Rynar glanced at Rynor and gave a quick nod. "Not bad. That kick looked clean."

Rynor smirked back. "Your punch wasn't half bad either."

They both laughed loudly.

The crowd picked up the sound and then fell silent as Ragric and Rovric came from the sides.

Rovric folded his arms, chin up. Ragric spun his spear once and hooked it over his shoulder.

"Well, well," Rovric said, his voice dripping with amusement.

"Look who's back. The so-called Terror Twins, the weak troublemakers we used to defeat daily."

Ragric chuckled.

"Yeah, I never understood that name. 'Terror'? Please. The only thing you were terrified of was your reflection."

He leaned forward slightly, his grin sharp.

"And you actually had the guts to come back here? Who told you that was a smart idea?"

Rynar didn't flinch. He just stepped a half step forward and smirked.

"We came back to fight. If that bothers you, stand aside."

Rovric's eyes narrowed. "Fight? You? Don't make me laugh."

Rynor let his smirk spread slowly.

"Laugh all you want. Today we're the ones kicking asses."

He tapped his foot on the stone, gestures easy and loose.

"Starting with yours, if you want a sample."

Ragric sneered. He stabbed the air with the spear tip, testing the space between them.

"Brave words for you, who ran away once. What changed? New tricks? New friends to hide behind?"

Rynar's jaw clenched.

"You forget one thing. We didn't run away. We just trained and learned in the outside world to be stronger."

Rovric laughed, loud and sharp.

"Learned what? How to talk big? Show us then. Strike the stone again. Make it blue if you can."

Rynor glanced back at Rynar, then stepped forward to the pillar.

He didn't touch it yet. He looked at the crowd, then at Ragric and Rovric.

"You sure you want this to be a show?"

Ragric spat on the ground. "Do it. Make it quick so we can finish your act."

Rynar flexed his fingers slowly, the move almost casual. He cracked his knuckles and smiled.

"Fine. We'll make it quick."

The spectators watched more closely. Some cheered, and others sneered.

Rynor moved his leg back, calm as ever, then kicked. Rynar followed with a fist that cut the air.

The pillar flared blue once again, forcing Ragric and Rovric's smiles to flicker and then harden.

Rovric stepped forward, teeth showing. "So it lights up. Lucky hit."

Ragric clenched his spear. "Don't get cocky. This is just the start."

Rynor wiped his boot on the stone and shrugged. "Then start. We were bored anyway."

Rynar cracked his neck, smiling faintly. "Yeah, all this talk's making me sleepy."

The two sides stared at each other across the glowing stone.

Around them, the arena fell quiet. No one dared blink.

A few whispers spread through the crowd.

"Are they really going to fight now?"

"This isn't even the next round yet!"

"The elders are watching. Someone stop them!"

The announcer, clearly sweating, waved his arms and stepped forward between the groups.

"Alright, alright! Everyone, calm down! The first round is done!"

He laughed nervously and looked at both sides.

"No fighting yet... unless you, of course, all of you, wish for me to get yelled at by the elders."

The crowd chuckled a little, tension breaking for a moment.

Rynor tilted his head, turning to Ragric. "Tch. You're lucky he stepped in."

Ragric lowered his spear but didn't take his eyes off the twins. "You wish."

Rovric smirked from beside him. "Don't worry. You'll get your chance soon enough."

Rynar's grin widened. "I'm counting on it."

The announcer clapped his hands loudly.

"Okay! Now that everyone's not trying to kill each other. Let's move straight to the second round!"

The crowd roared again, excitement returning.

He raised his voice once again.

"We have thirty-two contestants left after the power test! From here on out, we'll move to the duel phase!"

Gasps and shouts filled the air.

"Duel phase already?"

"That fast?"

"This is where it gets good!"

The announcer nodded, walking across the stage.

"All participants, come forward and draw your number tokens for your match positions! Remember! Once you draw, there's no switching!"

Dozens of cultivators began to line up at the side table where the glowing wooden box sat.

Each one took a small orb that glowed with their number.

Rynor leaned over to Rynar. "Bet I get number one."

Rynar snorted. "Bet you get last and have to wait all day."

Rynor snorted back. "Ha, at least I'll get to watch you lose first."

The announcer glanced their way.

"Terror Twins, you're up next! Step forward and take your numbers!"

The crowd's attention turned to them again. The whispers started up once more.

"Let's see if they can fight as well as they show off."

"Terror Twins, huh?"

Rynor stretched his arms, pretending to yawn. "Guess we're famous again."

Rynar grinned. "Good. I like having an audience."

They stepped forward together.

Rynar reached in first, grabbed one, and held it up. The number glowed bright.

"Number two," he said, smirk widening.

Rynor stepped up right after him, tapping the box with his knuckles before pulling his orb.

He glanced at it, then laughed softly. "Three."

The crowd reacted instantly.

"Back-to-back numbers?"

"They're going to fight one after the other?"

"This is going to be good!"

The announcer blinked twice, his mouth hanging open before he finally raised his voice.

"W-Well, look at that! Back-to-back matches! Looks like the famous twins will be fighting early in the round!"

Rynor grinned, rolling his shoulders. "Perfect. The sooner we start, the sooner I get to break something."

Rynar chuckled beside him. "Just don't break the stage again."

Across the arena, Ragric leaned lazily on his spear, watching them with that same mocking smirk.

"Be careful what you wish for, little bastards. You might end up burning yourselves out."

Rovric folded his arms, eyes narrowing slightly.

"Or maybe they just want attention. They've always been good at that."

Rynar turned his head toward them, his grin never fading. "Oh, we'll get plenty of attention soon."

Rynor added. "Yeah. From the ground, with you both looking up at us."

The crowd roared at the exchange. The tension was thick but exciting.

Even the announcer looked like he didn't know whether to step back or keep the energy going.

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