Kael’s mind raced, his composed exterior cracking as the pieces fell into place with startling clarity. Elder Xue’s blade was moving with lethal intent, its sharp edge cutting through the air toward Lucavion. The lounge, normally bustling with guards and attendants, was conspicuously empty.
’Where are the guards?’ Kael thought, his eyes darting to the corners of the room as he closed the distance with rapid strides. ’The Marquis explicitly stated that the contestants would be protected. So why is she here—alone, unopposed?’
The absence of any intervention was alarming, but Kael didn’t have the luxury of pondering it further. His instincts screamed at him to act, and the consequences of inaction loomed too large. If Xue kills him here, it won’t just stain the tournament—it’ll bury every potential secret he holds. And that… that would be a loss to the Silver Flame Sect.
“XUE! ARE YOU CRAZY?” Kael bellowed, his voice resonating with authority as he surged forward.
Lucavion, to his credit, didn’t flinch as the blade descended. His calm was unnerving, his eyes sharp and calculating even in the face of a superior foe. It was almost as if he had anticipated this moment. What is this boy thinking? Kael wondered, frustration boiling beneath his focus. Does he think he can survive this?
SWOOSH!
The blade was mere inches from Lucavion’s neck, the glint of its edge promising a swift and merciless end.
Kael’s legs burned with the surge of mana he poured into them, his body moving instinctively, his mind a storm of doubt and desperation. Too late. I’m too late, he thought, his analytical mind racing even as his instincts screamed for him to intervene.
Xue’s blade is already in motion. At this distance, there’s no way I can intercept it.
The flash of steel glinted ominously in the flickering light of the lounge.
I can’t lose him now!
Kael’s heart sank, his thoughts spiraling into frustration. He’s going to die, and all that he knows—everything we could use against them—will vanish.
SWOOSH!
The sound of the blade slicing through the air was deafening in Kael’s mind. His feet moved, but he already knew it was futile. I can’t—
CLANG!
Kael froze mid-step, the sharp metallic sound cutting through his thoughts like a knife. His body moved instinctively into a defensive posture, but his mind lagged, reeling from the impossibility of what he had just heard.
Clang?
His gaze snapped to the scene before him, his eyes widening in disbelief. What?
Elder Xue’s blade was halted mid-swing, its edge deflected by another—a blade glowing with mana, trembling under the force of the clash but holding firm. The source of the parry was none other than Lucavion himself.
Kael’s sharp eyes took in the sight, his mind working frantically to piece together what he was seeing. Lucavion stood with his estoc raised, its blade shimmering with a dense, pulsing aura of mana. The force of the clash had sent ripples of energy through the air, cracking the floor beneath their feet. But the boy—no, this young man—stood unyielding, his expression calm, even as his body betrayed the cost of his defiance.
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Lucavion’s arm trembled violently, his fingers gripping the hilt of his weapon with white-knuckled determination. Blood dripped steadily from his elbow, staining the floor beneath him. Kael’s trained eyes immediately caught the unnatural angle of his arm—the joint dislocated, the bones in his forearm visibly warped from the sheer impact.
His mind reeled. He parried her? A 4-star fighter against a 6-star elder? No, this isn’t possible—
Lucavion’s lips curled into a faint smirk, his voice cutting through the stunned silence. “You didn’t think it would be that easy, did you?”
Elder Xue’s eyes burned with fury as she stared at the young man before her, her blade still locked against his. She shoved her weapon forward, forcing Lucavion back a step, his injured arm shaking as he strained to maintain his grip.
Elder Xue’s eyes burned with fury as she stared at the young man before her, her blade still locked against his. She shoved her weapon forward, forcing Lucavion back a step, his injured arm shaking as he strained to maintain his grip.
Kael’s body finally caught up with his mind, and he closed the remaining distance in an instant, stepping between Xue and Lucavion with his blade drawn. His presence sent a wave of tension through the room as he raised his mana in a protective barrier, his voice sharp and commanding.
“That’s enough, Xue!” he barked, his gaze darting between the elder and Lucavion. “Have you lost all sense?”
Xue didn’t lower her blade, her voice seething with barely contained rage. “You’re protecting him? Stand aside, Kael. This is not Silver Flame Sect’s concern.”
Kael’s smirk widened as he stepped fully between Elder Xue and Lucavion, his blade held steady, the faint glow of his mana barrier shimmering like a veil of molten silver. “Overstepping, you say?” His tone was calm but edged with mocking amusement. “Come now, Xue, isn’t it our duty as elders to guide and protect the younger generation? Surely you wouldn’t advocate snuffing out such a promising talent over mere accusations.”
Xue’s expression twisted in fury, her hand gripping her sword tighter. “He is no ordinary young man,” she hissed. “He’s a threat—his lies have already taken root, tarnishing the name of the Cloud Heavens Sect. You, of all people, should understand the gravity of this. Stand aside!”
Kael let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. “Lies, you say? How can you be so certain they’re lies, Xue? After all, isn’t it only fair to investigate before making such a judgment? Or does the Cloud Heavens Sect no longer value evidence in their pursuit of truth?”
Xue’s eyes flashed dangerously, her aura flaring slightly in response. “There is no need to investigate baseless claims from a snake like him. He’s sowing discord, nothing more!”
“Baseless?” Kael raised an eyebrow, his smirk fading into a more serious expression. “Do you truly believe that? Or is it easier to silence him than to face the possibility that there might be truth in his words?” His gaze sharpened as he stepped closer, his voice lowering into a cutting tone. “Tell me, Xue—does this remind you of anything?”
Her posture stiffened, a flicker of unease flashing across her face. “What are you insinuating?”
Kael’s smirk returned, this time colder, more deliberate. “Oh, just a little incident from the past. You remember, don’t you? About fifteen years ago, a young man—a promising swordsman—was accused of assaulting one of your sect’s precious disciples. The evidence was circumstantial at best, but the Cloud Heavens Sect acted swiftly, didn’t they? Executed him without a second thought.”
Xue’s lips thinned, her expression darkening. “That situation was resolved long ago. It has no bearing here.”
“Resolved?” Kael laughed, the sound sharp and bitter. “Yes, I suppose you could call it that. Until the truth came to light a year later, when that same disciple confessed she fabricated the entire story out of spite. All because the young man rejected her advances.”
Xue’s grip on her blade faltered for a moment, though her glare remained. “That… was an isolated incident. It has nothing to do with this.”
Kael’s voice dropped, the mocking edge replaced by quiet, biting steel. “Does it? Or is it a reminder of what happens when you act rashly, when pride and fear cloud your judgment? If you kill this boy now, without proof, you’ll only give weight to his accusations. And if he’s telling the truth…” He let the implication hang in the air, his smirk returning. “Well, I’m sure the world would love to hear about that.”
Xue’s breathing grew heavier, her rage warring with the cold logic of Kael’s words. She glanced at Lucavion, who stood silently, his dark eyes gleaming with quiet confidence despite the pain evident in his trembling, injured arm. The young man met her gaze with a calm, knowing smirk, as if daring her to continue.
Kael stepped closer, his sharp gaze piercing through Elder Xue’s mask of fury. His tone shifted, no longer mocking but cold and calculated, every word a blade aimed to unbalance her. “Think carefully, Xue. If this boy is lying, then let the truth speak for itself. Truth has a way of silencing liars, doesn’t it?”
Xue’s jaw tightened, her hand still gripping her blade, though she didn’t raise it again. Her fury simmered just beneath the surface, her aura crackling faintly around her.
Kael tilted his head, watching her closely. “Unless… the truth isn’t so clean, is it? Is that why you’re so desperate to kill him?” His smirk returned, icy and deliberate. “From where I stand, it looks like the Cloud Heavens Sect has something to hide. Otherwise, why react so violently? Why not simply prove him wrong?”
“That’s enough!” Xue snapped, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and unease. Her aura flared briefly, but Kael didn’t flinch, holding his ground with an air of composed defiance.
“Is it?” Kael pressed, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “Because to me, this doesn’t look like the reaction of someone with nothing to hide. It looks like fear, Xue. Fear that his words have hit closer to the mark than you care to admit.”
Her glare burned into him, her fury evident, but Kael didn’t relent. He took another step forward, lowering his voice so only she could hear. “If you kill him now, you’ll only confirm what everyone already suspects. You’ll make his words truth, even if they aren’t. Is that what you want?”
