Time passed swiftly, and Xavier found himself among the bustling crowd, with Anastasia by his side and Alcmena perched on his lap. Together, they watched a series of intense battles unfold as contestants vied for victory in dazzling displays of skill and power.

As the latest match ended with cheers echoing for the victor, Xavier turned to Anastasia, his eyes alight with excitement. "This event is so fun to watch, Miss Anastasia!" he exclaimed, barely containing his enthusiasm.

Anastasia chuckled softly. "It certainly is, Young Master. This year's Gladiator Grand Festival has drawn in some of the most talented and formidable fighters. I wonder who will emerge as the new champion."

Xavier's smile broadened, brimming with confidence. "There's no need to wonder. I'm going to win this year's Gladiator Grand Festival!"

Anastasia's eyes widened in surprise at his bold declaration, while Alcmena let out a hearty laugh. "Look at you, kid. Getting a little full of yourself, aren't you?"

Xavier shot Alcmena a playful smirk. "Just following my Master's lesson: always be confident."

"Yeah, sure, kiddo…" Alcmena replied with a teasing sigh.

Just then, the announcer's voice boomed through the stadium, calling Xavier by his pseudonym, "Klay Worthmore," as the next fighter to face the mighty "Imperator of Arrogance." The crowd roared in anticipation.

Anastasia glanced at Xavier with a hint of concern. "It looks like you're up next, Young Master."

Sensing her worry, Xavier smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, Miss Anastasia. Everything will be fine."

Anastasia took a steadying breath. "Very well, but remember, you're the third heir of the Ivanovich House. Take care of yourself out there."

Alcmena smirked, leaning in. "And try not to get your butt handed to you down there".

Xavier grinned, giving them both a confident nod. "I'll be sure to come back with the title in no time!"

As he strode away to prepare, Alcmena shook his head, clicking his tongue. "Arrogant brat."

Anastasia laughed. "He takes after you more than you know. I didn't realize you were the one teaching him to be so confident."

Alcmena shrugged, folding his arms. "Of course. Confidence is essential, especially for facing foes stronger than yourself. It's what keeps you alive. You know that, don't you, Anastasia?"

Anastasia nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yes, I suppose I do."

Watching Xavier depart, Alcmena added, chuckling, "And he's my chosen vessel, the King of Dragons. He'll win this."

Meanwhile, in the preparation room filled with weapons and armor, Xavier examined the choices around him, debating. He knew he couldn't bring out Excalibur; that would draw too much attention. Picking up a sturdy steel sword, he murmured to himself, "This feels like the blades Father used to get for me, Big Sis, and Big Brother to use to train ourselves at home."

Taking a deep breath, Xavier's mind flashed with memories of his father, Jonathan. I just hope this sword is durable enough for my Vector Blade techniques, he thought, gripping the hilt with determination.

A Battle Herald entered the room, her voice cutting through his thoughts. "It's time. Your battle is about to begin."

Xavier nodded, moving toward her with urgency. Before leaving, he spotted a shield hanging on the far wall. In a swift motion, he grabbed it. I might need this too. You never know.

As they walked toward the entrance of the battleground, the Battle Herald turned to him, her tone grave. "Your opponent will be the Imperator of Arrogance, Miraxis Veilstrider. He's infamous for his cruelty and pride. And his pleasure in the suffering of his opponents".

The Herald then wished him luck, to which Xavier smiled warmly. "Thank you. I'll need it."

The hallway leading to the arena stretched before him, echoing with the chants of thousands of spectators. With each step, his nerves tightened. The roar of the crowd grew louder, their excitement palpable.

He slapped his cheeks lightly, muttering to himself, "Don't be nervous, Xavier. You've got this."

As he stepped out into the open, the blinding sunlight hit him, making him squint. When his eyes adjusted, he was overwhelmed by the sheer size of the crowd. Thousands had gathered to witness the Gladiator Grand Festival, the energy of their anticipation hanging thick in the air.

The announcer's voice boomed across the arena, his tone dripping with theatrical flair. "Introducing, Klay Worthmore! A young warrior from a distant land, raised on a farm, who has traveled all the way to the Empire of Russia to fight for the title of Gladiator Champion, for his loved ones!"

The crowd erupted, voices blending into a chaotic wave of sound. Among them, he spotted Anastasia cheering, though Alcmena watched calmly, his eyes unreadable.

The announcer pointed toward the other entrance, his voice rising in excitement. "And now, ladies and gentlemen, the infamous Imperator of Arrogance—Miraxis Veilstrider! A titan of a man, known for brutally tormenting his enemies before delivering the final blow!"

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The ground trembled as Miraxis emerged from the shadows, a monstrous figure cloaked in lavish, battle-worn garments. His muscular body, covered in scars and adorned with expensive jewelry, gleamed under the sunlight. He was a living monument to violence, a titan in every sense of the word, towering over Xavier like a mountain over a pebble.

As Miraxis approached the center of the arena, the announcer declared, "This battle will only end when one combatant is either unconscious or surrenders!"

A shimmering barrier formed around the arena, sealing them in. The crowd roared in anticipation as the announcer shouted, "Let the Gladiator Grand Festival begin!"

Xavier stood frozen for a moment, staring up at Miraxis in awe. The sheer size of his opponent, combined with the weight of the crowd's energy, sent a wave of nervousness crashing over him.

Miraxis sneered down at him, eyes gleaming with malice. "What's the matter, boy? Are you sweating already?" His voice was like gravel grinding together. "Have your legs gone weak at the sight of a god?"

Xavier swallowed hard but said nothing, his mind racing.

"You should feel honored," Miraxis continued with a cruel grin. "To face someone like me—it's more than you deserve. Now, try not to disappoint me. Be a good little jester for the crowd."

"Wha... what?" Xavier stammered, barely able to form words.

But before he could react, Miraxis moved. In an instant, he was upon Xavier, closing the distance with terrifying speed. His fist shot forward, a blur of power, and Xavier barely dodged in time, the force of the punch grazing him and sending shockwaves through the air.

Stumbling, Xavier regained his footing just as another punch came hurtling toward him. This time, he raised his shield, feeling the bone-shaking impact as it absorbed the brunt of the attack. But Miraxis was relentless, throwing punches that blurred in their ferocity, each one creating shockwaves that rattled Xavier to the core.

I need to think fast, Xavier thought as he struggled to keep up. Blocking one of Miraxis's attacks, Xavier used the momentum to propel himself into the air. With a swift motion, he unsheathed his blade from behind, ready to counter.

The battle had truly begun.

As Xavier struck Miraxis with his blade, a collective gasp rose from the crowd—and even from Xavier himself—as his sword stopped cold on contact. The impact sent a powerful shockwave down the blade and through his arm, forcing him to cough up blood.

What is this body made of? Xavier thought, clutching his bleeding nose, his mind racing. It's like hitting an immovable wall of iron!

Noticing the tremor in Xavier's stance, Miraxis smirked, diving in for another attack. Xavier managed to raise his shield just in time, but the force of Miraxis's blow was so immense that it sent a fierce vibration through his arm, causing a crack to spread along the bones beneath. Xavier grunted in pain as he was thrown backward, crashing into the barrier enclosing the arena.

The crowd roared with excitement, utterly captivated by the clash of strength and skill before them.

In the stands, Anastasia's eyes gleamed with a fierce, poisonous green, her body quaking with barely contained rage. Alcmena quickly placed a calming hand on her shoulder. "Take it easy, Lady Anastasia. Trust in Xavier. He's not one to go down so easily."

Anastasia exhaled deeply, nodding. "You're right. I'll control myself. I won't lose my temper again."

"That's the spirit," Alcmena replied, visibly relieved.

Back on the battlefield, Xavier struggled to his feet, clutching his fractured arm and picking up his sword. As he regained his stance, his vision swam with multiple mirages of Miraxis surrounding him from every angle.

"What's wrong, boy? Cat got your tongue?" Miraxis mocked, his laugh echoing ominously.

This is insane, Xavier thought, eyes darting between the multiple forms towering over him.

Arms crossed, Miraxis continued with a taunting grin. "Behold my glorious 'Spectral Mirage'! A once-in-a-lifetime spectacle of perfection, just for you."

The arena commentators chimed in with enthusiasm. "And there it is, ladies and gentlemen! The Imperator of Arrogance, up to his usual display of power and derision!"

Xavier, kneeling, watched in bewilderment. Does his ability let him create clones of himself?

Reading Xavier's expression, Miraxis answered with a smug grin, "Ah, you're clever. Yes, my Spectral Mirage does create clones. But they're not just illusions. Each one is a flawless duplicate, as powerful as the original!"

Pointing a finger at Xavier, Miraxis sneered, "And now, boy, you have the honor of fighting against all of my perfect clones. Let's see you handle that!"

With a chilling synchronicity, all of Miraxis's clones charged at once, overwhelming Xavier as the crowd's cheers intensified. Forced to defend himself, Xavier swung his sword in desperation, barely fending off one clone before another caught him by the leg. In an instant, he was slammed into the ground repeatedly, the force rattling his bones and blurring his vision.

Gritting his teeth, Xavier struggled to break free, slashing at the clone's hand with his blade, but it left no mark. Another clone attacked the moment he broke loose, prompting Xavier to teleport away, reappearing behind his assailant and delivering a spinning slash. But to his horror, the clone stopped the blade with its teeth, grinning as it held his blade in place.

Xavier's heart pounded. How do I fight against this?

The battle had only just begun, and the odds were already stacked against him.

Xavier leveled his finger at the clone, preparing to unleash a barrage of vector bullets. But from across the battlefield, the original Miraxis, watching with arms crossed and a smug grin, called out, "Are you sure you want to stay that close to my mirage? If I were you, I'd think twice."

At the snap of Miraxis's fingers, the clone holding Xavier's blade in a vicious bite suddenly began to glow with a fierce, searing light.

No way... Xavier's eyes widened in shock.

Reacting instantly, Xavier thrust his injured arm forward, activating his vector shield just as the clone exploded, engulfing the stadium in a fiery inferno. The blast roared through the arena, drawing a collective gasp from the crowd as the shockwave rippled outwards.

When the dust finally settled, Xavier blinked through the smoke, his eyes widening in disbelief. Towering before him now were not one or two, but twelve radiant mirages of Miraxis, each exuding the same aura of arrogance and menace.

Breathing heavily, Xavier gave a defiant grin. "Did you call in some friends to help you beat a kid? Or are you just too scared to face me alone?"

Miraxis's eyes flashed with irritation, though he chuckled. "Big words from someone about to meet their end."

"But I must admit, I'm impressed. I didn't expect a child like you to endure this long against me, the Imperator of Arrogance—especially now that I've awakened my red-ethereal core."

Xavier's eyes narrowed, trying to process. "Wait... did you say red-ethereal core?"

Miraxis's grin widened, his eyes gleaming a fierce crimson. "That's right. And lucky for you, you'll be the first to witness its power."

With that, all twelve mirages began to glow, their bodies crackling with energy. In an instant, they unleashed a dazzling display, filling the entire battleground with explosions that lit up the arena like fireworks against a night sky.

Xavier braced himself, heart pounding as the onslaught of radiant blasts bore down on him.