Chapter 18: The First Clash in the Colosseum

The atmosphere in the Colosseum was electrifying. The air was thick with anticipation, and the crowd's roar was a constant hum that reverberated through the stone pillars and archways of the arena. Adventurers from all walks of life filled the stands, and in the center of it all, a battlefield lay awaiting its combatants. This was the first match in the grand tournament—the match that would set the tone for the coming days. Karma stood at the edge of the arena, his gaze steady, his heart beating with a strange mixture of nerves and excitement.

A large voice echoed through the air, announcing the participants of the first fight.

"**Tyson, Swordsman, and above Emerald Rank Adventurer!**" The announcer's voice boomed, drawing cheers from the crowd. Then came the name of the second combatant, **Tamer**.

"**Karma, Tamer, with the mana of an Arch Wizard!**" the announcer called, and the crowd burst into applause.

A murmur swept through the crowd—whispers of disbelief and excitement. A Tamer was about to face Tyson, a top-tier Swordsman, and the crowd was eager to see what kind of challenge this Tamer could present.

As Karma stepped forward, his mind was sharp. He could already feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him. He had no intention of losing, not just because he wanted to win, but because this was more than just a fight—this was his chance to prove his worth to himself, to the world, and to the people back in his hometown.

But there was no time for thinking about that now. As he entered the arena, his eyes locked on Tyson. The swordsman was standing confidently in the center, his hand resting on the hilt of his massive blade. The blade was long, gleaming, and oozing with dangerous intent.

The crowd's cheers died down as the match was about to begin. A deep silence fell over the arena, broken only by the muffled shuffle of the spectators shifting in their seats. The tension was thick. Karma took a deep breath, his body already buzzing with anticipation. He could feel his two Tyrants—Kuro and Shiro—inside him, ready to respond to his every command.

But this wasn't just about brute strength. Karma wasn't just any Tamer—he was a master of synchronization. He had trained himself to push the limits of his magical prowess and his bond with his tamed companions. It was time to show the world what he could do.

"**Three!**" The referee's voice rang out, and the match began.

Without hesitation, Karma cast his *Minaturization* spell on Shiro, shrinking the white rabbit down to the size of a small plushie. In that moment, Karma's intent was clear—he was going to use Shiro's agility to his advantage, moving fast and striking when Tyson least expected it. But as the spell was undone, revealing Shiro's true size, Karma felt a sudden pressure.

Tyson had moved. And he was fast—too fast.

Before Karma could react, Tyson was behind him. He whispered low, almost to himself but loud enough for Karma to hear, "**You're too slow.**"

A flash of silver steel slashed through the air, aimed directly for Karma's head. The crowd gasped in shock.

Karma's reflexes kicked in immediately, his body reacting before his mind even had time to process the danger. He ducked just as Tyson's blade passed over his head, missing him by mere inches. The next instant, Shiro, now in its full size, lunged toward Tyson, its claws extended in a deadly swipe aimed for Tyson's midsection.

But Tyson was fast. He sidestepped Shiro's attack effortlessly, his movements almost like a dance as he dodged the rabbit's assault. Karma's eyes narrowed. That speed was dangerous.

**How is he this fast?** Karma thought, his heart racing.

Tyson grinned, a mocking look in his eyes. "**What kind of monster has such reaction speed?**" he muttered under his breath, clearly impressed by Shiro's agility.

But Karma had no time to question Tyson's speed. He was in a dangerous situation. Tyson's confidence only fueled the fire inside him. Karma's eyes narrowed as he felt the heat of the battle rising.

Tyson raised his sword and declared loudly, "**It's over for you, buddy.**" His voice rang out, full of arrogance and a sense of certainty.

Without further warning, Tyson raised his sword high and shouted, "**Shadow Sword Arts!**"

In an instant, Tyson's form blurred, moving with unnatural speed. He circled around Karma like a shadow, his movements almost invisible to the eye. Karma could only catch glimpses of his opponent's movement—fast, too fast. It was as if Tyson had become one with the shadows, moving effortlessly around him.

Karma's breath quickened. He was starting to feel the weight of the tournament—the strength of his opponent, the pressure of the crowd, and the weight of expectations.

But Karma was not one to back down. Not now, not ever.

"**Synchronization!**" Karma muttered under his breath. In an instant, his mana flared to life as he activated the synchronization spell with Shiro. He felt the bond between him and Shiro strengthen, their movements becoming one. Karma's body, now connected to Shiro, moved with fluidity and grace.

But that wasn't all. Karma needed more. He wasn't going to just rely on Shiro's speed alone.

"**Skill Share!**" he activated the spell, transferring Kuro's physical endurance to himself. A wave of strength coursed through him, his muscles swelling with energy as the combined power of Shiro's speed and Kuro's endurance surged through him.

The audience gasped as Karma's body began to glow with a magical aura, a fusion of mana that radiated power. His ears transformed, taking on the shape of a rabbit's, and his eyes turned bloodshot red, a chilling sight that made the crowd go silent in awe.

He moved.

In a flash, Karma was gone, his speed surpassing even Tyson's. The audience couldn't keep up with the blur of motion as Karma closed the distance between them in an instant.

Tyson's eyes widened as Karma appeared before him, his bloodshot gaze locking onto the swordsman. The next moment, Karma grabbed Tyson by the collar, lifting him off the ground with ease. Tyson's sword clattered to the floor, and before he could even react, Karma threw him with enough force to slam him into the wall of the arena.

The crowd was stunned into silence.

Karma, still glowing with his magical aura, stood tall in the center of the arena, his breathing steady. He had won. He had defeated Tyson in the blink of an eye.

The referee blinked in disbelief before raising his hand, declaring, "**Winner, Karma!**"

The arena erupted into cheers. The crowd roared as they witnessed the unbelievable speed and strength of the Tamer, whose mana and control had left even the most experienced warriors speechless.

Karma, breathing heavily but calm, released the synchronization spell. His ears returned to normal, and his bloodshot eyes faded back to their usual calm blue. He glanced around at the cheering crowd, but he was already thinking ahead. This was only the beginning.

He had proven himself. But the road ahead was long, and he wasn't done yet.

The tournament had just begun.

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To be continued.