Back at the individual competition grounds, Ray immediately checked the match progress. Luckily, he hadn't missed anything. With the competition entering its second round, each bout now takes significantly longer.

Once he confirmed his schedule, Ray spotted familiar figures nearby.

Raziel Phoenix and Lily were standing together, watching an ongoing match. Ray hurried over.

"You're done with blacksmithing already?" Lily asked. "How'd it go?"

"Very well," Ray replied casually. "The champion will be decided tomorrow."

The blacksmithing competition was small-scale, after all. Three days were more than enough.

"Have you fought yet?" Ray asked.

Lily shook her head. "Not yet. Still waiting."

"Anyone strong show up?"

"A few," Lily answered. "We just saw a three-ringed soul master. That kind of opponent would be troublesome."

Ray nodded.

With an age limit of fifteen, three-ring soul masters were inevitable in the junior division. Compared to Lily and Raziel Phoenix, both two-ringed with powerful martial souls, Ray only had a single ring and Silverfalls Vine. Even with a thousand-year soul ring, he was still at a clear disadvantage.

Yet his confidence remained unshaken.

He had never entered the individual competition expecting to dominate. This was about tempering himself. Losing to someone stronger wouldn't be shameful.

Then his eyes widened.

Scarlet and Jacob were walking straight toward him, the former leading with an imposing stride, the latter trailing behind obediently.

No way… she didn't actually sign up for the individual competition, did she?

Ray felt a mix of disbelief and anticipation. Since they were from Central Academy, he genuinely wanted to see how strong they were.

"Waiting for your match?" Scarlet asked, stopping in front of him with a faintly malicious smile.

Ray replied flatly, "You signed up for the individual competition too? I'm pretty sure registration closed before you decided to join."

Scarlet scoffed. "And? I just talked to the organizers and asked to spar with you. I promised I wouldn't compete for the top eight, so they made an exception."

Ray's heart tightened slightly.

"Oh, and here's some good news," Scarlet added cheerfully. "Your originally scheduled opponent couldn't make it. So they reassigned someone else."

She pointed at herself. "Me."

Ray instantly understood her intent.

Raziel Phoenix and Lily's expressions darkened, especially Lily's, whose narrowed eyes gleamed coldly.

Ray, however, met Scarlet's gaze calmly and broke into a radiant smile. "Fantastic!"

Scarlet froze.

Fantastic?

He wasn't afraid? Not even a little?

She searched his face for tension, hesitation—anything. There was nothing. His smile was bright, almost dazzling.

Behind her, Jacob shot Ray a desperate look, silently begging him to surrender early. Ray ignored it completely.

Scarlet's smile vanished, replaced by a shadowed glare. She nodded sharply. "Good. Very good. Let's see what you've really got."

She turned and left without another word.

Ray watched her go, a wry smile tugging at his lips, before refocusing on the arena.

A hand suddenly grabbed his arm.

Lily was staring straight at him, her eyes filled with concern.

Ray chuckled. "It's fine. This is exactly why we're here. To challenge strong opponents and gain experience." He grinned. "A Central Academy student as my opponent? That's a rare opportunity. Honestly, I'm thrilled. Why do you all look like I've already lost?"

"Well said," an icy voice cut in.

The trio turned, startled, to see Alfred standing behind them.

"Fight with everything you have," Alfred said calmly. "If you do, you might actually have a chance."

Ray's eyes lit up. "Teacher!"

Alfred nodded, his gaze lingering on Ray with clear approval. The more he watched this child, the more impressed he became. Sharp perception, a steady heart, and courage well beyond his age.

Ten years old.

Who could predict what he would become at twenty?

Though Ray's martial soul was weak, it had mutated. That alone meant possibilities. If this continued, his future was limitless.

"Don't burden yourself," Alfred said evenly. "Win or lose doesn't matter. As long as you give it your all."

"Yes!" Ray answered firmly.

He sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began regulating his breathing. When he stood again, his mind was clear and sharp.

Raziel Phoenix fought first and won within five minutes.

Then it was Ray's turn.

He rose smoothly, confidence etched into his expression, and walked toward the arena.

Behind him, Jacob tugged at Scarlet's sleeve. "Big Sister, Ray didn't really do anything wrong. Please go easy on him…"

Scarlet flung his hand aside. "If it weren't for you, would I have suffered like that? Just watch. I'll teach him a proper lesson."

She stormed toward the stage.

Unlike the exhibition match, few recognized her now. She wasn't wearing Central Academy's uniform, only a simple yellow dress. She looked like nothing more than a pretty young girl.

Ray and Scarlet stepped onto the arena.

The moment she saw his confident smile, Scarlet's anger flared anew. In her eyes, that smile was pure provocation.

This bastard… Today, I'll put you in your place!

The referee repeated the rules mechanically and gave them time to prepare.

Ray's gaze locked onto Scarlet, sharp and focused.

He was like a compressed spring. The greater the pressure, the stronger the rebound.

Facing a powerful opponent like her excited him far more than battling an inexperienced foe.

"Three, two, one… begin!"

The instant the match started, Ray stomped down hard.

Boom!

He shot forward like a cannonball, a single purple soul ring flashing beneath his feet as he charged straight at Scarlet.

A thousand-year soul ring.

The moment that color flashed beneath Ray's feet, Scarlet's pupils shrank. She hadn't seen any of his earlier battles. Her judgment of him had been based purely on the weak fluctuations of his soul power.

One ring, yes.

But purple?

That single detail overturned her assessment in an instant.

To withstand a thousand-year soul ring, both the body and spirit had to be exceptionally strong. There was no shortcut, no coincidence.

I underestimated him.

Yet her composure did not crack.

Confidence was etched into Scarlet's bones. She was from the Central Academy. A thousand-year soul ring alone was not enough to shake her.

Two yellow soul rings rose beneath her feet as her martial soul condensed in her hand.

A long sword appeared.

Its blade was slender and radiant, glowing with a soft golden-yellow brilliance.

Starlike sparks flickered across its surface, dazzling even under the midday sun. The instant the sword manifested, Scarlet's presence seemed to fade, her aura merging seamlessly with the weapon.

Sword and wielder became one.

The stands erupted in muted shock.

A ten-year-old… already stepping into the realm of unity with the sword?

Even the keenest observers couldn't hide their astonishment.

As the distance between them vanished, Ray didn't summon his Silverfalls Vine. Instead, he reached straight for Scarlet's shoulder.

Scarlet moved at the final moment.

One simple step to the right.

Yet that single step sent a chill racing through Ray's gut.

Her movement placed her perfectly at his blind spot, lining up his weakest point with frightening precision. Ray's momentum carried him forward, his grasp closing on empty air as he passed her original position.

Too late to turn.

Scarlet's sword slashed toward his ribs.

The strike was smooth and unhurried, like water flowing downhill. Calm. Precise. Inevitable.

In that instant of danger, Ray twisted his body to an extreme angle, his back arching like a drawn bow. Golden scales rippled across his arm as he raised it just in time.

Clang.

Metal rang against metal.

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