Just as the two stared at each other in confusion,

  the door to the VIP box was suddenly pushed open from the outside.

  As soon as Miko stepped into the room, she was immediately locked in by several pairs of eyes.

  "Huh...... What’s wrong? Is there something on me? Why are you all staring at me like that?"

  Miko checked herself up and down but found nothing unusual.

  "......Miko, where have you been? Or rather...... what were you doing?"

  "Uh——!"

  Miko’s face froze instantly, her eyes wandering nervously.

  "T-That......"

  Boom——!!!

  Just as Miko hesitated and stumbled over her words, a huge magical firework soared into the sky above the arena, bursting into dazzling, brilliant colors.

  This signaled the official start of the tournament’s opening ceremony......

  In an instant, everyone’s attention shifted to the outside. Miko quickly seized the opportunity to find a seat and successfully brushed the matter aside.

  "Ladies and gentlemen——!"

  The tournament host, standing on a flying disc and holding a magic megaphone high, glided through the air to the host stand.

  "Welcome to the venue of the quadrennial Royal Martial Arts Festival!!! Your host for this year’s event is, as always—George Glevin!"

  George Glevin put down the magic megaphone and waved to greet the audience around him.

  Deafening cheers echoed back from all directions.

  "I hear you! I hear your enthusiasm~!" George picked up the magic megaphone again. "But—this is just the warm-up! The real thrilling moments are still to come!"

  "They will be brought to us by young powerful warriors from all over the world! Are you ready——!"

  The arena erupted in even louder roars of excitement.

  "It seems everyone can’t wait any longer."

  "And neither can I! Now let’s dive straight into the main event of this grand occasion! Fight——!"

  "Fight! Fight! Fight......"

  The chant of "Fight" resounded through the sky.

  "Next up——! The two distinguished guests for this year’s opening match!!!"

  "They’re here! They’ve taken the stage——!!!"

  George pointed dramatically toward the arena. Two figures then walked out from opposite tunnels, and the tens of thousands of spectators erupted in an even more thunderous cheer.

  "Guess who our two opening match guests are this year?"

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  "One of them——is none other than the renowned Unbroken Warrior from the Adventurer’s Capital! A man who can lift boulders with his bare hands! A shield that’s impenetrable! It’s hard to believe anyone could break through his defense! This is the iron fortress of a vanguard—Rad Vail!!!"

  As George introduced him, the audience broke into waves of excited shouts.

  Clad in heavy armor and holding a shield the size of a door panel in his right hand, Rad raised his shield and nodded slightly to the audience around him.

  The cheers grew even louder.

  "And the other guest——unbelievable! It’s the lone warrior who has cut down all enemies in her path! Her magic is as beautiful as it is deadly! Who can stand against the torrents she unleashes?! This is the elegant water mage as pure as blue crystal—Lore Kling!!!"

  Dressed in a water-blue mage’s robe and holding a wand inlaid with a blue magic crystal in her right hand, Lore snapped her fingers gently.

  Streams of water immediately swirled around her, then bloomed into flower shapes before fading away.

  This display sent the surrounding cheers to a deafening crescendo.

  With George’s introduction complete, the atmosphere in the arena reached its peak.

  "Will it be the impenetrable fortress or the overwhelming torrent? Who is truly stronger——? Oh~! Do you want to know too!"

  "No need to wait—the answer will be revealed soon! Now! Let our two guests take their positions——"

  At George’s signal,

  Rad, holding his shield, slowly walked toward the center of the arena. On the opposite side, Lore also approached the center, her wand in hand.

  When they were a certain distance apart, they stopped simultaneously.

  "Lady Lore, I’ve heard you hail from that Tower. With your strength, I’m sure you’ll put on a wonderful show for the audience."

  "Naturally, Lord Rad. But even though this is an exhibition match, I hope you’ll bring your full strength. I believe the audience wants to see the most authentic battle, don’t you think?"

  "Hahaha! Of course! And don’t hold it against me if I win!"

  "I’ll do my best to make sure that doesn’t happen~!"

  "Wonderful words! Both guests are confident in their victory! So who will emerge triumphant in the end~? I declare—the opening match! Begin!"

  Ding——!

  The bell signaling the start of the match rang out across the entire arena.

  At the exact same moment, both warriors in the arena made their move.

  "Ha——!"

  Rad let out a loud roar, and a white glow surged around his body. Like a galloping chariot, he charged toward Lore at full speed.

  Crash!

  Lore waved her wand, summoning suspended rivers of water. Under the sunlight, the streams shimmered brightly, making the entire arena even more dazzling.

  Boom——!

  In the next instant, the once elegant rivers suddenly converged into a single powerful current, crashing head-on toward the charging Rad.

  The ultra-high-speed water slammed into his shield, splashing into countless droplets that created fleeting rainbows under the sun.

  "Brilliant! What an amazing clash! Both guests are holding nothing back—unleashing massive, unrestrained attacks right from the start!"

  "Ha——!!!"

  Blocked by the water current, Rad’s speed inevitably slowed down.

  But with a burst of even greater strength, he began to charge forward against the current.

  "Oh——! Rad is advancing! Could Lore be on the verge of being overwhelmed?!"

  Just then, Lore suddenly swept her wand upward from below.

  Boom!

  In an instant, a towering fountain erupted directly beneath Rad’s feet.

  Rad was instantly sent soaring into the sky.

  "My goodness! It’s a trap! Lore set a trap! Rad is at a disadvantage! Can he make a comeback after being launched into the air?!"

  As Rad hung suspended in the air, Lore immediately began preparing a new spell.

  The precursor to a high-pressure water cannon—an intense blue glow condensed at the tip of her wand.

  Boom——!

  In the next moment, a massive water column, as concentrated as a beam of light, roared toward the airborne Rad.

  With the attack about to hit, Rad suddenly pressed his body tightly against his shield, then spun rapidly in mid-air.

  Bang——!

  When the water column struck, he was sent hurtling backward at incredible speed, crashing into the ground like a meteor. The immense impact of his landing kicked up a thick cloud of dust across the arena floor.

  "Rad has been shot down! Could this mean the match is already decided?!?"

  At this moment, the audience craned their necks, eager to see Rad’s condition through the cloud of dust.

  "Dad, did that uncle lose so quickly?"

  Mirei, sitting next to Bars, looked up and asked.

  "No." Bars shook his head. "It’s not that simple."

  "He’s coming!"

  Hulim, who had been watching the arena intently, suddenly spoke up.

  Upon hearing this, both Mirei and Miko turned to her.

  "What’s coming?"

  Bars, who had also sensed something, turned serious, his eyes fixed on the arena.

  "You’ll see soon enough......"