Bell and Verosa have the number "4" from the spheres they had chosen.

Now the duets are done! - the king summons one of the guards - Write down their names according to the number they have chosen.

The guard listened to the king and wrote down the number of the team and the two team members.

D1: Eysith - Dora

D2: Avencia - Welver

D3: Levina - Seraphel

D4: Bell Cranel - Verosa

D5: Vesmeral - Solstis

D6: Gardina - Etios

D7: Viola - Etricia

D8: Porte - Ipsum

Once the duos were written,they drew lots to define the fights, all of which were chosen by Celestine. The results were as follows.

C1: D7 vs D6
C2: D2 vs D5
C3: D8 vs D3
C4: D1 vs D4

C5: WC1 vs WC2
C6: WC3 vs WC4

C7: WC5 vs WC6

- And so the matchess were scheduled to take place. Duos 7 and 6 get ready to fight - the queen calls both duos to enter the fight.

The 4 fighters were already in front of the arena while the others went to watch through the entrance doors of the arena.

Everything was ready, the only thing missing was the trigger to start the fight. There was an uncomfortable silence for the spectators who wanted to know who would strike the first blow. The other participants would begin to analyse the moves. There was only one thing left, the king would start the duel.

- BEGIN! -

The first fight of the tournament began, the two melee experts were advancing towards the other duo, but despite having an advantage in that factor, the speed of both was inferior to the other two who took advantage to move away and attack from a distance. Etios hit Viola's helmet with an arrow, shattering it completely, causing her to show her face to the entire audience.

- (I have been careless... Vesmeral, forgive me...) - the woman thinks that her partner would be disappointed of her.

Her partner, rather, is somewhat pleased to know the attacks of her next opponent in case.

Etricia activated a barrier on both her and her partner and Viola a paralytic attack which supposedly was not effective on elves, but managed to paralyse them.

Etios and Gardina were paralysed while Etricia and Viola approached cautiously. It seemed that the fight would be over, however, some plants appeared that left Etricia and Viola without movement and another plant appeared very close to Gardina, she ate one of its leaves and managed to end the paralysis she had.

Once freed, she took out a leaf and fed it to her companion, also freeing him from his paralysis. Taking advantage of the problem of the opponents, Etios launched two dark arrows destroying the girls' armour and Gardina, using her vines, managed to wound both of them and then Etios knocked them unconscious, thus eliminating them from the fight.

- The winner is Duo 6 - announced the king in front of the audience.

The applause and cheers were to be expected for the victory of the duo.

In the second bout, Welver fought Solstis and Avencia fought Vesmeral. Solstis easily defeated the dark elf due to his resistance to darkness being greater than his opponent's resistance to light. Vesmeral had no problem taking constant dark damage from the guardian who was finally knocked out by a blow from Solstis.

- The winner is Duo 5 -

In the third match, what was witnessed was a war of magic between veteran users. Before the war began, they all called for a barrier between the arena and the spectators because of their attacks. Unfortunately for the globetrotter and the archmage, they did not count that they have not developed resistance to darkness and light respectively, despite not taking as much damage, they fell unconscious due to the excess of magic, apart from the aforementioned factor where they had to use more energy to counter the attacks.

- The winner is Duo 3 -

It was Bell's turn to wait for his partner who was walking towards him.

- Nervous, Cranel? - Verosa asked the white-haired boy.

- A little, but at the same time excited -

- I see... -

- [Bell, use me. Fight the water girl] - Eira speaks in a low voice.

- All right - Bell replies and then looks at her companion - This... Verosa-san... -

- Hmm? -

- May I face her? - Bell points to the blue and white dressed elf.

- All right -

Bell and Verosa face Eysith and Dora to begin the fight.

- BEGIN! -

The two girls throw their magic at each other. Eysith throws a blast of water while Bell dodges and gets closer.

Already close, he senses a spirit was going to attack him but he blocked the attack with <Enigma>.

- Eira? - asks the spirit linked to the elf.

- [It's been a long time, Ula] -

The spirit was transformed into a woman surprising the spectators.

(Ula's appearance)

Bell then throws his sword into the sky, transforming and surprising everyone, and draws his bow <Levia>, surprising Etios even more.

The battle was no longer 2 against 2 but 3 against 3. The excitement was growing in the coliseum.

Eira and Ula would have a battle for a long time until the user of one of them lost.

Bell was fighting Eysith water to water, before fighting she knew it, that's why she didn't want to let Verosa fight her since her partner is a fire user.

Bell might have a hard time if it were not for the fact that she was approaching her opponent while shooting water arrows. Being close, he pulled out the <Faemsir>sword and placed it near her neck without her noticing. Eysith didn't know how to react to it because she relied more on spirit, so she gave up. Thanks to this, Ula stopped fighting and gave up the victory to Eira.

On the other hand, Dora was defeated by the intensity of the fire she received from Verosa.

- The winner is Duo 4 -

All present applauded as Bell shook hands with the opponent he defeated. She accepted it, blushing at his kindness. Although that displeased a certain elf present, however, that displeasure went away as the white-haired boy congratulated her on the match.

Thanks to the matches awarded, the scheduled matches will be as follows.

C5: D6 vs D5
C6: D3 vs D4

C7: WC5 vs WC6

Gardina, Etios, Solstis and Vesmeral were preparing to fight. The eliminated decided to watch all the fights, although for three girls there were other reasons.

- BEGIN! -

For Gardina and Etios, Solstis' speed is superior compared to that of their former opponents combined, however, the green-haired elf did not need to be far away to use her vines against a warrior who specialised in close combat.

Gardina created vines and made them into a defensive barrier to cover Etios while she simulated a weapon to fight her opponents. She was not very good at it, but she summoned plants that served as a blockade while she used her weapon to lunge at them while the dark elf shot at the girls who concentrated on Gardina, a grave mistake on the part of the warriors, although there was not much they could do since the elf was being protected by Gardina's vines because, if they went after him, more vines would come out and the ones that came out attacked and not just defended.

These piercings were key to Gardina knocking his opponents unconscious.

- The winner is Duo 6 -

Already Bell and Verosa were fighting against Levina and Seraphel.

They were already facing each other and were about to fight, but the archpriest speaks up.

- At least you control your power well, catalyst - speaks the archpriestess.

Verosa showed her displeased face towards Seraphel. Bell was shocked as she knows what a catalyst is all about.

- Once we win this, we will seal you and send you back to the island - speaks Levina.

Those words stunned the onlookers, more so Bell, however, it does not mean that he no longer trusts her. Rather, she wants to know more.

- BEGIN! -

Seraphel and Levina would start to launch their attacks towards Verosa, but something prevented those attacks.

(Shot of a musket)

- AGH! -

The person who was shot was none other than the elf archpriestess. The sound of the shot was like a roar to the onlookers. Immediately Seraphel is healed while Verosa activates a barrier for Bell to reload as fast as possible and at the same time starts attacking Levina.

- [Use the sword] - Eira speaks to her partner.

- The legendary <Azure>? -

- [Exactly] -

The white-haired boy, after reloading, removed the blanket that covered the said sword showing and at the same time leaving everyone present in shock. Neither Levina nor Seraphel believed that the legendary sword was carried by the boy. Verosa, for her part, was both shocked and amazed, she doesn't know what he can do without making her feel that way.

Bell, then, had <Azure> in his left hand and the musket in his right hand that had the bayonet in it, something not seen in the spectators and went after Seraphel with which she dodged the sword but not the bayonet that gave her a scratch.

Levina was having difficulty with the powerful flames of Verosa who was slowly losing her energy. Bell's agility was like that of a rabbit, thanks to that, he was running around Seraphel and at the same time getting closer to her, avoiding all her magical attacks and finally hitting her in the head with the butt of the musket.

Bell would not be too disgraceful to shoot at Levina's leg while focusing on Verosa and thus giving her partner the advantage, but would only wait until Levina lost to Verosa and so it was.

- The winner is Duo 4 -

Despite winning, she felt very tired from all the power she had used, but she was helped by the white-haired boy.

- Are you alright, Verosa-san? -

- Yes, I am -

- Go and rest until the next fight, I will help you -

The last fight will be in an hour, enough time for the catalyst to recover. Meanwhile, Bell watches his last opponents approach him.

- What is it, Seraphel-san, Levina-san? -

- How was it possible for you to carry that sword? - Seraphel asks intrigued.

- <Azure>? -

- Yes - answers the archpriestess's companion.

- I was chosen by the sword itself -

- So that's how it was... Well, be careful with the catalyst - warns Seraphel.

- Why do you say that? -

- Do you know what a catalyst is? -

- Yes. But that does not mean that- -

- We are not talking about the tournament; we are talking about another situation. Well, you will find out later - says Levina.

- Remember what we said. It is your decision whether you want to support her or not - Seraphel ends the conversation.

The two leave, leaving a pensive Bell, but he would leave that for later as he had to check on his partner's condition.

The final match would be as follows:

C7: D6 vs D4

The hour had passed and the finalists were already in the arena. Verosa and Etios were serious, Bell was a little excited, and Gardina looked at the white-haired boy with a smile.

- I did not expect that we would face each other, Cranel-san. Tell me, are you ready to be my slave? -

Bell just laughs while scratching his head from behind. Verosa did not take that well, if they were not in the arena, she would simply set it on fire with her vines included.

- BEGIN! -

(Ys I&II Chronicles OST - Protectors)

The combat began with a duel of bows between Bell and Etios. Verosa was going to attack Gardina but was blocked by dark arrows as Etios charged two arrows simultaneously.

Gardina took advantage of this and attacked by throwing vines at Verosa, but to her surprise, Bell switched seconds earlier from bow to sword and faced her with <Faemsir>.

- What a surprise you have, Cranel-san -

- Same to you, Gardina-san -

- I hope you put up a good fight, fire-lady -

- Fu fu fu... You will see a nice way to burn, archer -

Bell lunged at Gardina's attack but was blocked with his vines. The process is repeated several times. The elf's purpose was to tire Bell out so as to take advantage of the speed. However, there were two reasons why the Elf could be wrong:

1. Bell might get tired, but Gardina would get tired faster by controlling the vines as she uses magic power on them.
2. Bell closed her eyes and fire came out of her right hand and set the vines on fire and burned them to their roots.

And to the surprise of the spectators, the second reason happened. They did not know that Bell had fire magic. Bell, for his part, is still amazed by the acquisition of such magic.

Minutes before the final match

Verosa was already well recovered from the fatigue of the last fight. Bell was standing in front of her, still thinking about what Seraphel and Levina had told him.

- Cranel, you look different, is something wrong? -

- Eh? - Bell immediately pulls himself together - Do not worry, I am fine. By the way, can we win in the final? -

- Fu fu fu, that is not a question, it will be by default that we will win, but the problem would be the archer. It is possible that they will make me fight him -

- You are right, since Gardina-san uses the plants, your fire can destroy them, it is very possible that they will take that advantage away from us -

- Exactly, and that is why I will transfer some of my magic to you and you can use it as many times as you want after the tournament -

- Can you do that? -

- Of course... -

Verosa transferred part of her power to Bell so that he can use it in the final fight.

At the present time

Bell left Gardina defenceless and defeated her with a sword strike. Gardina is out of combat. Thinking he could help Verosa he saw where she was, but was defeated by the dark elf, Etios. Bell could not believe that his companion lost, however, he admits that the opponent is very strong.

Now only Bell and Etios were left to face each other.

- You are a good warrior, Cranel. You have done well with your opponents. I want to see what you are made of -

Bell nods and they resume the duel with arrow shots. Both were shooting two arrows simultaneously, but Etios, using dark arrows, has the advantage. Bell noticed them and switched to using <Enigma> and <Faemsir>.

With that, Bell would switch to melee and dashes towards the waiting dark elf with his dark arrows.

Both of their attacks were blocked, Bell would have to recompose himself to continue attacking, but more dark arrows were reloaded.

Etios launched the arrows, wounding the white-haired man and one of them sent him flying to the ground.

Many believe that Etios will be the victor, but Bell was still not giving up, getting up and preparing to attack.

Etios sees his opponent in a different light as he did the others, his arrows hurt him, but he still does not give up. The previous ones were defeated by them the first time. He gave up the first turn to his opponents and then defeated them.

After so many falls, Bell stands up for the umpteenth time, he drew <Azure>, he made Eira transform, everyone thought he would use a dirty trick but the next thing he did stunned them.

Bell handed Eira the bow <Levia>, the sword <Faemsir> and the musket with the bayonet, ammunition and powder containers.

- Bell, are you sure you want to do this? - asks Eira, dumbfounded by Bell's actions.

- Of course I am -

And so Eira retreated with everything Bell gave him and now he only has the sword <Azure>. And so, Bell would start attacking again, but thanks to the fact that he handed a lot of things to Eira, he gained more agility. With that he advanced before the arrows hit him and slashed at Etios who didn't manage to dodge the attack.

Etios specialised only in ranged attacks so he could not face someone specialised in melee, and it was for this reason that he was defeated by the white-haired man.

- The winner and champion of the tournament is Duo 4! - announced the king to the winners.

The whole crowd exploded in euphoria for the final bout. Bell looked for Verosa who was just opening her eyes.

- Verosa-san - called Bell with a smile.

- Cranel... What is the matter? - asked the elf, trying to analyse her current condition.

- We have won -

Verosa could only laugh and then pinches one of Bell's cheeks with two fingers.

- I told you we would win. Tell me, was the archer too strong? -

- Yes, but it seems he was concentrating too much on ranged combat -

Verosa noticed and could not stop laughing. One of the guards called the two of them to the arena where they receive as a prize two twin swords.

- What would you call these swords? - asks the king to the winning duo.

- Could it be that the blue one is called <Gallia> and the black one is called <Germania>? -

- You are very creative; do you not think so? - opines Celestine.

Bell just laughs nervously as the kings agree to the names. Bell stays with <Gallia> and Verosa with <Germania> as they had decided shortly after accepting the names.

The other warriors did not hesitate to congratulate them both, and so they celebrated with dinner and a feast that would last until the next day.

At night, Bell was reflecting on the tournament, but something unknown to him would happen, he felt he wanted to vomit and covered himself with one hand, but did not throw up anything, however, Bell felt something liquid on his hand and licked his hand to discover that it was blood. He was going to wonder why, but wiped his hand immediately after Verosa called him to dance and then continued to be present at the party.

The next day, all the warriors say goodbye, Bell and Etios declared themselves as friends and rivals thanks to the duel they had. In addition, he received a kiss on the cheek by Verosa as a reward for the victory they achieved and Bell returns to Alf to report to the kings for the tournament.

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End of chapter
End of arc
But not of the story...