The arena was massive, the golden sunlight bouncing off the polished stone walls and illuminating the crowd gathered around. Whispers spread quickly as people realized that a commoner, Aestra, was about to face the Duke's son, Michael, under the request of the princess herself.
Aestra walked calmly beside Elera, his expression neutral, though inside he was already calculating. He knew Michael's tendencies, his fighting style, and most importantly, his overconfidence. The people surrounding the arena didn't know that they were about to witness something extraordinary.
Michael entered the arena a few steps ahead, his blond hair shining in the sun, blue eyes locked on Aestra. His pride and arrogance radiated from him, and he couldn't hide the way his hands tightened on the hilt of his sword. This fight was his chance to prove himself—not just to Elera, but to show the crowd that a Duke's son was superior to a commoner.
Elera, observing from the stands above, remained calm. She already knew Aestra's strength. He didn't need to prove anything to her; this fight was not for her benefit, but for Michael's ego. Still, she followed every move with golden eyes, silently noting the positions of both young men.
The announcer's voice boomed through the arena. "Ladies and gentlemen! Today's match is a unique one: Michael, son of the Duke of Avigner, versus the commoner Aestra, friend of Her Highness, Princess Elera!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, the excitement palpable. Some doubted the commoner could last a moment against a trained noble, while others were curious to see if he truly had the skill rumored about him.
Michael stepped forward, raising his sword. "A commoner like you has no right to even enter this arena!" he shouted, his voice dripping with disdain. "I'll make this quick—if I win, you will never approach the princess again. Do you understand?"
"Sure, let's do it," Aestra replied simply, his calmness only fueling Michael's frustration.
The signal was given. "3… 2… 1… GO!"
Michael lunged immediately, aiming to overwhelm Aestra with a direct, aggressive strike. His training had honed his speed and power, and he assumed that raw energy would be enough to intimidate Aestra.
But Aestra moved with fluid precision, sidestepping and reading Michael's momentum. In a single motion, he used Michael's charge against him, flipping him through the air before landing lightly on the ground behind him. The audience gasped—the skill and speed displayed by a commoner seemed impossible.
Michael hit the ground hard, momentarily stunned. Aestra pressed his advantage, advancing with controlled steps, sword at the ready. His experience, combined with the 500% learning boost, gave him instincts far beyond Michael's calculations.
The crowd held its breath as Aestra disarmed Michael with a simple yet elegant motion. One hand on Michael's neck, the other planting his sword firmly beside him in the sand, he paused. The arena was silent except for the whispers of awe and disbelief.
"I have won," Aestra stated, his voice calm, almost casual.
The shock was immediate. Within seconds, the Duke's son had been defeated. Murmurs spread across the stands: A commoner? He defeated Michael in under thirty seconds?
"The winner is… Aestra!" the announcer finally shouted, barely heard over the crowd's astonished reaction. Cheers erupted, but mixed with disbelief. People could hardly believe what they had just seen.
Michael struggled to comprehend his defeat, lying on the ground, chest heaving. Pride wounded, he looked up at Aestra. "I… I lost," he stammered.
Aestra lowered his sword and extended a hand. "Remember the bet?" he asked calmly.
Michael shook his head, still in shock. "I… I understand. I won't join the hunt," he muttered.
This was precisely what Aestra wanted. Michael's interference would have been a distraction during the forest hunt, and now he wouldn't follow or cling to the princess.
Elera descended gracefully from her perch above the arena, walking toward Aestra. Her golden eyes were calm and unreadable, her expression showing no surprise at the outcome. She already knew he was capable; the fight had only confirmed it.
"Good," she said softly, standing beside him. "Now we can focus on the hunt tomorrow without distractions."
"Exactly," Aestra replied, sheathing his sword. "Michael would have been a problem. Now we can test our elements properly."
Elera nodded. "The forest hunt will be the first real challenge for us. We must be careful to avoid revealing our true strength to anyone else."
Aestra smirked faintly. "Don't worry. Even a small demonstration will leave an impression, and I'll control it. Let's use this opportunity to train and learn together."
As they left the arena, they discussed their strategy for the forest hunt. Aestra's void, space, shadow, ice, and lightning elements complemented Elera's light, heal, soul, fire, and crystal powers. Both understood that coordination and restraint would be crucial, especially when testing powers publicly for the first time.
"This hunt will show us what we're truly capable of," Elera said thoughtfully. "We need to understand how to use our elements safely and efficiently, and avoid drawing unnecessary attention."
"Agreed," Aestra replied. He felt a surge of anticipation—finally, a chance to practice their powers in the wild, without restrictions or interference.
Michael, still recovering from his defeat, watched from the distance. Though humbled, his gaze was sharp and determined. I will surpass him. I will win next time, he vowed silently.
For Aestra and Elera, the arena victory was only the beginning. The forest hunt, monsters, and mastery of their powers awaited them. This was the first step toward becoming the strongest in the kingdom—and beyond.