The arena was buzzing with noise.
Thousands of eyes stared down from the audience seats awaiting the duel to start.
Yet Aziel felt nothing.
Lucien stood opposite him on the dueling platform, calmly holding his spear in his hand.
He looked confident. The picture of composure.
Aziel's eyes were calm but his grip around the hilt of his katana tightened.
Don't think. Just move.
He knew Lucien was stronger than him.
Much stronger.
But he wasn't going to give up.
The duel timer hit zero.
The sound of the announcer echoed.
"Begin."
Aziel moved first.
His mana surged, fire bursting from his feet as he accelerated forward like a missile.
He closed the gap in a second, his katana slicing forward in a clean horizontal arc.
Lucien didn't try to dodge.
He just calmly raised his spear, lightning crackling around it.
Their weapons met mid-air—Aziel's slash rebounded with a loud clang.
Sparks flew.
