As the sun completely set, around the time when the full moon and the glowing magical stones illuminated the surroundings, the semifinals of the tournament began.

“Vain. That knight from Gurthark…”

Edith, who had come out of the tea room to watch the match, looked at the knight with long hair, engaging in a fierce battle in the semifinals.

She wasn’t captivated by the movements, aiming to receive all of the opponent’s attacks and find an opportunity to strike back.

“His alias is Arnold, but he’s the head of Gurthark’s assassination squad, Eisen. Occasionally, you can see the unique movements of the assassination squad.”

Vain, who was focused on the match, explained clearly. Edith, lacking martial arts skills, couldn’t appreciate the match with a sharp eye, but she was sure of one thing.

‘Considering that he participated directly, Eisen must have been quite desperate.’

Before Walter found out that he was Lexion’s successor, Eisen probably received orders to kill him multiple times. Considering that these attempts repeatedly failed, the pressure on him must have been considerable.

That’s why there was a high probability that he might do something reckless in today’s match.

Swish!

Just as Edith was thinking about it, a loud drum sound echoed through the venue, and the referee waved the flag.

“Match over!”

With the proclamation, Eisen raised his hand towards the sky. Edith also knew the meaning behind his enthusiastic waving – the representative of Gurthark, who participated in the tournament, had won.

“Lexion and Gurthark are really facing each other in the finals.”

Walter was already confirmed to advance to the finals with the previous match. However, now that Eisen had secured the victory, only the finals between the two of them remained.

A majestic drum sound immediately echoed in the venue. Cheers and passionate support from people who loved the tournament resonated from the opposite seats, where people gathered.

‘Walter, please don’t get hurt…’

Edith remembered the agile and bold attacks of Eisen, who faced opponents by releasing magical power consecutively. Considering that he had taken intermittent rests thanks to the luck of facing opponents, his condition should be better. This fact made her more anxious.

“Waaaah!”

“Lexion! Lexion!”

However, with cheers, Walter, who appeared relaxed alongside them, was so dignified that it eased her worries. Despite probably being tired, there was no sign of it.

Unexpectedly, it wasn’t just Edith who stared at him, perplexed.

‘Why does he look so unharmed?’

Eisen, concealing his confusion, drew his sword following the referee’s instructions.

According to Patricia’s description, by now, Walter should have found it difficult to support his body, sweating profusely, not understanding why his body felt so heavy.

However, the man in front of her didn’t become pale; instead, he shone with a silvery glow under the moonlight. Although he seemed tired from consecutive matches, that was all.

‘Still, continuously radiating magical power… there’s undoubtedly some poison at play.’
He didn’t intend to exhaust himself, but there was no other way to radiate magical power like that throughout the match. Why waste the precious magical power of Lexion for any reason?

Eisen, thinking that Walter was pretending to be fine, waited for the start signal.

“Match begin!”

The moment the referee waved the flag to the sky, a thunderous cheer erupted.

Swish—

Walter fiercely blocked Eisen’s approaching sword as soon as the match started. Unpleasant magical power seeped through the blade of the clashed swords.

“Hearing the title of the head of the assassination squad with such skills, it seems Gurthark doesn’t have much talent.”

At first, Eisen showed no reaction to the provocation. However, as Walter continued to attack like a rising tide, Eisen couldn’t help but grit his teeth.

“I hope your dead comrades are satisfied with the runner-up. Oh, participating under an alias, so you won’t even recognize it, right?”

“Shut up!”

In an instant, a sharp sound, as if cutting through the wind, followed by the weighty sound of Eisen’s aura adding to the sword.

‘He must have been injured due to poison, so if I press on with a swift attack, I can win!’

Just as Eisen’s eyes flashed with determination to change the trajectory of his sword, Walter’s face revealed a cruel smile.

Bang!

The meaning behind his smile was unclear, and the swordplay became even faster.

Walter parried Eisen’s fierce attacks with the magical power-infused sword. Each time he released magic to deflect the attacks, it felt like a stab to the heart. It was going as planned.

‘If I continue to use magical power a little more…’

As the strain on his body increased, it became more certain. The awakening of magical power was imminent.

In a fleeting moment, Walter caught sight of Edith, who clutched a blanket tightly in the seats reserved for Lexion, watching him protectively.

A conversation that must be hidden from her came to mind.