The heavy golden Token of the Origin Font rested coolly in Arthur Sterling's palm.
He didn't bow.
He didn't raise his fist in triumph.
He simply tucked the carved artifact into the inner pocket of his dark coat. His face was a mask of complete boredom.
All around him, the massive floating continent of a stadium was locked in a breathless silence.
Millions of Celestial Nobles stared down at the scorched marble arena. These were beings who considered themselves the absolute peak of reality. Yet they had just watched their golden boy get completely dismantled.
Prince Valerius had not just been beaten. He had been humiliated.
His forbidden Void Magic was crushed by a mortal who didn't even bother to draw a weapon!
"Competitor Vaelen." A booming voice echoed through the stadium.
It wasn't the announcer. It was a voice that carried the sheer weight of a dying star. It came from the highest Imperial Box looking over the entire arena.
"Ascend. The Emperor summons you."
