Chapter 36: The Final Four part2
The battlefield cleared as the remaining fighters were escorted off to be healed. The semi-finalists—Synoh, Lux, Yuta, and Mina—stood tall, their injuries treated, their spirits burning brighter than ever.
Mina gripped her bow tightly, her eyes filled with fierce determination. "I'll make it to the final. I won't lose now," she whispered to herself.
Off to the side, Princess Akane approached Lux and Edward, her presence drawing attention from nobles and commoners alike.
"You fought well," she said softly to Lux, offering a small royal smile. "Your light magic is quite something."
Lux bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Princess."
Edward, uncharacteristically formal, gave a nod. "An honor, Your Highness."
From a short distance, Yuta nudged Synoh, grinning. "My disciples are watching me fight Lux. I can't let them down now."
Synoh blinked. "Disciples? What disciples?"
Before Yuta could answer, Synoh turned and accidentally bumped into someone. A strong yet light impact. He looked up—
Sky-blue short hair, a confident smirk, and sharp eyes met his.
"Oops. Didn't see you there," said Captain Elara, her tone casual and playful.
Synoh quickly bowed. "S-Sorry! I didn't mean to—"
Elara waved it off. "Relax. That was a clean bump. Better than most strikes I see." She gave him a sly smile. "Great swordplay earlier, by the way. I liked your shadow footwork."
Synoh scratched the back of his head. "Thanks… I try."
Elara chuckled at his awkward joke, then glanced past him. Her expression shifted.
"There she is," Elara said, spotting Princess Akane. She turned to Synoh. "Duty calls. Keep fighting like that, rookie."
With that, Elara strolled toward the princess, her cape fluttering lightly behind her.
Still stunned, Synoh looked at Lux. "Who was that?"
Lux, arms crossed, replied dryly, "You didn't notice her in the audience?"
"I was too focused," Synoh admitted.
Edward, approaching with arms folded, added, "That's Captain Elara. Youngest division captain in the kingdom."
Synoh's eyes widened slightly, then he smiled. "Oh. That explains it."
That energy I sensed the other night… it was her, he thought.
She's the one who was watching me train.
But he kept the thought to himself—for now.