CHAPTER 76: TWO PATHS, ONE END

Silver exhaled. "It means... it's time you knew who Gray really is. And why he despises the royalty — even though he is one."

They all turned to listen.

"Gray was born into royalty, yes. But as a child, he underperformed in the academy. His Mirror Magic — seen as purely defensive — was mocked. He didn't even use it, out of shame."

"He was ten when he met Ren."

"Ren?" Ari asked.

"A commoner," Silver explained. "But gifted. So talented that he earned a rare invitation to the Royal Academy. He used dual guns — like Gray — but enhanced them with fire magic. He turned bullets into blazes."

"They became friends quickly. Ren wasn't like the others — he treated Gray like an equal. Like a person. He taught him to convert magic into bullets. To make the most of his magic, even if it wasn't offensive. He taught him confidence."

"For the first time, Gray had someone who believed in him."

Silver looked distant for a moment.

"They both joined the Royal Army at fifteen. The Council took note — the youngest ever to become Shadow Assassins."

"They worked missions together. Ren always won in training matches, though Gray tried harder each time. Eventually, Gray started training with swords too — not his strength, but something new. The next time they fought, he combined guns and blades... and finally beat Ren."

"They laughed. They dreamed. Then... came the mission that changed everything."

Silver's voice grew colder.

"Ren got a call mid-mission. His sister had refused a noble's request — a noble from one of the top royal families."

"The noble wanted her as a personal servant. She and her parents said no

That men then said "you commoner are born to serve . You should be honored the royal blood took notice of your pitiful daughter."

"That noble gave the order: bring her by force."

"The Royal Council obeyed — they couldn't refuse a top eleven family. The girl was to be taken. Ren's family begged. Ren refused to submit."

Ari whispered, "What did he do?"

"He accepted execution," Silver said quietly. "Chose death over dishonor."

"Gray came back from his mission on the same day and unfortunately hear the execution news and then when he reached their. Ren is executed in front of him

. His best friend. His only friend. Beheaded in the courtyard — a warning to anyone who defied the royals."

A heavy silence fell.

Jack added, "We found Gray that day. He was ready to kill and rampage. We barely stopped him. Took him in. Nursed his trauma. He never spoke for weeks. Eventually... he left the Shadow Assassins. That's when we formed this CA ."

Ari looked down. "If Imperial knew this... this fight wouldn't be happening."

Silver shook his head. "No. It needs to happen. This fight is Gray's answer to fate. He drew his swords — just like when he fought Ren. He's not fighting Imperial as an enemy. He's fighting him as if he is Ren — a battle they never got to finish."

He smiled faintly. "And maybe... just maybe, this will help Gray find a new path."

They turned back to the battlefield.

The clash was far from over.

And both warriors... were just getting started.

Post-Sword Draw – Final Phase of the Battle

Gray's blades gleamed under the fractured arena light, held low in a reverse grip, his stance a perfect blend of offense and counter.

Imperial adjusted his footing, blood trickling from his shoulder and chest. He held his sword in his left hand now, his right too injured to grip properly.

"I've seen what you can do from afar," Gray said, eyes narrowing. "Let's see how you handle pressure up close."

He dashed forward — a blur of steel and shadow.

CLANG!

The first strike came fast. Imperial blocked, but his arm trembled from the force. A second strike came from below — he deflected with the flat of his blade, barely sidestepping a third aimed at his neck.

Gray spun with unnatural fluidity, moving like a whirlwind. His twin blades moved in arcs that felt impossible to track, slashing and thrusting with surgical precision.

Imperial stayed on the defensive, dodging, weaving, blocking where he could — until a shallow slash nicked across his ribs.

He gasped, breathe catching.

Another cut — this time across his thigh.

He stumbled back, and Gray didn't relent.

A rain of slashes forced Imperial toward the edge. Gray raised both swords and brought them down in a powerful X-slash meant to end it—

BOOM.

A lightning surge exploded outward — not from a spell, but from Imperial himself, raw and uncontrolled.

The force blasted both fighters apart.

Dust swirled around them. Gray landed with a grunt, skidding across the cracked stone. Imperial fell to one knee, lightning arcing off his body uncontrollably.

His chest rose and fell rapidly.

"I... can't win like this," Imperial muttered.

He clenched his fist.

"Unless I go beyond my limit."

Gray stood again, blades spinning slightly in his hands. "You're done. Even with your magic, your body's breaking down."

Imperial slowly stood. His body flickered with energy, unstable and dangerous.

"Then I'll break it a little more," he said, eyes glowing faintly blue.

He pressed two fingers to the ground.

"Lightning Domain: Storm veil."

The world shifted.

A massive dome of lightning formed in a flash around them, trapping both fighters in a swirling sphere of violent current. Thunder cracked above them. Sparks fell like rain.

Gray instinctively flinched. "What is this?"

Imperial stepped forward, wobbling slightly. "A spell that links my speed, perception, and strikes into one seamless storm. Your swords are fast... but in here... I'm lightning itself."

Then he vanished.

WHAM!

Gray stumbled as a blow struck his ribs.

CRACK!

Another hit — from behind.

He swung wildly, slashing through the air. "Show yourself!"

But Imperial didn't.

He flashed in and out of visibility, striking from all angles, each attack faster, sharper, and more precise than the last. His sword now danced with divine crackling arcs.

Gray caught one glimpse — just one — and swung.

CLANG!

Blades met.

Sparks erupted.

Imperial slid back, panting.

Gray's arms shook. His blade had chipped.

Then Imperial raised his sword overhead, electricity spiraling into the sky.

"Lightning Magic: Heaven's Fang!"

A massive bolt of energy speared downward from the dome's apex, focused entirely on Gray.

Gray crossed his swords in defense.

BOOOOOM!

The explosion swallowed the arena in white-blue light. Stone shattered. Dust rose in waves.

Silence.

The dome faded.

And when the smoke cleared...

Gray knelt, swords shattered beside him, body scorched and twitching with residual voltage.

Imperial stood tall, barely.

[Scene Continues after the Battle]

Gray's sword tip scraped against the ground as he leaned on it for support, his breath shallow, his body swaying like a candle in the wind.

A flicker of memory danced in his mind—a younger Gray and Ren sparring under the sun, laughing, clashing, falling, and rising again. No matter how many times Gray lost, Ren always offered a hand and a smile.

Now, with a faint smile on his lips, Gray whispered, "he is just like him" Then he collapsed forward.

Then suddenly imperial also fall and got unconscious

Ari and the others rushed forward.

"Ari!" Dawn shouted.

Without hesitation, Ari dropped to her knees beside Imperial, her hands already glowing with radiant light.

Ari: "Light Magic—Divine Healing."

Golden light surrounded Imperial's battered body—deep cuts on his shoulder, chest, legs, and a bullet wound in his right hand. The healing magic surged through him, mending flesh and bone, purging the pain. In mere minutes, his external wounds vanished.

But Imperial remained unconscious, his body trembling faintly.