The Author's POV

Moments prior to the fight.

Casually coming out of his room, Edward made his way toward the arena. Along the way, he couldn't help but think about Ren.

'I'm curious about his strength...'

In spite of the fact that it had been four years since he last met him, he remembered him as a promising talent.

In comparison to Kevin Voss, he was not exactly a high-profile talent, but an incident caused his name to spread far and wide at the time.

Something about him defeating a demon or something...

"Looks like I've just arrived in time."

A loud cheer greeted Edward as he stepped into the arena.

After arriving at his designated platform and entering the room that overlooked the entire arena, he sat down on a sofa and made himself comfortable.

[On the left side, we have a familiar opponent. This is someone who has never lost a fight, and whose Duke ranking is third...]

The Demoness's loud voice echoed out of the arena as he sat down.

Following her announcement, the gates opened and a figure slowly came out. With semi-long black hair and deep yellow pupils that glowed with a strange light, Lightning Dragon slowly approached the arena's center.

His very presence caused the arena to quiet down for a couple of seconds.

Once his feet came to a stop, the demoness extended her hand toward the other side of the arena and announced.

Our right corner contains a figure that we've been waiting for eagerly. A newcomer who has already reached such heights in such a short period of time...]

"He's finally coming out."

Shifting his body forward, Edward sat upright.

His desire was to see how much this once youth had grown since he had last seen him.

When the gates of the arena slowly rose, a figure with deep blue eyes and white hair slowly emerged.

Just like Lightning Dragon, his entire presence caused the arena to quiet down.

Tok.Tok.

While his eyes remained fixed on the figure opposite him, Lightning Dragon, his calm and rhythmical footsteps echoed out loud.

While slowly approaching the center of the arena, he displayed indifference toward the cheers from the crowd, or anyone else.

At this moment, all of his attention was focused on his opponent.

"I like that..."

There was a slight curl on Edward's lips as he noted this.

The way he carried himself.

It was impressive.

Neither arrogant nor overbearing, but calm and focused. The perfect combination that made one stand apart from the masses.

"I wonder if Amanda is just as strong as him..."

Thinking about his daughter, Edward's face flashed with sadness. The thought of leaving her alone with all of his responsibilities pained his heart beyond measure.

If not for this shitty place, he would've long sought a way to return home, but this proved much more difficult than he had expected.

The demon world was just that scary.

"Just wait a little longer..."

Edward secretly clenched his fists.

[You may begin!]

The demoness' loud voice signaled the start of the match, jolting Edward out of his thoughts.

His eyes grew sharper as he shifted his attention back to the arena.

what you've

hand over the sheath of his blade, he quickly got into a stance as mana erupted from out of

Click—!

on time. Not even Edward as he had

before a bright white light

for him to blink his eyes, and once his focus returned to the match,

shocking was the fact that Lightning Emperor had casually blocked the

dilated as his demeanor

to react to

sat up straight and

he had originally come here to get a peek at Ren, after having seen the first exchange, he discarded such thoughts and paid

could no longer afford

not properly

underestimated both of

***

"...What an interesting pair."

he gazed at the arena below. Specifically toward the two individuals who had just had

the first time I've seen White Reaper use his sword, who would've

of his

was fast. Really fast. So much so that even Duke Anozech

That said.

he been paying attention, he would've been able

what's more impressive is Lightning Dragon. To be able

Anozech's lips curled into a sinister

"How amusing."

"Your excellency."

then that his servant appeared

around, Duke

"What is it?"

a report for

"Say it."

Prince is currently in one

"Oh?"

his servant. The

Prince has come to

"That's correct."

"Hah..."

caress his mouth,

'What a rare occasion...'

wasn't the first time that the Blood Prince had spectated a match, it

he know something that I

Duke Anozech gazed in the direction of

eyes, he muttered out

for Lightning

***

"H...how is this possible?"

fact that my attack had been blocked, I was

Cracka! Cracka!

as lightning crackled in the air and penetrated deeply into my

"Ughhh!"

and distanced myself from him. I was fortunate to realize that Lightning

Bang—!

"haa...haaa..."

spite of my efforts to distance myself from Lightning Dragon, I cursed inwardly as my

"Damn it..."

look of incredulity crossed my face as I looked

it? How is it possible for him to stop my attack? Or

was still shaken by this by what

time that my attack had ever been stopped, but to do it so

happened

"Huu.."

to calm down. Knowing that I was in the middle of a battle,

Rather, I became calmer.

See if it's a fluke

take it up a notch. Locking my eyes on Lightning Dragon who calmly stood in the middle of the arena without a care in the world, I calmly took

third movement of the [Keiki style]

Click—!

subtle clicking sound rang out and my vision warped. At the same time my vision warped, I activated 'Eyes

see