The final day of the competition dawned, bringing with it a bustling atmosphere and packed stands filled with spectators of influential backgrounds. Acestor Stein, Juniper, and Mr. Stein stood at the cabin above, watching the events unfold below. "Grandpa, do you think they can win it all?" Juniper asked eagerly.
Acestor Stein shook his head. "Kayden has surpassed my realm. I believe he has already reached the late or peak of the ancestor realm."
"Wow, that strong?" Mr. Stein exclaimed in surprise.
Acestor Stein nodded confidently. "But I cannot say for certain how far young Henry's level has reached. I have a feeling it is even higher than Kayden's."
"The 4th round will now commence. Please draw your numbers," announced the tournament official as the group gathered to determine the order of fights.
To the surprise of everyone in attendance, SS and the Lee family both drew the same token number, setting up an intense match between them. The air was thick with anticipation as they prepared for battle, strategizing and sizing each other up. As the leader of the secret society, Ellie murmured under her breath, "Take it easy on them," but her words were drowned out by the collective buzz of excitement from the crowd.
The tension was palpable as each contender braced themselves for what was sure to be an epic showdown. Henry, a handsome young man with sharp features and a confident smile, seemed unfazed by the pressure while Eliana, his fierce opponent from the Lee family, glared at him with determination.
As they took their places on opposite sides of the arena, Kayden and his group sat on the spectator seats, discussing their strategy. "We got lucky," Kayden remarked to his teammates with a smirk.
The match began, but it ended far too quickly for Kayden's liking. Their third member Arlo, a young man at the peak of the emperor realm, effortlessly defeated all three members of SS. The match was now over and Kayden's team had emerged victorious.
As they celebrated their win, Kayden couldn't help but feel disappointed that he hadn't been able to witness an intense battle between Henry and Eliana. But he knew that their opponents had put up a good fight and had given it their all.
With two teams from the secret society eliminated, it was now time for Kayden's team to face off against them in a final showdown. Kayden fought hard against Lorenzo, who was at the late emperor realm, easily defeating him. He then faced off against the other two members of SS, gaining some HP but still not enough to reach the peak of the ancestor realm.
But with two losses already under their belt, SS could not catch up to Kayden's team. They were forced to concede defeat and return to the spectator seats, settling for 7th, 8th, and 9th place respectively.
And now, the match that everyone had been waiting for was about to begin – Kayden's team versus the secret society in a thrilling final round.
Eliana's voice was a mere whisper as she called out Henry's name. He nodded in acknowledgement, his face breaking into a smile. "I want to fight at full strength, so you guys take a rest." Arlo and Eliana both nodded, understanding the gravity of the upcoming battle.
Kayden strode confidently onto the stage, releasing his rank 8 saint sword with a flourish. As it glinted in the sunlight, a powerful aura emanated from it, causing the spectators to shift uneasily and stare at it with trepidation. Henry couldn't help but smile at Kayden's bravado. "You're underestimating me," he teased.
With a deep breath, Henry finally unleashed his own aura, reminiscent of his power at the ancestor realm. Despite a sudden coughing fit that caused blood to spill from his mouth, he remained determined and focused.
"Are you alright?" Kayden asked with concern.
"I am," Henry replied, smiling through the pain. "This may be our last fight together, master. I want to give it my all and see your true strength once again."
As if in response to Henry's declaration, his hair turned white and his body began to emit an almost godlike energy as he took to the air. "I won't make this easy for you," he declared.
Kayden's smile mirrored Henry's determination. "Same goes for me," he replied.
The air crackled with tension as the two faced off on the stage, their powerful auras colliding in an epic showdown. The crowd fell silent in anticipation of the intense battle about to unfold. Watching from the safety of their cabin above were Ancestor Stein, Juniper, and Mr. Stein, their serious expressions revealing the gravity of the moment.
And then it began. With a tight grip on his sword and a fierce determination in his eyes, Kayden charged forward to meet Henry's attack. The spectators held their breath as the two combatants clashed, their auras colliding and sending shockwaves throughout the arena. It was a battle for the ages, one that would be remembered for generations to come.
Kayden moved with lightning-fast speed and calculated precision, his attacks aimed with deadly accuracy at any weakness in Henry's defense. But to Kayden's surprise, Henry proved to be a formidable opponent. Every strike he made was executed with flawless technique and unpredictable timing, making it nearly impossible for Kayden to anticipate or counter.
Henry's movements were smooth and fluid, each one a masterpiece of martial skill that surpassed even Kayden's lofty expectations. His strategy was evident - to overwhelm Kayden with a relentless barrage of strikes, preventing him from mounting any significant counterattacks. But Kayden refused to back down; determination etched on his face as he attempted to simultaneously defend and attack against Henry's onslaught. However, the sheer force of Henry's assault made it increasingly difficult for Kayden to keep up.
The audience held their breath as they watched the two warriors engage in an epic battle of skill and strength. With each clash of their weapons, powerful energies reverberated through the air, causing the very ground beneath them to tremble. The stage had become a battleground of titans, and the spectators could feel the intensity of the fight deep in their bones.
But despite the immense challenge, Kayden remained composed. His instincts kicked in, honed by years of training and combat experience, allowing him to adapt and respond to every move from Henry. As sweat poured down their faces and their bodies strained with exertion, both fighters pushed themselves to their limits, displaying the pinnacle of martial prowess.
Then, in a crucial moment, Kayden spotted an opening in Henry's defenses. With lightning-quick reflexes and pinpoint accuracy, he broke through Henry's guard and left him momentarily vulnerable. Seizing the opportunity, Kayden unleashed a devastating combination of attacks, forcing Henry back and pushing him closer to defeat.
The air was thick with tension as the battle reached its climax. The spectators held their breath, eyes fixed on the two warriors engaged in a fierce dance of swords and energy.
With a final surge of determination, Kayden unleashed a signature technique, channeling his strength and skill into one powerful strike. The arena trembled as the clash of their energies reached its peak, creating a shockwave that rippled through the ground.
As the dust settled, Kayden stood victorious, panting and exhausted but triumphant. The crowd erupted in cheers, acknowledging the incredible display of skill from both warriors. Even Ancestor Stein, Juniper, and Mr. Stein exchanged impressed glances, recognizing the depth of Kayden's strength.
But amidst the celebration, there was one person who did not join in - Eliana. She flew towards the stage where her brother lay, gravely injured. The Lee family guardians were shocked and speechless at what had just transpired - their strongest trump card had lost to a mere novice.
"Master," Henry coughed weakly as Kayden held onto his dying body. "It is my honor to have died in your hands and fought alongside you for one last time. My only dying wish is for you to take Eliana with you. She is a good girl and I promise she will be able to help you, just like I have."
Kayden nodded solemnly. "Of course."
Eliana could not hold back her tears as she watched her brother speak his last words. "Henry," she whispered, caressing his face with trembling hands.
"You know why I did this," Henry said softly, looking into his sister's eyes. "Now that I am about to leave, please stay by Master Kayden's side. Don't leave him - treat him like you do me; not just as your master, but also as your brother."
And with those final words, Henry closed his eyes and took his last breath. Eliana stayed by Kayden's side, promising to fulfill her brother's dying wish and be a loyal companion to her new master and brother. The bond between disciple and master had transcended into a profound respect and understanding, as they both mourned the loss of their beloved teacher and friend.
Eliana's tears streamed down her face as she stood on the sidelines, shouting "you idiot" at Kayden. She cupped her hands and called out to him desperately, but he couldn't hear her over the roar of the crowd. The gravity of the situation finally hit Henry, and he collapsed onto the ground in defeat.
The Lee family guardian approached, a strong and domineering old man who exuded authority. His piercing gaze landed on the lifeless body of their once-promising talent, and anger flashed in his eyes. He wanted to blame Kayden for Henry's death, but then he remembered the dying will of his predecessor - to take Kayden as his replacement and make him next in line for the throne.
Years ago, when Henry was showcasing his incredible talents, they discovered that despite his abilities, his frail body could not withstand what lay inside of him. The guardian and their ancestors knew that he wouldn't survive for long. They also received multiple visions of a man from Henry's past life - his master - who would appear in the future.
Paul, the guardian, turned to Kayden with a serious expression. "Young man," he said firmly. "After this tournament is over, come to the Lee family residence. I have something important to discuss with you."
Kayden met his gaze and nodded, unsure of what this encounter would bring. But one thing was for certain - his life was about to