The display screen above the arena shone brightly.
Match 8
Kang Yue
vs
Leon Dang
The moment the names appeared, a wave of whispers spread across the stands.
Students leaned forward in their seats.
Many of them had already heard about the newly transferred student.
The A-Rank Radiant Spirit Archer.
The Kang Clan heiress.
Even before the match began, expectations were already high.
Near the front row of the spectator section, Rei sat down beside Aaron again. His breathing had only just returned to normal after his own match.
"...Brother Aaron."
Aaron glanced at him.
"Yes?"
Rei wiped imaginary sweat from his forehead.
"I have decided something important."
Aaron waited.
"Winning a fight feels incredible." Rei delivered this with the solemnity of a man who had just discovered a fundamental truth about the universe.
"That's usually how victory works."
Rei puffed out his chest. "I now understand the feeling of heroic warriors in ancient legends."
Aaron chuckled quietly.
Down in the arena, the gate opened and Kang Yue stepped onto the combat platform. Her golden ponytail swayed lightly behind her as she walked, the polished bow across her back gleaming under the bright sunlight. Her expression was calm, confident, almost indifferent, the look of someone who had already decided the outcome before stepping through the gate.
Rei leaned forward immediately. "...There she is."
Aaron noticed the complicated look crossing his friend's face. "You're still thinking about earlier?"
"...No." Rei paused. "...Yes."
"You move on quickly."
Rei rubbed his chin, his eyes staying on the arena. "Still... I want to see how strong she actually is."
From the opposite gate, Kang Yue's opponent entered. Leon Dang, a tall young man carrying a heavy iron spear, his class listed on the screen as D-Rank Vanguard Spearman. He stepped onto the platform with visible confidence, but the moment he saw Kang Yue standing across from him, his expression tightened slightly. "Looks like my luck isn't great today."
Kang Yue didn't respond. She calmly lifted the silver bow from her back, and the arena grew noticeably quieter around the moment.
The referee stepped forward. "Participants. Prepare."
Leon tightened his grip on his spear. Across from him, Kang Yue drew an arrow from the quiver at her waist, golden energy flickering faintly around the arrowhead.
Rei leaned toward Aaron. "...Brother Aaron. That bow looks expensive."
"Clan heiress."
Rei sighed dramatically. "My heart hurts."
The arbiter raised his hand. "Begin!"
Leon charged instantly. He understood the situation clearly. Against an archer, staying at distance was the worst possible strategy. He drove forward with his spear aimed at Kang Yue's shoulder, crossing the arena floor at full momentum.
She didn't move. She simply released the arrow.
TWANG.
A streak of golden light flashed across the arena. Leon deflected it just in time with his spear, the arrow embedding itself in the stone floor beside him. But Kang Yue had already drawn another.
TWANG. TWANG. TWANG.
Three arrows flew in rapid succession, each angled differently. Leon gritted his teeth and deflected two, but the third grazed his shoulder and detonated in a burst of golden energy against his armor. He stumbled backward, his charge losing momentum.
The crowd reacted at once.
"Fast!"
"Her shooting speed is insane!"
Rei stared with wide eyes. "She's firing arrows like a machine!"
Aaron watched carefully. Kang Yue's movements were smooth and controlled, every shot precise, every arrow forcing her opponent into a worse position than the one before it.
Leon growled and charged again, this time zigzagging as he closed the distance. He made it halfway across the arena before Kang Yue lifted her bow again. This time the arrow glowed brighter, golden light gathering densely around the tip.
Rei blinked. "...Is that a skill?"
Aaron nodded slightly. "Looks like it."
TWANG.
The arrow launched forward, then split midair into three distinct streaks of light. Leon's eyes went wide.
"What—"
BOOM.
All three arrows struck almost simultaneously, golden energy exploding against his chest armor with enough force to hurl him off his feet. He hit the arena floor hard, dust scattering across the stone around him. For a moment the entire arena was silent. Leon struggled to rise, his body trembling, his spear slipping from his grip.
The arbiter stepped forward. "Stop." He raised his hand. "Winner. Kang Yue."
The crowd erupted into applause. Her victory had been flawless. No hesitation, no struggle, pure control from the first arrow to the last. Kang Yue lowered her bow with the composed expression of someone for whom the result had never been in question, then turned and walked toward the exit without a backward glance.
In the stands, Rei leaned back slowly. "...She's really strong."
"She is."
He scratched his head with a conflicted expression. "...Maybe I should give up."
Aaron patted his shoulder. "A wise decision."
Around them, nearby students were still processing the match.
"Did you see that final skill?"
"That's definitely A-Rank level talent."
"Her control is incredible."
"Even compared to Luna, her performance just now looked stronger."
Then someone behind them spoke quietly, their voice carrying a note of genuine admiration. "Even among geniuses... there is still a gap."