Smoke drifted across the shattered arena floor. Chunks of stone hovered mid-air, suspended by residual magic.
Cassian Drexhart stood panting, his left arm bleeding, mana crackling around him in spirals of blue.
Across from him, Eron stood perfectly still, katana in hand, spiritual energy swirling in waves beneath his feet like a tide waiting to rise.
Cassian: "You think this is over?! I… am a Drexhart!"
He plunged his blade into the ground, drawing forth a glowing blue sigil. His veins shimmered as he activated his family's blood-sealed art—Crux Tempesta.
The sigil exploded beneath him, sending him into the air like a storm-driven lance.
"I'LL SHATTER YOU, Eron!"
High above, his body surged with magic, forming a six-bladed projection behind him—storm-charged and deadly.
Even the crowd gasped.
"That's the Drexhart Phantom Mirage Technique!""He's actually risking internal rupture to pull that off!"
But Eron didn't flinch.
He simply raised his head toward the descending light storm.
His katana shimmered.
And then, softly—almost like a whisper heard only by the soul—he spoke:
"Bankai."
The world shattered in silence.
The arena trembled as an obsidian wave erupted outward, forming a circle of floating calligraphy around Eron. His form blurred into shadow and light—his hair lifting as spectral flames danced across his armor.
His katana expanded into a pure-black edge etched with pulsating crimson veins—like a blade carved from divine wrath.
System Notification▸ Bankai: Second Phase Activated – Phantom Sovereign Form
Passive Effects:– Enemy speed reduced by 30%– Mana decay per second for enemies: 8%– Any offensive skill can now chain a phantom strike aftershock
Active Skill Unlocked: Judgment Arc – Execution Bloom
As Cassian screamed downward, ready to land his six-blade strike—
Eron vanished from sight.
Then appeared mid-air above him, katana glowing.
One swing.
A blossom of spectral blades formed in the air, each reflecting a different part of Cassian's own technique—but refined, focused, and lethal.
"Judgment Arc: Execution Bloom."
The petals closed.
The energy detonated.
Cassian was swallowed whole by the inverted explosion—mana stripped from his body like ash in wind.
When the light faded, Cassian lay collapsed in the center of the arena, unconscious, sword shattered.
Eron landed silently, his katana dissolving into golden dust.
A wind swept through the stands.
No one spoke.
Until the crowd erupted—
"THAT WAS—""—BANKAI!?""Did he just END a noble's ultimate art in a single move?!""He was faster than sound!""I couldn't even see the slash!""He's… not normal."
Even the headmaster stood from the viewing balcony, hands clenched.
System Notification
[Victory – Duel Complete]Opponent: Cassian Drexhart – Defeated
Bonus Exp Gained: +2,300Bonus Skill Proficiency Unlocked: Aesthetic Combat Mastery
Hidden Title Acquired:"Phantom Blade of the Arena"