Solvane kept his eyes fixed on Walden, who was fast approaching. Between them stood the barrier created by Roxanne, sturdy enough to withstand the force of five tons. Anything stronger would shatter it—but for now, it held firm.
Of course, no barrier was truly perfect, just as no magic ever was. This one owed its existence to a rare artifact known as a Relay. Relays came in many forms, each resembling a rectangular cube etched with intricate engravings. The simplest was a plain green cube—activated by snapping it in two. In duels such as this, both contestants would grasp either end, break it together, and from there the barrier would rise, spanning fifty meters in radius. Large enough for a clash of this scale.
The one before them was a second-grade Relay—two rectangular cubes joined, inscribed with more elaborate runes.
Solvane stood tall, trying to mask the storm inside him with a calm expression. Yet beneath the façade, anxiety gnawed at him.
How can he possibly know about the Golden Aegis?
The Aegis. The Golden Knight Stance. Arts reserved solely for royalty.
His eyes hardened, his voice sharp as a blade.
"Curse your so-called eyes, whatever power they may hold—I will defeat you regardless. Everything you know is nothing but a pale imitation of what you've stolen or observed, while I was taught at the very knee of my father himself."
Walden, who had expected the Crown Prince to display composure, dignity, and refined etiquette—even in a duel—couldn't help but grin.
"Your Majesty has quite the sharp tongue, doesn't he?" Walden chuckled. "Be grateful this Relay carries no sound. It would be unwise for your subjects to hear such words."
Solvane's face twisted again, anger flashing through his golden aura. To the crowd outside, all that could be seen were two radiant figures—one golden, one yellow—trading words, though none could discern their meaning.
"Sad boy Walden is about to do something I always hoped I would," Filin muttered, loud enough for Roxanne to hear.
Roxanne, though focused on keeping the old man in check—not out of respect, but to prevent him from doing anything rash—caught the words. Folding her arms across her chest, she tilted her head slightly and asked, almost mockingly:
"And what could that be?"
"He's going to open his eyes to reality," Feeling replied with a calm certainty.
Walden and Solvane stood locked in a silent standoff, neither willing to be the first to move.
Solvane raised his sword and leveled the tip at Walden.
"Cut the pretenses. Is that truly all you have to say?"
Walden, still wearing his amused smile, let his expression darken into something sharper.
"What more is there to say? Our goals are nothing alike. You—what you want most right now is to defeat me in front of all these Aspars. Such a short-sighted ambition for a crown prince."
He spread his arms slightly, as if to emphasize the difference.
"My goal is greater than yours. That is why you cannot win. To me, you're nothing more than an obstacle—a small one at that. And because of that, I cannot lose."
Solvane's stance shifted, his body lowering into readiness. His sword came forward, held vertically in his left hand, while his right hand opened slightly behind him, palm loose and steady. His left leg slid forward, right leg back—firm, balanced, resolved.
"So what you're saying is," Solvane muttered, eyes narrowing, "if I defeat you, all your grand aspirations crumble? That every conviction you boast of amounts to nothing?"
His grin turned sharp, cold as steel.
"Then I have found a new goal. It is no longer enough to simply defeat you—I will break you so thoroughly that even your convictions will be left in ruin."
If a stranger had heard their words without context, they might have mistaken Walden for the crown prince instead. Walden's poise, his controlled demeanor, carried the weight of nobility, while Solvane's raw and unrestrained fire betrayed the wildness within.
Walden, unbothered, slipped into his own stance. One hand tucked behind his back, wooden sword extended smoothly before him. His eyes held steady on the prince.
"You still don't get it, do you?" His voice was calm, absolute. "I can't lose."
Then the air shifted.