The temperature in the arena plummeted as Arkhos took a single step forward. His presence alone made lesser practitioners struggle to breathe, their bodies instinctively recognizing a predator beyond their understanding.
Vex, still recovering from his failed attack on Azar, felt the executioner's attention fall on him. His face went pale. "W-wait, I was just—"
"Three seconds," Arkhos stated, his voice carrying decades of accumulated authority. "That's how long you have to show me everything you possess. Anything less would be an insult to the Valestrix name."
Eren's Observer's Eye strained to process what happened next:
[Multiple Combat Signatures Detected] [WARNING: Processing Delay] [Speed: Beyond Observable Parameters] [ALERT: Analyzing Combat Doctrine...]
Vex unleashed everything – his blade wreathed in crackling energy, the ground beneath him shattering as he pushed his body beyond its limits. For those three seconds, he fought with the desperation of a man who knew death awaited. His attacks came from impossible angles, each strike carrying enough force to level a building.
Arkhos moved with practiced precision, each movement economical and deadly. Where Vex's attacks were desperate and wild, Arkhos's responses were refined by decades of combat. He didn't waste energy on flashy techniques or overwhelming power – he simply countered each strike with minimal movement, his mastery evident in every motion.
"Time's up," the executioner declared.
The next moment burned itself into Eren's memory, his Observer's Eye finally beginning to adapt:
[Combat Analysis: Active] [Detecting: Advanced Sword Arts] [WARNING: Technique Refinement Beyond Standard Metrics] [ALERT: New Combat Doctrine Recorded]
A single flash of steel. That's all it took. Vex's sword arm fell useless, tendons severed with surgical precision. He collapsed, alive but thoroughly defeated, his weapon clattering to the ground in pieces.
"Still efficient as ever, old man," Azar commented with a grin, bouncing on his heels like an excited child. "Though you could've made it flashier for the audience!"
"Respect your elders, brat," Arkhos replied, but there was a hint of fondness in his voice. "Just because Lord Soren lets you run wild doesn't mean you can forget proper manners."
"Master," Azar turned to Shadowborn, "can you believe how he still treats me? After all these years!"
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Shadowborn's stern expression cracked slightly. "You'll always be that troublemaking recruit to him, Azar. Some things never change."
Emperor Soren watched the exchange with calculated amusement, his presence still dominating the arena without effort. Even in this lighter moment, none could forget who held true authority here. The Astarian Emperor, watching from his position, knew better than anyone – he could perhaps match Arkhos in combat, but against Soren? The gap was beyond measuring.
"Oh?" Soren's attention shifted to Eren. "Your Observer's Eye. It's evolving."
Eren straightened immediately. "Yes, father. I can track more of their movements now."
"Show me."
Eren activated his ability fully, pushing it to its limits:
[Analyzing Combat Data] [Processing: Advanced Combat Applications] [WARNING: System Adapting to New Parameters] [ALERT: Combat Analysis Expanded]
"He's not just watching anymore," Arkhos observed. "He's learning. Like someone else I remember."
"The boy kept me on my toes during training," Azar added, his usual playful tone carrying a note of genuine praise. "Nearly caught me off-guard a few times. Though obviously, I wasn't going all out!" He laughed, dodging a half-hearted swat from Arkhos.
Jin, who had remained silent through the demonstration, finally spoke. "So this is the true might of the Valestrix Empire." His voice carried both awe and calculation. "The rumors didn't do you justice."
"Rumors rarely do," Emperor Soren replied, his attention turning to the Astarian nobles. "Now then, about these false accusations..."
Before he could continue, a new presence erupted at the arena's edge. Dark energy spiraled upward, and a figure emerged from the shadows – one wearing the twisted mask of the Crimson cult.
"Blood of the Valestrix..." the cultist's voice echoed unnaturally. "Perfect for our—"
They never finished. Three things happened simultaneously:
Azar's blade flashed, cutting through the dark energy with practiced ease. Arkhos appeared behind them, his decades of experience negating their every move. And Emperor Soren... simply watched, as if he'd known this would happen.
The cultist collapsed, their mask cracking to reveal a face twisted with forbidden magic. But more importantly, they wore the insignia of an Astarian noble house.
"Well," Soren said, his voice carrying that same measured calm, "it seems we've found our real conspirator." He turned to the Astarian Emperor. "Shall we discuss terms of investigation? It appears you have a rather serious infestation."
Eren watched it all unfold, his Observer's Eye recording every detail:
[Analysis Complete: Advanced Combat Techniques] [New Data Integrated] [WARNING: Skill Ceiling Redefined] [ALERT: Combat Protocols Updated]
He understood now. This hadn't just been a demonstration of power – it was a lesson. About control, about precision, about carrying the Valestrix name.
And somewhere in the shadows of the arena, watching it all unfold, a figure smiled beneath their hood. Everything was proceeding exactly as planned. The real game was about to begin.