Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the field, some students were already arguing near a crimson-colored banner.

"What the hell?" a second-year student shouted, reading the text written boldly across the cloth.

"The first preference shall be given to first-year heroes? What’s so special about them?"

Another second-year frowned. "Yeah, that’s unfair! We’ve trained longer and fought in harder trials!"

A third-year standing nearby chuckled. "Get used to it. The first-years of this batch are... different. Especially those of the top four."

"Edwin?" one of them muttered. "The same guy who fought Lucas?"

"Exactly," the third-year replied with a smirk. "The guilds probably caught wind of that fight. He’s already made a name for himself."

On the far end, Lena stood atop a roof, her eyes locked on Edwin, who was already facing Lucas and Nathan below.

Her hair fluttered in the evening wind, her fists tightening. Anger burned in her chest.

"You will pay for what you did!" she shouted

.

With that, she leaped from the roof, twisting her body midair.

The moment she descended, her leg swung downward — a high, powerful kick aimed right at Edwin’s head.

"Lena—!" someone in the crowd gasped.

Thud!

The impact sent a shockwave through the ground.

Edwin blocked it with his forearm, but the sheer force of her kick pushed him back several steps.

He gritted his teeth, feeling the pain shoot through his arm.

Before he could recover, Lucas stepped forward. His sword gleamed with faint traces of mana.

"Stay aside, Nathan," Lucas said to Nathan. .

Nathan hesitated for a moment, looking at Edwin, but then stepped back slowly.

He knew what was about to happen.

Lucas’ eyes narrowed. "I’ll deal with him myself."

Edwin spat out blood and steadied himself, gripping his sword tightly.

he’d already been through several duels today. Sweat dripped from his chin as his aura flickered weakly.

Still, he refused to back down.

"I’m not done yet," he said, summoning the last bit of strength he had.

"Flash Fang!" Edwin roared.

Light burst from his blade, forming a bright crescent slash that tore through the air toward Lucas.

At the same time, energy condensed around him, shaping into a flickering shield — both offense and defense.

Lucas smirked. "That won’t save you."

He dashed forward, his sword slashing upward, meeting Edwin’s Flash Fang head-on.

The two attacks collided, and the explosion of light blinded everyone for a second. The ground cracked beneath them.

Edwin grunted, feeling the recoil. His knees trembled.

Then Lena rushed in again, spinning around and launching a quick flurry of punches and kicks.

Her movements were swift, fluid, and merciless.

Each hit forced Edwin back a step, her blows connecting with his ribs, shoulders, and stomach.

"Stop interfering!" Edwin growled, swinging his sword horizontally to force her back.

But before he could catch his breath, Lucas appeared behind him.

"Too slow," Lucas whispered coldly.

The next moment, his blade cut across Edwin’s back, slicing through his uniform and drawing blood.

Edwin gasped, stumbling forward.

The crowd murmured.

"Two against one?"

"Isn’t that unfair?"

"But it’s Lucas and Lena... Edwin doesn’t stand a chance!"

Edwin steadied himself, trying to raise his sword again, but his arms felt like lead.

The pain in his back burned, and his breathing grew ragged.

Lena clenched her fists. "You should’ve stayed down when you had the chance."

She sprinted forward again, her fist slamming into Edwin’s chest.

He staggered back, coughing blood.

Lucas followed up instantly.

His sword arced down in a flash of silver light, forcing Edwin to block. The clash sent a spark flying, and Edwin’s knees buckled.

He barely managed to parry the next strike, but Lena was already moving — a roundhouse kick connected to his side, sending him crashing to the ground.

"Ugh!" he groaned, his sword falling from his grip.

He reached for it, but Lucas kicked it away, the blade spinning out of reach.

Lucas looked down at him coldly. "You talk big for someone who can’t even stand."

Edwin tried to push himself up, his fingers digging into the dirt. "I... won’t give up..."

But Lucas didn’t let him finish.

He slammed his boot into Edwin’s chest, pressing him back down.

"You’ve already lost," Lucas said flatly.

Lena crossed her arms beside him. "Pathetic."

"Get up, Edwin!" someone shouted from the crowd, but their voice was drowned by the sound of Lucas drawing his blade again.

Edwin looked up weakly, his eyes meeting Lucas’s. "Why... why go this far?"

Lucas smirked. "Because you stood against me."

He swung his sword downward, but stopped just inches from Edwin’s face — not because of mercy, but because Lena stepped in.

"That’s enough," Lena said sharply.

Lucas tilted his head. "Enough? After what he did to me before?"

She frowned. "You’ve already made your point."

Edwin coughed, blood dripping from his lips. He tried to speak, but the pain silenced him.

His vision blurred, and he could barely make out their figures anymore.

But Lucas wasn’t done. He grabbed Edwin by the collar and pulled him up roughly.

"Look at me when I talk to you."

Edwin’s eyes met his again, filled with exhaustion but not submission.

Lucas’s expression darkened. "Still not afraid, huh? Even when you’ve lost everything."

He punched Edwin in the stomach, sending another wave of pain through him.

Then another blow to the face. Edwin’s body fell limp, his nose bleeding.

Lena turned away slightly, her jaw tightening. "That’s enough, Lucas."

Lucas let out a bitter laugh. "You’re soft."

She glared at him. "No, you’re cruel."

The crowd around them had fallen silent. Even those who had cheered earlier now watched in discomfort as Edwin lay on the ground, his body bruised and bloodied.

Lucas knelt beside Edwin, grabbing his hair and lifting his head slightly.

"Remember this pain. The next time you think of challenging me, remember what happens."

Edwin’s lips trembled, but he said nothing. His consciousness was slipping.

Lena sighed and finally stepped forward. "Let him go. He’s done."

Lucas looked at her for a long moment before finally releasing Edwin’s hair.

Edwin’s head dropped back onto the ground with a dull thud.

"He’s not worth killing anyway," Lucas muttered, turning away.

Lena crouched down beside Edwin, checking his pulse. Her eyes softened for a brief moment.

Despite everything, she felt a faint pang of guilt.

"Why do you always push yourself this far, Edwin..." she whispered.

Edwin didn’t respond. His breathing was shallow, and his vision had already dimmed.

He could hear their voices faintly — like echoes from far away.

Lucas cleaned the blood off his sword and sheathed it, glancing at Lena. "Let’s go. He’ll live... if someone bothers to take him to the infirmary."

Lena stood up slowly. "You really are cruel, Lucas."

Lucas chuckled slowly. "Or maybe I’ve just stopped pretending."

As they walked away, the onlookers began to murmur again.

Some rushed forward to help Edwin, others just watched in silence.