The training arena of the Royal Palace had never been so crowded.
Knights, nobles, and even palace servants filled the seats.
Everyone wanted to witness the duel.
On one side stood...
Saksham Singla.
The mysterious Child of Fate.
On the other side stood...
Elias Solaris.
The genius of the Holy Temple.
The atmosphere was incredibly tense.
Captain Leon stepped into the center of the arena.
"This duel will end when one side surrenders or is unable to continue."
He looked at both fighters.
"Are you ready?"
Saksham nodded.
Elias calmly folded his arms.
"I am."
Captain Leon raised his hand.
"Begin!"
BOOM!
The moment the duel started, Elias disappeared.
"What?!"
The audience gasped.
He was too fast.
Suddenly—
CLANG!
Saksham barely raised his sword in time.
Sparks flew everywhere.
Elias's sword had already reached him.
"Oh?"
A hint of surprise appeared on Elias's face.
"You reacted."
Saksham's Divine Eyes glowed faintly.
He had seen the attack a fraction of a second earlier.
But...
He could barely keep up.
BOOM!
Elias pushed him backward.
Saksham slid several meters across the arena.
The crowd became silent.
One exchange.
That was all it took to show the difference between them.
Elias slowly lowered his sword.
"Your eyes are impressive."
"But your body cannot keep up with them."
Saksham gritted his teeth.
He knew it too.
Even if he could see the attacks...
his body wasn't fast enough to react.
DING!
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Quest Updated
Objective:
Land one hit on Elias Solaris.
Reward:
Hidden.
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One hit.
Only one.
But against this monster...
it felt impossible.
Elias pointed his sword toward him.
"Come."
"I'll give you a chance."
The audience looked shocked.
He was intentionally holding back.
Saksham took a deep breath.
Then—
BOOM!
He rushed forward.
His sword glowed with mana.
SLASH!
Elias sidestepped.
SLASH!
Again.
Again.
Again.
Every attack missed.
It was as if Elias had predicted everything.
Finally—
CLANG!
Elias blocked the last attack with one hand.
"You rely too much on your eyes."
Saksham's eyes widened.
"What?"
"Power isn't just about seeing."
"It's about understanding."
BOOM!
A gentle push from Elias sent him flying backward.
CRASH!
Saksham hit the ground.
The audience became silent.
He couldn't touch him.
Not even once.
Captain Leon frowned.
"The difference is too great."
Even King Alexander looked worried.
Meanwhile...
Elias stared at Saksham.
Disappointment slowly appeared in his eyes.
"Is this all?"
"The Child of Fate?"
Those words struck Saksham's heart.
Memories flashed through his mind.
His old life.
His weakness.
The promises he made.
The people who believed in him.
No.
He couldn't lose.
Not here.
Not again.
Slowly...
he stood up.
Blood dripped from his arm.
But his eyes were filled with determination.
Elias looked slightly surprised.
"You're still standing."
Saksham smiled.
"I've faced someone much scarier than you."
The audience blinked.
Captain Leon almost laughed.
Compared to General Nocthar...
Elias really wasn't as terrifying.
A small smile appeared on Elias's face.
"Interesting."
Suddenly—
DING!
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Divine Eyes of Fate
New Function Available:
Mana Analysis
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Mana Analysis?
At that moment...
the world changed.
Saksham could suddenly see the flow of mana around Elias.
Every movement.
Every step.
Every tiny fluctuation.
Then he noticed something.
Whenever Elias moved...
his mana gathered around his right foot first.
A habit.
A pattern.
Saksham's eyes widened.
"I see it..."
Elias tilted his head.
"What?"
Saksham lowered his stance.
Then—
BOOM!
He dashed forward again.
Elias sighed.
"The result will be the same."
He stepped to the left.
Exactly as before.
But this time—
Saksham smiled.
Because he had already seen it.
He suddenly changed direction.
"What?!"
For the first time...
surprise appeared on Elias's face.
SLASH!
The tip of Saksham's sword lightly touched Elias's sleeve.
Rip.
A small piece of white cloth fell to the ground.
Silence.
The entire arena froze.
Elias looked at his torn sleeve.
Then at Saksham.
A single hit.
He had done it.
DING!
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Quest Completed!
Reward:
+3 Levels
Skill Unlocked:
Battle Instinct Lv.1
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The audience exploded.
"He hit him!"
"Impossible!"
"The Temple's genius was touched!"
Even Captain Leon looked stunned.
King Alexander smiled proudly.
Elias remained silent.
Then...
he slowly sheathed his sword.
A smile appeared on his face.
A genuine smile.
"I lost."
The arena instantly became quiet.
What?
Lost?
Saksham blinked.
"I only touched your sleeve."
Elias shook his head.
"The condition was simple."
"Land one hit."
"You succeeded."
He stepped forward and extended his hand.
"You have my acknowledgment, Saksham Singla."
Saksham looked at the offered hand.
Then he smiled and shook it.
At that moment—
DING!
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Relationship Updated
Elias Solaris
Status:
Friend
Trust:
25%
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Suddenly...
A terrifying pressure descended from the sky.
BOOOOOOM!
Dark clouds covered the Royal Capital.
Everyone's faces turned pale.
A deep voice echoed through the heavens.
"So..."
"The Child of Fate has gained a new ally."
Saksham's eyes widened.
He knew that voice.
General Nocthar.
The sky split apart.
A giant black portal slowly opened above the capital.
And from within the darkness...
countless red eyes appeared.
The people below trembled in fear.
Elias slowly drew his holy sword.
Saksham's Divine Eyes activated.
And high above them...
General Nocthar smiled.
"Our second game begins."
To be continued...