"Oh! Yhness, how has your day been?"

  "Yhness, would you like some cream buns? They're freshly baked!"

  "Yhnesses, I'm looking forward to your matches today!"

  The day had just begun, but the day was already busy and the streets were already lively. The people waved their hands and smiles surfaced on their faces, the sound of the horses' footsteps eg in the air as they passed by the streets.

  Grey, Yuna, and Lisandra are on their way to the colosseum, and the people greeted them left and right as they passed. Many of them were faces they have seen ba the colosseums whilst they fought. Their popurity was rising by the moment.

  The Princess was already as popur as she was, but with Grey and Yuna by her side, the streets cmored even louder. Some were even them treats and snacks for free, eyes shining with exped enthusiasm.

  "Wow～! You two sure are popur～!" ［Lisandra］

  "Stop it, Lisa. You of all people is the st person I want to hear that from. This should die down soon enough... A week or two perhaps." ［Grey］

  "Fufufu! I wonder about that... The people here are quite the lively and rowdy ones. Should we make a bet, Grey? How about it?" ［Lisandra］

  Asked Lisandra, a bright smile showing on her face, one full of pride and fidence. She was trying to tease Grey, and it was unfortunate... For her, that is. Grey was not one who would back down whes and teasing are involved.

  "Sure, and if I lose, I'll make you sweets for a whole week in addition to the frozen hot chocote I'm making for you every time you finish your training." ［Grey］

  "Really?! No take backs, okay?! You must keep your word!" ［Lisandra］

  "I will... In exge, we will increase the iy of your training if you lose. I will take over from Yuna, and be your sparring partner." ［Grey］

  Fear struck Lisandra's heart like a lightning bolt falling from the skies, Yuna's words about how much harsher Grey was when it came to training eg inside her mind whilst a cold shiver ran down her spine, making her jolt and shudder.

  The sweets were tempting and she was fih hard work, but if she increased her training lht now, she would surely break. If anything, Yuna was the amazing oo have survived training with Grey for years. She was another breed.

  "O... On sed note, let's not start betting now... It's uing of Royally to partake in such crude and vulgar activities." ［Lisandra］

  "Oh? Is that so... But I'm sure just once is alright, isn't it? It's just a little bet between friends. There should be nothing wrong with that." ［Grey］

  "Th-That's true, but... Mother will se if she finds out... Let's just fet about this, okay? Maybe ime? Or the time after that...?" ［Lisandra］

  The Princess was making excuses as she went, trying to avoid the topic as much as possible. She was fident that she'll win, but on the off ce that Grey does, she would be in a much more difficult predit. It would be over for her.

  Meanwhile, whilst the two were talking about their bet, Yuna was giggling to herself by their side. She had always peted with Grey when it came to teasing, and it was only rarely that she won. Seeing Lisandra lose was quite refreshing.

  "Fufufu! You'll get used to it, Lisa. Cheer up!" ［Yuna］

  "O-Okay...? Thanks... I guess...?" ［Lisandra］

  Their journey tinued and they met several more friendly faces along the way. They received more free treats and some even requested their autographs. The m had just started yet they were already quite exhausted.

  Exhaustion whily grew the moment they arrived at the Colosseum. It has only been a couple days sihey took some days off, yet the colosseum already looked quite a bit different, or rather... The atmosphere was very different.

  "Wha... What the hell is this...?" ［Grey］

  For ohere were a lot of people lining up towards the colosseum, both civilians and swordsmen alike. People whose eyes lit up immediately as soon as they spotted the trio walking towards the reception. They were mostly excited.

  "That's them, right? They really are young, as I've heard."

  "Hooh～ To think that young ss was the one who defeated Ja... Iing..."

  "Kukuku! What magnifit youth! You will be perfey debut!"

  They were totally staring at them, the swordsmen especially eager as they smiled. Their fighting spirits were all over the pce, eyes burning with determination. Some were even on another level, possessing siess which couldn't be cured.

  The trip tinued inside and there was an even longer lio be seen, all ters filled to the brim with eager swordsmen. The receptionists were busy bees buzzing here and there to fulfill their desires, smiling even though they were tired.

  "A-Ah! Yhnesses! Good m! Are you here to fight today?"

  The receptionist asked and all ears were ohey didn't eveend to not be listening, shamelessly eavesdropping on the versation. There was o ask any more. With how enthusiastic people were, trouble was sure to e.

  "Well, yeahー" ［Grey］

  "Ohh! Did you hear that?! They're going to fight again today!"

  "Great! Looks like we are going to see something iing again today!"

  "Oi! No cutting in lines, you bastards! I'll be the oo fight Their Highnesses first!"

  "Dream on! I already sent a challeter many days ago! I'm going first!"

  The hall desded into chaos, excited crowds cm and making a ruckus to the point their voices could barely be heard anymore. Everyone was full of excitement, people rushing in even more as the rumors spread around like wildfire.

  Grey couldn't even finish his word and all sort of twisted gossip had already rang out towards the open streets. They don't even dare to imagine what they were on about, knowing it will only lead to more headaches for them. It andemonium.

  "Hohoho! The money is p in! The money is p in!" ［Hansen］

  And in that pandemonium, one person stood out like a sore thumb, ughing like a maniac as he watched the ers pour in. There were literal money signs in his eyes, ag like how any mert would. He was the Administrator of the colosseum.

  One way or another, with the power of Lisandra's privilege, they mao squeeze themselves through and sign up for today's battles. And with that fihey then headed straight towards their waiting room to seek refuge.

  Click Cck Creakkkk

  "Haah... That was tiring, wasn'tー Eh?" ［Lisandra］

  They opehe door, and what awaited them was a surprise. It wasn't a present nor a renovation to their room, rather, there erson waiting in there. A person who shouldn't have been there, was right before their eyes.

  "How do you do, Yhnesses? It's been quite some time, hasn't it?" ［Hansen］

  He was just at the lobby when they left, and now he was in front of them. Grey had already checked his status s again, but there were no teleportation abilities to be seen nor does he have any item capable of such. He was a bundle of mystery.

  "I had the honor of seeing your familiars the other day, Yhnesses and I dare say that they are quite geous." ［Hansen］

  "Yes, that they are. They are our pride." ［Grey］

  "Hohoho! I did hear about your familiars from your various tales, but to think they really were dragons... and there were nine of them too... e impressed, Yhnesses, you really did." ［Hansen］

  Having been fighting in the Nalter colosseum for more than a week already, they have already familiarized themselves with one another and the Administrator has been taking good care of them. He was one who knows how to take care of talents.

  Well, other than taking care of them, he was also the one who briefed them about their uping duels and arraheir fights against strong oppos. He was a true mert who knew how to earn money without cutting any ers.

  "Anyway, that's enough chit chat for now. The reason why I'm here is to resent these to you, Yhnesses." ［Hansen］

  "Hm...? These are..." ［Yuna］

  "These are challeters, Yhness." ［Hansen］

  There wasn't just one or two, but a whole box full of challeters addressed to them. They didn't even know where the box came from, but such wasn't important at the moment. The sheer amount of letters was terrifying.

  Challenges... It is a cept where a gdiator send a challeter towards andiator for a duel. The match is no different from normal duels, the only difference is that points would be wagered on the line, greatly affeg the rankings.

  Challeters are usually sent to those who are withiop 100 rankings. A teique which will surely boost one's standing as a gdiator if ever they were to win. A high-risk, high-reward strategy many gdiators utilize.

  However, gdiators are not obligated to accept challehe only downside of denying a challenge would be when the challenger's reputation was high in which they might receive a backsh from the popuce. It was simple yet plicated.

  "Good luck, you two." ［Lisandra］

  Grey and Yuna didn't even want to look at the box. Just a single gnd they could tell there were more than a hundred challeters, of which, they must accept quite a few to appease the crowd. It would be troublesome otherwise.

  "Uuu... Why are there so many... We aren't even in the rankings... Why are they challenging us..." ［Yuna］

  "Actually, you are in the rankings, Yhness." ［Hansen］

  "Eh?" ［Yuna］

  Not only Grey and Yuna, but even Lisandra was in shock. They have been so busy the past couple days that they haven't had time to hear the news, but to think they already climbed up to the top 20. They were quite surprised.

  "Like I said, you are already iop rankings. Lady Yuna is ranked 18th and Lrey is ranked 19th. In all my years here in Avalon, it's my first time seeing someone climb up the ranks at such haste. Truly impressive, Yhnesses." ［Hansen］

  The administrator wore a bright and satisfied smile on his face, clearly proud that such great and young talents came from the Nalter Colosseum. He could only look forward to the future where the two's popurity will tio rise.

  Of course, the same couldn't be said frey and Yuna. The more the stared at the letters, the more their heads ached. If only bag out wasn't so troublesome, they would have gone back already and holed themselves up to ze around.

  "Then, Yhnesses, which letters would you like to accept?" ［Hansen］

  There was no use grumbling and pining. Grey and Yuna then dug up the box of trouble, seleg the retively strong oppos and pig out those who are worthy and iing enough. They might as well make it iing while they're at it.

  And just as they dug ihe box, the Administrator came back with not just o two whole boxes, both full of challeters. They wao cry but they couldn't. Grey and Yuna just kept pushing through, silening over them.

  Time passed and the hardships were finally dealt with. In the end, Grey and Yued a dozen challengers each, all were at least D-rank gdiators, possessing both strength and experience, both admirable.

  "#1768-558, Lrey, and #1757-992, Miss Cecil, please ehe stage!"

  "Haah... Let's just get these over with..." ［Grey］

  Their names were soon called, and the first to e up the stage was Grey. The moment sunlight graced his face, the crowd cmored with a cacophony of cheers, many ting his name over and ain.

  The oppo soon made his entrand the audience weled her all the same. She was another ker who was also ranked 41, popur for her unusual style and the use of pnt magic. The Colosseum's "Poison Ivy".

  "It's a pleasure to finally see you, Yhness. I will be in your care." ［Cecil］

  "The feeling is mutual." ［Grey］

  Both fighters positiohemselves on the opposite sides of the stage, readying to uhe their swords at any given moment. The announcers gave his introdus and the crowd cheered even louder. Lively as usual.

  "Let the duel... Begin!"

  The announcer's voice thundered across the colosseum and two resounding booms followed soon after, two figures darting like lightning bolts as they rushed towards one another. Both their eyes were unfazed by the violent winds, both determio win.

  Grey uhed her sword and a bllint glowed iage, fmes roared from his palms c his sword like a dragon coiling over a tower. It was fierd deadly, burning brighter and hotter until it turned bck.

  ??Cleaving Crest!?? ［Cecil］

  Cecil waved her sword, a massive bde of mana rushing out of her sword. It cshed with Grey's, and bck fmes devoured the whole stage, spshing like the wages as the sparks flew out, never extinguishie flying out.

  "W-What....?!" ［Cecil］

  But such was not all the fmes did. With the power of "Hellfire", the heat the bck fmes exuded was more than a couple thousand degrees celsius. The moment her sword came in tact with Grey's, it melted into a pool of va until there was nothi but the hilt and a molten bde.

  Cecil was surprised, but Grey didn't pause a single moment. She mao react to his approach but it was already far too te. Grey was already in front of her, dazzling and terrifying bck fmes running abze on both his sword and his hands.

  The Grim Reaper extended his arm towards her, a curtain of bck fmes paving the way for him. Cecil closed her eyes from fear, heart quivering as she prepared herself for the worst, yet... no pain nor sting rushed in her veins.

  "It's over, Miss Cecil." ［Grey］

  "Eh...?" ［Cecil］

  A gentle voice rang in her eyes and she opened her eyes. A beautiful figure greeted her, the gentle rays of the sun shining behind him and his bde less than an inch away from her neck. She sighed as she accepted her defeat.

  The audience was in shock, silenketing the whole colosseum as the winds tio whistle. Even the announcer was frozen and speechless, his mind still gging about what just happened and hands trembling a little.

  "Th... The victor is His Highness! Victory to Gdiatrey!!"

  "What was that?! Did you see what just happened!"

  "It was so fast! It hasn't even been 10 seds!"

  "Amazing! Looks like His Highness is starting to get serious!"

  Cheers and appuse stirred in the colosseum, many on standing ovations as they yelled to the top of their lungs. Unlike Grey's usual style of stalling, him aggressively charging towards the enemy also had a charm on it. It was quite exg.

  The ovation tinued, a chaotic symphony pying in the air. Both sides shook their hands and soon made their exit. As he exited the arena, what weled Grey back was the sweet and cheerful smile on her fiancée, and the princess by her side.

  "And here I thought you would take your sweet time again. To think you'll end it in a single csh... Unbelievable." ［Lisandra］

  "Fufufu! You did great, Grey!" ［Yuna］

  "Thanks, and... Good luck. It's your tur." ［Grey］

  "#1768-557, Lady Yuna, and #1760-881, Sir Kramer, please ehe stage."

  Just as Grey ended his statement, the announcer's words rang out all throughout the Nalter Colosseum. With Grey's match as the appetizer, the audience are now looking forward to Yuan's match, loud cheers creati another pandemonium.

  Of course, the person herself was just as excited. She tapped the sword by her side, readying herself to ehe arena. With her entrahe cheers and ts only boomed louder, ringing all the way to the heavens above.

  Right, Grey... How long did your match st again? ［Yuna］

  Hmm... Roughly 5.84 seds, I guess... Why do you ask? ［Grey］

  Fufufu! Nothing to worry about... I just thought it would be o end my mat less than 5 seds. Don't you think so too? ［Yuna］

  Getting petitive now, aren't we? ［Grey］

  Teehee! I don't know what you mean～! ［Yuna］

  Or so she says, but the tone in her voice begged to differ. The moment she went up the stage, her warm and cheerful smile was no more, only a cold glint emanating in her eyes left, a calm demeanor painted on her face.

  The oppo also climbed up the stage, looking quite lean pared to her previous oppos. He was a knight of Graystone, a crest engraved on his chestpte, his stride filled with grad posure as he faced Yuna.

  "I look forward to learning from you, Yhness." ［Kramer］

  "Fufufu! We'll see about that, Sir Kramer." ［Yuna］

  She was smiling, yet there was not a tinge of warmth in her words. She is not the cute and eic little bunny she usually is, but rather, a ferocious predator only waiting to jab her fangs on the helpless prey before her.

  "Let the duel.... Begin!"

  The fight started soon after, the crowd's eyes glued to the match. Kramer didn't waste a single fra of a sed and drew his bdes from his scabbard, brandishing it just as swiftly creating waves upon waves of bdes.

  ??Bded Gale!?? ［Kramer］

  The bdes swept across the stage, leaving not a single spot unturned as the violent gusts tio blow. He sshed and he sshed, the bdes getting faster and faster ead every time, all rushing towards Yuna mercilessly.

  Fast as lightning, the bdes were, driving Yuna into a er. It wasn't lo b before she was hitー or at least she was supposed to. But when the bdes made tact, her figure suddenly vanished into thin mist, o be seen.

  It wasn't just Kramer, but the crouzzled as well. However, it wasn't long before an answer revealed itself before them, a bright glint refleg on Kramer's eyes as he looked over his shoulders.

  "I see... So it's my loss, huh... How disappointing..." ［Kramer］

  "Fufufu! You did well, Sir Kramer. I'm sure anyone else would have been in trouble if faced with such a magnifit attack." ［Yuna］

  "Haha. Then I guess I'll take that as a pliment, Yhness." ［Kramer］

  It happened all too fast, Kramer not even sensing her presence. All he knew was that there was a bde now poiowards his neck, his life already in forfeit if they were in a real battlefield. What terrible fate it was.

  "Her Highness, Gdiator Yuna had e out victorious! She has wo again!"

  The crowd was abuzz at Yuna's win, not a single one of them knowing what just happened. All they saw was that Yuna vanished into nothingness only to reappear behind Kramer's back with her bde poiowards his beck.

  Even then, it did not quell the excitement of the crowd. Rather, they are now even more enthusiastic as they tried to discuss what just unfolded before their very eyes, all exging theories as if there was no tomorrow.

  Grey, how much time was that? ［Yuna］

  4.12 seds... You really do keep surprising people, huh..." ［Grey］

  Fufufu! I was just keeping my promise. Now it's your turn to keep yours. I want some chocote chip cookies this time around." ［Yuna］

  Hey, now... I don't remember us agreeing on anything... ［Grey］

  The young dy giggled softly to herself at her fiancée's rea, heading back to the stage with a bright smile on her face. It hasn't even been 3 minutes yet two matches were already settled. The crowd couldn't tain their excitement anymore.

  The sands of time tio trickle down the hss and the matches tio unfold. Grey and Yuna dao their own tunes, crushing gdiator after gdiator in all but a siack, the crowd cheering frantically for the two of them.

  "Yhness, let's have a good match!"

  "I won't be going down easily, Yhness! I assure you that much!"

  "I shall prove my worth as a knight! Prepare yourself!"

  "Kukuku! My time has finally e! Time for darko rule the world!"

  They all said different words at the beginning but Grey and Yuna's crushing spree tinued without a hitch, crushing all oppos before the ten seark was even reached. Two monsters who are matched for one another.

  Hell, there was even a point when the enemy didn't even st a single sed, their bdes broken in half as a silver streak fell from the heavens. All that was left was surrender, people raising their hands i.

  More and more people were drawn in until the colosseum was filled to the brim, all cheering loudly every time Grey and Yuna's names resounded in the air. Their fame was through the roof and into the sky, s higher and higher as time went by.

  "The winner is Her Highness yet again! Lady Yuna has ehe mat less than 5 seds! Truly spectacur!"

  A day where many spells were broken and many swords were cut in half, one which will be remembered and sung feions to e. A day to be remembered as the "Day of Ruin" in the years to pass, but... That's aory for another day.

  CHAPTER 315 END