After the match between the Shadow and Light Dragons, the four qualified teams were once again summoned to the fighting platform. The kingdoms that had qualified for the next round were the Lightning, Light, Inferno, and Ice Kingdoms. The list was odd for most of the audience present, as this was the first time in decades that Frostpire had made it to this round. They usually got eliminated in the first round along with other weaker kingdoms, and the ones that made it to the second round were usually the Big Four. However, thanks to Nox's overwhelming strength, the Frostpire team had made it to this round. The citizens were rather enthusiastic and hopeful, though a part of them was still frightened, as the Kingdom of Frostpire was again up against none other than the Big Three. Each one of the other teams had displayed overwhelming strength, and most of the spectators were conflicted on whom to place their bets on. A majority, however—despite Kawl's strength—felt that the Frostpire team would be eliminated in this round. As for the other team that would go home, they weren't certain. As if knowing this, even the people in charge of betting avoided it—not because they didn't want to, but because all the spectators were avoiding it like a plague. "Hey, you want to make a bet?" King Thomas smiled kindly as he glanced at Dracos. Dracos gazed at the Light Monarch, his expression unreadable, but he could easily tell the Light Monarch was scheming something again. "Bet on what?" he asked a moment later, finding no harm in entertaining the question. "I'm staking 200,000 monster cores. The teams that will qualify for the final are the Light and Ice Kingdoms—that is, if we don't face each other," Thomas Celestis declared with a confident grin on his face. Dracos raised an eyebrow, a bit confused. "Bastard, keep dreaming! My Inferno Kingdom will turn you Light and Ice weaklings to ashes!" the Inferno Dragon Monarch laughed mockingly when he heard Thomas's words. "This level of confidence," the Lightning Dragon Monarch narrowed his eyes, a sharp light passing through their depths as he looked at Thomas with an inquisitive gaze. He straightened his posture and asked in a clear voice, "Everyone present here believes if anyone is going to be eliminated, it will be the Ice Dragon. Could it be that the Light Monarch knows something we don't? Or are these just empty words?" 'He won't throw away 200,000 monster cores for nothing,' Dracos mused to himself. 'Thomas isn't wired that way. He's the kind of guy that only goes all out when he has a guarantee… So does this mean he has a guarantee?' Dracos paused in his thoughts. 'If he has a guarantee, does that mean he knows about Nox?' After contemplating for a while, he shook his head. "I'll pass." "Tsk, what a pity. I always knew you had low self-esteem." The Light Monarch clicked his tongue, his eyes reflecting disappointment as he glanced away. "Nice trick. If I were naive, it would've worked." Dracos merely laughed as he sipped on his special drink mixed with crushed monster cores. He shook the goblet for a while before saying in an icy tone, "But you forgot—I'm an old man. Older than you." The other monarchs suddenly felt a chill in the kings' resting area, and they shifted uncomfortably. Within his domain, Dracos' ice manipulation—which was already at the ultimate rank—was further enhanced, making him a walking disaster. Someone none of the monarchs would want to offend. --- On the fighting platform, the match officiator stood before an urn with about two balls on each side. He gestured to the balls and said in a clear voice: "Just like before, each of you should send out a representative to come pick a ball." The first person to step forward was the Lightning Dragon. He did so confidently, his steps slow, measured, and resounding throughout the arena. The entire arena was much quieter compared to when the matches were ongoing, as this was a pivotal moment. People were whispering in hushed tones, some even speculating about the outcome of the pairing process. Nox glanced to his side, noting that his teammates were very restless and fidgeting with their hands. Surprisingly, he even noticed a bead of sweat on Drake's forehead, who was trying to keep his composure as the leader of the team. "Hi." Suddenly, Nox felt an innocent voice and a small tug on his attire. He glanced down, only to find a pair of beautiful eyes staring into his icy pair. Naturally, this person was Lumi. He had long noticed her presence but had ignored her, trying to mind his own business. But little did he know, the little girl had been itching to talk to him all this while but lacked the courage. It was by sheer will that she even mustered these words. "H-hey," he replied awkwardly. After what she had shown in the match against the Shadow Dragons, he no longer saw her as just a child. She was dangerous—possibly even terrifying. But now, up close, she looked more like a shy kid trying to make a friend. "M-my name is Lumi," she stammered, her hands clasped behind her back. "I'm Kawl," Nox replied, offering a friendly smile. Despite her frightening talent, her kind and naive demeanor during the match had left an impression on him. He decided to ease up a little. "Big Brother Kawl… Nice to meet you!" she said brightly. Then, after a pause, she added sweetly, "If we end up fighting each other… I hope Big Brother Kawl will go easy on Little Lumi." Nox blinked. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Wasn't that the same thing she said to the Shadow Dragons right before obliterating them? "I'll try," he replied dryly. "Thank you!" Some time later, one after the other, everyone went to the stand and picked a ball. When everyone was done, the match officiator proceeded to reveal the results. Lightning vs. Fire and... ...Ice vs. Light.