The referee's voice echoed across the grand hall.
"Next match! Edlias versus Raelor!"
Cheers erupted. The crowd roared as Edlias walked towards the arena with calm steps. Arthur watched him go, tilting his head slightly.
"I haven't really seen him in action before," he murmured. "This is my first time. I look forward to seeing what he can achieve."
Meanwhile, up in the stands, tension brewed.
"Raelor," Eldric growled, eyes sharp with frustration. "We've lost every match up till now... and yet the Head Captain is still smiling. What's he planning?"
Raelor bowed slightly. "Understood, sir. I'll win this one."
He walked towards the arena, joining Edlias in the center. The crowd fell into a hushed anticipation. The two stood still, staring each other down.
"Begin!" the referee shouted.
Both took their stances.
Edlias slowly raised his blade. "Gleam and pierce... Suishojin."
A flash of light shimmered as his regular sword transformed into a crystal-clear glass blade. It glittered under the arena lights, fragile but beautiful.
Raelor smirked. "Heh. Glass magic, huh? A weak reflection of mirror magic."
He gripped his blade tightly. "Devour... Homurakiba!"
Flames burst out violently, covering his weapon. When the fire settled, the blade had changed—its edges were lined with four smaller blades, and a ball of fire floated above them, burning like a second sun.
"You're half-baked, glass boy," Raelor sneered. "Let me show you real power."
They clashed—once, twice—blades ringing sharply. On the second clash, Raelor laughed.
"Be careful not to break that fragile toy of yours!"
Distracted by the taunt, Edlias barely noticed a fireball flying toward him. It grazed him, setting part of his cloak on fire. He quickly rolled and dusted it off, but before he could react—
WHAM!
Raelor's palm slammed into his face, smashing him into the ground. The stone cracked beneath Edlias' body as he gasped, blood dribbling from his lips.
"Ugh... I didn't know he had such raw physical strength... This is bad... I'm blacking out..."
Raelor leaned over him, grinning.
"Your magic... is just a knockoff. A cheap imitation of mirror magic," he taunted, punching Edlias in the ribs. "You'll never amount to anything with that see-through, weak blade. It's like a flower without a vase."
He raised his foot and stomped down hard, again and again.
"A flower without a vase... is just waiting to wither. So let me put you out of your misery."
He stood and looked around at the crowd. "Mirrors have frames that hold them together. But glass? It's just plain, no shape, no purpose. Just waiting to break."
He raised his blade high.
"Time to end this. Consider it mercy."
—At the Student Corner—
Anger rose in the crowd. Nathaniel clenched his fists.
"What was that handshake for, Eldric?" he snapped. "Why'd you allow this?"
Kaelius, silent till now, spoke up, his voice trembling.
"When I first saw his magic... I laughed. I mocked it. I thought it was nothing compared to my mirror magic." Tears welled in his eyes. "But now I realize... I was blind. I have mirror magic... yet I never saw my true reflection."
Damon grabbed his shoulder.
"This isn't the time to sob. Cheer him on."
Kaelius wiped his eyes and gave a shaky smile.
Back in the arena, Edlias took blow after blow.
"You don't have to say it…" he whispered in his mind. "I already know… my magic is just a copy of mirror magic."
His thoughts spiraled.
"I trained so hard… because I wanted to catch up to Kaelius. I cursed the day I awakened glass magic. I asked myself why I wasn't one of the chosen ones... Why couldn't I be like Leo or Riven?"
Darkness crept into his mind—
Then—he heard it.
A voice. Loud, sincere.
"DON'T GIVE UP!!"
His eyes widened. He looked up.
It was Arthur.
Cheering with his whole heart.
Arthur's eyes burned with fire.
"This is my first time seeing your magic... and I'm jealous," he said, smiling. "So what if it's a copy of mirror magic? Isn't it still yours?"
Raelor snarled and began punching Edlias harder.
"Arthur, stop!!" Damon yelled. "You're riling up Raelor!"
But Arthur didn't stop. He stepped forward and shouted louder.
"If you think it's a copy—then make it your own! That's why you trained so hard, right?!"
Raelor kept hitting Edlias—but Edlias was no longer hearing him. His eyes were locked on Arthur.
"Don't let people's words define your worth. Magic is a part of you! But it doesn't control you!"
Arthur's voice was full of fire now.
"Magic is just a boat. It won't move without you paddling. So paddle! Flow with your magic. Don't reject it—accept it!"
Then his voice became softer—full of truth.
"So what if you don't have a vase?"
Arthur raised his hand toward Edlias, eyes glistening with intensity.
"Then become one! Become a vessel for your magic! Isn't that the purpose of all our training? To bond with our Zeraphim?!"
Arthur gave a final thumbs up before being pulled away.
"Don't you see? Your sword spirit will cry if you call it a copy. So get up! Get up and show them a flower can bloom without a vase!"
Arthur's war cry reverberated throughout the arena, a call to arms, a plea for courage.
"GET UP, EDLIAS! SHOW THEM YOUR TRUE STRENGTH!!"
Arthur's voice then echoed even louder, as his final words rang with powerful determination:
"THAT'S WHAT MAKES US SWORD MAGES! WE ARE THE SWORD MAGES OF THE ELDORIA KINGDOM!!!"
The words rang in Edlias' ears, a spark of hope igniting within him. His pulse raced.
Up in the stands, Seraphina wiped a tear.
"So that's why... I'm so drawn to you," she whispered. "You're the sun… you shine light on everyone."
She smiled through her tears.
"Let's get stronger… together."
Tenmei walked up beside her, silent for a moment before speaking.
"I'm sorry… for always telling you to stay away from him. I understand now."
Seraphina smiled gently. "It's okay… you were only trying to protect me."
Tenmei watched Arthur closely. "Now I see what you saw in him…"
Meanwhile, resting on Arthur's shoulder, Hyorinmaru smirked, his voice soft like a breeze.
"You really are different… Arthur."
He closed his eyes.
"I'm glad I chose you. You're the only one who can rebuild the bridge between Zeraphims and their wielders… I can't wait to see what you become."