Silence lingered in the Hall of Assembly long after the declaration.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
Because what had just happened…
Should not have happened.
Leon stood at the center of the hall, fully aware of the eyes on him.
Hostile.
Curious.
Dangerous.
The weight of their gazes pressed down on him like a mountain.
Whispers began to spread.
"Recognized…?"
"An illegitimate prince?"
"This is absurd…"
Leon could hear everything.
Every insult.
Every doubt.
But this time—
He didn't look away.
At the top of the hall, Caelus Aurelion sat calmly on his throne.
Watching.
Observing.
His golden eyes remained fixed on Leon.
As if measuring something unseen.
"…I object."
The voice was calm.
Cold.
The Second Prince stepped forward.
His presence immediately shifted the atmosphere.
"If he is to be recognized…"
"…Then he must prove himself."
Murmurs of agreement followed.
Leon frowned slightly.
Here it comes.
The Second Prince looked directly at Leon.
"This palace is not a place for the weak."
Leon met his gaze.
"I know."
"Then prove it."
Leon's eyes narrowed slightly.
"How?"
The prince turned toward the center of the hall.
"The arena."
A noble elder stood and spoke loudly.
"According to imperial law…"
"Any royal claiming recognition must pass a Trial of Strength."
Leon raised an eyebrow.
"…Convenient."
The elder ignored him.
"The trial shall be conducted immediately."
Leon sighed.
"Of course it will."
The center of the hall shifted.
With a deep rumbling sound, the ground moved.
Stone plates slid apart.
Revealing a circular arena beneath.
Leon stepped forward.
"Well… no turning back now."
Aether watched silently from the side.
The Second Prince raised his hand.
"I will choose the opponent."
The hall grew tense.
Leon crossed his arms.
"Make it someone reasonable."
The prince smirked slightly.
"No."
He pointed toward one of the royal guards.
"You."
A warrior stepped forward.
His armor gleamed.
His presence alone was overwhelming.
Leon immediately felt it.
This guy is strong.
The guard stepped into the arena.
He bowed slightly toward the throne.
Then looked at Leon.
"Forgive me."
Leon smiled faintly.
"Don't worry."
"I'll try not to die."
A few nobles laughed quietly.
"Begin."
The guard moved first.
Fast.
Far faster than Leon expected.
Leon barely reacted in time.
He stepped back as the guard's blade cut through the air.
WHOOSH!
"That's fast!"
The guard didn't stop.
Attack after attack came relentlessly.
Leon was forced on the defensive.
Blocking.
Dodging.
Barely keeping up.
This is completely different from monsters…
This was a trained warrior.
Precise.
Controlled.
Deadly.
Then—
That feeling returned.
The world slowed.
Leon's eyes sharpened.
He could see everything.
The angle of the blade.
The movement of muscles.
The flow of mana.
There it is…
The next strike came.
But this time—
Leon moved first.
He sidestepped perfectly.
Then struck.
CRACK!
His wooden sword hit the guard's arm.
The guard stepped back slightly.
Surprised.
Murmurs spread across the hall.
The guard's expression changed.
He became serious.
"Impressive."
Leon smirked.
"Thanks."
The guard charged again.
Faster than before.
But Leon could see it now.
Every movement.
Every opening.
The guard swung downward.
Leon stepped in instead of back.
He moved under the strike.
Then—
He struck upward.
CRACK.
The wooden sword hit the guard's chest.
The impact forced him back.
The guard stumbled.
Then stopped.
Silence filled the arena.
After a moment—
The guard lowered his weapon.
"I concede."
The hall erupted.
"He won?!"
"How is that possible?!"
Leon stood there, breathing heavily.
"…That was close."
The Second Prince narrowed his eyes.
"…Interesting."
At the top of the hall, Caelus Aurelion smiled faintly.
"As expected."
He raised his hand.
"The trial is complete."
The emperor's voice echoed.
"From this moment forward…"
"Leon Aurelion is recognized as a true prince of the empire."
This time—
No one dared to object.
Leon stood in the arena.
But everything had changed.
The looks directed at him were no longer just dismissive.
Now—
There was caution.
Interest.
And for some…
Hostility.
The golden-eyed princess smiled faintly.
"How exciting."
The silver-haired prince leaned back.
"…This just got interesting."
The Second Prince said nothing.
But his gaze remained fixed on Leon.
Leon exhaled slowly.
"…So this is how it starts."
He looked up at the throne.
At the man who had changed everything.
Caelus Aurelion.
And for the first time—
He understood.
This was no longer just about survival.
This was a game of power.
And he had just made his first move.