Elandra's victory marked more than just a win in the arena—it signaled the growth of Brisena's champions, not only in combat skill but in emotional control. Cheers erupted throughout the coliseum, but amid the thunderous applause, Thaldrim Covarthis sat stone-faced. The defeat of his subordinate wasn't a trivial matter—it meant a new threat had emerged, one that could stand in the way of his plans.
"I want to know who those two new fighters are," Thaldrim said coldly to the Covarthis clan elders beside him. "Why are they always with the daughter of Lady Zeeva?"
"Don't you know, Minister?" one of the elders replied calmly. "Those two are the long-lost children of Lady Zeeva. Missing for decades."
Thaldrim's brow furrowed, fury starting to brew in his eyes. "And no one had the spine to warn them off entering Smokeland? They just strolled in like they belonged here? Are we letting anyone walk into our land now without question?"
"You know as well as we do," another elder answered, "that the mists of Orbis Caelestis won't let anyone without Doliex blood enter. Besides, we have no authority to turn them away. Increasing our population isn't a crime."
"Clinging to old rules will only make us weak!" Thaldrim snapped. "If we continue like this, we'll lose our title as the strongest, the most feared!"
The elder remained calm. "The Doliex have stood for centuries, Minister. We are respected not because we chase recognition from outsiders, but because we preserve our strength from within—through tradition."
Thaldrim's gaze turned sharp. "Still swimming like big fish in a small pond," he said icily. "None of you have ever looked beyond the walls of this world."
With that, he stood and stormed off, but not before issuing a command.
"Reguya," he said with authority. "Find out what those two are capable of. I won't make the mistake of underestimating them."
Reguya Veynor, one of the finest shadow assassins, bowed low. "At once, Minister. I'll return with answers." Then, like smoke, he vanished into the crowd.
Later, Thaldrim himself entered the arena. His opponent may have been ranked within the top hundred, but the match was over in moments. Thaldrim didn't just win—he dominated, reminding everyone of the power he wielded.
By the end of the day, the first round of battles had concluded, leaving half the knights still standing at the altar of warriors.
Meanwhile, in Lytherial—the vibrant heart of everyday life in Smokeland—Vuuxi and his group gathered at a luxurious restaurant to celebrate their victories.
"Since I don't drink alcohol or eat meat," Vuuxi said with a playful grin, "you're all free to order whatever you want."
The group—Rogg, Robb, Brisena, Nyx, and Elandra—laughed together, well aware that Vuuxi was always the one to simply watch as the others feasted.
"Don't tell me you've gone broke," Brisena teased, flashing him a mischievous smile.
"I've still got plenty," Vuuxi shot back. "Besides, I only ever take half of the allowance Mother gives me each month."
"Haha! This is the first time you've treated us to a full spread," Nyx chuckled. "Usually it's just peanut bread and soy milk for you."
"True. He even has a favorite bakery in Patisia," Elandra added. "Most of his money goes toward buying bread to hand out to hungry kids in Patisia and Blacksand."
"He's got enough to give away," Robb chimed in, tearing into a slab of meat. "Meanwhile, Rogg and I barely know what it's like to have money. Hard to share what you don't have."
"You're right, Robb," Rogg agreed, laughing. "I only survived my three months in Patisia because my buddy Damerius is filthy rich. I honestly don't know the value of money."
"And yet here we are with a wealthy noble among us," Nyx said, casting a glance at Brisena. "The lady whose fortune probably surpasses everyone else's combined."
"That's imperial money," Brisena replied sharply. "I'd never touch it."
The night was filled with laughter and joy, a rare moment of peace. Yet behind the smiles and shared meals, deeper truths remained hidden—truths about bloodlines, secret powers, and destinies still waiting to unfold in the shadows of Smokeland.
Their evening took an unexpected turn when Reguya Veynor boldly challenged either Robb or Rogg to a duel.
"I want an open duel with one of you," said Reguya, pointing directly at Rogg and Robb as he addressed Brisena's group.
Brisena, quick to anger, immediately snapped, "Wouldn't it be better if I were your opponent instead? Why are you bothering my brothers? We have no quarrel with you."
"My apologies, miss, but I'm specifically requesting one of them," Reguya replied calmly. "I need to test whether they truly deserve to be recognized and respected as part of the Doliex bloodline."
"You're free to flaunt your pride as a Doliex anywhere else, but not among your own people, and certainly not on this land. Tell me, what's your name?" Brisena asked firmly.
"I'm sorry, miss. I am Reguya Veynor, personal guard to Minister Thaldrim Covarthis. I'm here to assess the strength of your two brothers," said Reguya without hesitation.
"Ohhh, so you're one of the minister's little watchdogs?" Brisena scoffed. "Next time, just be honest and say you're a lackey sent by your master."
"As you wish, miss," Reguya replied curtly.
"Five minutes. I challenge you to defeat Robb in five minutes. If you win, I'll give you five Wit coins. But if you fail, you'll give me one Wit and get out of here," Brisena offered.
"Understood, miss," Reguya answered with unwavering confidence.
Though Nyx was already heating up from the tension, he held back when he saw that Brisena had taken control. That was their unspoken code as elite guardians—when one of them steps up, the others stand down. Elandra remained composed as well, unbothered by the rising tension. Vuuxi, however, was different. As a top-tier shadow assassin, he never needed anyone's permission to act. But even he stayed relaxed this time—he knew Reguya had just chosen the wrong opponent.
"Robb, if you beat him in three minutes, I'll give you one Wit coin. But if you fail, you'll work for me for an entire day," said Brisena with a teasing grin.
Everyone laughed at Brisena's negotiation, which clearly tilted in her favor.
"You're such a cheat, little sister," Robb laughed.
"Two minutes. If I beat him in two, you owe me three Wit coins," Robb countered.
"Two minutes? You think he's some amateur knight?" Brisena shot back, surprised.
"Fine then," she said, smirking. "But if you lose, you'll work for me for five full days."
They stood face to face in front of the luxurious restaurant. Reguya drew his twin long, gleaming swords.
"Your attention and skills, please, sir," he said, before lunging at Robb, who had already drawn his twin short blades—Illeum Heraxes.
What followed was an intense, high-speed clash of steel. Their movements were fluid, almost like their weapons were extensions of their bodies. Blades flashed, strikes came in rapid succession, parries and counters flowed like a dance of deadly grace. But within a minute and a half, Reguya's swords were cracked and splintered, rendered useless.
"You're out of blades now. I don't fight people without weapons," said Robb calmly.
"Then how about we go hand-to-hand?" Reguya challenged, still burning with fighting spirit.
Robb tossed his daggers to Brisena and said, "Restart the timer from the moment we begin again."
"You've got thirty seconds left," Brisena said confidently.
The fight resumed. Reguya lunged forward with a powerful punch. But before his fist could land, Robb vanished—only to reappear behind him, delivering a crushing blow to his lower ribs. Reguya dropped to his knees, coughing up blood.
The crowd stood frozen, wide-eyed, trying to comprehend what they had just witnessed. Only Vuuxi and Rogg remained relaxed, as if they had seen it coming all along.
"Vuuxi, how many peanut buns can we buy with three Wit coins?" Robb asked nonchalantly.
Vuuxi laughed. "Haha! We could eat until we explode—and still have enough left to feed fifteen thousand street kids with peanut buns!"
"We leave tomorrow. Don't forget to collect your coins from Brisena," Robb said with a satisfied smile.