If there was anyone among the Soaring Seven that Noah and Marcus were counting on to match Azur, it was none other than Finn.
His true abilities—and his real cultivation level—remained an enigma to everyone. That was precisely why they nurtured a faint, stubborn hope: that Finn might not only match Azur but surpass him, and in doing so, secure victory for the Cloud Soaring Sect in this competition.
The same hope glimmered in the hearts of the other Soaring Seven. They had seen Finn defeat every opponent who crossed him—even back in the Sect. And none of them believed he was merely 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or even 5th Level Scarlet Gold Rank.
Even Ashe and Lore had come to accept this.
They understood that Finn was their last hope in the Seven Great Faction Games.
Lore, in particular, secretly wished to see Azur humiliated—crushed under Finn's hand.
If that happened, it would bring him a savage, guilty pleasure.
Lore was no fool. He knew it was a poor choice to mock or antagonize Finn. If he could not be Finn's friend, he would simply keep his distance.
Everyone who had dared belittle Finn had ended up defeated.
Finn was kind to those who showed him respect—but he was merciless to those who scorned him.
Lore had no desire to join the ranks of the defeated.
But Ashe was different.
Unlike Lore, Ashe was fascinated by Finn. She couldn't remember ever being this intrigued by someone else's secret. For the first time, she wanted to know everything.
She had dreams—ambitions beyond this small kingdom. One day, she wanted her name to be known across the entire continent of adventurers.
While their gazes weighed on him, Finn pretended he didn't notice.
This was not the moment to reveal his secrets.
More than that, he simply wanted to enjoy this tournament—and observe the true nature of everyone around him.
--
Meanwhile, in the Alchemist Association's section, Morris walked slowly toward Brien, speaking in a low, patient voice.
"Brien, even if you can't defeat someone like Azur Lilytel or Gerould Faust, you have no reason to be discouraged. You're a gifted Alchemist. This is only the beginning of your journey as both an Alchemist and an Adventurer. They may be stronger for now, but you're two years younger than they are. I believe, with time, you will surpass them—and not just them. You could even outshine the young heirs of the Royal Clan."
But Brien's eyes were fixed in the distance.
His teacher's words meant nothing to him.
He didn't care about Azur or Gerould.
There was only one person he wished to humiliate—one name etched into his thoughts:
'Finn Doria.'
He didn't believe he could ever beat Finn in alchemy. But in a real fight?
Brien was convinced he could crush Finn—even if Finn's true strength was as high as 6th Level Scarlet Gold Rank.
Morris and Alicia exchanged a look as they took in Brien's dismissive expression.
Morris sighed and shook his head.
Alicia simply frowned.
From the very beginning, she had disliked Brien.
He was arrogant—she could accept that. Most Adventurers were.
But what she could not accept was his blatant disrespect for their teacher.
She respected Morris far too much to stomach Brien's constant disregard.
If Morris hadn't asked her to leave it be, she would have taught Brien a lesson herself long ago.
Brien, for his part, didn't care what Alicia thought.
The feeling was mutual.
But even he knew better than to provoke her outright.
He had secrets—dangerous secrets—and if she discovered them, the consequences would be severe.
--
As soon as Helbram announced Azur's victory, the next match was prepared.
Though the arena floor was cracked, cratered, and half-ruined, Helbram decided to continue.
The next bout was between the Ice Feather Sect and the Burning Heaven Sect—two young men, both 4th Level Scarlet Gold Rank.
It was already the third day, the eighth match since the Seven Great Faction Games had officially begun.
None of the adventurers needed rest or food; the soulforce within their bodies provided all the nourishment and energy required to keep them in fighting condition.
From the start, this duel lacked the tension and spectacle of Azur and Gerould's clash.
Neither combatant was famous.
Still, compared to ordinary adventurers, they were remarkably talented.
A battle between heat and cold—a clash of fire and ice.
In the end, the victor was Nygell of the Ice Feather Sect, who overcame his opponent by a narrow margin, leveraging his mastery of the sect's freezing skills.
Finn didn't care about their triumph.
To him, the Ice Feather Sect was fated to lose.
He couldn't kill Tiffanya and Singh here in the competition—but he would do everything in his power to disgrace them before every watching eye.
And if Hyon chose to interfere, Finn wouldn't hesitate to add him to the list.
This was the beginning of his retribution for the Azure Wood Family.
From the marrow of his bones, Finn despised the Black Tiger Family and the Nine Ice Family.
He had no proof—but in his heart, he knew they were responsible for the deaths of his kin who had been ambushed while hunting in the forests.
Someday, he would make them pay.
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
They had slaughtered innocents.
He would repay them with agony—until they begged for death.
--
When the duel between the Ice Feather Sect and the Burning Heaven Sect concluded, another member of the Burning Seven stepped forward.
But this was no ordinary contender.
This was the Burning Heaven Sect's most powerful and talented young Adventurer—Elyas, 6th Level Scarlet Gold Rank.
He was famous across the kingdom as the leader of the Burning Seven.
To many, he was considered the third strongest participant in the entire tournament.
Yet despite his reputation, the crowd's eyes were not on Elyas.
They were fixed on his opponent.
A name that had already resounded through every faction the moment they'd first gathered at the auction house—
Brien Latter.
He too was a 6th Level Scarlet Gold Rank—and the undisputed strongest member of the Alchemy Seven.
Though not all believed it.
Some still thought the title was unproven.
But because Morris himself had bestowed it on Brien, most felt certain there was something exceptional about him.
The two young men descended to the arena floor.
Every spectator leaned forward, unwilling to miss even a heartbeat of this match.
--
"It's an honor to face such a gifted Alchemist," Elyas said politely.
Brien didn't even look at him.
His cold gaze was locked on one place—the Cloud Soaring Sect.
On Finn.
"I don't want to waste my time with pointless chatter," he said flatly. "Attack me."
Elyas's eyes narrowed.
He turned to see where Brien was looking—and his expression darkened when he realized.
So he's treating me as if I'm nothing—just to show off in front of Finn.
No one had ever disrespected him this way.
His jaw tightened.
"…If that's what you want."
Flames erupted around Elyas's body, blazing so bright they seemed to burn the air itself.
He charged.
His fist, wrapped in searing fire, slammed forward—
Only for Brien to catch it with one hand.
BAM!
The audience gasped.
Everyone could feel the force behind Elyas's strike.
Yet Brien had stopped it as if it were nothing.
Gripping Elyas's fist tighter, Brien turned his head slightly toward Finn.
A thin, mocking smile curved his lips.
"…Is this all you can do?"
His tone was dismissive—contemptuous.
"You're worthless."
Elyas's face twisted in pain as he tried to pull free.
But before he could, Brien's knee smashed into his abdomen.
A strangled cry escaped Elyas's throat.
He collapsed, rolling across the stone, clutching his stomach.
It felt like his organs were tearing apart.
And just when everyone thought the attack was over—
Brien kicked him.
Elyas's body shot backward like a broken doll.
He struck the wall with a dull, sickening thud.
The pillar cracked.
He did not rise.
Silence fell.
The entire stadium seemed to hold its breath.
Brien had defeated the strongest member of the Burning Seven with just two attacks.
Netero, the Burning Heaven Sect's master, finally moved.
He examined Elyas, his expression tightened as he sensed the damage within.
"…This was only a competition," Netero said quietly, lifting his gaze to Brien. "Was it necessary to be so cruel? You've injured his internal organs."
Brien met his eyes, smiling faintly.
"This is a competition," he replied coolly. "Its purpose is to display the participants' strength. And besides—"
His smile sharpened, predatory.
"…If I hadn't held back, you'd be burying his corpse."
Netero's lips parted—then closed.
He swallowed the anger in his chest.
He knew it would be unwise to provoke this arrogant youth any further.
What was done was done.
Only Helbram had the authority to rule if any line had been crossed.
He turned to leave—
But Morris's voice stopped him.
"…Netero."
Morris stepped forward, his tone calm.
"Forgive my student's harshness. As compensation, please accept this pill. It can heal internal injuries in ordinary people and Adventurers alike. In three days, Elyas will be well."
He offered a small glass vial.
Netero hesitated, then accepted it with a nod of thanks.
Brien remained standing in the arena.
His gaze never left Finn.
A cruel, triumphant grin split his face.
"…Did you see that?" he called.
"Don't worry. Because you're next, Finn Doria."