Chapter 154 – The Old Man Truly Awakens
The entire arena was illuminated by the mega gamma ray burst Valor had just unleashed.
The portal spewed light so intense that even Nova's sunglasses would have melted.
A silence fell.
A silence… far too strange.
Even Valor blinked.
— Uh… where is he?
He burst out laughing:
— Hahaha, I disintegrated him! Where the blast hit, it became pure void. Nothing. I'm sad… I thought at least his torso would remain.
Valor looked at Nova.
— So? Aren't you announcing the winner, Mr. Referee?
Nova opened his mouth to answer…
A sharp clack echoed behind Valor.
An aura appeared. Heavy. Dense.
Valor turned slowly.
Too slowly.
Far, far too slowly.
Drake was there.
Standing. Calm.
His body had reformed, simply because it refused to be annihilated.
His clothes were scorched, but his expression… no, it was worse:
he had the look.
The look of "okay, now I'm actually playing for real."
Valor swallowed hard.
— Ah. The old man is really pissed.
Drake exhaled deeply, as if he had just finished a marathon.
— Valor…
— Yes…?
— You have officially surpassed the scale of energetic stupidity.
Valor narrowed his eyes.
— Thanks… is that a compliment?
— No.
A tremor shook the arena.
Then a second.
Then a third, even stronger.
Ryn panicked:
— Wait… is that his aura or is he having a cosmic stroke?
Nova tilted his head:
— No… it's worse. He's stacking his energy.
It's aura compression. Like Valor does with his stars… but Drake‑style, meaning "I break everything."
Lya pulled out a notebook, fascinated:
— I'm writing this down. Maybe I can copy it later. But if it were me, I'd have assassinated Valor without him noticing.
Ryn grabbed her by the collar:
— YOU DO NOT COPY THAT! Do you want your soul to sizzle or what?!
Arthur sighed:
— Lya, always so disloyal. You don't attack an opponent from behind.
Lya shrugged:
— How is that wrong? I don't see the point of fighting someone stronger than you. That's suicidal.
Nova corrected her:
— Arthur Pendragon is right: show at least some respect for your opponent.
Beatrice added:
— As my darling Arthur said, it's wrong to attack treacherously.
Lya:
— Anyway, nobody's going to tell me what to do.
Ryn sighed:
— Forget it… and don't disrespect your superiors.
— Fine, fine… I won't say anything else.
---
At the center of the arena, Drake raised his sword.
The air grew heavy.
Very heavy.
Even Valor felt his aura vibrate, as if reality itself hesitated to remain.
— Valor, Drake said calmly,
You exploded stars.
Manipulated hypernovas.
Summoned gamma bursts as if they were firecrackers.
Valor nodded proudly:
— Yes, my specialty, my brother.
Drake continued:
— Then I will answer… with a technique even I would have preferred never to use.
Valor raised an eyebrow.
— Oh? Interesting. I'm listening.
Drake lifted his weapon even higher.
His aura now formed an ultra‑dense spiral, a stable cyclone.
— This attack…
Condensed Slash Zero…
It's the first I've invented in a hundred years.
Valor burst out:
— Wait, a hundred years?! You're lying! You're not even a hundred! Did you fry your neurons or what?
Nova commented from the stands:
— He's exaggerating, the old man… he's not even a hundred.
Drake ignored everything.
The ground at his feet cracked — not like a floor breaking — but as if matter politely stepped aside to make room for him.
Even space itself recoiled.
Valor clenched his teeth. His smile vanished.
— Okay. Okay. Okay. I'm not joking anymore.
He activated a maximum repulsion field, the "I want to survive" version.
Nova shouted:
— VALOR! RAISE YOUR BARRIERS!
Valor yelled:
— I'M DOING IT, I'M NOT STUPID!!
Drake lowered his sword.
— Titan's Strike: Absolute Zero.
A white flash devoured everything.
The arena shook, the sky changed color, the dimensions all had a simultaneous stroke.
And Valor…
Valor was hurled to the far end of the field, crashing through twenty layers of energy, before smashing into a wall he himself had created several chapters earlier "just in case."
He bounced.
Fell to the ground.
Coughed.
He stood back up, wiped a bead of sweat.
— Oh…
Oh, the old man…
He was NOT joking…
He raised his head.
Drake stood immobile, sword lowered.
— Valor, he asked calmly,
Do you get back up?
Valor smiled, trembling.
— Of course I get back up…
But now… I'll be honest…
He raised his trembling hand.
— I officially declare… that I just saw my life flash before my eyes.
Chapter 155 – The Most Arrogant Forfeit in History
Valor wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, looking far too relaxed for someone who had just taken a technique that could have folded a star.
— That was impressive, Drake.
Seriously… I respect you now.
I take back what I said… maybe it was a bit much to call you a fraud.
Nova's eyes widened.
— Valor… wait… you're not about to do what I think…?
Valor raised his hand.
— Well! I declare forfeit.
Nova, you can announce Drake as the winner.
Silence.
Then chaos.
— THE GREAT VALOR HAS GIVEN UP!!
— It's historic!
— Even the laws of physics just sent a message asking for an explanation!
The arena erupted in cheers. This was a fight that had shattered three dimensional barriers, a piece of the moon, and probably the social lives of the mages who had tried to keep up.
Nova lifted a magical sign with "Winner: Drake" written in glowing letters.
— So… there you have it. Victory for Drake. By forfeit.
I… I never thought I'd say that.
Inside, Nova thought:
I feel like he's burned through more than 70% of his mana, but I've got no proof.
Valor pointed at him.
— Don't worry, I've still got enough left to smoke you.
Nova rolled his eyes.
— In your dreams. And stop reading my thoughts.
— Okay, okay…
---
Lya approached, arms crossed.
— Valor… Drake gave you too much freedom. Me, I'd have eliminated you in five minutes.
Valor: — If you say so… but that's only because your powers boost you like crazy.
Nova: — For once, he's not wrong.
Ryn raised his hand like a teacher.
— Don't listen to them, Lya. They're just jealous. Nova gets help from some shady entity, Valor is literally a walking cheat code… honestly, you're the only one here who's balanced.
Lya looked satisfied.
But Nova and Valor both shouted at the same time:
— WHAT?!
Ethan strolled in casually.
— Well… they're not wrong.
Lya glared at him.
— Nobody asked for your opinion.
Marie cracked her knuckles.
— Looks like you need a good lesson.
Liora snapped her fingers: instant silence.
— No fighting here.
We already had one, and it's a miracle the scenery still exists.
We're going back to HQ.
She looked at her son Elyon.
— I told you Drake would win.
Elyon: — Yeah, mom… but only because Valor declared forfeit!
Elyon grabbed Valor by the collar.
— Why did you give up?!
Arthur arrived with Beatrice.
— Calm down, Elyon. You saw it like we did: Drake was too boosted.
Valor sighed.
— Stop talking nonsense. I could've one‑shotted him if I wanted.
Annabelle raised a hand, all innocent.
— Yet… you just admitted defeat a moment ago, didn't you?
Valor stared at her.
She stared back.
A duel of gazes.
Silence.
Then Valor snorted.
— I forfeited because I, the great Valor, didn't want to eliminate him. I'm generous. That's all.
Annabelle widened her eyes in fake shock.
— Oh really?
Because apart from giving us useless astronomy lectures and yelling "admire my greatness," you didn't do much.
Valor glared at her sideways.
They stepped closer, like two teachers about to fight over who gets classroom 12.
Annabelle smiled.
— Admit it.
The old man scared you, didn't he?
Valor raised a dramatic hand to the sky.
— ME?! AFRAID?!
Impossible!
It's just that I didn't want to break his spirit.
Or his body.
Or the arena.
Or the local ecosystem, yet again.
Behind them, Drake walked past quietly, still exhausted.
— You know I'm still here, right?
Valor: — Yeah, yeah, don't worry, you did your best.
Drake: — …
Nova: — And there we go. Back to square one.
Chapter 156 — "The Body Reforged, The Trust Shattered"
---
Liora said:
— Alright, now stop with your "Valor gave up because he's stronger" or "Drake was the strongest," we don't care.
Drake won.
End of debate.
A silence fell.
Valen muttered:
— Now even the commander's joining in, huh…
Naël raised his hands:
— She just wants to abuse her authority, it's obvious. She's been waiting for this moment for at least three tournaments.
Lya nodded:
— Exactly… look at her. It's outrageous to be like that.
She's practically gloating.
Liora sighed.
— Well. Elyon, I almost forgot… since you became my sweet son again, I forgot you had incarnated into Lysandra.
Ryn crossed his arms:
— Poor girl… all that time she was oppressed by a chaotic Elyon. That should be illegal.
Elyon said very calmly:
— Well, I don't know why you're all worried. She was just a human.
The whole area froze.
Liora closed her eyes.
— Don't speak like that, my son. The Origins taught me that all forms of life must be respected.
Valor pointed at Elyon:
— Hey, what's with the "just a human"? Do you hear yourself? Because we're humans too, you know.
Then he added, glancing at the group:
— Well… not all of us, but anyway, you get it.
Liora gently stroked Elyon's shoulder.
— Don't worry, my son… I can fix this. I'll create you a new body.
Lya raised an eyebrow:
— Don't you think Lysandra's been too broken? If you separate them, I fear there'll be nothing left but a shell…
Annabelle, arms crossed:
— It's more complicated than you think.
Liora looked at her calmly.
— That may be true for you…
She closed her eyes.
— But not for me.
A golden light spread around her. The entire base was illuminated.
She shaped a corporeal vessel from the surrounding mana: a young man with short black hair, red eyes, black kimono… but empty of consciousness.
Elyon detached from Lysandra like a shadow leaving a body, and slipped into the new vessel.
When he opened his eyes, a mischievous smile immediately appeared on his face.
— Thank you, mother… this body is even more powerful than Lysandra's. She restrained my strength because she refused to yield to my chaotic self…
Her will was strong. But I fear it has collapsed.
Liora placed a gentle hand on Lysandra, still unconscious.
— Don't worry, my son.
She raised her golden hand.
— I will reignite her will.
A divine wave coursed through Lysandra. She gasped and suddenly opened her eyes.
— How… how am I still alive?
Her gaze fell directly on Elyon.
She leapt back.
— HIM!! Why aren't you attacking him? He's the one who broke me mentally!
Liora answered calmly:
— Calm down. He's my son. And he's returned to the right path.
Lysandra stared at Elyon.
— I don't trust him… this guy is… far too evil. When I saw what he did in his memories… I was horrified.
Liora smiled:
— That's because he wasn't himself. But don't worry. He's changed.
Elyon made a composed gesture.
— I've changed, don't worry. I'm nice, really.
Lysandra looked at his mischievous smile.
In her head: …no. He's lying. He's lying so much it's visible from the moon.
Arthur Pendragon arrived, cape billowing, Béatrice behind him.
— He's been with us for a long time. We just forgot about you… but I, King Arthur Pendragon, can swear on my honor that he has changed.
Béatrice added:
— He's at least trying. Well… most of the time.
Lysandra spread her white wings.
— If you say so… fine. I'm going back to Astoria. I have problems to solve there. And far away from… him, that'll be perfect.
She gave Elyon one last look as if he might pounce on her.
Elyon gave her a little wave.
— Take care, alright.
Lysandra:
— YOU. Don't ever speak to me again, thanks.
Everyone burst out laughing… except Elyon, who sulked.
Liora clapped her hands.
— Very well! Everyone back to HQ. And no fighting on the way.
She looked at Valor and Annabelle.
— Yes, I'm talking to you two.
Valor:
— Huh?! But I didn't do anything!
Annabelle:
— You're suspicious the moment you breathe.
Valor:
— THAT'S GRAVITY-MAGE RACISM!!
Chapter 157 – Return to Order… or Almost
Lysandra, still trembling, folded her wings shining with a golden glow before adding:
— Well… I'm going back to Astoria. Over there, it's total chaos. I come back from the dead and discover there's a civil war, three strange cults fighting over whether I'm a divine reincarnation, and idiots who think I'm an illusion. I've got work to do.
Valor burst out laughing.
— There you go! I told you. Astoria is always a circus. And besides, she doesn't even know that while she was in a coma, Elyon created a miniature version of her kingdom just to "try an idea."
Elyon looked away, whistling.
— It was a scientific test.
Annabelle sighed.
— You, every time you mess up, you call it "scientific." Next time you blow up a city, own it.
Elyon replied with his polite but demonic smile:
— It was a very small city…
Arthur struck his sword against the ground.
— Enough talk about city explosions! We must restore calm. I suggest everyone resumes their mission. I, Beatrice, and the Knights of Albion will secure the area. Drake, you need to rest. Valor… you too—
Valor raised his hand.
— No no no. I'm going to celebrate my non‑defeat. I didn't lose, I strategically forfeited. That's different.
Nova rolled his eyes.
— Valor. You sat on the ground and said "I quit." That's literally the definition of losing.
Valor, outraged:
— NO. I stopped BEFORE I won. So technically I prevented myself from winning. Totally different.
Lya burst out laughing.
— It's crazy how you can be powerful and completely stupid at the same time.
Ethan nodded:
— I call that a talent.
Liora, fed up, snapped her fingers.
A supernatural silence fell instantly over everyone.
— Now that I have your attention… she said calmly. Lysandra, you can go handle your affairs. And if you're still afraid of my son, I'll send Naël. He loves hitting imaginary enemies.
Naël, offended:
— I don't hit imaginary enemies! I just hit whatever I'm told to hit! That's different!
Liora nodded.
— Very well. Everyone, get your minds back in order. And no new conflicts, understood?
Everyone nodded… except Valor, of course.
Valor raised his hand like a disruptive student:
— I have an important question.
Liora sighed:
— What now?
— When do we eat?
Because since the fight, I'm starving. And when I'm hungry, I can accidentally destroy continents. So if you care about the world's geographic integrity… bring me a meal.
Ryn raised a finger:
— That's the first intelligent thing you've said in twenty chapters.
Valor placed a hand on his chest.
— Thank you. I appreciate the recognition.
Lysandra, about to take off, turned one last time.
— Well… stay alive while I'm gone, alright? When I come back, I don't want to find HQ reduced to ashes.
Elyon gave a thumbs‑up.
— Promise! I'm well‑behaved now!
She stared at him.
For a long time.
A very long time.
— … Yeah. I'll be back soon.
And she flew off in a breath of light, leaving behind the whole group, each with their own problems, their own secrets… and above all, a very poor ability to stay calm.
Nova stretched.
— Well. We'll probably have to deal with a catastrophe in less than twenty minutes. Enjoy this moment of peace.
Valor sat on the ground.
— True. Why do we always attract trouble?
Ryn answered without hesitation:
— Because you're all magnets for problems.
Lya snickered.
— And you're a magnet for sarcasm.
Ryn smiled:
— Exactly.
Drake, who had finally caught his breath, said in a calm voice:
— You know what… despite all this mess… it feels good to have you all.
Silence.
Then Valor replied:
— Yeah but stop saying touching stuff, old man. Sounds like you're gonna die in the next chapter.
Drake shot him a dark look.
— Valor… shut up.
And everyone burst out laughing.