Sunday, February 15, 2028
| Time: 10:30 AM (Garud Vajra HQ, Central Arena)
A silence so profound descended upon the grounds that the faint hum of mana-particles vibrating in the air became audible. Thousands of new recruits and elite Garud Vajra members crowded the perimeter of the arena, their breaths held in anticipation. All eyes were fixed on the girl who had dared to publicly challenge the most terrifying warrior in the guild's current roster.
Adiraj took a deep, steadying breath and stepped toward Isha. His face was a mask of grim professional concern. "Isha, I am asking you one last time. Are you certain you wish to proceed? Rudra is not a typical hunter. His temper is not something everyone is equipped to handle."
Isha tightened her ponytail, a resolute and slightly defiant smile playing on her lips. "Sir, anger is the weapon of the weak. I simply wish to see exactly how deep the waters are for this 'Shadow Specialist.' My decision stands."
Adiraj nodded and turned toward Rudra, who stood at the opposite end of the arena, as motionless and silent as a specter from the old world.
"Rudra, are you ready?" Adiraj asked.
Rudra raised his violet eyes once, his gaze piercing through the distance. "When the prey practically begs to enter the trap, a hunter does not refuse."
The Forbidden Command
Adiraj leaned in close to Rudra, whispering so low that only the boy's heightened senses could catch the words. "Rudra, I know the power you harbor. But remember one thing—you are strictly forbidden from using your Sovereign's Authority or any 'Debt' related skills in this duel. We cannot afford to reveal your true status to the world yet."
Rudra replied in a voice that was barely a murmur, yet sharp as a razor. "Bhaiya, I won't need Sovereign skills to humble a girl of this caliber. I promise you, I will ground her using nothing more than my 'Shadow' techniques."
Adiraj stepped back to the center of the arena and projected his voice, infused with mana to reach every corner of the facility. "Very well! The duel is sanctioned! However, this is a test of skill, not a game of death. There are strict rules that both combatants must follow."
📜 The Duel of Honor: Official Rules
Weapon Restriction: Neither combatant may use external weapons (Swords, Daggers, Staffs). This is a battle of Hand-to-Hand Combat and Pure Mana Manipulation.
Time Limit: The duel is strictly limited to 5 Minutes.
Victory Condition: Upon the expiration of the timer, the warrior with the Higher Remaining MP (Mana Points) shall be declared the victor.
Safety Protocol: Any display of 'Killing Intent' or lethal force will result in the immediate termination of the duel.
The Beginning of the Dance
Adiraj raised his hand and slashed it through the air with a thunderous shout—"BEGIN!"
The signal had barely left his lips when the dust of the arena floor erupted upward. Kiara sat on the observation platform, her wide eyes fixed on her brother. She felt no fear; only a burgeoning pride in the mountain of a man her brother had become.
Rudra made the first move. He remained stationary, yet his shadow began to bleed across the floor with unnatural speed. This was why he was feared as the "Shadow Specialist." He activated [Void Step], vanishing from sight and reappearing instantly behind Isha.
WHOOSH!
Rudra's hand lunged toward Isha's neck, intending a quick neutralization, but his palm met only empty air.
Isha had already triggered [Zephyr's Echo]. Rudra had grasped nothing but an after-image. Isha herself was five meters away, hovering momentarily in the air before spinning and delivering a mana-infused kick toward Rudra's chest.
BOOM!
Rudra crossed his arms, forming a shield of compressed mana. The impact was so violent it forced him back two steps, his boots carving furrows into the arena floor. He looked at Isha with genuine surprise. Her agility and mana-density were far beyond his initial estimations.
"Is that all, Shadow Specialist?" Isha teased, a playful yet sharp glint in her eyes. "I expected the Reaper to be a bit faster."
The Battle of Reserves
A cold light flickered in Rudra's violet eyes. He finally sensed the sheer scale of her reserves. Isha held a Base MP of 2,800,000, significantly higher than his own 1,490,000. Although his Emerald Tier (8.0x) multiplier was superior to her Platinum Tier (5.0x), her base advantage made this a dangerously even match.
Rudra's Current ECP: 11,920,000 MP
Isha's Current ECP: 14,000,000 MP
The two began to circle each other in the center of the arena. Isha was like a lightning bolt—fast, erratic, and vanishing after every strike. Rudra was the stillness of a shadow, anticipating every tremor in the mana-field. Waves of energy radiated from their exchange, forcing the surrounding recruits to shield their eyes.
"The match is perfectly balanced," Adiraj thought, sweat beading on his forehead. "Isha's agility is countering Rudra's shadow phasing. If this lasts the full five minutes, the decision will come down to a mere handful of MP."
Rudra slowly clenched his fist. 'Fine, girl... you wanted to see if I was more than just bitter words? Now witness what happens when the shadows stop playing.'
Rudra's physical form began to blur into a dark, wispy smoke. He hadn't even begun to show her his real arsenal.
📊 Sovereign Archive: Chapter 112 Combat Log
Duel Status
Active (1:30 Minutes Elapsed).
Fighters Comparison
Rudra (Shadow Specialist): Utilizing Prediction and Shadow Phasing.
Isha (The Zephyr): Utilizing Extreme Agility and Mana Evasion.
Current Mana Expenditure
Rudra: 98\% Remaining.
Isha: 97\% Remaining.
Tactical Observation
Rudra is intentionally suppressing his Sovereign-class abilities to maintain his "Shadow Specialist" cover, relying purely on high-tier Shadow techniques. Isha is effectively using her 2.08\text{M} MP advantage to pressure Rudra into an early mistake.