks.

  Yohann: Ah! What a lovely sight! I truly am blessed to meet such a wonderful creature as you, miss.

  Selena’s ear twitched.

  Selena (to self): What the heck is this human talking about?

  Yohann: I’ve heard that beasts respect strength.

  He continued, resting a hand on the pommel of his weapon.

  Yohann: And I am confident I can meet your expectations. I am, after all, far stronger than the human who accompanies you right now.

  Selena’s brow lifted ever so slightly, and he took her silence as encouragement.

  Yohann: Say, why don’t you join my party after this? With the two of us together, we’ll conquer dungeons one after another, and our names will be known across the continent. What do you say?

  Selena crossed her arms.

  Selena: Pass. I’m not here to make new friends. I’m here to wipe the floor with people like you.

  Yohann: I see…

  He chuckled, drawing his weapon—a massive axe, accompanied by a large shield strapped to his arm.

  Yohann: Looks like you need a demonstration of my strength.

  Selena’s stance shifted, her golden eyes gleaming with amusement.

  Selena: You sure do, human.

  Then, the referee raised his hand.

  Referee: Fight!

  Before the word had fully left his mouth, Selena was already in motion. In an instant, she had leaped into the air, twisting mid-spin before delivering a devastating diagonal kick straight to the back of Yohann’s neck.

  BAM!

  Yohann crashed into the ground headfirst, his body tumbling before landing in an undignified heap on the floor. A groggy groan escaped him as he tried to push himself up—only to feel a firm weight pressing against the back of his head.

  Selena stood over him, one foot planted on his skull, keeping him pinned like a misbehaving cub. Her tail flicked lazily behind her.

  Selena: What’s the matter, human? Does the floor taste good?

  Yohann’s response was a muffled grunt, face pressed into the floor eating dirt.

  Selena: You know, you were right about one thing… beasts do value strength. And since I am with Chase, that means he is strong…

  She leaned in slightly, her voice a low growl.

  Selena: …Stronger than you.

  Silence. Then—

  Tap, tap, tap.

  Yohann frantically smacked the ground in surrender. The referee quickly stepped in.

  Referee: The winner—Selena!

  Selena lifted her foot, turning away without another glance. She strode back toward where Chase stood, her tail flicking behind her in satisfaction.

  From behind, she felt a sharp gaze bore into her back. Yohann, still on the ground, was glaring at her with gritted teeth, humiliation written all over his face.

  Selena’s ears twitched. Without even turning fully, she cast a single, withering glance over her shoulder—an unspoken warning.

  Yohann averted his eyes, his jaw tightening in frustration before storming out of the arena.

  Selena, meanwhile, flicked her tail one last time, making her way back to Chase—victorious and utterly unimpressed.

  As Selena walks lazily with a smile to her face towards Chase, people started to making way for her, gazing at her not knowing whether they find her cute or scary.

  As she stands beside him, Chase looks at the direction of her opponent - Yohann is still trying to regain his dignity in the background.

  Chase: You really don’t have to take it that far...

  Selena just smiles at him innocently.

  Selena: Hah! Whatever are you’re talking about, Chase?

  Chase: You literally planted his face into the ground.

  Selena: Oh? Did I? Hmm… I must have miscalculated my landing back there~

  Selena then flicks her tail.

  Chase: …Right. A miscalculation.

  And just like that, the stage was set. With the semi-finals concluded, the winners were granted a brief reprieve before the final round commences.