The Arena of Rivals had thinned.
Not by time—
But by defeat.
The once-crowded battlefield was now scattered with fallen contenders, their ambitions crushed beneath the overwhelming force of stronger wills. The runes etched into the arena floor pulsed steadily, absorbing the remnants of countless clashes, glowing brighter with each passing moment.
What remained—
Were monsters.
Leon stood still at the center of the arena.
Breathing calm.
Eyes sharp.
Body steady.
"…Feels quieter."
But it wasn't.
The silence wasn't peace.
It was tension.
The kind that came before something broke.
Around him, the remaining royals stood at varying distances.
Watching.
Measuring.
Waiting.
No one rushed anymore.
No reckless attacks.
No careless movements.
Because now—
Everyone understood.
A single mistake meant elimination.
Leon exhaled slowly.
"…So this is where it actually starts."
"You're not wrong."
The voice came from his right.
Leon turned slightly.
A girl stood there.
Tall.
Composed.
Elegant.
Her silver hair flowed down her back like liquid moonlight, and her eyes—
Cold.
Calculating.
Unshaken.
"…You've been watching me," Leon said.
"Yes."
Her answer was immediate.
Unapologetic.
Leon raised an eyebrow.
"…And?"
"You are dangerous."
Leon smirked.
"I've been told that."
She stepped forward.
Slowly.
Gracefully.
"But not enough."
The air shifted.
Leon's eyes narrowed.
"…That sounds like a challenge."
"It is."
No hesitation.
No doubt.
Leon sighed lightly.
"…Alright then."
He raised his sword.
"Let's see it."
She moved.
No warning.
No buildup.
Just—
Movement.
Leon's eyes widened slightly.
"…Fast."
Faster than anyone he had faced so far.
Her blade appeared before him instantly—
CLANG.
Leon barely blocked.
The impact sent a shock through his arms.
"…Okay."
He slid back slightly.
Regaining his footing.
"…You're not normal."
She didn't respond.
She attacked again.
Relentless.
Precise.
Unforgiving.
Leon's world slowed.
He saw everything.
Every strike.
Every shift.
Every intention.
But this time—
It wasn't enough.
CLANG.
CLANG.
CLANG.
Each block came harder.
Each impact heavier.
She wasn't just fast—
She was overwhelming.
Leon grit his teeth.
"…This is different."
He stepped back again.
"…Way different."
Her eyes remained calm.
"You rely too much on perception."
Leon blinked.
"…What?"
She didn't stop attacking.
"Seeing is not enough."
Her blade struck again.
BAM.
Leon was pushed back several meters.
He skidded across the arena floor.
"…Tch."
He stood up slowly.
"…Then what am I supposed to rely on?"
For the first time—
She paused.
"…Will."
Silence.
Leon frowned.
"…That's vague."
She raised her sword again.
"Then learn quickly."
She disappeared.
Leon's eyes widened.
"…Wait—"
Too late.
BAM.
The strike hit.
Hard.
Leon was sent crashing into the arena floor.
Pain exploded through his body.
"…Damn…"
He coughed.
Struggling to rise.
"…She's… strong."
From above—
Caelus Aurelion watched silently.
"…Not skill alone."
His gaze sharpened.
"…But presence."
Back in the arena—
Leon pushed himself up.
His breathing was heavier now.
"…Alright."
He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
"…No more playing around."
The girl didn't react.
She simply waited.
Leon closed his eyes.
For a moment—
Everything faded.
The noise.
The arena.
The pressure.
Gone.
"…Will, huh?"
He exhaled slowly.
"…Then let's try it your way."
His grip tightened.
His stance lowered.
And when he opened his eyes—
Something had changed.
Not just perception.
Something deeper.
Something heavier.
The air around him shifted.
"…What is this…?"
The girl's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Now you're beginning to understand."
Leon moved.
Faster.
Stronger.
Sharper.
Not just reacting—
But acting.
He struck.
CLANG.
She blocked.
But this time—
She slid back.
A small distance.
But enough.
Leon smiled.
"…There it is."
He stepped forward again.
"Let's go."
Their blades clashed.
Again.
And again.
And again.
This time—
It was even.
No—
It was escalating.
Each strike carried more weight.
More intent.
More power.
The arena trembled.
The remaining contestants stopped.
Watching.
Because this—
This was different.
This wasn't just a fight.
It was a clash of something greater.
Leon's breathing steadied.
His movements sharpened.
His presence—
Expanded.
For the first time—
He wasn't just keeping up.
He was matching her.
And slowly—
Pushing back.
She blocked another strike.
But this time—
Her feet slid.
Her expression changed.
Just slightly.
"…Interesting."
Leon grinned.
"Yeah."
"I thought so too."
High above—
Caelus Aurelion watched in silence.
"…The pressure of the crown…"
His voice was quiet.
"…has begun to take shape."
Below—
Leon stepped forward again.
Because now—
He finally understood.
Power wasn't just something you saw.
It wasn't just something you reacted to.
It was something you imposed.
And for the first time—
Leon was doing exactly that.