As the echoes of Eleanor's stifling power faded from the arena and the last traces of her ancient glyphs faded out of existence, the air took on a different tone, one that was colder, sharper, utterly precise.
The screens shifted once more, illuminating the next match in clean platinum font.
[Match 4: Lucian Vale "Judgment" (S-Class – Swords of Light) vs. Karos D'Venn (A-Class – Whip of Echoes)]
Lysandra's voice returned, now with the reverence of a courtroom clerk reading a sentence aloud.
"Stepping forward… the blade of purity, the wielder of divine retribution… Lucian Vale, codename: Judgment!"
Lucian emerged soundlessly from the corridor, long white combat coat trailing behind him like a ceremonial robe while his silver hair glinted under the spotlights. His expression was blank, unreadable, almost bored.
He did not wave to the crowd nor did he acknowledge the cameras.
He merely walked and the arena grew quieter with each step.
