The crowd was louder than yesterday. Jiwoo could feel it in his chest — the hum of mana amplifiers, the buzz of expectation, the whisper of his name spreading through the stands. Everyone wanted to see if his last victory had been luck.

Rows of students leaned forward, eyes fixed on the barrier ring that separated the arena from the audience. Real swords today. Real mana.

Jiwoo adjusted his grip on the academy-issued longsword. The leather felt rough, the weapon heavier than anything from ...