Godslayer's Legacy: THE PATH TO SUPREMACY

The midday sun hung high over the arena as the next round of matches began, its golden light casting long shadows across the rocky battlefield. The tension among the competitors was palpable, the air thick with a mixture of excitement and dread. The earlier rounds had weeded out many, and now the remaining matches were no longer simple tests of skill—they were battles to prove one's worth.

Rui sat silently among the competitors, his silver eyes focused on the crystalline board as it flickered, announcing the next matchups. The faint hum of mana from the arena filled his ears, mingling with the distant murmurs of the gathered audience. He paid no attention to the whispers of his earlier victory; his focus was solely on the matches to come.

"Rui Kirean versus Zarin Solhar."

The name caused a ripple of reaction among the crowd. Zarin was a name that carried weight, not because of fame but because of reputation. A boy of solid build and sharp, calculating eyes, Zarin had carved his way through the earlier rounds with an aggression that bordered on reckless. His core, though only a Teal, had proven potent when paired with his relentless approach.

Rui rose from his seat, his expression calm as he stepped toward the arena. Zarin was already waiting, his stance wide and his arms crossed over his chest. A cocky smirk played on his lips as he watched Rui approach.

"So, you're the prodigy everyone's whispering about," Zarin said, his voice loud enough to carry to the crowd. "Let's see if that silver core of yours is worth all the hype."

Rui didn't reply. Words weren't necessary. Instead, he stepped into the center of the arena, his silver eyes meeting Zarin's with an unflinching calm that seemed to unnerve his opponent more than he let on.

The proctor raised his hand. "Begin!"

Zarin wasted no time. He lunged forward, his hands crackling with raw mana as he unleashed a barrage of explosive orbs, each one arcing toward Rui with deadly precision. The orbs left faint trails of energy in their wake, their power enough to shatter the rocky terrain on impact.

Rui raised a hand, his mana pulsing outward in a seamless wave. The orbs disintegrated the moment they touched the dense barrier of energy surrounding him, their bright light fading into nothingness. He didn't move, his expression unchanging as he waited for Zarin's next move.

"Don't just stand there!" Zarin growled, frustration evident in his voice. He shifted tactics, circling Rui with surprising speed as he sent another series of attacks—this time in rapid succession, each one aimed to test Rui's defense.

But Rui's mana was unyielding. His barrier remained intact, the attacks dissipating harmlessly against its surface. He watched Zarin carefully, analyzing every movement, every decision, every micro-adjustment. The boy was aggressive, yes, but his approach lacked control—a flaw Rui could easily exploit.

As Zarin prepared another attack, Rui acted. With a single step, he closed the distance between them instantly, his movement so fast it seemed as if he had vanished or teleported. Zarin barely had time to react before Rui's hand shot forward, a dense pulse of mana striking Zarin's barrier with pinpoint precision.

The barrier shattered instantly, the force of the impact sending Zarin stumbling backward. He gasped, his balance faltering as he struggled to regain his footing, he has never seen anything so fast. But Rui didn't give him the chance. Another step brought him within striking distance, and with a measured flick of his wrist, Rui sent a controlled burst of mana into Zarin's chest.

The impact wasn't devastating—it didn't need to be. The density of Rui's mana was enough to knock the wind out of Zarin and send him sprawling to the ground. He landed hard, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he looked up at Rui, his defiance replaced by disbelief.

"I…" Zarin coughed, struggling to push himself up. "I yield."

The proctor's voice rang out. "The match is over! Rui Kirean is victorious!"

The crowd erupted into murmurs once more, the reactions a mix of awe and unease. Rui stepped back from the arena, his gaze briefly sweeping over the audience before returning to his seat among the competitors. He sat quietly, his demeanor unchanged, as if the fight had been nothing more than a routine exercise.

From the sidelines, Amara watched with folded arms, her crimson gaze narrowing slightly. "He's not just strong," she muttered to Leoray, who stood nearby. "It's the way he fights. Controlled. Calculated. Like he's already won before the match begins."

Leoray smirked. "Does it bother you?"

"Only because I've never fought anyone like him before," Amara replied, her voice tinged with curiosity. "But that's going to change soon."

As the tournament progressed, the gap between Rui and the other competitors became more apparent. His victories were swift and decisive, his opponents left in varying states of disbelief and resignation. The whispers among the audience grew louder with each match, and even the proctors exchanged quiet glances, their expressions betraying their surprise.

But for Rui, the tournament wasn't about proving his superiority. Each match was an opportunity to refine his control, to test the limits of his mana and understand the nuances of combat. His focus remained unshaken, his gaze always forward.

As the day drew to a close, the crystalline board displayed the names of the remaining competitors. Rui's name was among them, shining brightly alongside seven others. The top eight had been decided, and with it, the final stage of the tournament awaited—a stage that would determine not just who was worthy of the Academy, but who stood at its pinnacle.

Rui glanced at the names, his silver eyes lingering briefly on one in particular—Amara Velare. A faint smile crossed his lips as he rose from his seat, ready for what lay ahead.