As soon as the chime rang out, Octavian rushed at his opponent with a roar. Seifer gracefully stepped aside and almost beheaded him. Having just barely escaped, Octavian continued his assault in a more careful manner but it was clear who the inferior combatant was.

Seifer kept dodging all of Octavian’s attacks, occasionally stabbing at him at just the right moments. This went on for several minutes, Octavian’s fury grew even further as he was reminded of his last battle with Seifer Nox.

Over the next twenty minutes, Octavian was covered in superficial cuts and bruises whereas Seifer was entirely unscathed. Cheers rang out in the arena at the sight of Seifer dodging every attack as though he could see the future.

Suddenly, Octavian stopped his assault and retreated by a few feet. The two men looked at each other, one as calm as can be and the other, the epitome of rage.

Seifer smirked at Octavian mockingly, for no reason other than to make him even more reckless. Octavian gnashed his teeth and then, shocking everyone in the arena, struck at his own heart.

For the first time in this new life, Seifer was shocked. Gasps spread through the arena and in the highest circle, Elder Octavian paled as he realized the extent of his grandson’s madness.

First step Transcendents couldn’t control their ether but they still had one technique at their disposal. With a precise strike, the strongest first step Transcendents could make their heart beat faster, drastically increasing their strength.

It would only last a minute or two and afterwards their heart would stop for several seconds, with a chance of them dying. Even if they didn’t die, their spirit level would drop significantly.

Octavian roared in rage and bloodlust. His appearance had turned truly monstrous with his veins extending out of his skin and his muscles expanding to ridiculous proportions.

He looked at Seifer with bloodshot eyes, a triumphant smile on his lips as though he hadn’t just sacrificed much of his power and laid his life on the line.

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“I yield” said Seifer casually, he didn’t hesitate to give up the Patriarch’s reward to save his life. There was no chance of him defeating Octavian in his enhanced state, his death was guaranteed.

In the highest circle, Marcus and Annalise let out a sigh of relief and for some reason, so did Arcturus Harkes. Elder Octavian sighed as well, except his was a sigh of profound disappointment.

Down at the ring, Octavian did not seem to process what had just happened. He lunged at Seifer, hitting a transparent barrier that had formed as soon as Seifer yielded.

Octavian roared, striking the barrier again and again. He reminded Seifer of Gabriel, just a far more pathetic version who had no reason to be so mad with rage.

“How can you give up?! How can you let your rival win without a fight?!” he yelled.

“In your obsession to defeat me, you gave up the power you worked so hard for and brutalized someone you were meant to protect. You are neither a winner, nor worthy of being my rival” said Seifer with a sneer.

He walked towards his seat, leaving Octavian screaming in rage for a few more seconds before the Elder Octavian appeared behind him and knocked him out. Seifer had almost left the ring when the Patriarch spoke.

“Stay where you are, Seifer Nox. Unless you don’t want your reward” said Augustus.

“What do you mean? He yielded, my grandson won the tournament!” shouted Elder Octavian with a deep scowl. As disappointed as he was in his grandson, he still wanted him to have the reward so that he may regain his former strength.

“Of course he did. But why does that matter?” Augustus said calmly.

Marcus looked on in glee, Annalise was shocked to see a wide grin on her father’s face instead of the usual polite expression. A small smile appeared on Seifer’s face as he realized what the Patriarch meant.

“The Family Constitution states that the winner of the Tournament is to be rewarded by the Patriarch” said Elder Octavian with shaking hands.

“No, it says that the best Transcendent is to be rewarded by the Patriarch. As Seifer so astutely stated, your grandson is far from being the best.” replied Augustus.

The Elder Octavian said no more as he grabbed his unconscious grandson and left the arena in a rage. Augustus watched him leave for a few seconds before looking down to Seifer.

“Seifer Nox, as your reward the House will gift an Ascension potion to you. Use it well” said Augustus, making a small vial filled with amber liquid appear above his hand and float towards Seifer.

Seifer put the potion in his tulak ring and bowed to Augustus. He walked out with his head held high and for the first time, Marcus appeared to be even happier than his daughter.

The other Elders looked at him strangely but Marcus couldn’t bring himself to care, this was almost a perfect day. If only Octavian had stayed a bit longer so that he could make a snide remark.