The Arena of Rivals was no longer empty.
It roared.
Thousands filled the towering stands.
Nobles draped in silk and gold.
Warriors clad in armor.
Servants whispering in hushed tones.
Even high-ranking generals had gathered, their sharp eyes scanning the arena floor like predators waiting for a hunt to begin.
At the center stood the platform.
Massive.
Circular.
Ancient.
Runes carved into its surface pulsed faintly, glowing with a soft blue light as they absorbed and stabilized the overwhelming mana in the air.
Leon stood at the edge of the arena.
Silent.
Still.
Watching.
"…So this is it."
His gaze moved across the battlefield.
Across the competitors.
Every prince.
Every princess.
Every rival.
Some stood confidently.
Others hid their tension.
A few radiated power so dense it distorted the air around them.
Leon exhaled slowly.
"…Yeah."
"This is definitely a bad idea."
Beside him, Aether remained calm.
Unmoving.
Unshaken.
"Do not hesitate."
Leon glanced at him.
"…I wasn't planning to."
A loud BOOM echoed across the arena.
At the highest platform—
The Emperor appeared.
The entire arena fell silent instantly.
Every head bowed.
Every voice disappeared.
Every presence—
Lowered.
Except one.
Leon.
He didn't bow.
He simply looked up.
Curious.
Unbothered.
The Emperor's gaze swept across the arena.
Vast.
Overwhelming.
Absolute.
"Today…"
His voice echoed like thunder.
"…you prove your worth."
A pause.
Heavy.
Pressing.
"No titles."
"No status."
"No excuses."
"Only strength."
The runes beneath the arena flared brighter.
"Begin."
The moment the word fell—
Chaos erupted.
Figures blurred.
Mana exploded.
Steel clashed.
The Arena of Rivals had begun.
Leon didn't move.
Not immediately.
Instead—
He watched.
His eyes sharpened.
His breathing slowed.
And that familiar sensation returned.
The world shifted.
He saw everything.
A prince lunging recklessly toward a stronger opponent—
Only to be struck down instantly.
A pair of siblings fighting side by side—
Perfectly synchronized.
A lone girl standing still—
Until three challengers rushed her—
And were thrown back by an invisible force.
"…Damn."
Leon exhaled slowly.
"…Everyone here is dangerous."
"Correct."
Aether's voice came from behind him.
Leon didn't turn.
"…You're not fighting?"
"No."
"…Must be nice."
Leon rolled his shoulders.
Then stepped forward.
"Alright."
His grip tightened around his sword.
"Let's get this over with."
The moment he entered the arena—
Someone moved.
Fast.
A young prince charged toward him, sword blazing with mana.
His expression was fierce.
Determined.
Hungry.
"I've been waiting for you!"
Leon blinked.
"…Have you?"
The prince didn't slow down.
His blade cut through the air with lethal precision.
Leon watched.
Everything slowed.
He saw the angle.
The speed.
The intention.
And then—
He moved.
CLACK.
Their blades collided.
The impact echoed sharply.
The prince's eyes widened.
"…What—?"
Leon stepped forward.
Twisting his wrist.
Redirecting the strike effortlessly.
"…Too slow."
He struck.
BAM.
The prince was sent flying.
Crashing into the arena floor several meters away.
Silence fell around them.
Nearby fighters paused.
Watching.
Leon exhaled.
"…One down."
But he didn't relax.
Because he felt it.
Multiple presences.
Closing in.
"…Of course."
Three figures approached.
From different directions.
A coordinated attack.
Leon smirked slightly.
"…Now this is more like it."
They struck simultaneously.
One from the left.
One from the right.
One from above.
Perfect timing.
Perfect coordination.
But—
Leon saw everything.
The world slowed again.
He stepped left.
Dodged right.
Leaned back.
Every movement precise.
Every reaction flawless.
The first attack missed.
The second barely grazed him.
The third—
He blocked.
CLACK.
Then—
He moved.
Fast.
Faster than before.
He struck the first opponent.
Then the second.
Then the third.
Three hits.
Three impacts.
Three bodies hitting the ground.
Silence.
"…What just happened?"
"…Did he just—?"
"…That fast?"
Whispers spread across the arena.
Leon stood still.
Breathing steady.
"…This power…"
He clenched his fist slightly.
"…I'm getting used to it."
High above—
Caelus Aurelion watched.
"…Adaptation."
His gaze narrowed slightly.
"…Interesting."
Back in the arena—
Leon turned.
Because someone else was approaching.
Slowly.
Calmly.
Prince Vael.
He stopped a few meters away.
Hands still in his pockets.
Smile still in place.
"…Not bad."
Leon shrugged.
"I try."
Vael tilted his head slightly.
"…You've changed."
Leon smirked.
"…You noticed?"
Vael's eyes gleamed.
"…Good."
The air between them grew heavy.
Dangerous.
Exciting.
"Don't lose too early," Vael said lightly.
Leon laughed.
"You first."
For a moment—
They just stood there.
Two rivals.
Two rising forces.
Then—
Vael turned away.
"…We'll meet later."
Leon watched him go.
"…Yeah."
His grip tightened on his sword.
"I'm counting on it."
Around them—
The Arena of Rivals raged on.
Fighters fell.
Winners rose.
Strength was proven.
Weakness erased.
And at the center of it all—
Leon continued forward.
Unstoppable.
Unyielding.
And for the first time—
Feared.