The arena doors burst open, and reality itself seemed to hold its breath. Emperor Soren Valestrix entered, his presence so overwhelming that even the Emperor of Astaria tensed, magic crackling around him defensively. Two rulers of the same age, yet the gulf between their presences was like comparing a candle to a star.

Eren's Observer's Eye activated instinctively:

[Analyzing Entity: ERROR]

[Power Level: MEASUREMENT FAILED]

[WARNING: Visual Processing Overload]

[Adaptive Systems: Unable to Compensate]

[ALERT: Paternal DNA Match - Power Differential Beyond Scale]

The sheer pressure emanating from his father made Eren's breath catch. He had always known Soren Valestrix was powerful, but this... this was beyond comprehension. Just what type of being was his father? The Dark Emperor stood motionless, yet reality itself seemed to bend around him, as if acknowledging a higher authority.

Before anyone could react, shadows flickered through the arena. The imperial guards stationed around Eren and Jin collapsed, unconscious but alive, their weapons clattering to the ground. The Royal Guard materialized from those same shadows, their presence forming a perimeter of lethal intent.

"Come on, Eren!" A cheerful voice cut through the tension. "Can't have my favorite student sprawled on the ground like that! What happened to all that fancy footwork I taught you?"

Azar, the Twilight Blade, stood there with a playful grin that belied his deadly reputation. In his mid-twenties, he moved with the casual grace of someone who had already mastered the art of war. His presence was different from the other Royal Guards - less rigid, more like a coiled spring ready to unleash.

"Just how much were you holding back during our training?" Eren managed, his mind racing as he recalled their sparring sessions. Even his Observer's Eye couldn't track Azar's true capabilities.

Azar's grin widened. "Now, now, a teacher's got to keep some secrets." His attention suddenly shifted to Commander Shadowborn, his expression brightening further. "Speaking of teachers – Master! It's been too long! Still making the youngsters cry with your training regimes?"

Shadowborn's stern expression softened slightly, a rare smile crossing his weathered features. "Still as energetic as ever, I see. Though I notice you've at least learned to stand properly now."

"Oh come on, Master," Azar laughed, "You're the one who always said a blade needs to—"

"Watch out!" Eren's warning cut through their reunion.

Vex had lunged forward, his blade enhanced with whatever power he could muster. Without even turning his head, still mid-conversation with Shadowborn, Azar simply raised his hand. The blade deflected harmlessly aside, and Vex stumbled forward from his own momentum.

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Eren's Observer's Eye strained to analyze what had just happened: [Movement Analysis: FAILED] [Defensive Technique: Unable to Classify] [WARNING: Combat Parameters Exceed Known Limits] [ALERT: Multiple S-Class Threats Detected]

The nobles in the gallery watched in terrified fascination. This was the might of the Valestrix Empire - where even its younger generals could toy with other kingdoms' elite. But more than that, it was the absolute calm with which they operated, the casual display of overwhelming power that truly drove home their superiority.

Before anyone could react further, another presence made itself known. A figure stepped forward from behind the Emperor, his face partially hidden beneath a silver mask. Eren's heart nearly stopped as recognition hit him - Arkhos Thane, the Executioner of the Valestrix, second only to the Emperor himself.

The temperature in the arena seemed to drop several degrees. Where Azar was playful chaos, Arkhos was death given form. The masked figure's very presence made lesser practitioners struggle to breathe.

Through it all, Emperor Soren Valestrix stood unnaturally still, his face a mask of calculated indifference. No emotion leaked through his perfect composure, yet his mere presence commanded absolute submission. Nobles found themselves backing away without conscious thought, their bodies recognizing a predator beyond their comprehension.

His eyes swept across the arena, and reality seemed to hold its breath. When he finally spoke, his voice carried neither anger nor pleasure - just absolute certainty. "Astaria." The word fell like a death sentence. "You dare accuse an innocent boy of consorting with the demonic cult in Murim?"

The crushing pressure of his power filled the arena, carefully controlled, measured - like a blade waiting to strike but never falling, bound by laws older than the kingdoms themselves. The nobles in the gallery shifted uncomfortably, many unable to meet his gaze.

Then, something unexpected happened. The Dark Emperor's attention turned to Eren, and for just a moment, the pressure in the arena shifted. "You did well, son," he said, his voice carrying the same measured tone, yet somehow different. "Six stars, huh? Brings me back."

Eren felt his breath catch. In all his years, praise from his father had been rare, each word measured and precious. He managed a small smile. "Thank you, father."

For just a heartbeat, the smallest hint of a grin touched Soren's lips - so brief that most missed it entirely. Then his expression returned to its usual calculated mask, but something had changed in the arena's atmosphere.

Azar whistled low. "Six stars in that time... kid's got your blood alright, my lord." He casually dodged another desperate strike from Vex without looking, making the movement appear as natural as breathing. "Though someone here seems eager to test that bloodline."

"My liege," Arkhos spoke, his voice carrying a weight that made even the air seem heavy, "it appears some here look down upon the Valestrix name. Shall I remind them of their place?"

Behind his mask, Arkhos's eyes gleamed with deadly purpose. Everyone knew the stories - of entire sects that had vanished overnight, of armies that surrendered at just the rumor of his approach. The Executioner of the Valestrix, who had once erased a noble house from history so completely that even speaking their name became impossible.

Emperor Soren Valestrix regarded his executioner with calculated amusement. The slight tilt of his head was all the emotion he would show - all he needed to show. "Make it quick," he commanded, then added with deadly precision, "and don't kill them."

Arkhos nodded once, and the real demonstration of power was about to begin.

In that moment, watching his father command such monsters with mere words, Eren understood something profound about the Valestrix name he carried. It wasn't just about power - it was about absolute control, about authority so complete that reality itself seemed to bend in acknowledgment.

His Observer's Eye flashed one final warning: [CRITICAL: Multiple Combat Scenarios Initiating] [WARNING: Power Levels Beyond Measurement] [ALERT: Recommend Immediate Distance...] [System Override: Observing Valestrix Combat Doctrine]

The lesson was about to begin.