Chapter 127 — One Second of Steel
And whispered under his breath…
"…I see."
The realization didn't explode inside Victor.
It settled.
Like a stone dropped gently into deep water.
Thirty seconds.
That's all he had.
The clock of light above the arena burned thin, its outer ring trembling. Each tick sent a pulse through the iron platform. The runes glowed so bright now that the air itself looked fractured.
Victor drew a slow breath.
In through his nose.
Out through his mouth.
His heartbeat didn't slow — but it became steady.
He looked at Garron.
Not like an enemy.
Like a locked door.
"This is my last attack," Victor said, voice low, calm, honest. "If I can't hit you… it won't be because I lacked strength. It'll be because my mind failed me."
Garron's visor dipped slightly.
Respect.
"That's a better stance, Prince," Garron replied from inside the heavy helm. "Your attacks were real. Your will was real. But your mind wasn't quiet."
