The arena still hadn't recovered.
Emergency stabilization systems continued flashing across sections of the ruined battlefield while academy drones swarmed over collapsed flooring beneath layers of containment light.
Half the finals ring remained fractured beyond immediate repair.
Spatial distortions still bent the air faintly near the center of the arena where Cosmic Spatial Severance and Singularity Edge had collided.
Even after the match ended—
The battlefield refused to settle completely.
And somehow—
That made David's victory feel even more real.
The stadium roared endlessly around him.
Cadets shouted from every level of the arena while the overhead displays continued illuminating the final result across massive sections of the stadium.
DAVID WYN — TOURNAMENT CHAMPION
David stood near the center of the destroyed battlefield breathing slowly while arena medics and stabilization teams cautiously approached from the edges of the ring.
Across from him, Kael had already stepped back several feet after the handshake.
Not defeated.
Composed.
Like someone who had simply reached the end of an answer.
The Cosmic Blade had vanished completely now.
Only faint gravitational distortions remained around him.
Then Commander Vance stepped down onto the battlefield itself.
The crowd quieted slightly at her presence.
Not fully.
Nothing was calming this arena quickly.
Her eyes moved across the destruction surrounding them before finally settling on David.
For several seconds—
She said nothing.
Then:
"…You two exceeded academy combat regulations five separate times."
June immediately yelled from somewhere above the arena:
"ONLY FIVE?"
Nyra smacked the back of his head hard enough the sound echoed faintly through nearby rows.
Commander Vance ignored both of them completely.
But David noticed the faintest shift near the corner of her mouth.
Almost amusement.
Almost.
Then her gaze moved toward Kael.
"You surrendered willingly."
Kael nodded once.
"Yes."
"You understand the consequences of that decision."
The arena quieted again.
Kael's expression never changed.
"He won."
Simple.
Certain.
Commander Vance studied him for another moment before nodding once.
Then she turned toward the center of the battlefield.
Her voice carried clearly across the entire stadium.
"The winner of this year's academy tournament…"
A pause.
"…David Wyn of Gamma Squad."
The arena exploded again.
Louder somehow than before.
Gamma Squad nearly lost control of themselves above the battlefield while cadets throughout the arena shouted David's name openly now.
Not questioning.
Not debating.
Recognizing.
David looked upward briefly toward the observation platforms.
Most members of the Twelve Families had already risen from their seats.
Some speaking quietly among themselves.
Others still watching him carefully.
Then David's eyes found the central platform.
Lord Starwyn remained seated.
Still watching him.
Not casually.
Not politely.
Interested.
The pressure from that gaze alone felt heavier than most opponents David had fought during the tournament.
Then—
Movement.
A figure descended from the Starwyn observation platform.
The arena noticed immediately.
Conversations lowered.
Attention shifted.
The man crossing the battlefield wore dark silver formal attire marked subtly with cosmic insignias near the collar and shoulders.
Not a fighter.
Not military.
But important.
Very important.
He approached calmly before stopping several feet from David.
Then bowed slightly.
The entire arena fell silent.
Because nobody from the Twelve Families bowed to academy cadets.
Not publicly.
The messenger spoke clearly.
"David Wyn."
David straightened slightly.
"Yeah?"
The man raised his head.
"Lord Starwyn requests your presence."
The silence deepened across the arena.
Above the battlefield, June blinked several times.
"…That feels important."
Lucian folded his arms beside him.
"It is."
Below, Commander Vance remained completely still.
But she did not interrupt.
That alone told the arena everything.
The invitation was legitimate.
Official.
And dangerous.
The messenger continued calmly.
"You may decline."
That surprised David slightly.
Then again—
Maybe it shouldn't have.
Something told him Lord Starwyn was not the kind of man who forced obedience openly.
The pressure came from expectation instead.
David glanced briefly toward Kael.
Kael met his gaze evenly.
No warning.
No reassurance.
Just certainty.
Like he already knew David's answer.
I AM:
Interesting.
David's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…You know him?"
For the first time since the relic awakened—
I AM hesitated.
Only briefly.
But enough.
I AM:
I know what he represents.
That answer somehow felt worse.
The messenger waited patiently.
The entire academy watched.
The Twelve Families watched.
Lord Starwyn himself remained seated high above the battlefield with his eyes fixed solely on David.
Waiting.
David exhaled slowly.
Then answered.
"…I accept."
The atmosphere inside the arena shifted instantly.
Above the battlefield, even several family representatives turned toward Lord Starwyn in visible surprise.
Because whatever happened next—
Was no longer part of the tournament.
And everyone knew it.