[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical-":3,"chapter-sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--chapter-377":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","SSS-Ranked Awakening: I Can Only Summon Mythical Beasts",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1326978,1762,"Chapter 377: The Anticipated Match Up","sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--chapter-377",377,"\u003Cp>The Colosseum seemed to quiet itself as he passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not magically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But naturally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like the wind stopped out of respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damon stood as Elias walked past the outer magic barrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s see how deep your stillness really runs, kid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the opposite end, Lurien rotated his staff overhead, spinning it into a crescent arc behind his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bowed once, showman-like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd cheered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Dean Oryll’s voice echoed once more:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Final match of Round Two... will now begin...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Elias raised his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not in greeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not in flourish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ready.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arena lights dimmed slightly as the barrier sealed shut around the final match of Round Two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magic circles glowed cold and white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd buzzed with restrained hunger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone wanted to see what Elias Verdan would do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially after the last fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially after Kellen’s actions against a fellow ElderGlow student as though he was taunting Elias.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across the stage, Lurien Vale spun his silver-hafted staff behind his back in a long arc, letting it clap against his palm. He bounced once on the balls of his feet, then exhaled slowly, eyes narrowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His stance wasn’t flashy—it was flowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Combat art wrapped in a dancer’s control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was trained to break rhythm, to dismantle opponents through displacement, feints, and body tempo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t a bruiser.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a conductor of collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he’d been told Elias was slow. Precise. A planner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, he would soon find out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dean Oryll’s voice cut through the tension once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Final match of Round Two... Begin!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lurien moved first, sweeping into motion with a low dash and a spin, sending out a triple-arc illusion slash—two fakes, one real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd watched closely, expecting a slow sidestep, or maybe a last-second counter spell but Elias didn’t move at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply held out his right hand and the real arc vanished midair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kshhhhh!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like it had been caught in a vice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd gasped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lurien’s smirk twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He changed tempo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vwooooshhh!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Doubled speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strike from below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A twist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A detonation circle from his staff edge—directed not at Elias but beneath him, to make him unbalanced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias rode the vibration like a surfer—his posture not fighting the quake but aligning with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was in motion without moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lurien frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was... resonance. ’You piss me off, golden boy!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped back, changing angles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shifted again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He snapped his fingers and a multi-layered ring wrapped the air around Elias’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crackling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It closed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias raised one finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tapped the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the magic ring folded into itself, disappearing like a paper crane caught in flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now Lurien stepped back, grip tightening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re not defending,\" he said aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias blinked once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re absorbing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still no answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cael watched from ElderGlow’s prep platform, arms crossed tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Same as always,\" he murmured. \"Clean. Efficient.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you keep fighting like this, you just might end up like your teammate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the worse choice of words Lurien could’ve chosen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It echoed through the arena despite the chants from spectators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, a sound like thunder punched the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not from Lurien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Elias.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kraaaaa!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the air cracked behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sound wave followed, shaking the platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lurien staggered and that was when Elias attacked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not with technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not with a named form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a burst of fury wrapped in motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pow! Pow! Pow!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He struck with open palms — once, twice, then with a spin so sharp it left a ripple in the barrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lurien blocked the first two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third hit straight across his chest, cracking his breastplate and sending him flying across the platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Booom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hit the ground hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rolled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias was already walking forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd fell into confused silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Elias’s face had changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not fully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His jaw was clenched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His brow tight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His aura had always been silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it boiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But dense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like it had been holding itself back for too long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias raised his hand again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Formed a magic circle mid-air — fast, raw, incomplete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An offensive spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One designed for punishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The top of the barrier crackled with lightning as though a god had been infuriated and those watching could feel the wrath packed into the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magic essence gathered into the move speedily as Elias prepared to end the battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lurien got to his knees just in time to see it detonate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the last second, Elias tilted his wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blast curved skyward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Missed Lurien’s head by inches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hit the upper barrier with a sound like a mountain cracking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boooooom!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lurien froze, unable to even blink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So did the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias lowered his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And turned away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Combatant incapacitated. Victory: Elias Verdan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the barrier dropped, medics rushed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not for healing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For confirmation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lurien wasn’t unconscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he couldn’t speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Couldn’t lift his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the healers looked at Elias with visible tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias didn’t return the glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just stepped off the platform and walked back toward his prep quadrant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On ElderGlow’s platform, Cael let out a slow breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he looked at where Elias had been sitting earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right on the bench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stone was cracked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deep dent carved beneath where his hand had rested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped closer and brushed his palm across the indent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renna stepped up beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He was angry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cael nodded slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He was furious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But why didn’t he say anything? When Kellen... when Reiz...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He was already doing this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked toward the dent again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He was already making this decision.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the upper pavilions, Dean Godsthorn stared down at Elias without expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dean Oryll’s gaze flicked briefly to the cracked stone where Elias had stepped off the platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then back to the match log.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kellen should be more than capable of dealing with Elias.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(Semi-Final Bracket Updating...)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The platform shimmered as the matchups began forming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third and final round — the last before the semifinals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And among the names now pulsing across the board...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was Elias Verdan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in the slot across from him still loading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the crowd didn’t cheer this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They just watched him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And some?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feared him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because now they knew—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t silent because he didn’t care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was silent because when he did care...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might not stop himself in time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The central magic circle rotated slowly above the arena, shedding arcane gold light across the stands as it processed the match data.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brackets for the Semi-Finals began to crystallize in midair — name by name, line by line — like fate sealing its choices in real time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd held its breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So did the students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all knew what they wanted to see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kellen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Final match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No distractions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sidetracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just the anomaly and the mimic — the storm and its reflection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But fate never asked for opinions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first two names locked into place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Semi-Final Round One:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>RENNA VELMIRA (ElderGlow)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>vs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CEDRIC VAN (Thornevale)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whispers broke out across the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric was known for his silent, surgical style — a spell-blade with flawless parry mechanics and rhythm-breaking counters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renna had just fought through a barrier-wielding tactician and come out sharpened, not shaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A clash of style and resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd murmured with interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then came the next two names.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They arrived in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the moment they did—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything stilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Semi-Final Round Two:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>ELIAS VERDAN (ElderGlow)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>vs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>KELLEN DREIN (Wyrmere)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The audience didn’t cheer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It gasped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Deans stirred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because everyone had expected that match-up to be last.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be the climax.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Elias?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small, knowing curve of the lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not arrogance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But something closer to recognition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like he’d seen this bracket before anyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like it had always been written.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reiz who’d just woken was now sitting in the recovery zone, groaning as the board lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course it’s now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renna turned from the bracket to Elias, who stood behind her with that same unreadable look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re not surprised?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I already knew,\" he said calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renna raised a brow. \"How?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because it’s something I foresaw,\" Elias said softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cael frowned. \"What do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Split power early. Let one anomaly destroy the other before the semifinals.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You think so?\" Cael blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wyrmere probably wants to try to contain me. Break my wings early.\" Elias nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renna’s expression tightened. \"But you’re not contained.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No,\" Elias said. \"I’m free.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>High above, Dean Oryll of Wyrmere leaned back in his chair, expression hard to read.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Godsthorn of ElderGlow remained seated, hands folded, eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You pushed it forward,\" Godsthorn said quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oryll didn’t reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miss Leana and Damon stood shoulder to shoulder along the balcony rail, watching the names burn in the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You feel that?\" Damon murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leana nodded once. \"The arena just changed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They wanted a final.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re getting something else.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A reckoning?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No,\" Leana said, voice cool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A mirror. And what breaks when it looks back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another wave of reaction passed over the stands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The announcer’s voice rang out again:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Semi-Finals will begin in ten minutes. Final preparations, essence recalibrations, and magic attunements are permitted. No substitutions. No audience interaction. No interference.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Failure to appear within the allotted time is considered forfeit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renna stretched her arms and legs, stepping to the edge of the preparation zone as she readied for her match with Cedric.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked back once — only once — at Elias, who hadn’t moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still watching the board.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still smiling faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That same look of quiet inevitability.\u003C\u002Fp>",1616,"2026-06-05T19:28:51.149Z",1,"novelbin.me","c3d031a0afce4600162e4b9381b18a32f47fb2edc0334203d35ea07de3f35c1f","sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--chapter-378","sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--chapter-376",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--cover.jpg"]