Betting Results:

  [46% on Gilbud and Saptal's Win]

  [54% on Grush and Burdrel the Vile's Win]

  "Y-yo! Saptal it's our turn to step into the field!"

  I overheard Gilbud's boyish tone, while watching the Medic team loading Kyrawl on a stretcher-bearer. The wyvern's wounds were harrowing. I just returned discussing with the medics about his condition.

  He almost… died until I used a large portion of my [Flame Heal] to mend the damage that even touched his soul. He may not be able to participate in the next round of battles.

  But I didn't care about him participating. I just felt an absolute scorn for being unable to prevent his current state. For the underhanded play of Maelvo.

  If these rule were to simply be discarded by any foul participant, then I feared for the wellbeing of the others.

  I searched the expressions of the other crew members. There was a grim, bitterness on their faces. They seemed to reflect the same feelings that I had.

  One in particular, Zest, had been staring upward at where the Sovereigns watched.

  "If she hadn't intervened, we'd be dead."

  I trailed my gaze from him to the Sovereign's Watch Zone and back. "Indeed. We learned that Crueltal is willingly able to extinguish a life if we were to disregard the means of her entertainment."

  "True. But for Kyrawl..." Zest bowed his head.

  I placed a hand on his shoulder. "He'll make it through this. You've seen firsthand how his mind is like. I trust in his resilience."

  "Hope is grim. But certainly my cynicism could be a cloud over my mind."

  I just let the statement hang as I adjusted my gaze toward Saptal and Gilbud. The two were not heading for the Combat Zone. Not yet. Instead, it was an endearing sight as the two made their approach toward me. Gilbud raised his trunk in a mock salute, as a grin filled with nerves edged his elephant face.

  "Yo! Ki! We're about to enter the Dome! Got any words of encouragement for us?"

  Saptal chuckled, patting the elephant calf's back. "Yer a bit overeager their little fella. But, yeah, I'd take some of that healthy dose of your cheer, Ki!"

  I smiled back at the two. "Alright. I believe in you guys winning this! But not for one moment let me catch you dropping your guard. We've seen what happens when the foe disregards the rules."

  Saptal nodded, his expression shifting from excitement to seriousness. "Right. We won't just rush in blindly. We know better now. We'll stick to the plan. Grush and Burdrel the Vile are no joke despite being subordinates to their lords. They've earned their reputation for a reason."

  Gilbud fiddled with the straps of his satchel, the anticipation seeming to still bother him. "Yo. But we have the element of surprise, right? They won't see our combination coming! And I'll be sure to keep my trunk swinging. Nopony knows I can pack a punch like that!"

  His enthusiasm was infectious, and I chuckled softly. "Just remember to aim that punch at the right targets. Focus on teamwork. You both are strong individually, but together, you can become unstoppable."

  As I spoke, a distant roar echoed through the arena, a reminder of the fierce competition awaiting them. The two competitors' eyes lit up with determination, and I could see their spirits lift as they prepared to face the segment of the Combat Zone where the real battles unfolded.

  "Thanks, Ki," Saptal said, his gaze sharpening with resolve. "We'll make sure to do you proud."

  Just as they began to step away, I called out, "And try not to play too dangerously! We can't afford another incident like Kyrawl's. Keep your distance if you have to!"

  The duo exchanged a quick glance, then grinned in unison, their confidence bubbling over. "You got it!" they chorused, the lightness in their voices contrasting against the heaviness in my heart.

  As they trotted off to the Combat Zone, I found myself restless, pacing along the sidelines. The crackling atmosphere did not seem to help—shouts of fans, the clamor of metal, the anticipation of the crowd. I could feel the emotions swirling around me like a tempest, and it was hard to shake off the weight of Kyrawl's condition.

  ??? [Combat Status] ???

  ??? [Combat Status] ???

  Then, there was Burdrel, the very predator of the Plelepun. Burscourge was their common species name, and I wasn't sure if Gilbud was putting on a show of bravado as he headed inside. Grush, the Skeldokuro, was an old enemy I had clashed with before. He had survived his duel against Jalkra, and it appeared that he had improved since then.

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  ??? [Combat Status] ???

  ??? [Combat Status] ???

  "Hey," Zest's voice cut through the din. "Are you alright?"

  I paused, looking at him. "Just worried," I admitted. "This whole thing feels like a ticking clock. I want to protect them, but it's like trying to catch smoke with bare hands."

  Zest offered a reassuring smile. "What happened to Kyrawl? That was an accident. We can't let that dictate how we approach the battle. They’ll be fine. They're trained for this."

  I nodded, but Gilbud and Saptal had already entered the arena. Bellatrixa's voice boomed from the center of the colosseum.

  "Ladies and gentlebeasts! Let the sixth match of the Gladia Coliseum begin!"