Finn could feel it—the countless eyes locked upon him. Even the adventurers from the other factions were openly watching, as though eager to see for themselves whether he possessed skill in battle to match the legendary alchemy flame he wielded.
They were curious: was he merely a prodigious Alchemist, or something more?
"I thought they said this tournament would be balanced?" muttered a young Adventurer from the Alchemist Association. "Finn's only a 1st Level Scarlet Gold Rank. And Jacobus… he's a 4th Level. He's supposedly the weakest of the Sword Seven, but even so—"
"Doesn't matter," his companion scoffed. "He might be some prodigy in alchemy, but as an Adventurer? He's nothing but trash."
All around the Alchemist Association's seats, jealous eyes flickered toward Finn. They had no choice but to belittle him. They couldn't stand the fact that he possessed a flame they'd only ever read about in ancient texts. But if the topic were alchemy itself, they would have all fallen silent, unable to refute the boy who could already refine a Rank 5 soul-enhancing Pill.
Just as they continued their sneering, a cold, old voice cut across the hush:
"If even a fraction of Finn Doria's talent resided in any of you," said Morris in a chilling tone, "then you'd have the right to mock him as much as you pleased. You're over twenty years old—can you refine a Rank 5 pill? If not, hold your tongues."
The two Alchemists who had been whispering froze, unable to respond. None of them expected Morris himself to defend Finn. They all knew it was true: if they'd possessed the skill to craft a Rank 5 pill, their cultivation would never have stalled at Scarlet Gold Rank.
--
Meanwhile, Finn had already stepped through the stadium gates and descended into the arena. A hush fell over the grounds, broken only by the sound of his steady footfalls and the cold wind brushing across the stone.
He reached his position just as Jacobus began to walk toward him.
Jacobus stopped a short distance away, a thin smile curling across his lips. "How pathetic. They actually matched me with a weakling like you. But—" His smile grew fractionally warmer. "It's still an honor to stand across from a so-called legendary Alchemist, if only to defeat you."
"Since your rank is so far beneath mine, I'll be gracious. Take the first strike. Consider it a gift," he said, extending a hand.
Finn's expression didn't shift in the slightest. He merely sat down cross-legged and offered a faint smile.
"You should be the one to attack," he replied. "Otherwise, you won't even get the chance."
Gasps and startled murmurs rippled through the arena. They were all Adventurers—most of them possessed far keener senses than ordinary folk, and every ear had heard Finn's words loud and clear.
They stared, dumbstruck.
Arrogant.
This boy—who was undeniably weaker by rank—was belittling Jacobus to his face.
Jacobus let out a barking laugh that echoed around the stadium. But when he stopped, his gaze turned cold as frost. "I didn't realize you had such a talent for humor. But that isn't a funny joke," he growled.
"I'm not joking," Finn said simply. "Either attack now… or lose your chance forever."
Jacobus's face darkened. His aura flared outward in an oppressive wave. "I'm done being amused."
--
Up in the Cloud Soaring Sect's seats, Noah was trying hard not to laugh. He glanced sideways at Marcus. "Elder Marcus, have you noticed Finn Doria has quite a gift for provoking his fellow Adventurers?"
Marcus chuckled. "Indeed, Sect Master. But it seems he only becomes arrogant toward those who belittle him first."
"I've observed that too." Noah nodded thoughtfully. He looked back down, just in time to see Jacobus hurtling toward Finn.
Jacobus had finally lost all patience. He charged with a snarl, determined to end this farce with a single blow—to make Finn eat every smug word he'd dared to speak.
White Lion Palm!
Each of his steps struck the arena floor with enough force to crack it. His palm glowed brilliant white as he drew it back—and drove it forward with all the fury of a 4th Level Scarlet Gold Rank.
BANG!
A deafening crash thundered across the arena. Dust exploded in a cloud that briefly swallowed both figures, swirling until a sudden gust cleared it away—
—and revealed Finn standing behind Jacobus, perfectly unscathed.
"You're too slow," Finn said quietly.
Jacobus's pupils contracted. He had watched it happen—watched the boy vanish from his sight, just before the palm struck. His blow cratered the stone floor instead.
"Shut your mouth!" Jacobus roared. He whirled and threw a punch straight at Finn's face—but again, Finn slipped aside, evading him with an ease that bordered on contemptuous.
The punch hit nothing but empty air. Rage and humiliation surged up Jacobus's throat—
Then pain exploded through his arm. A hand had clamped onto his bicep, squeezing so hard it felt as though his bones would snap and his flesh would peel away. He gasped, struggling to free himself, but the grip didn't budge.
"You're too weak," Finn murmured, his voice calm and cold.
Jacobus felt something close to panic. He couldn't move. He couldn't reach his ring. He couldn't—
His body lifted into the air as though he weighed nothing at all.
And Finn threw him.
BANG!
Jacobus's body smashed into the stadium wall, hard enough to shatter the stone. Chunks of debris rained to the ground around him.
All across the arena, the onlookers fell silent. Even those who had mocked Finn moments earlier felt a chill slide down their spines.
Slowly, Jacobus dragged himself upright, blood dribbling from his mouth. If not for the top-tier rare armament hidden beneath his clothes, he would have been crippled. Even so, he was dizzy, every rib screaming.
Gritting his teeth, he grabbed a chunk of broken stone—hefted it overhead—and hurled it at Finn with all the force he could muster.
Finn didn't even flinch. He lifted a hand to his interspatial ring.
A black sword materialized in his grip.
[Black Iron Sword]
Armament Grade: Rare
Quality: High-tier
Damage: 470
Rapid Three Slashes!
Finn lunged. His blade flickered three times in a blur—
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
—the boulder shattered into dust and gravel. Through the falling debris, Jacobus charged once more, now brandishing a gleaming silver sword.
Another top-tier rare armament.
"Ashe," Noah murmured, his tone thoughtful. "Isn't that black sword Finn's wielding the same one our faction gifted him? And that technique—Rapid Three Slashes—it came from us as well."
Unlike the other factions, no one in the Cloud Soaring Sect looked shocked by Finn's performance. They had long known he held countless secrets—and that he was no ordinary 1st Level Scarlet Gold Rank.
"Yes, Father," Ashe said softly, her eyes never leaving the duel below. "Both the weapon and the technique came from us."
Noah and Marcus exchanged a glance, thoughtful. Why, then, had Finn chosen a mere high-tier rare sword instead of the top-tier armaments he clearly possessed? And why use a basic skill that most of the Soaring Seven considered beneath them?
But when they saw how Finn unleashed its true potential, their doubts faded into silent admiration.
--
Below, Jacobus finally managed to slash Finn's chest with his silver sword—only for the blade to scrape harmlessly against the crimson undergarment beneath Finn's torn uniform.
[Crimson Blood Cloth]
Armament Grade: Rare
Quality: Top-tier
Defense: 1250
"Top-tier Rare Armament?!" Jacobus choked out, disbelief flooding his eyes.
Clutching his sword, he staggered backward, desperate to create distance. Finn let him retreat, watching calmly. He seemed curious—waiting to see what Jacobus would do next, now that he must have realized he was hopelessly outmatched.
Jacobus hesitated. His hand hovered at his ring. And then, with a ragged breath, he clenched his jaw and withdrew a small vial.
Inside it was a single round pill.
He swallowed it in one gulp.
A dangerous aura flared outward.
"He's taken a forbidden pill!" someone cried. "Is he insane? The backlash from that could cripple him!"
"You can't blame him," another Adventurer muttered. "He'd rather pay any price than lose to a 1st Level Scarlet Gold Rank. He'd never live it down."
"But using a forbidden pill just to save your pride is even more disgraceful," a third whispered.
Opinions clashed all around. Some mocked him. Some admired his resolve. Others simply watched, pity in their eyes.
Jacobus's power swelled and surged until it reached the level of a 5th Level Scarlet Gold Rank.
Finn studied him silently. "You know what that pill will cost you. Why do it?"
Jacobus's voice broke as he roared, "Every Adventurer has a road to walk! We all have dreams we fight for! I won't accept defeat—especially not to the likes of you! Even if it costs me everything!"
Finn fell silent.
He understood. He too had a reason—he too had people to protect.
He raised his gaze and met Jacobus's eyes.
"You're right," Finn said softly. "We each have our chosen path. But even with your pill… you're still a 4th Level Scarlet Gold Rank. That will never change."
Slowly, he sheathed his black sword back into his ring.
Gasps filled the stadium.
"Finn Doria! What are you doing?!" Jacobus shouted. "We're not finished—fight me!"
Finn looked at him levelly. "We aren't finished. But I don't need a weapon to defeat you. Your forbidden pill only lent you strength—it didn't heal your wounds."
Jacobus's heart jolted.
He was right. His injuries hadn't faded—and the pill would only worsen them over time.
With a strangled cry, he lunged, sword raised high. His aura flared to a violent peak.
Finn's body blurred forward, a chilling power coiling around his clenched fist.
Silver Immortal Slash!
Azure Wood Fist!
Blade and fist collided in midair—
BOOM!
The force of it sent gales roaring across the arena.
And then, slowly… Jacobus's aura flickered, sputtered—and died.
Finn's strike hurled him across the stadium, his sword tumbling from numb fingers. His body slammed into the wall, and he crumpled to the ground in a rain of shattered stone.
A weak fist skill… had defeated a forbidden-boosted sword skill.
Silence reigned.
The crowd looked at Finn as though they were staring at a monster.
--
"I… I don't believe this," Tiffanya whispered from the Ice Feather Sect's seats, her face pale.
"Sect Mistress… is he really as strong as Hyon?"
Sheeha's golden eyes glimmered, never leaving Finn's silhouette.
"…Yes," she murmured. "I'm afraid he might be even stronger."
--
Helbram took a moment to regain his composure. When he did, he raised his voice over the stunned arena:
"The victor of the fourth match—Finn Doria of the Cloud Soaring Sect!"
But Finn did not immediately leave. He walked slowly over to where Jacobus lay, battered and bleeding.
He sighed and touched his ring, producing a small bottle.
"This pill can heal you," he said gently, offering it. "It can also lessen the backlash of the forbidden pill. Take it."
The onlookers froze again, their eyes wide.
A pill… that could counteract the price of a forbidden pill? None of them had ever heard of such a thing.
Jacobus struggled to lift his head. "I… can't… accept it. I can't repay you…"
He tried to rise, but his legs gave out. Finn caught his arm, steadying him.
"You don't have to repay me. Let's call it my respect… for your conviction," Finn said, his voice serious.
Jacobus said nothing more. He allowed Finn to press the vial into his hand.
An Elder of the Immortal Sword Pavilion finally descended, helping Jacobus drink the pill. Hesitant at first, he watched as Jacobus's injuries began to knit back together.
"Thank you… Finn Doria," Jacobus rasped, bowing his head as strength returned to his limbs. "I… I owe you more than I can say."
Finn smiled faintly. "You're lucky that was only a low-grade forbidden pill. My companions are waiting. I'll take my leave."
He turned and walked back toward his faction's seats.
Ashe was waiting, hands on her hips, her brows drawn low in a scowl.
Finn forced an awkward smile.
She glared at him. "I don't understand you," Ashe snapped. "Why would you help an opponent? Don't you realize every time you do that, you make it harder for the rest of us to win?"