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I drifted off to sleep on the plush, luxurious bedding, and when I came to my senses, the cool morning sunlight was streaming in.

After lounging around for a while, I went outside to find a crowd already gathered near the lake.

“Wow.”

As I took in the cool breeze from the lake, I saw that the arena was quite a spectacle.

In the middle of the blue lake, a marble arena floated, surrounded by spectator seats.

It was a refreshing sight.

Suddenly, I spotted the White Horse members milling about and approached them.

“What are you doing there?”

“We were just looking around.”

Blair had such a curious expression that I looked back at the lake.

The arena, floating on the water with no visible support, held up purely by a magical barrier, was indeed novel.

“Enough sightseeing, let’s go up. We need to get there early to get good seats.”

We climbed the railing connected to the ground and entered the spectator area, where I saw empty seats in the front row.

Just as Pretel and his group were heading towards those seats, I drew the Red Dagger from my waist and threw it in one swift motion.

Whoosh— Thud!

Red Dagger embedded itself in the seat, quivering.

“What the…?”

While Pretel’s group looked bewildered, I walked over slowly and said,

“These are my seats. I just went to relieve myself.”

“…You’re that guy from last time.”

Pretel glared at me, so I pulled out the Red Dagger and showed it to him.

“I reserved the seats.”

With everyone’s attention on us, Pretel cursed silently and said, “Just you wait,” before disappearing.

I felt judgmental stares from behind, but I didn’t care. I had secured good seats, after all.

There’s a man here who endured embarrassment and threw a sword to get these good seats.

That man was me.

“This is it.”

Embarrassment is fleeting.

The cool, moist breeze from the lake brushed against my face.

Looking down from the front row, I saw the lake like a steep cliff below, and the arena floating a little further away.

Five seats were prepared in the highest section.

As the seats filled up, Clan Head Balkan and Elder Parin appeared in the VIP section, as expected.

Behind Elder Parin stood a young man from the Blue Magic Tower, likely his apprentice.

The external affairs manager appeared in the center of the spectator area and cleared his throat, looking around.

“Ahem.”

His voice boomed as if amplified by magic.

Everyone’s attention was instantly captured.

“Thank you for your patience. We will now begin the sparring matches. As this is for the purpose of exchange, there are no restrictions on participation. One person at a time can come forward and choose their opponent.”

In short, it meant you could pick someone and beat them up.

“Surrendering or being pushed out of bounds will result in a loss. To prevent any accidents, explicitly lethal techniques are prohibited.”

“…”

“Also, to ensure fair opportunities for everyone, those who achieve three victories will be prohibited from further sparring.”

‘Prohibited from further sparring?’

I didn’t understand what it meant to be banned after three wins. Why would they do that?

It seemed I wasn’t the only one who found this strange.

As murmurs rose from the audience, Clan Head Balkan stood up from his seat as if on cue.

“Even among those of similar age, the difference in skill is clear. It would be better for those who stand out to have separate, formal matches.”

I nodded in agreement.

In essence, he was saying, ‘Those who win three times, fight amongst yourselves.’

“To the victor of these formal matches, I will open Urgon’s Secret Vault. Additionally, even for those who don’t win but display exceptional skill, we will arrange gatherings and provide full support. So, I urge you all to give it your all.”

Excitement instantly swept through the audience.

While everyone assumed the overall winner was already decided, their eyes gleamed at the prospect of receiving Urgon’s support if they performed well enough.

Clan Head Balkan glanced at Elder Parin’s expression, then sat down with a satisfied look. The external affairs manager raised his hand and shouted,

“Let the matches begin!”

The Azure Dragon Grandmaster, acting as the referee, took his position above the arena with a flourish of levitation magic.

* * *

While everyone was sizing each other up, Walter was the first to leap into the arena.

Launching himself from the stands, he crossed the lake in a single bound and landed smoothly on the platform.

Having intimate knowledge of all the clans in Quebek, Walter naturally called out a specific opponent.

“I challenge Alvin of the Valpong Merchant Group to a spar.”

While one couldn’t dismiss the skill of a merchant’s son, Walter knew well that Alvin was below his level.

Alvin, who was in the audience, frowned and flew into the arena.

Thud—

Unlike Walter, Alvin barely managed to land on the edge of the platform, his toes clinging to the edge.

The difference in skill was starkly apparent.

“Let the spar begin!”

The Azure Dragon Grandmaster’s whistle blew with a sharp peep—

“Haaaaah!”

In a matter of minutes, the outcome was decided.

Walter was victorious.

* * *

I suddenly felt like I was falling off a cliff and jolted awake.

‘Oh, that startled me.’

I opened my eyes slightly and looked around to find everyone staring at me. I had been caught napping.

“Ahem. Meditation suits me well.”

As I bluffed confidently, a servant approached me from somewhere.

“Would you like a drink?”

“Aren’t you the servant from yesterday?”

“Indeed. You remember me.”

“I’m bored to death. Do you have any moonshine?”

“We have no moonshine or any other alcohol today.”

“This is the worst.”

As I sighed with a world-weary expression, the servant hesitated for a moment before whispering in my ear.

“I’ll bring you some. Drink it in secret.”

“Thank you.”

While the servant went to fetch the alcohol, I looked back and asked,

“How long was I meditating for?”

Taylor replied,

“Two hours.”

“No wonder I felt so stiff.”

I stretched, glancing at the VIP seats in the distance.

Clan Head Balkan remained upright, his gaze fixed on the arena. Elder Parin, on the other hand, was relaxed, engaged in conversation with his apprentice.

It almost seemed as if Balkan was wary of the elder. The Magic Tower clearly commanded significant respect.

“Young Master.”

A servant approached with a whisper, his eyes darting around before he discreetly pulled a flask from his pocket and handed it to me.

“Drink it secretly. You mustn’t be seen.”

“Don’t worry.”

I uncorked the flask, and a cool fragrance filled the air. It was the same potent liquor from the night before.

Having just woken up, I was parched.

‘Smells fantastic.’

As I slowly raised the flask to my lips…

As if on cue, every eye in the audience turned towards me.

Bewildered, I scanned the crowd for an explanation…

Someone in the arena was pointing directly at me.

“I challenge Ruin of Samael to a spar!”

That son of a bitch?

I haven’t even had a single sip!

Cursing under my breath, I started to rise, then paused, a look of confusion on my face.

“You are no longer eligible for sparring. You have already achieved three victories. Please return to your seat.”

“Ah, is that so?”

The challenger retreated, and the referee’s voice boomed across the arena.

“Will the next participant please step forward?”

If someone unbiased saw me at this moment, they might think I was about to relieve myself.

My posture was that awkward – neither fully standing nor sitting.

I felt the weight of everyone’s attention.

A wave of embarrassment washed over me, fueling my irritation.

Woken up from my nap, denied my drink, and now on the verge of being labeled the ‘pooper’… Damn it all.

“My name is Pretel. I would like to be the next to spar…”

The moment Pretel raised his hand and spoke, I flung Red Dagger at him.

While Pretel was distracted, dodging the sword, I seized the opportunity.

“I’ll be the next to spar!”

“What?”

“I spoke first, so it’s my turn.”

I retrieved Red Dagger, tucked the flask into my pocket, and made my way towards the arena, circling the audience.

As I walked towards the bridge connecting the stands to the arena, boos erupted from the crowd.

“Boo! Why is he using the bridge!”

“He’s scared of falling in, isn’t he? If you’re that weak, just give up!”

It seemed everyone else had been leaping directly from the stands, soaring over the lake to land on the platform.

My temper flared, and I stopped, turning to face the crowd.

“Everyone.”

I looked at the jeering spectators and said,

“Is Urgon a fool?”

“…”

Silence fell. The audience gaped at me, followed by the disapproving stares of the Blue Spirit and Red Phoenix members. Even Clan Head Balkan, from his elevated position, was watching me intently.

I continued without a care.

“Urgon isn’t an idiot. They built the bridge for crossing, not for show. What’s the problem with using a bridge that’s meant to be used? I’m so irritated. You, answer me. Am I wrong?”

I pointed directly at the person who had been booing the loudest. There was no response.

“Why aren’t you answering? Are you saying Urgon is an idiot?”

Flustered by my boldness, the man waved his hands in denial. I pointed at other people, but no one dared to respond.

Finally, some peace and quiet.

* * *

Arriving at the arena, I looked across to the spectator seats, taking in the whole view.

The piercing glares of Urgon’s mages felt like slaps to my face. I could also sense the gazes of Clan Head Balkan and Elder Parin.

Whether it’s through notoriety or something else, building a reputation is crucial to avoid being wronged in the future.

“Choose your opponent!”

Everyone was anticipating my choice.

Pretel, the one I had a verbal spat with at the banquet.

Pretel himself seemed to expect me to choose him, as he was warming up while chatting with his old man.

This is where my contrarian nature kicked in.

I had no intention of engaging in a predictable match. Even less so, I had no desire to give that guy what he wanted.

I briefly mulled over my options.

My first opponent would be…

“Pretel…”

Pretel nodded and was about to leap from the stands when…

“…Not him. Argain of the Heinz Family, come forward.”

Pretel stumbled forward, losing his balance as if tripping over a rock, and landed awkwardly in front of the stands.

To make matters worse, he fell on top of a woman, and everyone stared at him as if he were a pervert.

“Tsk tsk, what a pervert.”

Pretel’s face flushed red as he apologized to the woman and sat back down.

It’s odd for a trained warrior to fall over something so minor, but…

The important thing is that I created a situation no one expected.

There was one other person who hadn’t seen it coming.

Argain, who had been relaxing in the stands, jumped up in surprise.

Those around him cheered him on, urging him to teach me a lesson, but Argain’s heart was filled with dread.

After a brief moment of hesitation, Argain sighed and crossed the bridge to the arena.

I nodded in satisfaction.

Argain hadn’t tried to show off and had crossed the bridge just like me.

We faced each other, a few paces apart.

“It’s been a while.”

“…Why did you choose me?”

“There will be other opportunities. Do you understand what I mean?”

Argain looked at his comrades cheering from the stands, then hardened his resolve and met my gaze.

“You have a determined look. Don’t tell me you’re planning to fight?”

I looked at Argain and touched the Red Dagger at my waist.

The memory of being struck by me flashed across Argain’s face, and he involuntarily shuddered.

“Let the spar begin!”

Just as I drew Red Dagger, facing Argain who still couldn’t speak…

“I, I surrender!”

Argain’s voice cracked as he declared his surrender.

The Referee stared at him in disbelief. Argain, his face buried in his hands, fled the arena without a backward glance.

An effortless victory… Success.

I turned to the Azure Dragon Grandmaster and spoke politely.

“May I choose my next opponent, referee?”

When the captain didn’t respond, I addressed the audience respectfully.

“I challenge Lady Gaby to a spar.”

As if expecting it, a woman rose gracefully from the stands.

Gaby descended into the arena with light steps and bowed slightly to me.

“We meet again, Ruin.”

“You had a tough time that day.”

We exchanged a brief, silent conversation with our eyes.

‘Thank you for your help last time.’

‘You’re welcome.’

‘There’s no reason for me to spar with you.’

‘Likewise.’

Of course, this conversation didn’t actually happen; it was just my imagination.

But Gaby was a woman who understood men’s hearts well, so she probably read my gaze.

The Azure Dragon Grandmaster shouted,

“Let the spar begin!”

Gaby walked to the opposite side of the arena and stopped at the edge.

She looked at me with a wistful expression and said,

“I forfeit the match.”

Gaby covered her nose and jumped out of the arena.

Splash— A spray of water erupted from the lake.

Another effortless victory… Success.

“…”

The audience grew increasingly restless with each bizarre turn of events.

Argain and Gaby were both from well-known families, so their actions were baffling.

I closed my eyes for a moment and focused on the conversations in the stands. The wind carried snippets of their words.

“Ruin, was it? He’s so arrogant. I can’t understand what Argain and Gaby were thinking.”

“I wish Urgon would teach that disrespectful brat a lesson.”

“As if that crazy guy would challenge someone from Urgon. I wish he’d pick me instead.”

Listening to their disgruntled voices, I searched for my final opponent.

I slowly scanned the audience. Most of the men glared back at me without flinching.

But then, someone met my eyes and desperately shook their head.

In truth, I had already made up my mind.

My next opponent.

It’s you.

———-