Garron's hammer hit the arena like divine disappointment.
The entire forge ring exploded beneath the impact.
Stone shattered.
Molten sparks erupted upward.
And I learned an important lesson:
When a man the size of a castle says he is not nice, believe him immediately.
I activated Flame Step on pure survival instinct.
Crimson light flashed beneath my feet as I vanished from where I had been standing half a second earlier.
The hammer crashed down.
The platform I had been on no longer existed.
I landed three metres away, staring at the smoking crater.
"…that feels excessive."
Garron pulled the hammer free from the stone with one hand.
"It was a warning."
I nodded.
"Very clear communication. I appreciate that."
The crowd above us roared.
Apparently, attempted murder was excellent entertainment.
Lei Mira leaned against the balcony rail, arms crossed, looking far too interested in whether I would survive.
Supportive.
Very sovereign behaviour.
Commander Darius stood beside her like a man attending an execution with professional satisfaction.
Also supportive.
I rolled my shoulders and moved first.
Because standing still around Garron felt like volunteering for a funeral.
Flame Step.
Forward.
Low angle.
I slipped beneath his next swing and drove my fist into his ribs with everything I had.
It felt like punching a fortress.
Garron looked down.
I looked up.
We shared a moment.
Then he hit me.
Not with the hammer.
Just with his fist.
Honestly, that felt more insulting.
I flew across the arena and introduced myself to a stone pillar at high speed.
The pillar lost.
So did I.
I hit the ground coughing, every life decision replaying itself in painful detail.
From above, Lei Mira called down—
"Still entertaining!"
I raised one hand weakly.
"Your emotional support is unmatched!"
She looked pleased.
Dangerous woman.
ARINA's panel appeared.
Trial One Analysis Opponent: Garron – Iron Vanguard Strength: Extreme Weakness: Armour joints / Core Balance Recommendation: Stop punching mountains
Finally.
Useful advice.
I wiped blood from my mouth and stood again.
Garron was already walking toward me.
Calm.
Patient.
Like an avalanche with excellent discipline.
"You rely on speed," he said.
I blinked.
Unexpected conversation.
"I also rely on denial."
He ignored that.
Reasonable.
"Speed fails when fear enters."
He lifted the hammer again.
"Strength is deciding fear does not matter."
Then he charged.
For a giant, that was deeply unfair.
I dodged the first swing.
Barely.
The second caught my shoulder.
Pain exploded down my arm.
The third shattered the platform behind me.
This wasn't a duel.
This was a public demonstration of why mountains should not be allowed to move.
But Garron was right.
I was reacting.
Surviving.
Not controlling.
And every sovereign world had taught me the same lesson—
Fear only won when it decided your next step.
No.
Not today.
I took a breath.
Slowed.
Watched.
His hammer was unstoppable.
But it was also honest.
Heavy.
Committed.
Predictable.
I smiled.
Garron frowned.
Good.
I moved.
Not away.
Forward.
Straight into the next swing.
The crowd gasped.
Reasonable.
At the last second, I dropped low, slid beneath the hammer's arc, and drove both hands into the armour joint behind his knee.
A phoenix fire erupted.
Golden flames burst through the iron seam.
Garron staggered.
First real opening.
I didn't stop.
I climbed.
Because apparently, climbing giant enemies was now part of my personality.
Up his arm.
Across the shoulder.
I have passed up several excellent opportunities to regret my life.
He tried to grab me.
Too slow.
I reached the back of his neck where iron plates overlapped around the lightning core embedded near his spine.
There.
The balance point.
The true centre.
ARINA flashed.
Critical Weak Point Located Target: Spinal Core Junction Recommendation: Commit violence
Inspirational.
I slammed my palm into the core.
Phoenix fire exploded.
Golden flames clashed against blue lightning.
The arena shook.
Garron roared—not in pain.
In approval.
Interesting man.
He twisted violently, trying to throw me off.
I held on like a bad decision made human.
The core cracked.
Lightning surged.
His balance broke.
The giant dropped to one knee hard enough to shake the entire forge ring.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Even thunder seemed interested.
I jumped down and landed in front of him, breathing hard, body screaming, dignity negotiable.
Garron looked at me.
Then—
slowly—
He laughed.
A deep, heavy sound like stone finally deciding to respect you.
"Good."
He planted the hammer into the ground.
"You did not run."
I stared.
"…was that secretly the whole test?"
"Yes."
I looked up at Commander Darius.
He looked away.
Coward.
The crowd erupted.
Not mockery this time.
Approval.
Respect.
Even the nobles on the upper balconies were forced to clap politely through their disappointment.
Excellent.
Lei Mira stood straight now, no longer leaning.
Her golden eyes met mine across the arena.
Sharp.
Interested.
Satisfied.
That felt far more dangerous than applause.
The system panel flashed.
Trial One: Complete Victory Achieved Reward: Advance to Trial Two Lei Mira Favorability: 5 → 15
Progress.
Fast progress.
Apparently, surviving giant hammers was romantically efficient.
Darius stepped forward.
Voice still severe.
Still disappointed, I remained alive.
"Trial One complete."
He looked at me like the universe had made an administrative mistake.
"Prepare for Trial Two."
I stretched one shoulder and winced.
"Please tell me Trial Two is less physical."
Lei Mira answered from above.
"No."
Of course.
I sighed.
"Wonderful. I was becoming emotionally stable."
Garron, still kneeling, gave me a single approving nod.
That somehow felt like being knighted by violence.
I respected it.
I looked toward the next gate opening beneath the arena floor.
Molten light rose from below.
The second trial waited.
Strength had been simple.
Painful.
But simple.
The second trial—
Will—
sounded much worse.
Because fists were easier than truths.
And somehow—
I suspected this realm knew that too well.