It was absurd. A scene ripped straight out of the kind of grand, cinematic showdown that felt too dramatic for reality.
Two Immortal-rankers. Two Radiant-rankers. Standing right there in the middle of the ruined arena, their presences warping the very air around them. The battle between Lucifer and had already sent ripples across the world, but this? This was sothing else.
And as if things weren't theatrical enough, a figure descended, her navy-blue hair flowing like liquid night under the arena lights.
Eva Lopez, Headmaster of Mythos Academy.
It was rare to see her outside of the Academy's administrative matters. Even rarer to see her involve herself in disputes between factions. Yet here she was, stepping into a situation that was already tense enough to detonate at the slightest provocation.
'This is getting out of hand.'
Even without the four Immortal-rankers looming just outside the barrier, their presences a watchful reminder that things could spiral at any mont, the sheer weight of mana condensed in the air was suffocating.
The reason was simple.
This was God's Eyes.
It wasn't just their most sacred bloodline ability—it was the very foundation of the Kagu family's identity. Their legacy. Their heritage.
It was why Ren Kagu was supposed to be the golden child of his generation, the one destined to carry the family's banner. Yet now, Lucifer Windward, not of the Kagu bloodline, had just awakened it for himself.
Selene Kagu, standing at the center of it all, wore an expression that sent a shiver down my spine.
Her lips barely moved as she spoke, voice quiet, almost lazy, but carrying an undeniable weight.
"I assu," she murmured, purple eyes glinting like polished athyst, "there is a reasonable explanation for this, Arden?"
Selene wasn't just strong. She was the second strongest Radiant-ranker in the world—second only to the Martial King himself.
And the way she looked at Arden Windward now?
That was the look of a monster deciding whether to rip soone apart for daring to exist.
Arden, to his credit, didn't flinch.
His sharp green eyes t hers without hesitation, his posture unwavering.
"We should discuss this elsewhere," he said smoothly. His voice was asured, devoid of emotion, but the subtle weight in his tone made it clear he had no intention of backing down.
Tension thrumd through the air like a bowstring pulled to the breaking point.
Selene's fingers twitched slightly against her lips, her amusent—or irritation—impossible to read.
"Fine," she said with a sigh, as if this were nothing more than an inconvenience.
The very next mont, space twisted.
With a flick of Selene's fingers, she, Kem, Lucifer, Arden, and Ren all vanished in a seamless teleportation, leaving behind nothing but a hollow silence in their wake.
Even the crowd—who had been roaring in excitent just monts ago—fell into a hushed murmur, the weight of what had just happened settling over them.
"Holy shit," soone muttered nearby.
No one dared say more.
Eva Lopez, still standing at the center of the stage, finally turned her attention to the crowd.
She didn't raise her voice.
She didn't need to.
"Enough."
That single word snapped everything back into order.
Instantly, the murmurs died.
"Announcer," Eva said, not looking at her but sohow making it clear she expected imdiate action.
The announcer was already on it, stepping forward, her voice regaining its previous energy.
"Well, that was a bit of excitent! But no need to worry, everyone. The situation is being handled. Now, let's get back to what really matters—the tournant! We have more matches to get through, after all!"
The artificial enthusiasm worked.
The audience, though still visibly shaken, began shifting back into the mood of the festival, the tension bleeding away little by little.
I took one last glance at where Selene and the others had vanished.
Lucifer had unlocked God's Eyes.
That much was clear.
And if this played out like it did in the novel, nothing would co of it—at least not in a way that would directly hurt him.
If anything, this would be his greatest advantage.
A power beyond reason.
His second Gift, finally awakened.
But it still wasn't enough.
Even with the overwhelming force of his newfound power, even with the sheer weight of expectation and prophecy pressing down on him, Lucifer Windward had lost.
And I had won.
The Sovereign of the first years.
It almost felt surreal as I stood there, the echoes of the battle still humming through my body, my breathing steady despite the exhaustion creeping into my limbs. The weight of my sword in my grip felt different now—lighter, like it belonged there, like it had always belonged there.
On the edge of the stage, Headmaster Eva watched with an approving smile, her usually sharp expression softening just slightly.
"Well done, Arthur."
I turned to face her fully, straightening my posture as she continued.
"Congratulations on becoming the Sovereign of the first years."
I inclined my head in a respectful bow. "Thank you, Headmaster."
Her gaze lingered on for a mont longer before she added, "Paul Lucrian sent a request to see you. He asked for it during your match against Lucifer."
My brow furrowed slightly at the na. Paul Lucrian. A legend in necromantic circles. He was the pinnacle of traditional necromancy—soone who had reached the peak without a supernatural Gift to aid him, only skill and relentless mastery.
"He won't take up much of your ti," Eva assured .
I nodded. "I'll et him before the Festival."
With that, I turned, stepping off the stage—
A single clap rang through the arena.
Then another.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
More followed, rippling outward in waves.
By the ti I stepped down, the entire stadium was on its feet.
The applause rolled over like a tidal wave, thunderous and relentless, filling the air with a deafening roar of approval.
They were cheering for .
The weight of it settled into my chest—not heavy, not suffocating, but real. All the effort, all the training, all the nights spent pushing myself beyond what I thought was possible... it hadn't been for nothing.
I succeeded.
A slow smile spread across my face as I made my way toward the exit.
And then, arms wrapped around .
"That was incredible!" Rachel's voice was bright with excitent, her arms tightening around . "You won! Against Lucifer!"
I let out a breathless chuckle, hugging her back. "Yeah. I did."
As I pulled away, Cecilia, Seraphina, and Rose were all there too, their faces alight with pride and sothing else—sothing warr, sothing that made my chest tighten slightly.
Seraphina gave a small nod, her eyes shining with quiet satisfaction. "You were extraordinary."
Rose just smiled, shaking her head. "I knew you'd win."
Cecilia, of course, smirked. "Took you long enough."
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't wipe the grin off my face.
Then, my gaze shifted beyond them.
And there they were.
Mother. Father.
And Aria.
My mother's hands were clasped in front of her, but her sapphire-blue eyes were shining with unshed tears. My father stood tall beside her, his expression unreadable at first—until I saw the slight tilt of his lips, the proud gleam in his gaze.
And Aria—Aria was bouncing on her feet, practically vibrating with excitent, her dark hair swinging wildly as she waved at .
"Big bro, you beat him!" she shouted, grinning ear to ear. "You actually beat that guy!"
I exhaled sharply, walking over to them. My mother pulled into a hug first, holding tightly, her hands gripping my back as if she never wanted to let go.
"I'm so proud of you," she whispered.
My father placed a firm hand on my shoulder, his grip solid, grounding. "You've done well, Arthur."
I t his gaze, nodding slightly. "Thank you, Father."
Aria, of course, chose chaos. She launched herself at , nearly knocking off balance as she latched onto my arm.
"You were so cool! Like—like a hero in the stories! But even better!"
I laughed, ruffling her hair as she pouted at . "Thanks, Aria."
It was a mont—one I let myself have. Standing here, surrounded by the people who had shaped , the people who believed in .
But there was still more to do.
I pulled away, my eyes flickering toward the grandstand where the VVIPs were seated.
"I have to et soone before the Festival starts," I said, glancing at my mother and father. "Paul Lucrian."
"Alright, we'll see you later," my mother said as she caressed my face.
I turned to my friends next, eting each of their gazes in turn. "I'll be back soon."
Rachel frowned slightly, but she nodded.
Seraphina simply said, "We'll be waiting."
Cecilia just smirked, as if she knew sothing I didn't.
With that, I took a breath, steadying myself.
And then I made my way toward the eting that awaited .
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