Lady Cerys, observing with an expression of surprise and perplexity, immediately understood the gravity of the revelation. Her eyes widened, and her face took on a tone of admiration mixed with a hint of disbelief. She had underestimated him, and now, faced with the truth, her evaluation changed drastically.

— Aemon of Volcrist... — Lady Cerys murmured to the red-haired figure beside her, who was also shocked by the revelation. — This is a real man, a genuine prodigy.

Meanwhile, Lilith, with her heart still racing and a satisfied smile on her face, watched the reactions of the crowd and Cerys with a sense of triumph. She knew she had made the right choice in trusting him and had helped awaken a potential that few could comprehend.

He, though exhausted and covered in blood, was aware of the impact of his presence. The battle wasn’t just about defeating monsters; it was about claiming his place in the world, something he was starting to do with a fierce roar and an insatiable desire to prove his worth. With one last defiant look at the crowd and Lady Cerys, he awaited further instructions, knowing the road ahead would be even more challenging.

The murmurs and whispers spread through the arena as everyone processed what had just happened. The figure of the Prince of Volcrist, now revealed as the warrior who had surpassed expectations, was firmly established in the minds of all present. And as the arena began to calm down, the next phase of the competition loomed, promising more challenges and revelations.

The arena, now echoing with the aftermath of the previous battle and the anticipation of an imminent conclusion, was in a state of frenzied excitement. The crowd, still in shock over the revelation of the prince as the heir of Volcrist, could barely contain their breath as they watched the final confrontation. The Leviathan, a colossal and relentless monster, faced a warrior who, despite being exhausted and bloodied, still held a flame of determination in his eyes.

He, with his senses heightened and adrenaline coursing through his veins, attacked the Leviathan. The beast, with its scaly hide and immense body, advanced with the same ferocity it had unleashed on its previous opponents. The impact of its claws against the ground made the arena tremble, and its roar was like thunder in a storm.

The first exchange of blows was brutal. The prince, using his newly discovered agility and strength, dodged the Leviathan's massive attacks with quick and precise movements. He darted around the monster, searching for an opening in its nearly impenetrable defense. Every strike the Leviathan attempted seemed to hit nothing but air as the warrior moved with almost superhuman skill.

— Look at his speed! — exclaimed one of the spectators, impressed by the prince's agility.

— It's like he's dancing with the monster, — commented another, observing the fluidity of his movements.

Lilith, positioned in the stands, couldn’t contain her emotions. Her eyes were fixed on him, and the tension on her face was palpable. She remembered the last time he faced a powerful enemy and found himself in a desperate situation. It was as if the same energy and intensity were present now, with the difference that he was in control, even though the battle was still fierce.

— Go, Aemon! Show him what you're capable of! — Lilith murmured, almost as if she were in a trance.

The fight was a demonstration of pure strength and technique. The Leviathan tried to use its tail as a weapon, launching devastating attacks that could crush any ordinary man. But the prince, with his sharpened skills, managed to dodge and counterattack with precision.

In a critical moment, the Leviathan lunged with its jaws wide open, trying to swallow him whole. Sensing the imminent attack, he executed an impressive leap over the monster, and while airborne, he threw his daggers with lethal precision, hitting the Leviathan's eyes and forcing the beast to temporarily retreat.

— Incredible! He's using the terrain to his advantage! — commented a spectator, applauding his strategy.

As the Leviathan writhed and roared in pain, he seized the opportunity to attack with even greater intensity. His strikes became faster and more calculated, and his determination was evident in every move. The monster, now wounded and fatigued, began to show signs of weakness.

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The prince used his agility to maneuver around the Leviathan, targeting its vulnerable points. He slashed and stabbed with precision, aiming for the beast's weakest spots. Each strike he delivered seemed to increase the pressure on the Leviathan, which was beginning to falter.

— He's dominating the fight! — exclaimed another spectator, visibly impressed.

The Leviathan, enraged, launched one last desperate attack, trying to crush him with its tail and claws. But the prince, with his heightened abilities and body strengthened by the potion, managed to evade and counter with renewed strength. In a decisive move, he dove toward the Leviathan's throat, driving his daggers deep and ending the threat once and for all.

The Leviathan's final roar echoed through the arena, and the monster fell to the ground with a thunderous crash. The crowd, in a frenzy of emotion, erupted into applause and cheers of admiration. He, though exhausted and wounded, stood in the middle of the arena, his daggers still dripping with blood.

Lilith, watching the scene, was overcome with a mixture of relief and pride. She knew he had surpassed his own limitations and proven himself a true warrior. Her smile reflected her recognition and unwavering confidence in his abilities.

— That’s what I expected from you, Aemon, — Lilith whispered to herself, her gaze glowing with a mix of excitement and satisfaction.

The battle was over, but the repercussions of his victory were far from ending. He had faced unimaginable challenges and exceeded all expectations, and now, his name was etched into the memory of everyone present, not just as a warrior, but as the true heir of Volcrist.

As the crowd’s applause echoed through the arena, the prince, though victorious, swayed slightly on his feet, his energy drained. Seeing this, Lilith swiftly descended from the stands, her movements graceful and quick as she made her way to his side. Without hesitation, she supported him, helping him out of the arena. Her face showed a mix of concern and relief, her presence a comforting anchor amid the chaos.

Meanwhile, Lady Cerys, still caught up in the excitement of the battle, watched with growing fury. The thrill of the fight gave way to frustration as she saw Lilith leading Aemon away. The feeling that someone was stealing the outcome of her tournament made her livid. She rose from her seat in the stands, her anger evident.

— How dare you take my champion like that? Cerys shouted, her voice as sharp as blades. — He is a prize of my arena, and you’re taking him away without even letting me acknowledge his victory!

Aemon, still standing, turned to face Cerys. His eyes, though tired, burned with a defiant intensity. He felt the need to defend not only himself but also Lilith, who was doing her best to help him.

— Lady Cerys, with all due respect, I am the winner of this competition, and I now need care he replied firmly, his voice carrying an air of authority. — There is nothing more you can demand from me at this moment.

The tension between Cerys and the prince was palpable, and the atmosphere around them seemed to freeze for a moment. Cerys, still furious, knew that confronting Aemon further was unwise, especially given his exhausted state.

Sensing the rising hostility, Lilith acted quickly. She helped the prince move away from the arena, guiding him toward the exit. They passed through corridors and gates, finally emerging into the nearby forest.

Once out of the arena and away from prying eyes, Lilith helped Aemon find a safe place to recover. The forest was dense and quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos of the arena. Lilith quickly set up an improvised camp, using her magic to create a comfortable and protected space.

— You did an incredible job, Aemon Lilith remarked as she inspected his wounds. — But we need to take care of you now. Those monsters were relentless, and you’re exhausted as well.

Aemon, despite the pain and fatigue, gave a faint smile. Lilith’s presence and the safety of the forest were a relief. He sat on a stone and watched as Lilith worked, concern in his eyes.

— Thank you, Lilith he said, his voice weak but sincere. — I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.

Lilith responded with a gentle smile as she continued tending to his wounds.

— Don’t worry about it. We’re in this together she stated with conviction. — Let’s recover and plan our next steps.

As night fell and the forest grew silent, the prince and Lilith prepared for a period of recovery and reflection. His victory had been grand, but it also marked the beginning of new challenges and adversities yet to come. The battle in the arena had been just the start of a much larger journey that would unfold as they moved forward.

And so, under the starry sky and the shelter of the forest, the prince and Lilith braced themselves for what was to come, knowing the true journey was only just beginning.