After a year, every one under the training leveled up, both in experience, skill, and their friendship increased, though there were hierarchies among them which before the training, the weak were abused, until the intervention of the association president, who visit them from time to time, spoke to them about hierarchy and explain his true story to them, lead them to right path.
The association president, Min Jae-woo, held a meeting with the officials in charge of the training and proposed that, after the training, there be a tournament among the trainers, with the requirement that participants be level 10 or higher. Everyone present nodded in agreement with the idea.
After the training ended, everyone gathered, and one of the officials (Jang Woo) came up and told them that in a week, there would be tournaments among them, and the requirements are level 10 and above.
Hearing this, some of the awakeners were excited to test their strength, while some weren't happy because they hadn't gotten to the requirement, but their fighting spirit wasn't shattered; instead, it gave them a drive to push forward.
Ji-Han was excited too because he's at level 15 with some experience, and so he was excited to showcase his strength.
"Uhm, are you that excited!?" Se-ah asked politely
"Of course I am." Ji-Han replied
"I have been weak all my life, and now I am stronger than my previous self. Though I am not at your level, I will put up my best to challenge." He said excitedly
"Hmph, well, I agree you are strong, but I am stronger," Han Seo-Jun scoffed at him
"Well, you become arrogant because you use berserk skill," Park Min-Jae spoke sarcastically.
"You… shall we go?" Seo-jun replied angrily
Ji-Han, seeing everyone excited for the tournament, was happy and also happy he was able to make friends with the top new awakeners.
And so after the period of resting for the tournament, the tournament begins.
There were 50 contestants who met the requirement, and there were cards selected, and each was one with the same images. The battles in the tournament were fierce, and Kang Ji-won, who reached level 20, dominated with overwhelming firepower. And Han Seo-jun didn't fall behind either; he cut through opponents with precision, though the injured were healed in their match. Park Min-Jae crushed everything in his path, and Lee Hyun-woo stabilized his unstable power and rose quickly.
Yoon se-ah whose beauty was unmatched and silent, was efficient in control. And Ji-Han fought quietly, defended, endured, and adapted.
After a long fight, eight made it to the quarter of the match.
"Oh, you made it here, I'm surprised." Han Seo-Jun spoke to him while hitting his back in a friendly gesture.
"Hahaha, I was lucky," He replied.
"Don't be arrogant, you made it here through your strength." Kang Ji-Won spoke
"... Thanks…." Ji-Han felt at ease and appreciated.
"But don't slack back, the tournament starts from here, it won't be easy." Park Min-jae spoke out of concern.
"Don't worry, I will make up for it," He replied
Se- ah was only looking at him and couldn't say anything, rather than wishing him good luck.
Ji-han fought hard in the quarters but slightly won and advanced to the semi-final.
Se-ah faced Lee Hyun-woo and advanced to the semi, though it was a tough match. Kang Ji won and advanced to the semi-final, defeating Park Min-Jae due to long range fighting style. While Han Seo-Jun won too.
Ji-Han was paired with Han Seo-Jun, and murmurs spread instantly.
"..Ji-Han?"
"Well, he's been doing well since the beginning, but unfortunately, it's the end." The crowd murmurs.
Han Seo-jun stepped onto the arena, calm, composed. A sword rested lightly in his hand; his presence alone drew attention. Ji-Han walked in from the opposite side, quiet and unnoticed as usual. But his eyes were steady, and he held his dagger.
The referee raised his hand.
"Begin."
For a moment—
No one moved.
Then
Seo-jun vanished.
CLANG!!!
Ji-Han barely raised his barrier in time.
The impact sent him sliding backward.
"…fast," Ji-Han muttered.
Seo-jun didn't stop.
Another strike—
Then another—
Then another—
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Each hit faster than the last.
Each one sharper.
Cracks formed across Ji-Han's barrier.
"He won't last long…"
But Ji-Han didn't retreat.
He adjusted.
Watched.
Felt the rhythm.
Too fast to react… then predict.
Seo-jun appeared again—
Blade aimed at Ji-Han's side—
But this time—
Ji-Han moved first.
"GUARD SHIFT!"
The barrier shifted—
Redirecting the strike slightly.
Seo-jun's eyes narrowed
"…you adapted."
Ji-Han stepped forward while his dagger was broken—
"IMPACT STRIKE!"
His fist collided-
Seo-jun blocked with his blade—
But the force pushed him back slightly.
The crowd went silent.
"…he pushed Seo-jun?"
Seo-jun straightened.
A faint smile appeared.
"…interesting."
The air around is blade changed.
Mana gathered.
Compressed.
"Then let's increase the pace."
He disappeared again.
This time—
Faster.
Sharper.
Deadlier.
Ji-Han's barrier flared—
CRACK!
It shattered.
A clean strike landed—
Ji-Han staggered back.
Blood.
But he didn't fall.
Instead
He stepped forward again.
"…I'm not done."
Seo-jun paused briefly.
"…even now?"
Ji-Han raised his hand—
STELLAR BARRIER.
A faint starlight shimmered into existence.
The atmosphere shifted slightly.
Seo-jun noticed immediately.
"…that's new."
He attacked again—
The blade struck
But this time—
The impact was absorbed.
Silently.
Seo-jun's eyes sharpened.
"…what is that?"
Ji-Han moved—
"IMPACT STRIKE!"
This time—
The force was stronger.
Seo-jun slid back
Just slightly.
The crowd ruptured.
"No way—!"
Ji-Han's breathing grew heavier.
His body was shaking.
"…just one more…"
He charged again.
But-
Seo-jun had already read him.
A single step
A precise movement.
SLASH.
Ji-Han froze.
The blade stopped at his neck.
Silence filled the arena.
"…match over."
The referee raised his hand.
"Winner: Han Seo-jun."
The crowd cheered.
But-
Not as loudly as expected.
Because something had changed.
Seo-jun lowered his blade slowly.
Looking at Ji-Han.
"Man, I knew you were strong, but it was a nice spar," Han Seo-jun cheered him
Ji-Han smiled and said it was worth it.
The crowd that saw the match was shocked.
"Though not same level, but he fought well," the crowd murmurs.
"And he lasted long against Seo-jun and even pushed him back?"
They were amazed and cheered him on, and most of the awakeners who looked down on him stopped laughing at him and gained motivation. Se-ah advanced to the final quickly after defeating Kang Ji-won using stealth to dominate her.