The setting sun cast a warm, golden glow over the arena as the day's battles finally ended.
The crowd had thinned, and exhausted competitors were either being dragged away by their friends or limping out on their own.
Kailash stood among the weary survivors, his body aching from head to toe.
He leaned heavily on a wooden post, wishing he had the energy to drop to the ground and sleep right there.
The tournament overseer, still looking annoyingly energetic despite shouting all day, strode to the center of the arena.
His voice boomed over the chatter of the remaining crowd.
"Attention, competitors! The first round is officially over!"
A cheer went up from the stands, though it was notably smaller than it had been in the morning.
Most of the spectators had gone home, probably off to stuff their faces with food.
Kailash's stomach growled at the thought, and he barely heard the overseer continue.
"The names of those advancing to the second round will now be announced!"
Kailash's pulse quickened as the overseer began reading names off a long scroll.
Each name felt like a lifetime away, his nerves fraying with every passing second.
"Lian of the Crimson Viper Sect!" the overseer called, and the pale girl with the puppets strode forward, her blank expression unchanging.
"Jorik of the Ironfist Clan!" A burly boy flexed his arms, basking in the crowd's half-hearted applause.
The names continued, and Kailash's heart sank a little with each one that wasn't his.
His chest tightened as he thought.
Did I not make it? All that effort…
Then, finally: "Kailash Varuna of Kalith Village!"
Kailash blinked. For a second, he thought he'd imagined it..But the overseer's voice had been clear, and a smattering of applause confirmed it. He had made it.
He turned to Ravi, who stood nearby, arms crossed with a faint smirk. "That's me!" Kailash said, pointing to himself like he couldn't quite believe it.
"Yes, I know, genius," Ravi replied dryly. "Now stop grinning like an idiot. You've still got work to do."
Kailash waved him off. "Let me have this moment. It's not every day a kid from a no-name village gets to beat a bunch of sect kids."
Ravi snorted. "Enjoy it while it lasts. The second round's going to make today look like a picnic."
After the names were announced, the organizers directed the second-round qualifiers to a nearby lodge where they would be staying.
The lodge was a sprawling, slightly run-down building with creaky wooden floors and walls thin enough to hear your neighbor sneeze.
It wasn't luxurious, but it had beds and food two things Kailash desperately needed.
He and Ravi were shown to 2 small room with a single bed and a rickety chair.
Kailash dropped onto the bed immediately, groaning as the worn mattress creaked under his weight.
"This is heaven," he muttered, though his face was mashed into the pillow.
Ravi raised an eyebrow. "Heaven looks pretty disappointing."
Kailash waved a hand weakly. "I don't care. Let me die here."
"No one's dying," Ravi said.
Kailash sat up quickly, glancing at Ravi. "I… uh… forgot something."
He stumbled out of bed, heading outside, his excuse thin at best.
Ravi raised an eyebrow but didn't stop him. "Don't wander too far, genius."
Once he was out of sight, Kailash leaned against a tree near the lodge, letting out a long breath. "Alright, System. What do you have for me?"
The ding in his mind came right on cue, and the familiar glowing screen appeared before him.
[System Notification]
Congratulations on qualifying for Round 2! Your progress has unlocked new rewards and features.
1. New Weapon Available: Basic Spirit Sword
2. New Skill: Gale Strike Sword Technique
Kailash sat up, squinting at the notification. "A sword and a skill? Nice. Let's see what you've got for me this time."
With a mental command, he selected the Basic Spirit Sword, and a sleek weapon materialized in his hands.
The blade shimmered faintly with a silver glow, its hilt wrapped in simple black leather.
It was sharp, balanced, and felt… alive.
"Hey, this isn't bad," Kailash said, holding it up to the light.
"This is awesome," he whispered, running a finger along the edge of the blade.
But as he admired it, the sword suddenly vibrated and emitted a piercing, high-pitched scream.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Kailash yelped, nearly dropping the weapon. "What the hell?"
The sword screamed again, louder this time, its vibration rattling the walls.
"MAKE IT STOP!" Kailash shouted, frantically shaking the weapon as if that would help.
The screaming finally subsided, and Kailash glared at the blade. "What kind of defective sword is this?"
The sword finally quieted, its glow dimming slightly. Kailash stared at it, wide-eyed and breathing heavily. "System, explain. Now."
---
[System Explanation]
The Basic Spirit Sword contains a sentient Qi spirit. Occasional outbursts are normal and will diminish with use.
"Occasional outbursts?" Kailash muttered, glaring at the weapon. "You're telling me I have to deal with a screaming sword now?"
The sword buzzed faintly, as if mocking him.
Kailash's speechless "You gave me a sword with mood swings? Great. Just great."
Kailash sighed, setting it down carefully on the ground. "Alright, let's check out this skill."
He opened the next notification.
---
[Skill Acquired: Gale Strike Sword Technique]
A swift, wind-based sword skill designed to deliver powerful, cutting strikes at a distance. Compatible with Qi-Infused Gloves for added power.
---
Kailash grinned. "Now we're talking."
He picked up the sword grateful it didn't scream this time and focused his Qi, channeling it into the blade.
The air around him shifted, stirring gently as he swung the sword experimentally.
A faint gust of wind followed the motion, rustling the leaves around him.
"Alright, this I can work with," he muttered, a sense of excitement bubbling in his chest.
He swung again, this time with more intent, and a sharper gust of wind cut through the air, leaving a clean slash in the bark of a nearby tree.
Kailash couldn't help but grin. "Okay, System. I forgive you for the screaming. Mostly."
The sword buzzed faintly in response, and Kailash glared at it. "Don't push your luck."
He practiced the technique for a few more minutes, getting a feel for the way the wind carried the strikes.
The combination of the gloves and the sword gave him a level of precision and power he hadn't experienced before.
As he returned to the lodge, the sword tucked safely away.
When he entered the room, Ravi glanced up from his chair. "You're looking suspiciously smug. What did you find out there?"
Kailash shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Just getting some air."
Ravi snorted. "Right. Air. Well, don't let it inflate your ego too much. You're still the underdog here."
Kailash grinned, lying down on the bed. "Maybe. But this underdog's got some new tricks."
Ravi shook his head, muttering something about "kids these days" as he turned his attention back to the creaky door.
Kailash closed his eyes, letting exhaustion finally take over.