A Mother's Whisper, A Son's Limits
Ethan stumbled back a few steps from the collision, while Reyan's body crashed into the wall, leaving a deep crack behind him.
The prince brushed a bit of dust from his shirt, calm as ever, before leaping toward Reyan. Landing just in front of him, he looked down and said coldly,
"What happened, Reyan? You said you wouldn't disappoint me—but you haven't even forced me to use magic."
Reyan pushed himself up with a sudden jump, wiping blood from his lip. "Sorry, my prince," he said through gritted teeth. "I guess it's pointless to hold back against you."
For a heartbeat, the world slowed.
Reyan's carefree grin, his habit of making everyone laugh—gone. In his mind, a storm brewed.
"I'm a dragon… They wiped out my race because they feared our strength, our power. Not today. I'll stop hiding. I'll stop pretending."
His fists clenched, a faint heat radiating off his skin.
"I'm ready, my prince. Should we start over?"
Ethan smirked, floating backward to give him room. "Go on. I'm ready."
Reyan inhaled deeply and shot upward, then reappeared behind Ethan in a blink. Grabbing his collar mid-air, Reyan hurled him across the arena. The crowd erupted in shock.
Prince Ethan—the undefeated champion—had been thrown like a ragdoll.
Ethan smashed into the floor, dust rising around him. "Where did this sudden power come from?" he muttered, half to himself. "Angels are strong, but this… this is something else."
He stood, meeting Reyan's gaze above. "Finally," he said with a small smile, "you didn't disappoint me after all."
Ethan crouched slightly, then launched himself upward. The ground split beneath his feet.
Before Reyan could react, Ethan's kick slammed into his face, sending him flying higher into the sky.
"My civilian," Ethan whispered, and vanished in a blur. Appearing above Reyan, he drove a fist into his stomach, sending Reyan plummeting back down like a meteor.
The impact shattered the arena floor. Cracks spread in every direction as Reyan's body hit the ground.
Ethan hovered above him, still calm. "You impressed me, Reyan. Most would've stayed down after that. You're strong… for an angel."
Reyan's breathing was ragged. Why can't I overpower him? Am I still holding back? Have I become too used to holding back?
Then—he heard it.
A soft, gentle voice—familiar, impossible.
> "My son… To rise beyond others, you must rise beyond the limits you've placed on yourself."
Reyan's eyes widened. "Mother?" he whispered. "That's impossible… she died when I was little."
His fists trembled, his heart racing. Then, with one deep breath, he let go.
Mana surged through his veins—raw, wild, blue energy crackling around his body. His eyes began to glow an icy blue.
He launched himself forward, kicking Ethan in the stomach. The prince flew backward, spinning mid-air before steadying himself and countering with a full-speed charge.
Reyan didn't back down. Their fists clashed, shockwaves shaking the air. Reyan kicked Ethan's face, punched his abdomen—but Ethan retaliated instantly, slamming an elbow into Reyan's jaw and driving a knee into his chin.
It was like watching two storms collide.
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From the balcony, Princess Isha stared wide-eyed. "Why is your roommate so strong? He doesn't feel like a normal angel!"
Atta's eyes stayed locked on the fight. "He's not," he thought silently. Reyan's a dragon—stronger than any species alive. The only reason Ethan's keeping up is because he's enhancing his body with mana.
Out loud, Atta muttered, "I'm not worried about Reyan's strength…" His gaze darkened. "I'm worried because Ethan still hasn't used magic."
To be continued…
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