Result

Gideon whispered to Drake, his voice barely audible over the crashing clash of steel.

"I think the power difference between them is too much," he said, his eyes narrowing as he studied every movement. "Maybe the duel will end shortly."

Drake said nothing at first. His arms were crossed, but his fingers twitched. His jaw was tight.

The air between us was thick with tension. Heavy with something deeper than just power.

It was pride.

It was legacy.

Julian's sneer cut through the clearing like a blade. That cold, calculated smile on his lips sent a chill down my spine.

"You know what?" Julian said, blade resting on his shoulder. "I'm getting tired."

He stepped forward, the ground sizzling beneath his feet.

"I'll end this soon."

His sword lifted.

A strange light pulsed along the blade—blue and alive.

Water droplets shimmered on the edge, defying gravity, spiraling around it like they were being summoned from the very air.

Tiny ballerinas, dancing a deadly waltz.

"Ocean Vortex," Julian said softly—then roared, "OCEAN VORTEX!"

A shockwave pulsed out. The entire field trembled. The ground cracked.

Then it came—a massive spiraling column of water, bursting from beneath my feet like a geyser from the depths of hell.

It swallowed me.

I couldn't see.

Couldn't breathe.

The pressure hit me like a giant hand, squeezing my lungs, dragging my body downward into spinning darkness.

The roar of water was deafening. My thoughts fractured.

I felt like I was drowning in magic.

Julian's voice echoed through the vortex, omnipresent.

"You thought this was a game?" he taunted. "You challenged me—me—and this is what you get."

Panic surged.

I couldn't move.

I couldn't think.

My vision swirled, my heartbeat slowing as the magic crushed around me.

"Ohh shi—" I thought, barely conscious.

Then his voice came again—closer now.

Triumphant.

"This is it for you. I win."

"OCEAN STRIKE!"

I saw a glint of steel flashing through the vortex, heading straight for my heart.

Outside, Adrain's eyes widened in horror.

"Oh no… Brother! What are you going to do?!" he gasped.

But I wasn't done yet.

Through the pressure.

Through the chaos.

I smiled.

A calm, cold smile.

"Right," I whispered to myself, my hand sliding down to my side—where my sword still rested in its sheath.

Then—

Boom!

With a burst of wind magic, I exploded upward. The vortex split open like curtains drawn back for a final act.

Julian's eyes followed my ascent, confused.

"Idiot! You're jumping into your own defeat!" he shouted, blade swinging upward.

But I didn't flinch.

Didn't slow.

I smiled—my eyes locked on his.

Then I whispered it.

"FLAME EMPEROR."

The world exploded into fire.

My sword ignited, lava-red and molten bright, its flames raging like an inferno given form. The air shimmered with heat.

Below me, Julian's expression collapsed—first into confusion, then into fear.

"Wha—?" he choked.

I slashed.

The vortex split.

My flaming blade tore through the column of water like it was paper, steam hissing, magic collapsing.

The world slowed.

Julian's pupils shrank as he stared up at me—too late.

Then—

BOOM.

I shot past him, flames trailing behind me like wings of molten fire.

The vortex shattered.

Julian crashed into the earth below, his body crumpling in a cloud of dust and splintered grass.

He gasped for air, chest heaving, eyes wide.

Drake's voice rang out, loud and proud. "YES! THAT'S IT!"

Adrain screamed, throwing his hands in the air.

"Brother!! You did it!!"

Gideon nodded slowly, stroking his chin.

"Julian opened himself up," he said, voice laced with calm analysis. "Aries baited him. Drew out the ultimate attack—and countered with precise timing."

He paused.

"Calculated. Tactical. Brutal. That's no amateur."

Drake gave a faint smile, arms finally uncrossing.

Julian stirred, groaning, sand stuck to his face.

His body twitched like a puppet with its strings cut, struggling to comprehend what had just happened.

His pride was broken.

His eyes—wild.

Then I descended.

Silent as a falling blade.

The light of the sun caught my sword as I landed—its flame now gone, but the edge still gleamed, gleamed like judgment.

Without a word, I stabbed my sword into the earth.

Right between Julian's thighs.

The blade struck the ground with a deep metallic thud. The earth shook slightly.

Julian yelped. "GAAH—!" he flinched back, eyes bugging out, color draining from his face.

I leaned in, close—my voice low and ice-cold.

"You can insult me all you want."

"But if you ever breathe a word against my master again..."

My hand tightened on the hilt.

"I will make sure you regret that you were born."

Julian's pupils trembled.

His jaw clenched.

His breathing stuttered.

For the first time—he looked small.

He tried to retort, lips curling. "Tsk… why you—!"

But a voice cut through the silence.

"Enough!"

Clap!

Drake's voice rang out like thunder, shaking the atmosphere.

"The duel is over. The winner…"

He looked at me, the fire still smoldering in my stance.

"Is Aries Valemont!"

The crowd didn't cheer. They just watched.

Stunned.

Like they'd just seen something ancient awaken.

I turned and walked from the circle, the silence behind me louder than any applause.

My boots sank into the sand, slow and steady.

Each step was victory.

Gideon approached me, thoughtful.

"That was an incredible battle," he said. "Though…"

He tilted his head.

"That fire. The way it wrapped around you—it's not just basic magic. That's a sword Technique fused with mana flow."

His brow furrowed. "What is the Technique of yours exactly?"

I blinked.

Still catching my breath.

"I just moved the way I thought I had to," I replied, honestly.

Gideon stared at me.

Then his eyes slowly widened.

"…Wait."

He took a half-step back, shocked.

"Don't tell me…"

Drake stepped forward, arms crossed, voice casual as if he were commenting on the weather.

"Actually," he said calmly, "I haven't taught him any sword techniques yet."

He paused.

"He started training with swords just a few months ago."

Silence.

It was as if time froze.

Gideon and Julian's voices erupted at once.

"WHAT?!"

"You're joking!"

Their faces mirrored each other's disbelief. Gideon's mouth hung open. Julian's face turned beet red, as if he'd just swallowed lava.

"Months ago?!" Gideon gasped, eyes bulging.

Julian staggered a step back, staring at me like I was an unsolvable puzzle.

"No… that's not…" he muttered.

He clenched his fists.

"Urgh. Tsk."

He turned away abruptly, his words slicing the air behind him.

"Don't think winning this duel makes you special."

His voice dripped venom.

"I'll return. And next time, I'll crush you."

His eyes narrowed—burning. That last look he gave me felt like fire seared into ice.

A promise.

A storm on the horizon.

As Julian stormed off, Gideon sighed and called after him, "Hey, wait up, huh?"

Then, shaking his head, he looked back at Drake.

"That boy…" he muttered. "Doesn't take kindly to advice."

Drake gave the faintest smirk, saying nothing.

Gideon's tone then shifted, turning serious.

"Speaking of which," he said, straightening his shoulders, "we have a scheduled meeting at the royal high."

His eyes sharpened. "It's about the dungeon clearings. Your presence would be… greatly appreciated, Drake."