The arena platform had dimmed.

  The radiant glyphs of the system shimmered low and steady beneath the Sovereigns’ feet.

  The matches of Round One were complete.

  Some Lords returned bruised but victorious. Others came back in silence, the sting of their first loss curling tight in their throats.

  But none had fallen completely.

  Not yet.

  The Double Elimination Tournament was only beginning.

  Now came the pause.

  A quiet place between the fury of battles.

  A time for choices.

  ---

  《System Alert: Preparation Phase Initiated》

  《All Sovereigns are granted access to the Arena Market》

  《Victory Points may now be spent on upgrades, temporary consumables, or armament refinements》

  《All equipment will be adjusted and equalized within system limits》

  《No fighting is permitted during this phase》

  《Round Two will begin in one cycle》

  ---

  The Market Hall emerged from the void — a sprawling space of crystalline alcoves, archways of light, and hovering pedestals etched with artifacts of perfect symmetry.

  Sovereigns filtered into it from all directions.

  The System did not require walls.

  It only needed rules.

  And within those rules, a new game had begun.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  ---

  Selene stood at the edge of the market, her golden eyes calm.

  She had already reviewed the catalog.

  The system offered countless options — blade styles, weapon infusions, spelltech variants, supplemental wards, even limited-time battle enhancements in the form of potions and sigil-cards.

  Everything purchasable.

  Everything temporary.

  She had 3 points from her first match. Enough to upgrade, if she chose.

  But she didn’t rush.

  Around her, other Sovereigns were already browsing and buying.

  ---

  The phoenix-blooded woman from before — Azaneth, Selene had overheard — selected a searing mantle of radiant flame and a flaming chakram, her steps confident and aloof.

  Lord Caelthorn, the storm-winged ruler, tested different spears with murmured questions to the floating AI guides.

  A silent woman dressed in violet and bone, likely the plague-dominant Sovereign, ignored the weapon booths entirely and purchased a single bottle of shimmering green gas — a one-time use consumable labeled only "Unmaking Spores — Arena Legal."

  Even the quieter Sovereigns moved with urgency.

  They knew that every point mattered.

  That every advantage earned now could be the difference between survival and final elimination.

  ---

  Selene drifted to a pedestal labeled simply:

  [Staff: Upgrades Available]

  She tapped a sigil. Options unfolded.

  Elemental Affinity: Imbue staff with a base elemental type.

  Channel Amplifier: Boost energy throughput and cooldowns.

  Weight Shift Glyphs: Rebalance striking force and kinetic torque.

  Each cost 1–3 points.

  Selene didn’t hesitate.

  She selected Channel Amplifier, a passive modification that would allow her to invoke her Balance shifts more quickly in each engagement.

  One purchase. Two points remaining.

  She turned her gaze to the Consumable Vault.

  Scrolls. Tonics. Charms.

  One in particular caught her attention:

  “Borrowed Equilibrium” – Temporarily stabilize your body to resist extreme gravitational, elemental, or kinetic forces for one match.

  Expensive. 2 points.

  She purchased it.

  Her balance could be tipped in many directions, but sometimes—

  Sometimes you needed to be the fulcrum.

  Points: 0.

  She stepped back.

  ---

  Foxes would’ve called it "clean investing."

  No gambling.

  No flair.

  Just exactly what she needed, no more, no less.

  ---

  The resting area shimmered to life beside the market — a wide arena-sized platform of stone and moonlit grass, conjured as a place of reflection and repair.

  Some Sovereigns sat in meditation.

  Others reviewed phantom recordings of their last fight, analyzing their opponent’s movements and their own.

  A few paced, whispering to their Arms—those who had brought spirits or echoes with them.

  Selene sat alone.

  Her staff rested across her lap.

  Her eyes closed.

  There was no anxiety.

  Only clarity.

  One round was complete.

  The next would be more difficult.

  Every opponent from here on had also won.

  Every blow would carry intent.

  And soon, the Tournament would become something even fiercer—

  Not just a test of power, but of philosophy.

  Because in this place of equal ground, how one fought revealed what one truly was.

  And Selene was not a tyrant.

  Not a warlord.

  She was the tipping point.

  And every fight brought her closer to the moment where she would tip the world.