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

the sheath of his blade, he quickly

Click—!

that no one was able to react on time. Not even Edward as he had difficulty

a faint clicking sound before a bright white light flashed and

took for him to blink his eyes, and once his focus returned

what was most shocking was the fact that Lightning Emperor had casually blocked the attack

as

able to react

up straight and paid close attention to

seen the first exchange, he discarded such thoughts and paid proper

no longer

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

underestimated both

***

"...What an interesting pair."

with interest as he gazed at the arena below. Specifically toward the two individuals who had just had their first

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

speed of

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

That said.

simply because he wasn't paying attention. Had he been paying attention, he

more impressive is Lightning Dragon. To be able

edges of Duke Anozech's lips curled into a

"How amusing."

"Your excellency."

his servant appeared out of

around,

"What is it?"

got a report

"Say it."

is currently in one of the platforms, looking at the

"Oh?"

shifted toward his servant. The smile on

Prince has come to spectate

"That's correct."

"Hah..."

mouth, Duke Anozech's pondered for a

'What a rare occasion...'

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

he know something

around, Duke Anozech gazed in the direction of where

he

Lightning

***

"H...how is this possible?"

my attack had been blocked,

Cracka! Cracka!

lightning crackled in the

"Ughhh!"

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

Bang—!

"haa...haaa..."

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

"Damn it..."

crossed my face as I looked at Lightning

it possible for him to stop my attack? Or was

by

exactly the first time that my attack had ever been

had never happened to

"Huu.."

in the middle of a

Rather, I became calmer.

one more time. See if it's a fluke

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 a step forward and pressed my thumb against

the [Keiki

Click—!

out and my vision warped. At the same time my

me get a better look and see how you managed to defend