"I give up," Lyra said to the referee and stepped down from the arena. The referee was baffled; she didn't know what to answer. "Kinty is the winner, I guess," she said with an uncertain voice. Many were not satisfied with the outcome, but since the City Lord had yet to react, who were they to argue?

"I think someone has to teach you good manners," Agris suddenly said, jumping onto the arena. "I thought you would never say that," Kinty smiled despite his pain. He took out his sword with his right hand, unable to wield both swords due to his now white arm.

"Enough chit-chat," Kinty said, dashing towards Agris. "Let the final round of the golden seasons exam start," the referee shouted, enticing the crowd once more. The City Lord gave a silent smile; she was indeed doing a good job.

Kinty's sword whistled through the air. He slashed out, and Agris scoffed, deflecting the attack without moving. Sparkles bloomed. Kinty stepped to the side, his sword harboring a golden glow as he pierced forward. A whooshing sound could be heard. Agris tilted his head, a smile on his face.

His hair danced due to the wind created. His sword slashed upward, drawing a dazzling blue arc. The flow of the seven rivers was activated; the first wave came crashing. Kinty tried to dodge but was too late. Waves of blue energy sent his body flying back, blood staining the arena.

He stumbled back, falling to a knee, gritting his teeth, his hand now dangling lifeless. Blood was oozing violently from his wound. Agris smiled wickedly and moved for the first time, clearly intending to finish this fast. His sword was like an unstoppable force, and the seven blue waves on the edges of his sword shone even more.

The third wave came crashing like a meteor. Kinty rolled to the side, and the arena shook upon impact. Blue waves of energy pulverized the spot. Kinty smiled as his white hand, which had been quiet all along, moved. He unsheathed his sword at lightning speed and struck.

Agris's eyes widened, unable to avoid in time. The sword moved like lightning, covered in a terrifying golden glow. A cracking sound was heard, his body sent dancing into the midair.

Kinty stepped forward, raising his sword, but he stumbled, his hands falling to the side. Blood had already tinted all his dress. Agris was furious. He landed, piercing his sword into the arena, but the force was still too high. He slid back, diving the arena as he tried to stop his body.

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After a tremendous effort, his body finally came to a halt before he could fall off the arena. His face was ugly, veins popping from his head. "What Rune is that? Its power is frightening," the audience commented. "Agris has finally found a match," people kept talking.

Agris stood up, pulling his sword from the ground. His grip was firm, and his eyes sharp, not because of the blow he took, but because of a frightening thought that had appeared in his mind. Kinty was already severely wounded before they even started. What would have happened if he was at his full strength during his first match?

His fist cracked. He was Alden City Lord's first son. How could he be forced into such a position in front of so many people? His eyes locked onto Kinty; this peasant needed to pay for that.

"City Lord, you wouldn't mind if there was some accident, right?" Agris turned to him. The City Lord frowned; Agris's words sounded polite, but his tone was like that of an order. "In a fight, accidents are inevitable," he replied. The two locked eyes, seemingly arriving at a common conclusion.

Kinty had a hard time standing up, let alone holding his sword. The referee was sweating as she heard their exchange. "The participant is greatly wounded and can probably not continue," the referee said, going near Kinty. His eyes were half open, one arm covered in a white that froze her heart, and the other was oozing violently with blood; he needed help fast.

"The winner of this year's golden seasons exam is none other than the genius Agris, the pride of the Alden City Lord," she shouted. No one was surprised; his performance was indeed worthy of the first place. It was finally over, Amarok thought.

Agris frowned; he was unwilling to accept that result. In his opinion, Kinty had to die. But now that the result had been announced, he had no valid reason. Even as a City Lord's son, he could not simply kill someone, especially in front of so many people.

Just as everyone thought it was finally over, a group of people entered the arena, blocking Amarok and his group, who were about to leave.

"What's the meaning of this, City Lord?" Calder asked politely, although he already guessed the answer. "The City Lord from Alden wants to return. Now," the man leading said. "We were about to leave," Calder said nonchalantly.

"Let's go then. Only you are allowed to follow us back," the man added, making his intention clear. Calder's eyes flashed as he finally understood. He glanced at the City Lord of Wandleaf; he had a strange smile on his face. "Well, since it's the City Lord, I can't say anything," Calder sighed, following the man and his group.

"This time, no one will save you." The City Lord descended on the arena, and the crowd, who was about to leave, shuddered inwardly. Was he really going to attack someone way below his rank? "You are a Rune sorcerer Smith; are you really going to lift your hand on an innocent teenager? He has not even gotten his rank yet. How glorious of a City Lord," Calder couldn't help but ask, his eyes piercing into the City Lord.

"His insolence knows no limit. Someone like him will only cause problems for Elysium. It's better to get rid of him now," the City Lord said, sounding like he was doing the country a favor. But all those who had taken part in the banquet knew exactly what happened.