The entire coliseum vibrated with anticipation. The final match of the academy tournament had finally arrived.
"The final match!" the referee raised his hand. "Rei Nocturne of Class B versus Her Highness, Princess Alisa Ironwood of Class A!"
The roar of the crowd shook the entire coliseum. Nobles, commoners, knights, and even foreign guests leaned forward to witness the moment. From the royal dais, King Arvedis Ironwood sat with a stern expression, though his eyes softened when they fell upon his daughter.
Rei's master, Kuro, sat in the student section, his expression unreadable. *"Rei… you know what to do."*
---
**The Competitors Enter**
Princess Alisa entered, her golden hair gleaming in the sun, her spear glowing faintly with a pure light. She radiated dignity, strength, and purity—a picture of a future queen.
In stark contrast, Rei stepped onto the battlefield in her dark academy uniform with sparse steps. A dim, faint shadow swirled around her—quiet but menacing—enough to display power, yet not enough to terrify the crowd. Her eyes were calm, her aura formidable.
"Rei-san," Alisa spoke firmly, her voice carrying across the field. "I will not hold back. I must use all the strength I have—for the sake of justice for everyone watching Rei-san."
Rei tilted her head slightly. "That's fine. Rei will also give her 'all.'"
Rei's words caused Kuro's lips to curve into a faint smile. She would pretend to fight with her all... but in the final moment, she would hold back. Just as planned.
---
**The Battle Begins**
"Begin!"
Alisa did not waste time. "Radiant Strike!"
A golden spear of holy magic shot forward. Rei countered immediately—"Silent Abyss"—then a shadow rose to consume it. The collision of light and darkness resonated across the arena, sending shivers through the spectators.
The crowd was astonished.
"It's like watching the sun and the night sky clash!"
"Amazing… neither is backing down!"
Alisa's spear grew brighter. "Holy Nova!" A wave of light erupted.
Rei spread her hands, summoning shadow sigils swirling beneath her feet. "Oblivion's Grasp." Dark tendrils rose upward, slicing the light wave into pieces before it could collapse.
The two forces disintegrated repeatedly. Blinding light and consuming darkness. The ground cracked, the air grew bright, and the coliseum trembled with each of their clashes.
---
**The Turning Point**
Sweat dripped from Alisa's forehead, but her eyes shone with determination. Rei remained as calm as ever, advancing step by step.
*"If I keep this up, they'll believe I have my full power,"* Rei thought.
She raised her hand. Shadows twisted into blades and shot toward Alisa in a straight line.
But Alisa slammed her spear down. "Sacred Barrier!" A golden ray of light appeared, splitting the blades and forcing Rei back.
The crowd roared. "Princess Alisa is counterattacking!"
Rei smiled faintly. "Not bad, Princess."
Alisa took a deep breath, and her magic grew brighter than before. "This is my resolve! Divine Judgment!"
A massive pillar of holy light descended from the sky, blindingly bright, covering the entire arena.
Rei crossed her arms, shadowy mists rising to challenge it—but at the last second, she let her magic fade, allowing the light to engulf her.
When the dust cleared, Rei was on one knee, breathing heavily, her aura shimmering weakly. She looked up at Alisa with calm eyes. "...You win, Princess."
The referee's voice rang out.
"The winner—Her Highness, Princess Alisa Ironwood!"
The entire theater erupted in thunderous cheers.
---
**The Ceremony**
King Arvedis rose from his throne, his deep voice booming. "Behold! My daughter, Princess Alisa, has won the academy tournament. A true victory. Today, she has proven herself not just as royalty, but as a warrior of Ironwood!"
The crowd chanted her name. "Princess Alisa! Princess Alisa! Princess Alisa!"
---
**Award Ceremony... Ironwood Royal Magic Academy Hall**
In a grand hall decorated in gold and blue, commoners, students, soldiers, teachers, and nobles were all present. Including King Arvedis.
A squire approached carrying an ancient artifact adorned with gems—the Holy Radiance Artifact, said to enhance the power of holy mages.
But when her father was about to bestow the reward, Princess Alisa raised her hand and shook her head.
"I cannot accept it, Father."
The crowd gasped in astonishment. "Wh-what?!"
Even Fayden among the students looked up in disbelief.
King Arvedis frowned. "Daughter Alisa… explain."
Alisa's eyes were firm, her voice clear. "You don't need to honor me or give me an artifact. My strength, my magic, and my will—with these alone, I will protect the people of Ironwood. You cannot rely on artifacts for power, strength, or faith. Relying on them would betray my resolve. That is why… I refuse the reward."
The great hall fell silent. Then, slowly, applause broke out. At first hesitant, then rising into a roar.
"She's right!"
"She is truly noble…"
"We need a princess who protects without relying on artifacts…!"
Even Rei, Saria, Ryuto, and Kuro applauded, their eyes fixed on her.
Selvaria and Lucien, in the stands, exchanged a glance. Lucien whispered, "That girl… she will become a threat one day."
Selvaria smiled faintly. "Or a usable tool, depending on how you look at it."
---
**A Quiet Moment**
Later, in the royal palace, Princess Alisa walked alone into her family's private chamber. On the wall hung a large portrait of her mother—the late Queen Seraphina Ironwood. Her golden hair shone like sunlight, her amber eyes kind yet brave, her beauty timeless.
Alisa reached out and touched the painting. Her hand trembled.
"…Mother," she whispered softly. "I won. And I grew stronger. Don't worry about me. I will protect the people of Ironwood… and Father. You don't have to worry anymore, Mother."
Her eyes were misty with tears, but she smiled. "I will carry on your light."
---
**Flashback — The Queen's Last Battle**
Alisa remembered faintly. As a child, she had clung to her nanny's dress, watching smoke rise over the horizon as her mother led half the royal army to repel a demon invasion. Her golden hair had blazed like a beacon on the battlefield, her holy magic annihilating enemy hordes.
But the demons were many. The Queen's forces were overwhelmed, the troops scattered. She fought to the bitter end, but fell amidst her soldiers.
Meanwhile, King Arvedis led the other half of the army, achieving victory and saving the remaining part of their kingdom.
That day, Ironwood lost its Queen, and Alisa lost her mother.
---
**Back to the Present**
Alisa wiped her eyes and withdrew her hand from the painting. Her voice grew firm again.
"Mother… I will make sure your sacrifice was not in vain. I will carry your light, and the future. I promise."
Moonlight from the window shone on her face. She stood even straighter, her resolve brighter than ever.
---
**The Tournament Arc has concluded. The Academy Arc resumes.**
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✦ **To Be Continued...**