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.

me what

make his move was Ren. Placing his hand over the sheath of his

Click—!

was so fast that no one was able to react on time. Not even Edward as he

clicking sound before a bright white light flashed and a metallic ring

happened within the time it took for him to blink his eyes, and once his focus returned to the match, he found Ren's sword

that Lightning Emperor had casually blocked the attack by tilting the body of the sword in

as his

was able to react

straight and paid close

originally come here to get a peek at Ren, after having seen the first exchange,

could no longer

attack that he could not properly see, to Lightning Dragon's

had severely underestimated both of

***

"...What an interesting pair."

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

White Reaper use his sword, who would've known that he had hidden something

of

that even

That said.

attention. Had he been paying

impressive is Lightning Dragon. To be able

of Duke Anozech's lips curled into

"How amusing."

"Your excellency."

then that his servant appeared

around, Duke

"What is it?"

got a report

"Say it."

Blood Prince is currently in one of the platforms, looking

"Oh?"

servant. The smile on

come to spectate

"That's correct."

"Hah..."

his hand to caress his mouth, Duke

'What a rare occasion...'

spectated a match, it had been quite a while since he

know something

the direction of where the

his eyes, he muttered out

for Lightning Dragon

***

"H...how is this possible?"

had been blocked, I was unable to

Cracka! Cracka!

convulsed severely as lightning crackled in the

"Ughhh!"

pain, I forcefully stomped my foot on the ground and distanced myself from him. I was fortunate to realize that Lightning Dragon

Bang—!

"haa...haaa..."

myself from Lightning Dragon, I cursed inwardly as my chest heaved up

"Damn it..."

incredulity crossed my face as I looked at Lightning

is it possible

by this by what

my attack had ever been

had never happened to

"Huu.."

calm down. Knowing that I was in the middle

Rather, I became calmer.

time. See if it's a fluke or

my eyes on Lightning Dragon who calmly stood in the middle of the arena without a care in the world, I calmly took a

the [Keiki style] :

Click—!

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

see how you managed to defend my