Chapter 71: Chapter 71: The Fourth Round — The Hunter’s Domain
By the ti the fourth round of the tournant began, the atmosphere within the arena had undergone a transformation so profound that it could no longer be compared to what it had been at the start.
What was once a lively and chaotic environnt filled with excitent, cheers, and unrestrained energy had gradually evolved into sothing far more serious and controlled. The earlier rounds had served their purpose well, stripping away those who lacked preparation, awareness, or the ability to adapt under pressure.
Now, only sixty-four participants remained.
And among them, there were no longer any individuals who could be dismissed or underestimated.
Every single person standing within the arena had already proven themselves capable. They had demonstrated skill, composure, and the ability to survive against unpredictable opponents. This realization was reflected clearly in the behavior of the audience.
The noise had not disappeared, but it had changed in nature. Instead of loud cheering and careless chatter, there was now a steady murmur of discussion. Students leaned forward in their seats, their expressions focused and intent, as they observed each battle with careful attention.
They were no longer watching rely for entertainnt.
They were watching to learn.
To analyze.
To understand.
Because at this stage, every match carried significance, and every detail mattered.
---
Aether stood quietly near the entrance of the battlefield, his posture relaxed but composed, his presence steady and grounded.
His gaze remained fixed on one of the ongoing matches below. Two students were engaged in a fierce confrontation, exchanging blows with increasing intensity. One relied heavily on brute strength, attempting to overwhelm his opponent with powerful, wide-ranging attacks, while the other depended on speed and precision, evading and countering with calculated movents.
To the average observer, the battle appeared evenly matched, with neither side holding a clear advantage.
However, Aether saw sothing different.
After observing for a few monts, he spoke in a low, calm voice.
"The outco of this match has already been decided," he said. "The one relying on brute force is overcommitting with each attack. His movents are powerful, but inefficient, and he is wasting far too much energy."
The familiar voice within his mind responded almost imdiately, her tone carrying a faint hint of amusent.
"You sound very certain of that conclusion," she said. "Do you truly believe you can determine the result before the match has even ended?"
Aether did not look away from the battlefield as he replied.
"It is not a matter of belief," he said. "It is a matter of observation. His opponent is not making unnecessary movents, and he is conserving energy while waiting for an opening. If this continues, the outco is inevitable."
There was a brief pause, followed by a soft chuckle.
"You are beginning to think less like a student and more like a strategist," she said. "That kind of mindset will serve you well, but it may also make things more dangerous for you in the long run."
Aether did not respond to that remark.
Monts later, the stronger fighter swung with excessive force, leaving himself exposed for just an instant. His opponent seized that opportunity without hesitation, delivering a decisive counterattack that ended the match.
Aether exhaled softly.
"As expected," he murmured.
---
"Aether."
The instructor’s voice echoed clearly across the arena, cutting through the layered sounds of the crowd.
"Platform Five."
At the sound of his na, the surrounding noise diminished slightly, not because people had stopped talking entirely, but because their attention had shifted.
This ti, there were no casual whispers or idle curiosity.
Instead, there was quiet anticipation.
Aether had already fought multiple matches, and his performance had not gone unnoticed.
People were watching him now with intent.
With expectation.
Aether stepped forward without hesitation, his movents smooth and unhurried.
The Fla Sovereign Pup rose imdiately and followed at his side, its small form radiating quiet confidence. Its flas flickered steadily, no longer erratic or unstable, but controlled and deliberate.
As Aether approached Platform Five, he could feel the weight of attention upon him.
It did not distract him.
It did not slow him down.
It simply existed, like a background presence.
When he stepped onto the platform, his opponent was already waiting.
---
The boy standing across from him appeared unremarkable at first glance. His build was slim, his posture relaxed to the point of appearing almost careless, and his expression carried a faint sense of laziness.
However, Aether did not allow himself to be misled by appearances.
Because the boy’s eyes told a different story.
They were sharp.
Focused.
Constantly observing.
There was a quiet intelligence behind them, a calculating awareness that suggested he was far more capable than he appeared.
Beside him stood his beast.
Aether’s gaze shifted toward it, and for a brief mont, he remained silent as he studied its form.
The creature was unusual.
Its limbs were elongated, its proportions slightly unnatural, and its dark green skin seed to ripple subtly as though it were reacting to the environnt itself. Its outline was unstable, blurring faintly as if it struggled to remain fully visible.
Even when looking directly at it, there was a strange sense of uncertainty, as though its presence could not be fully grasped.
After a mont of observation, Aether spoke.
"This is a camouflage-type beast," he said calmly.
The opponent smiled faintly, clearly pleased by the assessnt.
"That is a good observation," he replied. "But it is only part of the truth."
As he spoke, the creature’s form shimred again, becoming even less distinct for a brief mont.
Aether’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"So it is not just camouflage," he said.
The opponent’s smile widened.
"Exactly," he said. "You are starting to understand."
---
The instructor raised his hand.
"Begin."
---
The mont the signal was given, the battlefield changed.
It was not an obvious transformation, nor was it accompanied by any dramatic display of power.
Instead, the change was subtle and insidious.
The Shadow Vine Stalker’s form blurred, blending into the environnt as though it had beco part of the surroundings.
At the sa ti, the air grew still.
Unnaturally still.
Aether remained motionless, his senses alert.
The Fla Sovereign Pup stayed close, its flas flickering slightly as though reacting to sothing unseen.
"Be cautious," the voice in his mind said softly. "This is not simple concealnt. There is sothing more at work here."
"I can feel it," Aether replied quietly.
Without warning, a sharp vine erupted from the ground, shooting upward with incredible speed toward Aether’s leg.
The Fla Sovereign Pup reacted instantly, releasing a controlled burst of fire that incinerated the vine before it could reach its target.
Aether’s gaze sharpened.
"That was not the main attack," he said.
Even as he spoke, a subtle disturbance ford behind him.
The Shadow Vine Stalker erged silently, its elongated claws striking toward his back with precise timing.
Aether stepped aside at the last possible mont, the attack missing him by a narrow margin.
A ripple of shock passed through the audience.
"That was incredibly close," soone whispered.
Aether ignored the reaction.
Instead, he turned his attention inward, analyzing the battlefield.
"The environnt is being manipulated," he said quietly.
"That is correct," the voice replied. "You are no longer fighting a single opponent. You have entered its domain."
The opponent raised his hand lazily.
"Hunter’s Domain," he said.
At once, dark green energy spread across the platform, seeping into the ground like creeping roots.
Thin vines began to erge in increasing numbers, twisting and curling across the battlefield.
The entire platform beca alive with motion.
The Fla Sovereign Pup burned through the nearest vines, reducing them to ash, but more replaced them almost instantly.
They moved constantly, forming a shifting network of threats.
The Shadow Vine Stalker remained hidden.
Watching.
Waiting.
Aether took a slow breath.
He understood the situation clearly now.
This was not a direct confrontation.
This was a hunt.
"You are reacting too much," the voice said.
Aether’s eyes sharpened.
"I am aware," he replied.
He remained still for a mont, allowing the chaotic movents around him to continue without interference.
Then, he raised his hand slightly.
"Expand," he said.
The Fla Sovereign Pup responded imdiately, releasing a wave of heat that spread across the battlefield.
The temperature rose rapidly, causing the vines to shrivel and burn.
However, new ones continued to grow.
The opponent laughed softly.
"You cannot burn everything," he said.
Aether’s gaze remained calm.
"I do not need to," he replied.
He closed his eyes briefly, shutting out the visual chaos around him.
Instead, he focused on subtle disturbances.
Minute inconsistencies.
The Stalker was hiding effectively, but not perfectly.
Aether’s eyes opened again.
"I found you," he said.
The Fla Sovereign Pup moved instantly, charging toward an empty section of the battlefield.
The opponent’s expression shifted in surprise.
A burst of fla forced the Shadow Vine Stalker into visibility.
It had no ti to react before the Fla Sovereign Pup struck it directly.
The impact sent it sliding across the platform.
The vines slowed.
The domain weakened.
Aether stepped forward.
"You control the environnt well," he said. "But you made a critical mistake."
The opponent frowned.
"What mistake?"
"You assud that hiding within your domain would make you untouchable," Aether replied. "But no matter how well you conceal yourself, you are still part of that domain."
The opponent’s expression hardened.
The Fla Sovereign Pup advanced again.
This ti, it attacked without hesitation.
The Stalker attempted to disappear again, but it was too late.
The Fla Sovereign Pup struck with precision, each attack landing cleanly.
The Stalker’s movents slowed.
Then stopped.
Its body collapsed.
At the sa ti, the vines withered.
The domain disappeared.
Silence filled the platform.
The opponent exhaled slowly.
"That was impressive," he admitted. "I surrender."
"Winner: Aether."
The crowd reacted with quiet respect.
Aether turned away calmly.
"You handled that well," the voice said.
"It beca predictable once I understood the structure," Aether replied.
She laughed softly.
"That may be true, but not everyone would have reached that conclusion."
As Aether stepped off the platform, the attention around him shifted once more.
There was no longer doubt.
Only recognition.
Four matches.
Four victories.
And now—
He was no longer just a participant.
He was a contender.
And the path ahead—
Would only beco more difficult.
But Aether welcod that.
Because this was exactly what he had been preparing for.
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