Ch.4-Shadows in the Arena

The air in the arena changed.

Moments ago, the crowd was roaring with excitement, celebrating the victories of the second round. But now, a heavy silence blanketed the stadium. The three cloaked figures at the edge of the stands had drawn everyone's attention, their mere presence exuding something dark—something wrong.

Blade's fingers twitched toward Kamikaze, his instincts screaming at him.

Something dangerous was about to happen.

From the elevated platform, Yutako Koichi and Kinattsu Yuri, the two Phoenix Order captains, had already shifted their focus away from the tournament. Their gazes were locked onto the intruders, unreadable, yet undeniably sharp.

"Who are they?" Blade muttered under his breath.

Kibito, standing beside him, had lost his usual grin. "Whoever they are… they're strong."

Suntaro exhaled sharply, the static of his lightning aura barely contained beneath his skin. "I don't like this."

Kagami's hand rested on the hilt of her ice blade, Kakori, her golden-brown eyes narrowing. "They don't belong here."

Then—one of the cloaked figures moved.

He stepped forward with slow, deliberate steps, as if completely at ease, despite the dozens of warriors in the arena watching him like a hawk.

A deep, chilling voice broke the silence.

"The Phoenix Order's new generation… how disappointing."

---

A Challenge to the Phoenix Order

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. The tension in the air became suffocating.

Blade's grip tightened on Kamikaze's hilt. Who is this guy? And why does his presence feel so… unsettling?

From the captains' balcony, Yutako's aura flared, pressing down on the entire arena like a storm. It wasn't a simple warning—it was a direct show of power.

His deep voice was calm but carried an edge of command. "Identify yourselves. Now."

For a moment, the cloaked figure simply stood there, unbothered by the immense pressure radiating from Yutako. Then, he laughed.

It was a low, mocking sound.

"My name? No, no. Names come after introductions. And I believe actions speak louder than words."

Without warning—he moved.

Blade's body reacted before his mind could process it, instincts screaming at him to move.

The cloaked figure vanished in a blur, reappearing in the center of the arena, directly in front of the nearest contestant. A young warrior barely had time to blink before—

BAM!

A single strike to the chest sent him flying back, crashing into the stone wall like a ragdoll.

A collective gasp rippled through the audience.

Blade's eyes widened. What the hell just happened?!

The fallen warrior groaned, his body limp. He was alive—but barely.

Yutako's sharp gaze darkened. "You dare attack a Phoenix Order student in my presence?"

The cloaked figure shrugged. "I was testing his strength. It was… disappointing."

From above, Kinattsu Yuri finally spoke, his soft yet dangerous tone cutting through the arena. "Enough."

He raised one hand, and in that moment—

The air changed again.

An invisible force crashed down on the entire battlefield. The cloaked figure staggered, his movements slowing as if a weight had been placed upon him.

Blade's breath caught. This pressure—it's Kinattsu's aura…

The man in the cloak chuckled, shaking his head. "Fascinating. A captain's aura, huh? I see why you all call yourselves 'elite.'"

But then—his own aura surged.

Dark. Heavy. Suffocating.

A black mist rose from beneath his feet, canceling out Kinattsu's pressure entirely.

Blade felt his stomach drop. What the hell kind of aura is that?!

The cloaked figure lifted his hand. "Well then, Captain. Shall we see whose will is stronger?"

In an instant—he struck.

A flash of dark energy shot toward the captains' balcony, aimed directly at Kinattsu and Yutako.

The moment it was released, the very air warped, the sheer force of it splintering the stone beneath their feet.

Gasps erupted from the audience. Some of the weaker warriors collapsed from the sheer pressure.

Blade's mind screamed. That attack—it's not normal!

But before the attack could reach its target—

Kinattsu raised a single finger.

The air itself seemed to bend around him. And with an almost casual motion—

He flicked his finger forward.

The dark energy blast—one that could have leveled the entire arena—was completely negated in an instant. The force of Kinattsu's counter sent the attack spiraling back toward its owner.

The cloaked figure vanished again, dodging the attack with ease.

A slow clap echoed through the silence. "Impressive. You're even stronger than I thought."

Blade swallowed hard. That's the power of a Phoenix Order captain…?

Yutako finally exhaled, his patience wearing thin. "Leave now. Or you won't leave at all."

The cloaked figure chuckled again. "Oh, we'll leave. But not without leaving you with something to think about."

His gaze swept over the students, finally landing on Blade.

For a brief moment, the two locked eyes.

And Blade felt it.

A strange, sinking feeling in his gut. Like something inside him had just been recognized—or targeted.

Then, the cloaked figure smirked. "See you soon, Blade Taizuka."

Blade's blood ran cold.

---

The Departure and the Aftermath

Without another word, the cloaked figure and his two companions turned and left, their dark energy fading into the distance.

For a moment, the arena remained in utter silence.

Then, Yutako finally spoke, his voice heavy with warning.

"This graduation is over. Effective immediately."

Gasps spread through the crowd.

Kinattsu's golden eyes scanned the students. "You all saw what just happened. This was not just an interruption—it was a message. That man was testing us. Testing you."

Yutako nodded. "The world is shifting. War is closer than any of you realize. If you think today was difficult, then you are not ready for what comes next."

He paused, then added, "Those who wish to truly become warriors… will meet at the Phoenix Order headquarters. There, your real training will begin."

Blade felt his chest tighten.

This was it. The real test.

He clenched his fists. No matter what happens… I will not fall behind.

He glanced at Kibito, Suntaro, and Kagami. Their expressions held the same resolve.

Whatever was coming next—they would face it together.

But deep down, Blade couldn't shake the feeling…

That his life had just been marked for something far greater.

To Be Continued....

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