The dust thinned, drifting across the arena floor as silence pressed over the crowd. When the haze finally cleared, Noel stood upright, Revenant Fang still at his side. Dior was on one knee, his chest glowing faintly with the activated defensive artifact strapped beneath his uniform. The barrier shimmered—proof that Noel's strike had landed decisively. Without the artifact's intervention, Dior would have collapsed.
The referee stepped forward, raising a hand. "Victory goes to Noel Thorne from the Imperial Academy of Valor!"
The crowd erupted into thunderous applause, cheers rolling through the coliseum like a crashing wave. Dior exhaled, expression calm, almost respectful despite his loss. He allowed himself to be escorted out, body still sparking faintly from the remnants of Noel's attack. Noel lifted Revenant Fang briefly, offering no grand display, and turned his back on the noise.
