An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori (official version)

re ee “Just make sure you're ready. Let's show everyone what the Celestial Alliance is capable of today.” Alicia was brimming with excitement.

“Exactly! If you can defeat Glenn, you'll be the unrivaled champion!” Aurora chimed in, equally enthusiastic.

Fenley’s improved skills significantly boosted the Celestial Alliance’s morale. They all understood that today’s outcome would impact the guild's future.

Their prestige would soar to new heights if he won the championship title. But if he lost to the Sword Union or the Mystic Arts Order, it would deliver a significant blow to their reputation.

“Unrivaled champion?” Fenley murmured to himself as his eyes gleamed with determination. He had longed for that title for years, and now the opportunity was right before him.

If he could defeat Glenn today, he would be the unrivaled champion among the younger generation. The thought ignited a fire within him as he subconsciously glanced at Glenn's direction.

Glenn sensed something and turned his gaze to meet Fenley’s. The tension between them was electric as each sized the other up with fierce determination.

After three tense seconds, they both broke the stare and pretended nothing had happened. But beneath the surface, they had ignited the flames of rivalry.

The Celestial Alliance and the Sword Union had always been rivals. With Fenley and Glenn representing the best of each guild, comparisons were unavoidable. But since they had never fought, speculation about who was stronger ran wild.

Since the latest rankings on the Legendary List were released, Glenn had consistently overshadowed Fenley. As a result, public opinion began to lean toward the idea that Glenn was the stronger of the two.

But the disciples of the Celestial Alliance weren't satisfied. Frustration burned within them, and they felt it was unjust to declare Glenn the strongest without him stepping into the ring to prove it. To them, there was no foundation for such a claim.

Hence, the Celestial Alliance placed particular emphasis on this tournament. The match between Fenley and Glenn was the showdown everyone had been waiting for.

Today, it was more than just a battle for victory. It was a fight for the honor of their respective guilds. Under these circumstances, Fenley and Glenn would go all out in the match.

As time passed, the remaining contestants began to gather. After a night of rest, the top eight were energized and brimming with confidence.

They carried the weight of their entire guild on their shoulders and were fully prepared for the challenges that lay ahead.

As the time approached, Oron stepped onto the battle ring. “Today is the final round of the tournament. We'll kick things off with a draw to randomly assign your matchups.

“Contestant number one will face number eight, contestant number two will take on number seven, contestant number three will go up against number six, and contestant number four will square off against number five.

“The first half will consist of four matches, with the winners advancing to the semifinals. Keep in mind that this is a friendly match. Focus on skill and respect. You're the pride of Dragonmarsh, and | don’t want to see anyone get hurt in this ring.” Oron paused and scanned the crowd before continuing, “Okay. Without further delay, the top eight contestants, please come up and draw your lots.” Soon, the top eight contestants headed to the battle ring, one by one.

Glenn and Fenley stepped up first, and they emerged from opposite sides. They hadn't exchanged blows yet, but the tension crackling in the air signaled they were ready for a fight.

Next came Abigail, Dalen, Caleb, Emeret, Zane, and Dustin. They drew lots in the order they entered.

As before, none of the contestants revealed their numbers, which added an exciting layer of suspense. The crowd buzzed with anticipation about who would face off against whom. After the draw, the eight contestants returned to their seats.

Dustin drew number five, while his opponent was assigned number four. He scanned the crowd but found no clue, so he shrugged it off.

Before the matches kicked off, Sacred Wyrm Summit had arranged a musical performance to entertain the audience.

Although they weren't particularly invested, they offered their respect with applause that echoed from beginning to end.

After the performance ended, Oron returned to the ring and looked at the matchup list in his hands.

He announced, “The match is about to begin. In the first match, contestant number one, Fenley Hudson, is going up against contestant number eight, Dalen Shade. Let's welcome our contestants to the battle ring.” Fenley strode toward the ring, brimming with confidence.

In contrast, Dalen shook his head and sighed. “What a stroke of bad luck. Why do | have to face this guy?” If he were up against Emeret or Zane, he might have had a shot at winning. But facing someone like Fenley, a top master on the Legendary List, right from the start was a real headache.

“Mr. Shade! You've got this! Don’t let anyone from the Celestial Alliance look down on you!” Ruby cheered as she waved her fists in encouragement.

“Mr. Shade, don't feel any pressure. Forget about winning or losing-just focus on putting on a great performance,” Crystal encouraged him.

Making it to the top eight was already a significant accomplishment. After all, facing off against someone like Fenley, the Chosen One, was nothing to be ashamed of, even if Dalen lost.

“Exactly! No matter the outcome, just go out there and show them what you can do!” Taking a deep breath, Dalen calmed his mind and stepped into the ring. Fenley might be strong, but that didn’t mean he was unbeatable.