After the match between Eternal Wings and Platinum Edge, Eternal Wings had progressed to the next stage. And according to the brackets drawn earlier, The Rising Heroes were going to face Eternal Wings in the Round of 16.
This was not going to be an easy match at all.
In fact, this was their toughest match yet.
Not only because Eternal Wings were one of the top 8 teams of the tournament and had already shown overwhelming strength, but also because many personal feelings were involved. This match had become much more important than simply qualifying for the next round.
This was about proving a point.
And because of that, even on the day off, the Rising Heroes spent their time preparing themselves for the upcoming battle.
As all of them gathered together, Adrian cleared his throat.
"We all know who we are facing in the next round. We have to be much more serious than before."
Lila nodded immediately in agreement, while Sera quietly clenched her fist, both nervous and determined.
Adrian continued,
"We know the five people we are going to fight. Who fights who, we still don't know. So we need to understand each and every opponent and prepare for all possibilities. I gathered some intel."
Everyone listened carefully.
Adrian took a deep breath.
"First, I'll talk about their leader himself. Solreth, also known as 'The Radiant Wing'."
The room became quieter.
"He is a Light element Dragonkind. His light magic is devastatingly powerful. He uses a scythe as his weapon and is known to cut through multiple opponents with a single swing. His golden wings are strong enough to block incoming attacks with ease."
Adrian paused for a moment.
"And just like any other Dragonkind, he uses 'Overflare' mode. He is the most formidable member of Eternal Wings."
Drakar silently lowered his gaze.
"Throughout the tournament he has always entered in the last bout. Which means one thing."
Adrian looked directly at Drakar.
"You will most likely be fighting last."
Drakar did not say anything, but his expression hardened.
"That also means," Adrian continued, "the rest of us have to win our matches so Drakar doesn't have to fight while we are already losing."
Lila immediately smirked confidently. "Then we just have to win."
Sera nodded as well. "We won't let him carry everything alone."
Doran crossed his arms. "Heh, sounds simple enough."
Drakar looked at his teammates quietly. Even without saying much, he understood what they meant.
Adrian then continued. "Next is the 'Disaster Dragon', Ysellia."
"She uses both Water and Wind elements. Just like her title suggests, her attacks are often described as disasters themselves. Whether it is water, wind, or both together, her power is overwhelming."
"She isn't a ruthless fighter. She's calm."
Adrian slightly narrowed his eyes.
"But she is both the calm… and the storm."
"She has extremely fluid and precise movements. And her 'Overtempest' mode is truly dangerous."
Even Lila's confident face became slightly serious hearing that.
Adrian moved on.
"Then comes the 'Perfect Dragon', Zhyragos."
Doran leaned forward slightly with interest.
"He believes only in close combat. He is proud of being a Dragonkind and fights very aggressively. He wears no armor at all, but that means nothing because his scales themselves are harder than armor."
"His wings are massive, the veins across them clearly visible. His claws are longer and sharper than normal Dragonkind."
Adrian continued seriously,
"He is both the brains and the brawn of the team."
"And unlike the others… he doesn't use any over mode."
The room looked surprised.
"Because according to him… he doesn't need one."
"His pride as a Dragonkind is enough."
"And his flames burn blue."
Even Drakar looked slightly focused hearing that.
"Blue Flames," Adrian said calmly, "which are known to be extremely lethal."
Then Adrian shifted toward the next name.
"Next is Veynaris."
"In a race as rare as Dragonkind, even he is considered unusual. He has no natural element at all. Instead, he uses Psychic magic."
"The Psychic Dragonkind is also known as 'The Unseen Calamity'."
"He doesn't have the body frame of a normal Dragonkind. Physical combat is his weakness."
Adrian paused briefly.
"But reaching him in the first place is the real problem."
"Especially when he enters his 'Overdrive' mode."
"He conjures weapons using psychic magic, and avoiding them is nearly impossible. You are forced to face them directly."
"Despite his bubbly personality… do not underestimate him."
Lastly, Adrian spoke the final name.
"And then comes Xelvaris."
"The Ghost Dragon."
"His scales have a bone-like structure. Almost like an ivory exoskeleton. He always wears a cloak of darkness that blends into the surroundings and makes him extremely stealthy."
"He barely talks."
"But his actions say enough."
"He is probably the most mysterious among them."
"No one really knows how he fights except for the fact that he uses a bow and arrows."
"He is a Shadow and Skeleton Dragonkind."
Adrian's tone became serious once again.
"So be careful of his tactics."
"All I know is that he uses 'Overshade' mode."
The room became silent after hearing all five names.
Every single opponent sounded terrifying.
Adrian finally exhaled deeply. "So yes… every one of them is formidable."
He then looked toward Drakar.
"The only advantage we have is the special restriction placed on Dragonkinds."
Everyone looked at him.
"They are not allowed to use their 'Primal Dragon Form' inside the tournament."
Drakar quietly listened.
"That gives us somewhat equal footing. Because we also have a Dragonkind capable of using 'Overheat' mode."
Adrian continued,
"So we need to make full use of that advantage."
"Even then… they are still incredibly strong."
"But they are not invincible."
Drakar quietly clenched his fist.
Hearing about stronger Dragonkind forms awakened a feeling inside him. A desire to become stronger himself. To one day awaken his own 'Primal Dragon Form'.
But he also understood one thing.
He could not rush it.
The room slowly filled with tension again.
Then suddenly...
Fizzle floated between all of them and forcefully pushed cookies into everyone's mouths.
"Eat up!" she said loudly. "Otherwise you won't have enough energy to fight!"
For a second everyone stayed silent.
Then Lila burst out laughing.
Even Doran smiled.
Sera relaxed a little, and Adrian shook his head helplessly.
The heavy atmosphere slowly disappeared.
The topic soon changed, laughter filled the room again, and everyone spent the rest of the day enjoying their time together.
Because they all knew one thing.
If they wanted to defeat Eternal Wings…
They needed to face the battle with a fresh mind.
And as time slowly passed by…
The Round of 16 came closer and closer.