The announcer’s voice echoed again across the arena.

  “Next match — Human Warrior versus Wind Ability User!”

  The crowd erupted.

  This matchup alone was enough to divide the audience. Some cheered for raw power. Others for courage.

  Two figures stepped forward.

  On one side stood Rhaen Valcor — a human warrior, tall, scarred, gripping a long spear worn smooth by years of training. No glow. No aura. Just discipline carved into muscle.

  On the other side, calm as drifting air, stood Zephyr Kaelis — a wind ability user. The breeze around him responded subtly to his presence, circling his feet, lifting the ends of his cloak.

  Samye’s eyes locked onto the arena.

  The signal was given.

  The match began.

  Zephyr moved first.

  A sudden gust slammed into Rhaen, forcing him back several steps. Wind blades cut through the air, slicing the ground inches from his feet.

  Rhaen struggled.

  The crowd murmured — it was clear at first glance that the ability user held the advantage. Zephyr’s control was precise, effortless. Each movement redirected air like an extension of his will.

  Rhaen planted his spear and stood back up.

  No hesitation.

  No fear.

  He tightened his grip and ran forward — not with power, but with speed and timing.

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  Samye leaned forward.

  He’s reading the wind…

  Rhaen adjusted his footwork mid-run, compensating for pressure shifts. He dodged, slid, and twisted through narrow openings between wind currents, pushing his body beyond safe limits.

  For a moment —

  He kept up.

  The crowd gasped.

  Zephyr’s eyes narrowed.

  Enough.

  The wind surged violently.

  A storm formed in seconds, spiraling upward. Rhaen was lifted off the ground and hurled sideways, crashing hard into a tree at the arena’s edge.

  The impact echoed.

  Rhaen collapsed.

  Still.

  Silence followed.

  The commentator raised his hand.

  “And the winner is—”

  Rhaen’s fingers twitched.

  Slowly — painfully — he pushed himself up.

  Blood ran down his forehead. His body shook violently.

  But he stood.

  The crowd exploded.

  “No way—”

  “He’s still standing?!”

  Zephyr hesitated for the first time.

  Rhaen didn’t wait.

  He took one final breath.

  Then ran.

  Every step tore at his muscles. His vision blurred. His body screamed for him to stop.

  But he didn’t.

  As he closed the distance, Rhaen hurled his spear with everything he had left — strength, anger, resolve, life.

  The spear tore through the wind.

  Zephyr reacted instantly, halting the weapon mid-air.

  But—

  That moment of focus cost him.

  A single second.

  Rhaen used it.

  He slammed into Zephyr, knocking him off balance, driving him into the ground with raw momentum.

  The wind collapsed.

  Zephyr hit the dirt — unconscious.

  The arena fell silent.

  Then—

  A thunderous roar.

  Rhaen staggered, turned toward the crowd, and spoke with a hoarse voice:

  “Rhaen… Valcor.”

  The horn sounded.

  Winner.

  Rhaen collapsed immediately after — body finally giving up.

  Samye exhaled slowly.

  So it’s possible…

  Even without abilities.

  That evening, Samye walked beside Kayal beneath the quiet lantern-lit paths.

  “You trained the cadets today?” Samye asked.

  Kayal nodded. “Every day. We don’t know what tomorrow brings.”

  Samye hesitated, then asked the question weighing on his mind.

  “Kayal… can normal humans really defeat powerful ability users?”

  Kayal glanced at him and smiled.

  “That’s a question you should answer yourself.”

  Samye looked ahead.

  “I follow one principle,” he said quietly.

  “If I give up — I’m already dead.

  If I don’t — I’ll try until I die.”

  Kayal chuckled.

  “And who knows,” Samye added with a faint smile, “maybe one day I’ll take down the mighty Man of a Thousand Arms.”

  Kayal laughed openly this time.

  Samye smiled back.

  And together, they walked home — knowing that today, something important had been proven.