After the fight, the doctors rushed in to separate the boys from their embrace, place each one on a stretcher, and take them to the infirmary.
Zeik and Liang fainted from the strain and the wounds on their bodies.
—I really liked this fight. It was so intense —said Floch—. But… the next one will be even more exciting. —He turned his head toward Terrmomix with a knowing smile—. *Right, my friend?
Terrmomix glanced at him sideways, then stood up from his seat.
—I suppose. —He began walking toward the exit of the stands.
Floch watched him go.
—A little more excitement wouldn't hurt.
Outside the infirmary, the head doctor set the boys down.
—Go back to the arena now. —He stepped back inside and closed the doors.
—Too bad. They wouldn't let us stay —said Arien, disappointed.
—Yeah. I wanted to see Kencito and Rika hugging —Naeris looked at him sadly.
—It's okay, don't worry. —He patted her gently on the head—. Later we'll see them giving kisses all over the academy.
—You're right! —She hugged herself and closed her eyes—. Later they'll be mwah mwah and mwah!
—Exactly! But let's head back to the coliseum. Everyone else is probably missing us.
—Yeah, they can't live without us.
The two began walking back toward the coliseum.
—Look, there go Zeik and Liang.
Inside the infirmary, in Room 4‑C, Kenzo slowly began opening his eyes. His body was wrapped in bandages and his vision was still blurry.
He blinked several times to clear his sight, then rested his hand on the mattress to sit up.
—Good… evening —said a soft voice from the room, a voice he knew well.
Kenzo froze for a moment, his eyes wide. He turned slowly to his left, where the voice came from.
On the other bed lay Rika Tsukayomi. Kenzo's face turned bright red at the sight of her.
—R‑Rika!… —he stammered nervously.
She waved gently with her left hand.
—That's me.
—W‑What… What are you doing here? —he asked, stumbling over his words.
—I've been here since my fight ended.
—Ah… I mean, what am I doing here? —He looked down at his legs, his trembling hands clutching the sheets tightly.
—The doctors brought you here after checking your injuries.
—But why? —His eyes went wide as he waved his hands frantically—. I mean… It's not that I mind! It's just that…!
—Easy. I know what you meant. I don't know either. I guess it was just coincidence.
—Oh, coincidence… —He lowered his hands—. Yeah, I guess so.
A brief silence fell over the room, until Rika looked at him again.
—Hey, are you hungry? —She gave a small smile—. We can order food with one simple button.
—Really? —His eyes lit up at the word "food"—. I could definitely eat something. —He smiled back.
Back in the coliseum, the fighting arena was ready once again.
—The moment has come! —the announcer called over the microphone—. THE TIME HAS COME TO BRING THIS THIRD ROUND TO A CLOSE WITH THE FINAL FIGHT!
Up in the stands, Arien and Naeris returned to the others.
—Here come the ones everyone was crying for! —announced Arien. Naeris stood beside him.
Haruki, Kaien, and Varek turned toward them.
—Ah, you're back —said Varek, arms crossed.
—Did you miss us? —asked Naeris.
Two students beside Varek stood up and walked toward the exit. Arien turned to them.
—Hey! You're not staying?
The two students looked back and shook their heads.
—We're so lucky, Arien! —Naeris said as she sat down next to Varek.
—Yeah, Naeris. I'm the lucky one. —He sat beside her.
Kaien leaned forward to see them better.
—So, how did your mission go?
Naeris closed her eyes and snapped her fingers confidently.
—Need you ask? Total success, as always.
—Yeah, we're amazing at missions —Arien agreed.
—Sure you are.
Arien looked out toward the arena.
—By the way, who's fighting next?
Naeris stood up and reached over to pinch Haruki's cheeks gently.
—They're about to announce it —Varek answered.
—THE TENTH AND FINAL MATCH OF THE THIRD ROUND!
TERRMOMIX VERSUS ALEKSANDER!
—FIGHTERS TO THE CENTER!
The two entered through opposite gates. Floch watched his friend step out, curious to see him fight.
—I like Terrmomix —said Arien—. I'd cheer for him… but I lost my sign.
Naeris cupped her hands around her mouth and called out:
—Go, Terrmo!
—WITH BOTH FIGHTERS READY AND THE ARENA SET, LET THE TENTH MATCH BEGIN!
FIGHT!
Aleksander charged straight in, katana drawn. Terrmomix didn't flinch, watching him approach with an unchanged expression.
Aleksander scowled, teeth clenched.
—Beast Art: Destructive Claw! —His hand became wreathed in energy, taking the shape of a massive claw.
He swung it upward in a sweeping strike.
Terrmomix narrowed his eyes slightly, completely calm. He gripped the hilt of his katana and drew it halfway. Instantly, a wall of ice rose to block the blow, leaving Aleksander stunned.
Floch closed his eyes and raised a finger.
—The Beast Art. Interesting style — most of his attacks don't come from his blade, but from his body itself, shaping energy into parts of a living beast. —He opened his eyes again—. Heh. I'd like to see how Terrmomix handles that.
Spikes of ice formed overhead and rained down. Aleksander didn't waste time responding.
—Beast Art: Mountain Beast Hide! —His skin thickened and hardened. He hunched forward, letting his magically reinforced back take the full force of the ice shards.
—Wait a second! —Arien exclaimed—. Is it just me, or is Terrmomix using attacks without saying their names?
Naeris frowned, watching closely.
—Yeah, you're right.
—He is saying them —Varek said.
Both turned to look at him.
—He is? —asked Arien.
—Mhm. —Varek tapped his own lips—. Watch his mouth. He's moving them. He says the names — just very quietly. Fascinating, really.
—Actually, now that you mention it, Zento did the same thing in one of his matches —Kaien added.
Naeris looked back at the arena.
—So you CAN say them quietly… why doesn't everyone?
—There's a catch —Rika explained to Kenzo, who had the same question—. If you don't speak loud enough, your body doesn't "hear" you — and the energy never forms. —She set down the food tray they'd ordered.
Kenzo swallowed a bite of nugget.
—And that could make you lose, right? You think the power's there… but it never actually shows up.
—Exactly. You've got it.
Back in the stands, Floch smiled knowingly.
—Double‑edged sword. And Terrmomix seems to have mastered it.
The ice storm ended and Aleksander's hide faded. He took a moment to steady his breathing, then looked up.
But…
Terrmomix was already there, inches away. Aleksander froze, slowly lifting his gaze to meet his opponent's eyes.
Terrmomix looked down at him — cold, empty, unyielding.
—It ends now.
Without another word, massive ice spikes erupted from the floor, pinning Aleksander through the shoulders, sides, and thighs.
The coliseum and infirmary fell silent, everyone holding their breath. Mouths hung open, eyes wide with shock.
Aleksander couldn't move — not just from the ice, but from the weakness spreading as blood began to flow.
—Don't worry. I avoided all vital points. But understand this: I don't waste time trying to impress anyone.
The ice vanished instantly. Aleksander collapsed, unable to move a muscle. His face showed pure terror and confusion.
—U‑uh… —The announcer didn't know how to react—. This… is over. Medics! In, quickly!
Doctors who weren't even ready rushed out to carry Aleksander away.
Terrmomix turned and walked calmly toward the exit.
Floch smiled.
—I said this would be interesting. I didn't imagine it would be like this.
Naeris and Arien shook their heads, trying to process what they'd just seen.
—Record time —Naeris said.
—Yeah… that was scary —Arien swallowed hard.
—A‑after that quick and unexpected match… we have a winner! —The announcer found his voice—. THE TENTH MATCH IS OVER! AND WITH IT, WE HAVE THE TEN STRONGEST OF THIS GENERATION!
—VAREK
—KAIEN
—ZENTO
—KAEL
—ARIEN
—NAERIS
—RIKA
—KENZO
—ZEIK
—AND NOW TERRMOMIX.
—CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!