The arena buzzed with anticipation. I stood at the edge of our team''s section, watching as Ignazio Bellweather settled into his seat in the elevated observation box. His presence alone had transformed the atmosphere frompetitive to electric.


    "Look at them all," Zane whispered beside me. "Every fighter in the arena keeps ncing up at Elder Bellweather."


    He wasn''t wrong. Throughout the vast hall,petitors who had been boasting loudly moments before now spoke in hushed tones, stealing furtive nces toward the distinguished elder.


    "That''s the power of reputation," I replied. "Most of these men will never reach even a fraction of his level."


    The tournament official stepped onto the central tform, his voice amplified by a formation inscribed around the edge. "Wee to the Thirty-Second Annual Inter-Provincial Military Competition!"


    Polite apuse rippled through the arena.


    "Before we begin today''s events, I must announce an important addition to our rules."


    My jaw tightened. I already knew what wasing.


    "This year, by special decree of the Martial Guild, head coaches will also participate inpetition matches!"


    Murmurs erupted from several provincial sections. Clearly, not everyone had been forewarned like Ralph Morris.


    "Each head coach mustpete in at least one match during the preliminary rounds. These matches will count toward team standings."


    Commander Wood appeared at my side, his expression grim. "Did you know about this?"


    "I just found out. Ralph Morris made a point of informing me."


    His eyebrows furrowed. "This puts us at a disadvantage. Most head coaches are retired champions."


    "And what am I?" I asked with a slight smile.


    "An alchemist," he replied automatically, then paused. "Aren''t you?"


    I simply patted his shoulder. "Don''t worry about my match, Commander."


    Stewart approached us, grinning broadly. "Bad news for you, Wood! Our Ralph will make quick work of your alchemist. That''ll be easy points for us."


    Commander Wood straightened. "Don''t be so certain. Knight here defeated Adrian Whitlock in singlebat."


    Stewart''s eyes widened before he burst intoughter. "Adrian Whitlock? The former champion? Come now, Wood, there''s optimism and then there''s delusion."


    I remained silent, letting them banter. The less people knew about my true capabilities, the better.


    Stewart shook his head, still chuckling as he walked away. "Second-tost ce again for you, old friend!"


    "Ignore him," Commander Wood muttered. "We stick to the n. Second ce is our target."


    I watched the other teams assembling, studying their formations and the subtle cues that revealed their training regimens. Most appeared disciplined but predictable. The Veridia City team, however, moved with exceptional precision—a well-oiled machine of the highest caliber.


    I gathered our team in a tight circle. "Listen carefully. Our first match is against Central ins in thirty minutes."


    "They''re tough," one fighter said nervously. "Third cest year."


    "And we were eighth," I acknowledged. "But that wasst year. Today is different."


    I looked each fighter in the eye, seeing both determination and doubt. They had improved dramatically but still didn''t fully believe in themselves.


    "Commander Wood has instructed me to aim for second ce," I said calmly.


    The fighters nodded, seeming relieved at this realistic goal.


    "But I''m overriding that instruction," I continued, my voice hardening. "We''re aiming for first."


    Commander Wood stiffened beside me. "Knight—"


    I raised my hand. "With all due respect, Commander, I didn''t transform this team to settle for second best."


    Turning back to the fighters, I saw sparks of hope igniting in their eyes.


    "Even against Veridia City?" Zane asked.


    "Especially against Veridia City," I confirmed. "They expect us to be intimidated. To feel honored just sharing the same tform with them. But we''re not here to admire them—we''re here to defeat them."


    Energy surged through our circle. I could feel their spirits rising, doubt giving way to fierce determination.


    "Now, prepare yourselves. Central ins has underestimated us. Let''s show them the cost of that mistake."


    As our team dispersed to warm up, Commander Wood pulled me aside.


    "That was reckless," he hissed. "First ce? Against Veridia City? You''re setting them up for disappointment."


    I met his gaze steadily. "With respect, Commander, limiting their ambition limits their performance. I''ve seen what they''re capable of."


    "And I''ve seen what Veridia City can do," he countered. "There''s a reason they''ve won eight years running."


    "Times change," I said simply. "Traditions end."


    Before he could argue further, the announcer called for the first match.


    "Eldoria Province versus Central ins! Team representatives, approach the tform!"


    I nodded to our five selected fighters. "Remember your training. Trust in each other."


    They climbed onto the tform where the Central ins team already waited, looking confident and somewhat dismissive.


    The referee exined the rules: "Teams will fight until all members of one side are eliminated through surrender, incapacitation, or ring-out. Beginning in three... two... one... FIGHT!"


    What followed was not the close match many expected. Our fighters moved with coordinated precision I''d drilled into them for weeks, using formations specifically designed to counter Central ins'' aggressive style.


    Within five minutes, all five Central ins fighters were eliminated—three by ring-out and two by submission. Our team stood victorious without a single member defeated.


    Stunned silence fell over the arena before scattered apuse broke out, gradually building to a roar of amazement.


    "Impossible," I heard Stewart gasp from nearby.


    Commander Wood''s face reflected equal parts shock and pride. "They actually did it."


    Ralph Morris stormed to the edge of the tform, his face contorted with rage. "This is outrageous! They must have cheated!"


    The referee shook his head. "No infractions were observed. Eldoria wins decisively."


    As our team descended from the tform, Ralph intercepted them. "Enjoy this fluke victory while you can," he snarled. "It won''t happen again."


    I stepped forward. "Is there a problem with how my team performed, Coach Morris?"


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    He turned his fury toward me. "You! What tricks did you teach them? What elixirs did you feed them?"


    "No tricks," I replied calmly. "Just superior training."


    His face flushed deeper red. "You backwater provinces always resort to underhanded methods when you can''t win fairly."


    The insult hung in the air like a p. Even Commander Wood bristled at the affront to our province''s honor.


    "Careful, Morris," I warned quietly. "Your wounded pride is showing."


    The announcer''s voice cut through the tension. "Next match: head coaches'' exhibition! Central ins versus Eldoria!"


    Ralph''s anger gave way to a predatory smile. "Perfect timing. I''ll show everyone exactly how pathetic you really are, alchemist."


    He strode toward the tform with confident steps. Turning back, he bellowed, "Well? Are youing, or do you forfeit?"


    I removed my outer robe, handing it to Zane. "Watch closely," I told him. "This will be educational."


    Ascending the tform, I faced Ralph across the painted circle. He was already in a fighting stance, his muscles tensed and ready.


    "I''ll try not to humiliate you too badly," he sneered. "Maybe just a broken arm to teach you respect."


    The referee looked between us. "Coaches'' match follows standard rules. Are both participants ready?"


    Ralph nodded eagerly.


    "Ready," I confirmed.


    "Begin!"


    Ralph didn''t waste time with subtlety. He immediately unleashed his full aura, the distinctive pressure of a second-rank grandmaster filling the tform. The disy was clearly meant to intimidate—a demonstration of the vast gap between us.


    "Impressed yet?" he taunted, circling slowly. "This is real power, not your backwater alchemy tricks."


    Around us, spectators murmured in appreciation of his strength. Even our own team looked concerned for my safety.


    I remained motionless, observing his technique without responding to his provocation.


    "Nothing to say?" Ralph smirked. "Don''t worry, it''ll be over quickly."


    Heunched forward with impressive speed, his fist charged with condensed energy as he aimed directly for my chest.


    I made no attempt to dodge or block. Instead, I simply raised my own fist to meet his attack head-on, my expression unchanged.


    Ralph''s eyes widened in disbelief as our fists neared collision. Only now did he sense what I had kept carefully concealed—a power that dwarfed his own. In that final moment before impact, his confidence vanished, reced by the dawning realization that he had grievously miscalcted.


    My fist remained poised, waiting to meet his charge.