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Chapter 243: Waitress

The heavy door of the Iron Matron creaked shut behind them, sealing out the tension of the street. The inn's warm, welcoming glow wrapped around Valeria like a familiar cloak, though she would never say as much aloud. The mingling aromas of roasted meat, spiced wine, and freshly baked bread filled the air, accompanied by the low hum of voices from the other patrons. It was lively yet calm, the kind of noise that soothed her nerves after a long day.

Her boots echoed softly on the wooden floor as she made her way to the usual table—the one tucked near the fire but not too close, offering warmth without the oppressive heat. It was the table she had initially chosen on instinct, but now it felt like it belonged to them. A quiet corner where the chaos of Andelheim couldn't quite reach.

Lucavion, of course, slid into his chair with his usual ease, stretching his arms over the backrest as though he hadn't a care in the world. Valeria took her seat opposite him, resting her hands on the table and glancing once more at the door they'd just entered. The figures in blue robes were fresh in her mind, their deliberate approach and unmasked intent still gnawing at her thoughts.

She sighed inwardly, trying to push it aside.

They wouldn't dare act here,

she told herself, though the thought brought little comfort.

Lucavion, as if reading her mind, smirked across the table. "Told you we're fine," he said, his tone laced with mock reassurance. "The Iron Matron is practically a fortress. Even the boldest wouldn't risk stirring trouble here."

Valeria shot him a withering look, but before she could reply, a voice cut through their quiet corner.

"G-good evening! Welcome back!"

Valeria's breath caught as recognition set in. The girl standing before them, her smile polite but tremulous, was unmistakably the same foxkin they had saved from a dire situation just the day before.

Sena.

Her long ears twitched faintly, betraying her nervousness, and her tail, though neatly brushed, flicked uneasily behind her.

The transformation was jarring. Just a day ago, Sena had been a terrified, disheveled girl hiding behind Lucavion as he dispatched the bandits threatening her life. Now, she stood in a server's uniform, balancing a tray and a fragile composure. Valeria's brow furrowed.

"Sena," she said, her tone more uncertain than intended. "You're... already working?"

The girl's smile faltered slightly, though she quickly masked it with a hurried nod. "Y-yes," she stammered, her voice soft. "Miss Mariel…..here… she gave me a chance to earn my keep." Her eyes darted around as though ensuring everything was in order, then back to Valeria. "She said that we couldn't just sit and do nothing. We need to prove that we can stand on our own."

Valeria opened her mouth to respond but hesitated, her gaze slipping to the faint tremor in the girl's hands as she gripped the tray. Sena's words spoke of determination, but her body betrayed her unease. This wasn't something she was used to—not yet, at least.

Her eyes flicked to Lucavion, silently questioning him.

Is this normal?

Her look seemed to say.

Shouldn't she be resting? Recovering?

Lucavion met her gaze with a casual shrug, his smirk still lingering. "It is no longer my responsibility," he said simply, biting into the remains of his skewer.

Valeria pressed her lips into a thin line, unconvinced. She glanced around the inn, her keen eyes scanning the room. Then she saw him. Another foxkin—a young man—was sweeping the floor near the fireplace. His movements were deliberate but subdued, his expression one of quiet concentration.

Riken,

she realized.

Unlike Sena, Riken's demeanor was more composed, though there was a weariness in his eyes that spoke of recent hardship. He moved efficiently, his tail swaying in time with the strokes of the broom, but there was a guarded tension in his posture.

"They are both working?" Valeria asked, her voice low as she returned her focus to Sena. The girl nodded quickly, as if afraid of being perceived as idle.

Sena stood there, her ears twitching nervously as her gaze darted between Valeria and Lucavion. After a brief moment, she seemed to realize she had lingered too long without doing her job. Her hands tightened around the tray, and she cleared her throat softly. "I'll, um, take your order now," she said, her voice small but earnest.

Her attempt at professionalism was endearing but clumsy, and as she fumbled with a small notepad and pencil, the tray nearly tipped from her grip. Lucavion chuckled at the sight, his laughter a warm, teasing sound. "Careful there," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You'll have the whole inn thinking we're a tough crowd."

Sena's blush deepened as she clutched the tray tighter, her tail swishing nervously behind her. "S-sorry!" she stammered, trying to steady herself.

Lucavion raised a hand, gesturing for her to come closer. "Hey, come here a second."

Sena hesitated for the briefest moment before stepping closer to his side, her wide eyes fixed on him. Valeria watched the exchange closely, something stirring in her chest as she noted the way Sena's expression shifted when she looked at Lucavion. There was a softness there, a quiet admiration that Valeria couldn't quite place. It unsettled her, though she didn't understand why.

Lucavion reached out, his movements casual, and placed a hand on top of Sena's head. He ruffled her hair lightly, earning a small gasp from the girl, who stood frozen under his touch. "You're doing well," he said, his tone gentle but still carrying that teasing lilt. "Look, most people will probably start coming back just to see you. Don't worry so much."

Sena's cheeks turned a vivid shade of pink, and she lowered her head shyly, her ears folding back slightly. "T-thank you," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the hum of the inn.

Lucavion retracted his hand, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied grin. "Alright, for me, I'll have whatever you think is the best. I trust your judgment."

Sena blinked, her eyes wide with panic. "B-but I don't know much yet!" she stammered, her hands gripping the tray tightly again. "I—I've only been here a day, and—"

Lucavion laughed again, clearly enjoying her flustered state. "Then surprise me," he said, waving a hand dismissively. "It'll be good no matter what, I'm sure."

Sena looked as though she might protest, but then she nodded quickly, scribbling something on her notepad with trembling hands. "Okay," she said, her voice small but determined. "I'll—I'll figure it out."

As she hurried off toward the kitchen, her tail still swishing nervously, Lucavion glanced across the table at Valeria. His grin widened at the faintly unreadable expression on her face. "She's got spirit, doesn't she?"

Valeria's lips pressed into a thin line. She didn't answer immediately, her mind too occupied with the strange twinge that had surfaced earlier. Finally, she shook her head slightly and replied, "She's trying her best."

Though she was a little angry at the fact that, this girl had forgotten to take her order.

Yet that irritation simmered as she watched Sena rush off toward the kitchen, her ears twitching nervously. The girl's flustered state had been amusing in its way, but it was hard to ignore the fact that she had completely forgotten to take Valeria's order.

Her eyes drifted toward the kitchen door, where Sena's small form was partially visible. Through the clatter and murmur of the bustling inn, Valeria's sharp senses picked up the distinct sound of a voice—firm, authoritative, but not unkind.

It was Mariel, the Iron Matron herself.

Valeria narrowed her eyes, focusing on the scene. Mariel, a sturdy woman with an air of command, stood before Sena with her arms crossed. The foxkin girl was bowing her head slightly, her ears flat against her hair as Mariel lightly tapped her on the head with a wooden spoon. The gesture wasn't harsh, but Sena's shoulders tensed as though she had been dealt a mighty blow.

"Forgot something, didn't you?" Mariel's voice was faintly exasperated but patient. "You can't go running off without finishing the orders, girl. Go back and get it done."

Sena nodded quickly, her tail drooping slightly. "Y-yes, Miss Mariel," she said, her voice a timid squeak.

Mariel sighed and ruffled the girl's hair lightly with her free hand, her stern expression softening. "Go on, now. And don't let the nerves get the better of you."

Valeria's irritation melted as she watched Sena scamper back into the main hall, her notepad clutched tightly in her hands. The girl's determination to do well, despite her nerves, struck a chord with her. Valeria's grip on the table's edge loosened, and she leaned back slightly, shaking her head to herself.

When Sena approached the table again, she looked thoroughly embarrassed, her ears drooping as she stopped in front of Valeria. "I'm so sorry, Lady Valeria," she stammered, bowing deeply. "I—I forgot to take your order. Please forgive me!"

Valeria waved a hand, her tone uncharacteristically gentle. "It's fine. Just bring me the usual. That should be easy enough, right?"

Sena's ears perked slightly, and she nodded vigorously, her expression brightening with relief. "Yes! Of course, I'll bring it right away!" She scribbled on her notepad, the trembling in her hands notably less severe this time.

Valeria glanced across the table at Lucavion, who was grinning smugly as he watched the interaction. "See?" he said, his tone laced with mock praise. "You do have a soft side after all."

Her glare was immediate and sharp. "Unlike you, I don't enjoy tormenting people."

Lucavion chuckled, raising his hands in a mock gesture of surrender. "Who, me? I'm just building character."

Valeria rolled her eyes, muttering something under her breath as Sena hurried back to the kitchen. The irritation she'd felt earlier had all but vanished, replaced by a quiet respect for the girl's resolve—and a faint, begrudging amusement at Lucavion's antics.

CREAK!

Yet, just then the door opened and five people entered the place.

SILENCE!

And the entire place fell silent at that.

Chapter 244: Elder Xue's Fury

When the sun dipped below the horizon at the end of the day's tournament, the tension within the Cloud Heavens Sect's temporary quarters was suffocating.

The disciples sat in uneasy silence, their usual smug camaraderie replaced with glances of trepidation. The faint flicker of lantern light illuminated the room, but it did little to soften the storm brewing in Elder Xue's expression.

The Elder, known for her composed and calculating demeanor, now paced the room with a sharpness in her steps that mirrored the fury emanating from her. Her hands were clasped tightly behind her back, and the muscles in her jaw worked furiously as if holding back a volcanic eruption of anger.

"How," she began, her voice icy, "does a rogue, an unaligned

nobody,

continue to defy us at every turn?"

Her gaze swept across the room, landing on Zerah, who sat stiffly, her face pale but composed. None of the disciples dared speak, sensing the storm that was about to break.

Elder Xue's sharp steps echoed through the tense silence of the room, her expression an icy mask barely concealing the tempest beneath. Her disciples dared not meet her gaze, their heads lowered slightly, knowing full well the consequences of testing her temper. She stopped abruptly, her piercing eyes settling on Zerah, whose pale face betrayed her internal struggle to remain composed.

"Elder…" Zerah began hesitantly, but Elder Xue silenced her with a single, cutting gesture.

"Do you understand," Elder Xue said, her voice dangerously low, "the magnitude of the insult we've endured today?"

The room was utterly still, the flickering lantern light casting shadows across the faces of the disciples. Xue's hands clasped tightly behind her back, her knuckles whitening as her fury threatened to spill over. She didn't speak of the man they had paid to secure a victory against Lucavion—a man who had been utterly defeated as if their efforts had been a mere joke. Nor did she mention the ultimatum they had delivered to the city's inns, a decree ignored by none other than

her.

The Iron Matron.

Mariel Farlon.

Xue's mind churned with the implications. Mariel had always been an enigma—a retired adventurer with a reputation for strength, cunning, and, more recently, her infuriating defiance of authority. Though Mariel had left the adventuring world behind, her influence lingered, particularly in Andelheim. Her refusal to comply with the Cloud Heavens Sect's ultimatum was not just an insult—it was a challenge.

"You dare to go against my sect…" she murmured under her breath, the words laced with venom as her sharp eyes flickered toward the disciples seated before her.

Straightening her posture, she turned to address them, her voice cold and authoritative. "Enough sitting idly. This rogue and his so-called benefactor believe they can mock the Cloud Heavens Sect with impunity. They are mistaken."

Her gaze swept across the room, finally settling on Zerah. "You, and three others—prepare to accompany me. We will pay a visit to this 'Phantom Blade' and his Iron Matron. I want them to understand exactly what it means to stand in the shadow of our authority."

The disciples straightened, their faces a mix of anticipation and unease. For Zerah, the prospect of directly confronting Lucavion was both an opportunity and a risk. Still, the chance to finally put him in his place filled her with grim satisfaction.

"Elder Xue," Zerah began cautiously, "are you certain—"

"I do not need to explain myself to you, Zerah," Xue snapped, her tone icy. "This is not a negotiation. We will make an example of them. Gather yourselves. We leave now."

******

The streets of Andelheim were alive with the hum of evening activity, the glow of lanterns casting long shadows over the cobblestone paths. Elder Xue strode with purpose, her robes flowing behind her like a storm cloud, her four chosen disciples trailing in her wake. Each step was deliberate, her presence commanding the attention of those they passed. The crowd instinctively parted, whispers spreading as the unmistakable emblem of the Cloud Heavens Sect came into view.

"Is that Elder Xue?" someone murmured from a distance, their tone tinged with awe and fear.

"She's going to the Iron Matron's inn," another said, their voice dropping to a whisper.

Xue ignored the murmurs, her focus fixed on the path ahead. When they reached the familiar doors of the Iron Matron's inn, she paused for a moment, taking in the modest yet sturdy structure. The warmth of firelight and muffled chatter from within did nothing to soften the disdain curling at the corners of her mouth.

Without hesitation, she pushed the door open.

*******

The heavy wooden door creaked, and the lively murmur of the inn came to an abrupt halt. All eyes turned to the imposing figure of Elder Xue as she stepped inside, her presence commanding the room. Behind her, the four disciples entered in practiced formation, their expressions cold and resolute, their movements deliberate and synchronized.

Mariel Farlon, standing behind the bar with her usual air of calm authority, looked up from her work, her gaze steady and unflinching as it met Xue's. Her expression didn't change, though a faint flicker of curiosity sparked in her eyes. The patrons, sensing the sudden shift in the atmosphere, shrank back, their conversations fading into silence.

"Mariel Farlon," Xue said, her voice cutting through the heavy quiet like a blade. "Or shall I address you as the Iron Matron?"

Mariel set down the mug she was cleaning, her movements slow and deliberate. "Elder Xue," she replied evenly, her tone polite but laced with a hint of steel. "To what do I owe the pleasure of such a visit?"

Xue's gaze narrowed. "Spare me the pleasantries. You have defied a direct order from the Cloud Heavens Sect. Your actions have consequences."

The room held its breath as the two women stood facing each other, their contrasting auras clashing silently. Behind Xue, the disciples stood at attention, their eyes scanning the room until they found Lucavion seated at a corner table, entirely at ease despite the mounting tension. His smirk was already forming as if he'd been expecting this.

"Elder Xue," Mariel said calmly, her eyes flicking briefly to Lucavion before returning to Xue. "I run my inn as I see fit. And as I recall, the Cloud Heavens Sect does not govern the laws of Andelheim."

Xue's lips pressed into a thin line, her knuckles tightening around the edges of her robe. "Do not mistake leniency for weakness," she hissed. "This inn, and the people you choose to shelter, will not be exempt from consequences."

Lucavion finally rose from his seat, his smirk widening as he approached, his tone light but dripping with amusement. "Well, well. I didn't realize I was important enough to warrant such attention. What can I do for you, miss?"

The room bristled with tension as Xue turned to face him, her eyes cold and unyielding. "You," she said, her voice sharp, "have overstepped your bounds for the last time."

Lucavion's smirk didn't falter as he spread his hands in mock innocence. "Overstepped? I'm just a humble participant in the tournament, enjoying some hospitality. Surely that's not a crime?"

The corner of Xue's mouth twitched with barely restrained fury. "You are a nuisance," she said through gritted teeth. "And nuisances have a way of being… dealt with."

The room seemed to hold its collective breath, the tension thick enough to cut as Lucavion tilted his head, his grin turning razor-sharp. "Then by all means, Elder," he said softly, his tone as dangerous as it was mocking, "deal with me."

Elder Xue's gaze darkened as she met Lucavion's mocking grin, his audacity grating against every nerve she had left. Her disciples shifted behind her, their expressions a mix of outrage and disbelief at his blatant disrespect. Yet Lucavion seemed unfazed by the tension, his smirk deepening as he leaned slightly closer as if to deliver the final insult.

"Or maybe, Elder," he drawled, his voice low and deliberately taunting, "perhaps I've misunderstood all this attention you've been giving me. If you'd like, I could offer compensation for the trouble I've caused." He paused, letting the tension build before his smirk turned wicked. "Or… should I pay you with my body?"

The room seemed to freeze, the air thick with shock as his words echoed. The disciples behind Xue stiffened, their faces flushing with anger, but Lucavion pressed on, entirely undeterred.

"Surely, you wouldn't refuse a fine young man like myself, right?" he continued, his tone dripping with mockery. "After all, your disciples certainly don't seem to." His eyes flicked pointedly toward Zerah, whose face burned with humiliation, her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Lucavion's gaze returned to Xue, his grin turning razor-sharp. "Though, I suppose there's a chance you're a bit… pickier. I'd understand. At your age, Elder, you may not have the stamina to keep up with me."

The room erupted. Gasps and muffled exclamations filled the space as the tension reached its breaking point. One of the disciples stepped forward, her face red with fury. "You insolent—"

"Enough," Xue's voice cut through the chaos, cold and commanding. She didn't raise it, but the sheer weight of her authority silenced everyone in an instant. Her disciples froze, their anger cowed by the sharp edge in her tone.

Her gaze locked on Lucavion, her expression cold and unreadable, though her clenched fists betrayed the storm raging beneath her calm facade. "You dare," she said quietly, her voice low and venomous, "to insult not only me but the entire Cloud Heavens Sect?"

Lucavion shrugged nonchalantly, his grin never wavering. "I wouldn't call it an insult," he replied smoothly. "More like… an observation."

"Observation….." Elder Xue took a step closer, her presence radiating cold fury. "You think this is a game, rogue? That you can mock me, mock my sect, and walk away unscathed?"

"Yep….." Lucavion tilted his head, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Just as you have said…..I will walk away, just like I came…..With my head, proud….And you will not be able to do anything about it."

His gaze contained a certain chill…..

'This guy!'

And it was the final straw for Elder Xue…..

Chapter 245: Elder Xue's Fury (2)

Elder Xue's composure shattered like fragile glass under the weight of Lucavion's taunt. Her cold fury surged into action, and without hesitation, she thrust her hand forward, aiming for his neck with precise, deadly intent.

The movement was blindingly fast, a burst of power befitting her rank and authority. Gasps erupted from the patrons in the inn as the air seemed to hum with the energy of her strike. Lucavion, however, remained rooted in place, his expression unwavering even as her hand closed the distance.

CLANG!

The sharp sound of metal against metal reverberated through the room, startling everyone. A thin, gleaming blade had intercepted Elder Xue's strike, its point hovering mere inches from Lucavion's throat. Mariel Farlon stood between them, her eyes cold and calculating, her sword poised with the same calm precision she was famed for.

"This," Mariel said, her voice low and firm, "is my inn. And no one raises a hand against my guests under this roof."

Elder Xue's hand halted mid-motion, her eyes narrowing as she met Mariel's unwavering gaze. The tension in the room was suffocating, the air charged with unspoken challenge as the two women faced off.

"Mariel Farlon," Xue said, her voice laced with venom. "Do you truly intend to shield this rogue? To stand against the Cloud Heavens Sect for a nobody?"

Mariel didn't flinch, her grip steady on her blade. "I'm not shielding anyone," she replied evenly. "But I won't tolerate this kind of behavior in my establishment, no matter who it comes from. You know the rules of Andelheim, Xue. Violence here comes with consequences—even for an Elder of your rank."

Lucavion, still seated, tilted his head slightly, his smirk returning as he observed the standoff. "My, my," he drawled, his tone light but edged with mockery. "Two powerful women fighting over little old me. I feel so flattered."

"Silence!" Xue snapped, her voice cutting through the air like a whip. Her hand trembled slightly, hovering just inches from Mariel's blade as she struggled to rein in her fury.

Mariel's expression didn't change, her calm confidence a stark contrast to Xue's simmering rage. "Leave," she said quietly, but the authority in her tone was unmistakable. "Before you do something you'll regret."

Xue's teeth clenched, her gaze flickering between Mariel and Lucavion. Her disciples stood frozen behind her, their eyes wide with a mix of awe and fear at the sight of their Elder being challenged so openly.

Finally, with a sharp intake of breath, Xue pulled her hand back, the tension in her posture barely easing. "This isn't over," she said coldly, her eyes boring into Lucavion with a promise of retribution. "You may have allies here, but you won't always have someone to hide behind."

Lucavion raised a brow, his grin widening. "Hide? Oh, Elder, I think you're giving me too little credit. But I'll take it as a compliment."

Mariel lowered her blade slightly, keeping it ready in case Xue tried anything further. "Good night, Elder," she said pointedly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Xue turned on her heel, her robes swirling around her as she stalked toward the door. Her disciples followed in her wake, their heads lowered, their anger simmering beneath their obedience. As the door slammed shut behind them, the inn let out a collective exhale, the tension slowly dissipating.

Lucavion leaned back in his chair, his smirk firmly in place as he glanced at Mariel. "Well, that was dramatic. My thanks, Miss Little Bear."

Mariel shot him a sharp look, though there was a faint glimmer of amusement in her eyes. "Don't push your luck, Lucavion," she said evenly, sheathing her blade. "I only stopped her because I won't have this place turned into a battleground."

Lucavion chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Of course. I'm eternally grateful for your hospitality."

Mariel shook her head, turning back to the bar as the patrons cautiously resumed their conversations. "Keep it up, and you'll need more than my sword to keep you alive," she muttered under her breath.

Lucavion's grin widened. "Wouldn't have it any other way."

And then he returned to the table with a leisurely stride, as if the life-or-death standoff moments ago had been a mere distraction. His smirk was firmly in place, his posture as relaxed as ever as he slid into his chair, leaned back, and propped an elbow on the table. The faint hum of resumed conversations filled the inn, but Valeria could still feel the tension lingering like an aftershock.

She watched him carefully, her eyes narrowing slightly as she tried to make sense of what she'd just witnessed.

How does he do it?

she wondered, her grip tightening on the edge of the table.

How does he stay so calm—even when facing an Elder of the Cloud Heavens Sect?

Valeria exhaled sharply, crossing her arms as she leaned forward. "You're unbelievable," she said, her tone low but laced with incredulity.

Lucavion raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Why, thank you," he said, his grin widening. "Though, I didn't realize you'd be so quick to compliment me."

"That wasn't a compliment," she snapped, leaning closer. "You just provoked an Elder of one of the most powerful sects in the region—and you did it on purpose. Why?"

His grin didn't falter, but his eyes gleamed with something sharper, something Valeria couldn't quite place. "They deserved it," he said simply, his tone light but carrying an undercurrent of something colder.

Valeria's brow furrowed. "Deserved it? Sure, they're not exactly saints—I can tell that much. But that doesn't explain why you're so... hostile toward them. You didn't just stand your ground—you went out of your way to provoke her."

Lucavion's smirk turned slightly rueful as he leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "And here I thought you'd appreciate a little entertainment," he said lightly. "But if you must know….."

"Know what?"

Lucavion's smirk lingered, but there was a sharpness behind it, a subtle edge that hinted at something far deeper than his playful demeanor. "I despise people like them," he said again, his voice soft but weighted, as though every word carried the force of an unspoken history.

Valeria frowned, leaning slightly forward. "And just because you despise them, you act like this? Provoking them, challenging them openly?" She paused, her voice taking on an almost curious tone. "Why? Why do you despise them so much?"

For a moment, she thought he might actually answer. His eyes flickered, his gaze turning inward as though caught on the edges of a memory. But then, with the ease of a practiced deflection, his smirk returned in full force, his expression once again unreadable. "Let's just say it's personal," he said lightly, brushing her question aside.

Valeria's frown deepened. "Personal enough that you're willing to risk everything? Just because you don't like them?"

Lucavion tilted his head, his grin shifting into something faintly mocking. "You make it sound like I need someone's permission to act. I don't need rights handed to me, Valeria. I earn my rights—with strength."

The conviction in his words startled her, and for a moment, she was at a loss for how to respond. She leaned back, crossing her arms as she considered his statement. "You're wrong," she said finally, shaking her head. "It's not about earning the right to do something. People should act based on principles, on standards. Otherwise, it's just chaos."

Lucavion chuckled softly, tapping a finger against the table. "And what makes you think liking or disliking someone isn't a standard of its own?"

His words gave her pause. She studied him, her expression thoughtful as she considered his point.

I guess... in a way, he's right,

she admitted to herself.

Choosing to act based on how you feel about someone is still a standard—it's just not the kind I'd ever follow.

She exhaled softly, letting go of her earlier irritation. "Fine," she said at last. "I don't agree with how you handle things, but I won't judge you for it."

Lucavion raised an eyebrow, his grin widening slightly. "That's unusually magnanimous of you."

"Don't push it," she retorted, though her tone lacked the usual bite. She rested her chin on her hand, her gaze lingering on him.

This guy,

she thought,

he's insufferable. He's reckless. And yet... there's something about him—something solid, something unwavering, beneath all the teasing and arrogance.

*******

And just like that, the next day, the tournament started once again, with their opponents shown.

Varen Drakov

(Silver Flame Sect) vs.

The Monk

(Unaffiliated)

Zerah

(Cloud Heavens Sect) vs.

Valeria

Olarion

(Olarion Household)

Lira Vaelan

(Cloud Heavens Sect) vs.

Maelis Arvon

(Cloud Heavens Sect)

Lucavion

(Unaffiliated) vs.

Joel Rythan

(Silver Flame Sect)

As the matchups for the quarterfinals were announced, a wave of murmurs rippled through the arena.

The crowd's excitement quickly gave way to speculation, with many spectators noting the peculiar alignments. While match fixing wasn't unheard of in tournaments with such high stakes, the sheer improbability of the draw left even the most neutral onlookers raising their eyebrows.

The loudest whispers revolved around the Silver Flame Sect's perceived misfortune. Not only had Varen Drakov, their strongest disciple, been forced to eliminate one of their own in the previous round, but now he was matched against The Monk—a fighter whose calm, unorthodox style had proven to be a perfect foil for the Silver Flame Sect's aggressive combat techniques.

And as if that wasn't enough, Joel Rythan, their second-strongest disciple, was now pitted against Lucavion, the enigmatic swordsman who had dispatched every opponent with chilling efficiency.

On the other side of the bracket, the Cloud Heavens Sect seemed to fare slightly better, though not without its own controversy. Zerah, a rising star within the sect, was now matched against Valeria, whose relentless style and resilience had earned her a reputation.

Lira Vaelan, the Silent Thunder, had drawn Maelis Arvon—a fellow disciple of the Cloud Heavens Sect. While sect members fighting each other wasn't unheard of, the optics of the strongest Cloud Heaven disciple being matched against her own seemed too convenient to some.