“Dual Spirits: Rising Beyond the Ranks”

Next day, the moment who will go to finals and obtain legendary item "soul gem" will be decided today in this arena, yet the coliseum was already alive with a sea of spectators, eager to witness the final rounds of the Spirit Beast Duel. The battles had been fierce, and only four spirit awakeners remained—Kayn, Ren, Damien Vale, and the last of the prodigies, Zara Stormwing, an enigmatic and ruthless contender from the Thunderdrake clan. After, seeing his ruthlessness in his first match, his remaining opponent does not want to contend with him. 

But crowd want to see some bloodshed on the stage and professors as well as headmaster does not do anything to Zara. The reason for not doing anything was simple, this era was too much in peace. Many students will see more death and bloodshed in the future, if they can't adapt to this they will consumed in the chaos which will befall in the future. That's why upper echelons of the Velaris Spirit Academy remained blind eye to his cruelty.

Kayn stood at the edge of the arena tunnel, arms folded, observing the field as workers cleared away rubble from the previous matches. Ren leaned casually beside him, chewing on an apple, looking far too relaxed for someone about to fight one of the most dangerous spirit tamers in the land.

"You know, Ren," Kayn started, his eyes narrowed at the far side of the arena where Damien Vale stood, his obsidian cloak billowing faintly in the morning breeze. "Damien's not like the others. He's—"

"Vicious? Cold-hearted? Obsessed with perfection?" Ren interjected. "Yeah, I picked up on that vibe." He crunched into the apple with a smirk. "But hey, at least he's predictable."

Kayn sighed. "You really shouldn't underestimate him."

Ren shrugged. "If I lose, I'll just curse his ancestors too."

"I doubt that'll work twice."

Before Kayn could reply, the announcer's voice boomed across the arena. "Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the semi-finals of the Spirit Awakeners Duel! Four remain, but only two will advance to the final battle!"

The crowd erupted with cheers. Kayn tightened his gloves, feeling the weight of the moment settle over him.

Match 1: Kayn vs. Damien

The arena trembled with excitement as Kayn and Aric stepped onto opposite sides of the battlefield. Kayn's gaze hardened as his closest friend grinned at him from across the stone floor.

"Didn't think we'd face off this soon," Damien called, summoning his Stormhawk (Rank A-). The luminous white feather beast unfurled its wings, screeching toward the heavens. A majestic, silver-feathered hawk that commands storms. Its speed and control over wind and lightning make it a formidable aerial predator.

Kayn nodded, releasing his own spirit. Abyss Shadow Wolf (Rank A) emerged in a flash of dark energy, its fur gleaming under the sun like polished obsidian.

"Think you can keep up, Damien?" Kayn asked, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Damien pointed dramatically. "The question is—can you?"

The crowd roared as the two spirits lunged at each other, claws and talons colliding in a blur of movement. The Stormhawk ascended, rapidly and releases a barrage of razor-sharp wind blades from its wings. These blades can cut through Abyss Shadow Wolf, but Kayn's beast danced through the wind blades, leaping toward Damien's side of the arena.

"Stormhawk, Thunderplume Dive!" Damien commanded.

The Stormhawk spiraled downward, its razor-like wings slicing toward the Abyss Shadow Wolf, but Kayn's calm voice rang out. "Abyss Shadow Wolf, Shadow Veil."

A dark mist engulfed the arena, blinding the Stormhawk. The next moment, the Abyss Shadow Wolf emerged from behind, sinking its fangs into the Stormhawk's wings. The Stormhawk screeched and lashed out.

After several intense exchanges, Kayn finally seized victory, pinning the Stormhawk under the Abyss Shadow wolf's heavy paws.

Damien raised his hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. You win."

Kayn extended a hand, helping Damien to his feet. The crowd roared in approval.

Match 2: Ren vs. Zara Stormwing

Zara Stormwing stepped into the arena like a striking thunder materializing from the sky. His spirit, Thunder wyvern (Rank A-), slithered into existence behind him, covered in scales and large wings.

Ren cracked his neck and smiled. "Let's see how many ancestors I have to curse today."

Zara's eyes narrowed. "Your mockery won't save you."

Ren's Ironback Bear (Rank B+) growled as it emerged, ready for battle. The crowd leaned forward in anticipation.

The wyvern struck first, lunging with his head opening his mouth to show his razor sharp teeth. Ironback braced, intercepting by grabbing two horns on his head with its claws but forgetting about his tail , which slammed into its side. Ren grunted. "Okay, that's cheating."

Zara smirked. "Everything is fair in the arena."

"Fine. Then let's cheat together. Ironback—Earthquake Slam!"

The bear rose, smashing both paws into the ground, causing a ripple that sent the hydra staggering. Ren followed with another command. "Ironback—Full Body Tackle!"

The bear charged, slamming into the wyvern, sending it skidding across the arena. Zara's smirk faded slightly, his eyes were flashing with ruthlessness.

The battle raged for nearly half an hour, neither side willing to give in. Ren's spirit endured, but even he knew the wyvern's strong defensive ability and aerial ability make him hard to attack. On top of that his wyvern is thunder attribute abilities would stun his Ironback every time wyvern attack.

But just as Zara prepared for a final strike, Ren laughed aloud. "I give up!"

Zara's wyvern halted mid-strike, and was surprised opponent's sudden decision.

Ren grinned. "You win. But man, I think I broke half my ribs fighting you."

Zara stared at him for a long moment before turning away with a flick of his cloak. The crowd, entertained by Ren's antics, applauded loudly as he limped out of the arena.

The Final Battle: Kayn vs. Zara Sormwing

As the sun began its descent, Kayn and Selene returned to the arena for the final match. The crowd's excitement reached a fever pitch. This match will decide who will obtain "soul gem"

I can tell you're a extraordinary one, but "soul gem" will be mine. Those who are in my way will be crushed," said in loud voice by Zara. Zara summoned his wyvern once more, its menacing head roared as he towered over the field. Kayn's Abyss Sadow wolf stepped forward, growling lowly.

"No tricks this time," Zara said, her gaze sharp.

Kayn smiled faintly. "No tricks."

The final battle commenced with blinding speed. The wyvern head lashed out, but the Abyss Shadow wolf weaved with him, striking at the wyvern's exposed back. Kayn's calm commands guided his beast gracefully, dodging and countering with precise strikes.

The fight lasted long into twilight, until finally, Zara's wyvern collapsed under the Abyss Shadow wolf's relentless assault.

Zara knelt beside his fallen spirit, placing a hand on its scales before slowly rising. He met Kayn's gaze and gave a small nod. "I yield."

The arena fell silent for a moment before erupting into thunderous applause.

Kayn extended his hand to Zara, who hesitated before taking it.

"Next time," Zara said quietly. "I won't lose."Kayn smiled. "I'll be waiting."

With this announcer loudly announce Kayn as the winner. Headmaster was nodding with Kayn's strength. In the corner of podium a mysterious cloaked figure standing there, whole time and watching Kayn's all battles. "Interesting kid with dual spirits and child of that person, if he is really that person's child." Then he will changed the fate of this world and last hope of the humanity, but he is not fully awakened as prophecy described. "If he is the really that child of prophecy, then he is in danger. I need to eye on him," said mysterious cloaked figure before disappearing.

Audience were exclaiming loudly, because winner was someone who they think was orphan with no background. He surpassed their expectation and claimed the title of winner with his own strength. This showed how dominating he was. Thinking this audience once again started to shout his name.

On the other hand, standing alone on arena and crowd cheering for him started to overwhelm him. Kayn was feeling all kind of emotions; excited, happy and sad. If his family were alive, how proud would they on him. When Kayn was about cry. A loud voice ring behind him.

Hey! man this is such a once in a lifetime moment and you're crying this time. "You should puff your chest and show confidence to the crowd," said Ren to kayn in jokingly manner.

Suddenly, Kayn remember time when he arrive Velaris Spirit Academy for the first time. How he met Ren and others as well facing all kinds of mockery and hardships.

Now, he's standing here as strongest among students. Kayn clenched his fist and started to aim for becoming one of the strongest awakeners. This was just his first step, he will rise beyond the ranks. Together with his dual spirits such a thing is not impossible for him now and gain ultimate strength he seek. From, now on his journey to become world's strongest spirit awakeners start now.