I was about to leave my room when the status window appeared again.
⚠️[Warning]
Mission: Survive Today.
Time Left: 0 Days.
"Great," I muttered. "So... this is it. This is the day I die?"
I took a deep breath and headed out anyway.
After breakfast, I met up with my team — Liora, Selene, Aeron, Kara, and Ren. We didn't talk much. Everyone was serious. We walked together toward the arena.
The place looked amazing.
The flags of the four academies flew above: Cyran, Nysira, Gravesend, and Elaris. In the middle was the flag of the empire. Magical lights floated in the air, and the sound of cheering already filled the stadium.
People were everywhere — students, nobles, visitors. Even the teachers had special seats. VIP sections were set up for the headmasters, royal family, and rich guests.
Even though Selene was a princess, she still had to fight like everyone else.
A man walked into the arena holding a glowing scroll. His voice boomed across the stadium.
"Welcome to the Four Pillars Summit!"
The crowd cheered loud.
"Today, students from each school will battle to show their skill!"
"Each match is 15 minutes long. You win by knocking out your opponent, making them give up, or having more points when time runs out!"
"Let's begin the first match!"
"Selene Lykaios from Cyran vs. Lina Myrr from Nysira!"
Selene stepped forward, calm and focused. Water moved around her like it was alive. Lina floated in, glowing with spirit magic.
"Start!"
Selene moved fast, sending water blades at Lina.
Lina blocked with spirit light that formed a wall.
Selene dashed around, launching more water attacks. Lina created a spirit eagle that flew toward Selene, but she blocked it with a spinning water shield.
Then Lina called a spirit wolf. It jumped at Selene.
Selene spun and hit it with a strong wave of water. The wolf broke apart in the air.
They kept fighting, back and forth, until—
Ding! The bell rang.
"Time's up! Match is a draw!"
Both girls bowed and walked back. The crowd clapped loud.
"Next Match: Liora Godfrey from Cyran vs. Velra Noxviel from Elaris!"
Liora walked out, calm and ready.
Velra stood across from her, wind swirling around her feet.
"Start!"
Velra attacked first with fast wind blasts. Liora blocked them using a dark shield of cursed magic.
Velra tried to fly up and strike again, but Liora drew a curse circle with her hand. A black chain shot out and wrapped around Velra's ankle, pulling her down.
Velra fired wind arrows, but Liora blocked every one.
Then she said something, and a black wave of cursed power knocked Velra off her feet.
Ding!
"Winner — Liora Godfrey!"
Cheers filled the arena.
I stayed quiet, watching.
Then... the status window came back.
This is the day you die.
My stomach dropped.
My name hadn't been called yet.
But I knew it was coming.
The crowd buzzed as the announcer walked back onto the stage.
"Next match!" he shouted. "Noah Drakopoulos of Cyran Academy… versus Cain Virell of Gravesend!"
The moment my name was said, whispers filled the stands.
"Isn't he the sick noble kid?"
"He's weak, right?"
"Why is he even in this tournament?"
My chest felt tight. But I walked toward the arena anyway.
In the high VIP seats, the Imperial King leaned toward Headmaster Dorian Graymoor.
"Why is the dying boy fighting?" the king asked.
Graymoor answered without blinking, "He got the highest score in the written exam.
My brothers booed me loudly.
"Go back to bed, Noah!"
The crowd laughed.
But I looked up and saw her—my mother. She was smiling, clapping for me with both hands. It gave me the strength to keep walking.
I stepped into the arena.
"Showtime," I muttered.
Across from me, Cain Virell dragged a huge sword that looked like a slab of steel. His eyes were cold. He didn't speak.
DING!
The match started fast.
Cain rushed at me and swung hard. I jumped back just in time. The blade missed my nose by an inch.
"Wow," I said. "No warm-up?"
He swung again.
BOOM!
The ground cracked open. Dust flew everywhere.
"Is this guy even human?" I whispered.
In the VIP area, Elizabeth Argento watched.
"When I met him, he helped me without even knowing who I was."
"I had my butler run a check on him. And I found out that he's very sickly and weak."
"But that night… I saw him training like crazy. Prove them wrong, Noah."
Cain slashed again. I dodged, barely.
Cain's Headmaster, a bulky man named Vos Harken, grunted.
"That's it? That's the best Cyran has?"
I dropped to one knee. My arms shook.
"I'm getting tired," I said, half-joking.
Cain stepped back and started building up his mana. His sword glowed red.
I felt my heart skip.
Then—
A sharp pain hit me behind the eyes.
A vision.
Me. Bloody. Dying. Again.
"Wait… is it now?"
I looked around fast. Then down.
A shadow from a cloud was showing across the arena floor.
"Think, Noah… Think."
"Shadow Evasion!"
I dove straight into the shadow like diving into water. Cain's attack slammed into the ground where I'd just been.
The crowd gasped.
I crawled out of the shadows behind him and stood up. My thin black katana hummed in my hand.
"What kind of sword is that?" someone said. "It's so dark…"
Cain turned with rage and raised his sword again.
I breathed in. Remembered Vivianne's lessons.
"Put your mana in the blade."
I gripped my sword tight.
"Dark… Dimension… Slice!"
I slash my sword in one fast motion.
FWOOM.
A wave of black energy ripped through the arena. It hit Cain's sword and shattered it. His magic attack disappeared like smoke. Even the light in the arena dimmed for a moment. It felt like time itself had been cut.
Cain dropped his broken blade. He stared at me, stunned.
DING!
"Match over!" the announcer shouted. "Winner —Noah Drakopoulos!"
The crowd was silent.
Then—
Whispers.
"Was that… Black Mana?"
"How did he do that?"
"I thought he was supposed to be weak?"
From the stands, Liora leaned over.
"When did you learn how to do that?" she asked, clearly shocked.
Selene smiled to herself.
My father gave a small smirk.
"Hmph. That's my son."
My mother clapped, eyes bright with pride.
I fell to one knee, breathing hard.
"Still alive," I whispered to myself.
"Barely."