The moment those words left his mouth, Gideon's expression darkened.
A suffocating pressure erupted from his body as his eyes flashed a brilliant gold. The beast lurking beneath his skin stirred violently, as though it were ready to break free and tear everything in its path apart.
"You dare?!" Gideon growled, his voice carrying a deadly edge that sent chills through everyone present.
"Alright."
Gideon's anger was extinguished almost instantly by Ashley's agreement, leaving him momentarily stunned. For a brief second, he simply stared at her, unsure whether her acceptance stemmed from absolute confidence in her abilities or sheer naivety.
He couldn't help but wonder if she had truly processed what was at stake. The thought only fueled his frustration further. Ashley seemed completely determined to step into that arena and challenge the reigning champion.
