The clear autumn skies that had persisted for the last few days bathed the earth in sunlight once again. Not a single cloud marred the expanse; the sun reigned supreme, as if declaring the heavens its exclusive domain. Its rays were as fierce as midsummer heat, beating down mercilessly on the spectators queued outside the arena.
"Ugh... why is it so hot today of all days? It's still early."
"Tell me about it. I'll be drenched in sweat by the time we even get inside."
Complaints rippled through the crowd. It wasn't even nine in the morning, yet the temperature hovered near thirty degrees Celsius. Given the season, it was practically abnormal weather.
"You don't think it's because of the battle between the Immovable and the Crimson, do you?"
"I want to say no... but with those two, I wouldn't be surprised. It's almost creepy."
Spotting an opportunity in the sweltering heat, a vendor carrying a box of fruit water wound through the crowd. Orders flooded in, and his stock vanished in a heartbeat. The water wasn't chilled by magic items, but the thirsty buyers didn't care; they gulped it down as if it were the finest nectar. Few realized the vendor was actually a tournament management committee member moonlighting on the side.
"In any case, the Fighting Tournament ends today."
"Yeah. It's been a wild year in more ways than one. I never expected Crimson to actually compete."
"No kidding. People have their opinions, but you can't argue with that kind of strength."
The man murmured thoughtfully as he quenched his thirst. The festival was almost over. He turned his gaze toward the long line of spectators with a somewhat lonely expression. Though an hour remained before the gates opened, the queue was already immense. Everyone in this line had come to see the final and greatest match of the tournament, and the collective anticipation made the air feel thick with excitement.
"I don't know who'll take it, but it's going to be a hell of a show."
The first man nodded in agreement.
"Hmph," another man nearby spat spitefully. "As if Crimson could beat the Immovable. Noise is S-Rank. Crimson's just a B-Rank brat... he needs to learn his place."
The other two could guess the reason for the bile. The man likely had a friend or relative die in the Spring War. They didn't argue. Their own acquaintances hadn't been involved, but they knew better than to poke that particular beehive. (He probably just came to see Reiji lose pathetically,) one of them thought, stoically enduring the sun as he waited for the gates to open.
While midsummer heat reigned outdoors, the arena's interior—specifically the participants' waiting room—was kept cool and comfortable by magic items. Unlike the crowded rooms of the qualifying rounds, Reiji's current quarters were as well-appointed as a suite at the Eternal Sky Inn. Not that it mattered much to him; his Dragon Robe automatically regulated his body temperature regardless of his surroundings. The room even featured an expensive magic item functioning as a refrigerator, stocked with ice. Such luxury was the privilege of a finalist.
"A little over an hour left..."
Reiji checked the clock and closed his eyes. Stretching out his perception, he detected several presences centered around the room: tournament officials, the guards for the various imperial family members and nobles attending the finals, and, most notably, individuals with the light footwork of thieves or assassins.
(Still planning to interfere at this stage? Well, there's not much they can do now.)
With so many experts guarding the VIPs, any attempt at an overt move would immediately trigger an uproar. They would find themselves facing the entire arena's security force in addition to Reiji himself. They were struggling to deal with Reiji alone; in such a chaotic scenario, their chances of a successful assassination were practically zero.
(That's probably why things will become so intense they can't be stopped once the situation actually begins.)
Gathering his thoughts, Reiji opened his eyes and stood up. He spread his legs wide, touched the floor, and began a series of deep stretches. One minute, five, ten... as he continued his flexibility exercises, his movements became progressively more fluid. It was a subtle shift, but Reiji knew that these minute adjustments could decide the outcome of a fight—especially when his opponent was theoretically superior. He wanted to enter the arena in peak condition.
Once he was warm, he verified his equipment: Sleipnir's Shoes, the Misty Ring, the Bracelet of Magic Absorption, his Dragon Robe, his Mithril Knife, and the Eye of Nebula he had acquired just the day before. He examined the Eye of Nebula with particular care, channeling magic power to manifest a single arrowhead. He rolled the projectile over his palm, watching it dissolve into mist after about thirty seconds. Manifesting another, he flicked his wrist. With a sharp whistle, the arrowhead pierced the skull of the target puppet in the corner.
The puppet was designed for blunt force, but the magical projectile had sunk deep into its head. Seconds later, the arrowhead vanished into mist.
"No problems there."
Having checked everything, Reiji found himself with nothing left to do. He sat on the sofa and closed his eyes for image training. He visualized the strongest version of himself—a version that could match the man they called "Immovable" and ultimately emerge victorious. He ran through every bit of data he had on Noise's fighting style, simulating the clash in his mind.
A knock at the door eventually broke his concentration.
"Pardon me. Reiji-sama, it's nearly time. Are you ready?"
The official's voice was tinged with respect—a stark contrast to the usual hostility from those who remembered the Spring War incident. Despite any personal grudges, reaching the finals of the empire's greatest tournament was an achievement that commanded awe even from his enemies.
"Yeah, I'm all set," Reiji replied, standing up.
His face had hardened. The calm of his meditation was gone, replaced by a predatory fighting spirit. From an outsider's perspective, he might have looked composed, but the hunger for the coming struggle was palpable.
"...Let's go."
Before leaving, he manifested one last arrowhead and flicked it. It didn't just pierce the puppet's head; it shattered the material entirely. Satisfied, he stepped past the stunned official and headed for the arena stage.
"Now then, everyone! This long tournament has finally reached its conclusion! Today, we decide the true strongest of the Bestia Empire—and by extension, the strongest in the world!"
The live commentator's voice boomed through the stadium. While foreign dignitaries in the VIP rooms scoffed at the provincial arrogance, the sentiment held sway within these walls.
"Over a century of history, yet I doubt there has ever been a year more electrifying than this!"
Usually, the commentator's hype would be met with thunderous roars, but today was different. The stands were packed to capacity, and even the VIP boxes reserved for imperial family and foreign guests were overflowing. Yet a heavy silence hung over the arena. Everyone knew they were about to witness a once-in-a-lifetime clash.
As if to break that tension, the live commentator's voice rang out once more.
"No more words are needed! First... entering the stage, the B-Rank adventurer, Crimson Rei!"
Multiple spheres of light erupted at the entrance—a display even more extravagant than the semi-finals. Amidst a dance of over twenty shimmering colors, Reiji appeared. Clad in his Dragon Robe and shouldering his massive Death Scythe, he was a familiar sight to the spectators.
"His scythe cuts through anything, and his flame magic earned him the alias 'Crimson'! After defeating Digma of the Water Dragon in the semi-finals, many expected to see him here today!"
Reiji leapt onto the stage, landing with his Death Scythe over his shoulder. His eyes were fixed on the opposite entrance.
"And facing Crimson is the man whose presence in the finals was practically a foregone conclusion! The hero of the Bestia Empire, S-Rank adventurer, Noise the Immovable!"
An even more magnificent display of light announced the hero's arrival. Noise walked out with his usual stoicism, but his gear was different. His monster-hide leather armor and the magic sword at his waist were of a significantly higher grade than those he had used in the semi-finals. The crowd began to murmur at the sight of the upgraded equipment. Noise ignored them, leaping onto the stage with a grace that made Reiji tighten his grip.
(Beating him is going to be a tall order,) Reiji thought, (but not impossible.)
The two met in the center of the stage.
"I knew you'd make it," Noise said, a small smile touching his lips. He drew his magic sword. "I've been expecting this since we met in the capital."
"I should probably say I'm honored," Reiji replied. His palms were damp with the pressure of Noise's aura, but his voice remained steady.
Emperor Trajist Gnose Bestia gave a sharp nod from his seat.
"Fight with everything you have. Begin!"