---
When Neale was announced as the winner of the fight against Richard, he stayed silent. The feeling of victory brought him no peace. On the contrary, it consumed him with sadness whenever his eyes met Richard's body lying on the ground, covered in blood, the cold arena sand clinging to him.
The medical team moved quickly, prioritizing Richard. They handled him with extreme care before placing him on a stretcher, avoiding any risk of further injury.
One doctor approached Neale, who was still standing there, holding his injured hand that wouldn't stop trembling.
Are you alright, son? Any dizziness or internal pain? - Doctor
I think I'm okay… I just ended up breaking my hand. But what about him? Is he going to be alright? - Neale
Yes, of course. Like you were told before, he'll receive all the treatment he needs before being sent back outside the city. - Doctor
I understand. - Neale replied, his expression heavy with a quiet, painful acceptance. It was the only answer he had.
Please come with me. Let's treat your injuries in the recovery room reserved for the winners. - Doctor
You and the rest of your team will be ready for the final stage in no time. -
As the medical staff cleared the arena, Neale looked back one last time, watching Richard being carried away, still unconscious, to a room on the opposite side.
---
In the stands, after the Murky Dome dissipated, the medical team that arrived saw the aftermath of the chaos. As they prepared to evacuate the wounded, two of them—each from different groups—were identified as critical cases due to severe head injuries.
Where should we take the injured? The winners' ward or the losers' ward? Or do you have other orders, ma'am? -
Great… now we have this to deal with. - Sindy muttered, pressing her fingers to her forehead as she thought. - Take these idiots to the medical wing of the House of Plato. Avoid passing too close to the waiting rooms. And request a second team. Also, from now on, all rookies are forbidden from carrying weapons until the third stage of the exam is over. -
It will be done as you ordered, Sindy. -
The medical team quickly removed the bodies and left.
You, stay here. Start collecting all the weapons. If needed, guide the next team when they arrive, in case I don't make it back in time. Got it? - Sindy
Leave it to me. -
If anything comes up, we'll stick to the story that it was just an accident. - Sindy said, already running off to report to Igor Xen Don Crates.
"Just an accident," huh… got it. - he said, looking at the unconscious youths around him.
Better step back first. -
After creating some distance, the temporary representative of the House of Cleopatra raised his clenched fist.
At first, nothing.
Then—
A single particle of Righteous Wrath emerged.
And didn't stop.
It surged through stages: Light White, White, Dark White, Light Yellow, Yellow, Dark Yellow, Light Orange… and finally Orange.
When his fist was fully engulfed in energy, one punch was enough.
The ground shattered.
A crater formed.
There. The accident's ready. Now let's collect those weapons. -
---
At the same time, elsewhere…
Matteo F. Mouro's will was about to be fulfilled.
In a corridor far from the winners' waiting rooms, two old friends met.
Look at that… Matteo's representative finally found time to visit an old friend, huh, Raian? -
You're the only person I know who can be angry and happy at the same time when seeing a friend, Sairus. - Raian
Let's take a walk. -
They walked through the inner halls of the arena.
How are you? Don't tell me Master Matteo finally gave you a break. - Sairus
I wish. I'm on a mission. - Raian
And you? Found someone to share your life with yet, or still buried in research at the House of Plato? -
Still focused on my research. No time for anything else… not when Righteous Wrath keeps surprising us with every new discovery. - Sairus
I see. And that funeral outfit? - Raian
I'll be assisting the medical team today, helping with the losers. They moved the ward farther away this year. - Sairus
Always unlucky. At least you're not neglecting your training, right? Otherwise you'll always be behind me. - Raian
Oh, shut it. I've reached Yellow Stage already. - Sairus
You, on the other hand… I can't tell if you've improved. I don't feel much change. -
You noticed, huh? I'm close to Dark Orange Stage… I think. But I feel stuck. It's not as easy to grow anymore. The more I train, the higher the steps seem to get. - Raian
I get that… I've been feeling stuck too. - Sairus
They walked in silence until the path split.
Good seeing you, but my mission's that way. - Raian
If the stages aren't over yet and you've got time, stop by Block E. That's where we set up the medical wing. - Sairus
If I can, I will. -
They turned away from each other.
But in a fleeting moment of distraction—
Sairus didn't see it.
Didn't feel it.
Raian moved fast.
Fingers touched the back of his neck.
Too late.
Turn Off. -
Sairus collapsed, his mind shut down instantly.
Raian caught him before he hit the ground.
Block E, huh… thanks, my friend. -
He dragged Sairus to an unused room and swapped clothes.
Hope you can forgive me later. I'll buy you a drink. -
Wearing a medical mask, Raian entered the medical wing under Block E.
He grabbed a clipboard left near the entrance, scanning names and numbers written in cursive.
Then he found it.
Clipboard:
Vitel: B+ / 004
Troll: O- / 500
Luna: A+ / 503
"Found you."
He pulled back the curtain around Troll's bed—
Sairus? What are you doing there? -
I was just— -
Forget that. I need you to fill in the data for the patient from the fourth match. -
At that moment, medics rushed in carrying five unconscious, bloodied bodies.
We need help! Thirty more patients like this are coming. They must be transferred to the House of Plato. -
Thirty?! We just finished the fourth match! Where did thirty injured come from?! -
Also, we need members from any House to form a second team to collect weapons in the stands. -
What?! Who ordered this?! -
Miss Sindy. -
Damn it. Sairus, stay here, log the data, then assist incoming patients. The rest of you, with me! -
"Saved at the last second… time to work."
As Troll lay unconscious, covered in equipment, Raian pulled out a blood collection tube and drew blood from his arm, filling it halfway before storing it.
Troll's body was still partially covered in fading scales.
Raian took tweezers and collected several, causing light bleeding where they were removed.
Task complete, he left as quietly as he had entered.
---
Back in the arena, Sindy reported everything to Igor, explaining every decision she made in detail.
An accident… I see your reasoning. Well done, Sindy. - Igor
The instructor looked toward Igor, waiting for orders.
I agree. Inform him. - Igor
As you wish. -
Sindy's body ignited with Orange-stage Righteous Wrath.
Without hesitation, she jumped from the fifth level—
Landing in the arena, knees bending slightly.
Her energy faded as she walked calmly to the instructor.
Listen carefully. By Lord Igor's words, the incident was a minor accident. The injured from the collapsed floor on the third level have been treated. The matches will continue. - Sindy
Understood. - Instructor
Open the gates. -
Attention! We have received notice of an unfortunate accident involving a floor collapse. All are safe. That explains the noise you heard. The second stage matches will now resume! -
Group Twelve, enter the arena for your final match. -
Kilay and Lira, who had been watching the stands, heard the order.
They began walking toward the gates.
Let's go. - Kilay
Y-yes. - Lira