Elysia stayed at Edwin's side, her hand resting lightly on the hilt of her sword as the field emptied.
The silence around them was heavy, suffocating, like the calm before a violent storm.
Her voice was low, barely audible, but laced with concern.
"This is going to get ugly."
Edwin didn't flinch. His expression was steady, his eyes sharp.
"I've been through worse," he replied, though the slight tension in his jaw betrayed the weight on his mind.
He knew there was no turning back—the runes had been seen.
The Celestial Royal had recognized them. His victory was no longer a simple triumph of strength; it had become a spark that could ignite something far greater.
And in the shadows of the arena, the true battle was only beginning.
Before leaving the arena floor, Calvane slowed his steps, his armored boots echoing against the cracked stone.
The cheers of the audience had already died down, leaving only a tense silence that pressed over Edwin and Elysia like a heavy cloak.
