The next few days passed in a blur of training.
Leon barely noticed the time.
Morning turned into afternoon.
Afternoon faded into night.
And then—
It all repeated.
Again.
And again.
And again.
His body ached.
Every muscle burned.
Every movement carried the weight of exhaustion.
But he didn't stop.
He couldn't.
Because each time he pushed himself further—
He felt it.
That power.
Growing.
"Again."
Aether's voice cut through the air.
Leon groaned.
"…You've said that like a thousand times."
Aether didn't respond.
He simply stood across from Leon, sword in hand.
Waiting.
Leon exhaled heavily.
Then lifted his wooden sword.
"Fine."
"This is the last one."
Aether attacked immediately.
The strike came fast.
Faster than before.
But Leon's eyes sharpened.
The world slowed.
He saw it.
Every detail.
And this time—
His body followed.
CLACK.
The blades met.
Perfectly.
Leon twisted his wrist, redirecting the force, stepping to the side with precision.
His movements were no longer clumsy.
No longer forced.
They flowed.
Aether's next strike came instantly.
Leon blocked again.
Then countered.
The exchange continued.
Faster.
Sharper.
Cleaner.
For the first time—
Leon wasn't being overwhelmed.
Aether stepped back.
And lowered his sword.
"…Enough."
Leon blinked.
"…That's it?"
"Yes."
Leon dropped his sword and fell back onto the arena floor.
"…Finally."
He stared up at the sky.
"…I think I'm dying."
Aether stood over him.
"You are improving."
Leon laughed weakly.
"Wow. That almost sounded like praise."
Aether turned slightly.
"You will need it."
Leon sat up.
"…Need it for what?"
Before Aether could answer—
A voice echoed from the entrance of the arena.
"For this."
Leon turned.
Several figures stood at the edge of the training grounds.
Princes.
Princesses.
Nobles.
And at the center—
Prince Vael.
Leon sighed.
"…Of course."
Vael stepped forward, hands in his pockets, a faint smile on his lips.
"You've been busy."
Leon shrugged.
"Trying not to die."
Vael chuckled.
"You're doing a decent job."
Behind him, more royals gathered.
Their presence filled the arena.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
Excited.
Leon frowned.
"…Why are there so many people?"
Vael's smile widened.
"Because."
"This is where things get interesting."
A tall noble stepped forward.
An older prince.
His presence was calm—
But powerful.
"The Emperor has issued a decree."
The arena fell silent.
Leon's expression sharpened.
"…What kind of decree?"
The prince spoke clearly.
"All royal members will participate…"
"…In the Arena of Rivals."
Murmurs spread instantly.
Excitement.
Tension.
Anticipation.
Leon blinked.
"…That sounds like a bad idea."
Vael grinned.
"It is."
Leon crossed his arms.
"…Explain."
Vael stepped closer.
"It's simple."
"All princes and princesses fight."
"Winners advance."
"Losers fall behind."
Leon frowned.
"…That's it?"
The older prince shook his head.
"No."
His voice grew colder.
"This is not a tournament."
"It is a ranking."
Silence.
Heavy.
Absolute.
Leon felt it immediately.
This wasn't just a test.
This was a system.
A hierarchy.
A way to determine who stood above the others.
"…So basically," Leon muttered.
"If I lose…"
Vael finished his sentence.
"You become irrelevant."
Leon exhaled slowly.
"…Great."
Vael's eyes gleamed.
"But if you win…"
Leon looked at him.
"…Then what?"
Vael smiled.
"You rise."
The weight of those words settled heavily.
Leon stood up slowly.
Picking up his sword.
"…When does it start?"
The older prince answered.
"Tomorrow."
The arena erupted into conversation.
Plans were made.
Alliances whispered.
Rivalries ignited.
Leon stood in the middle of it all.
Silent.
Thinking.
"…This is it."
Aether stepped beside him.
"Yes."
Leon tightened his grip on his sword.
"Everyone's going to come at me."
"Yes."
Leon smirked slightly.
"…Good."
Aether glanced at him.
"Why?"
Leon's eyes sharpened.
"Because that means…"
He looked at the gathered royals.
At the powerful.
The confident.
The dangerous.
"…I don't have to hold back."
From the highest tower—
Caelus Aurelion watched silently.
"The stage is set."
His gaze was distant.
Yet focused.
"Let us see…"
"Which of you will rise."
And below—
In the Arena of Rivals—
The future of the empire…
Was about to be decided.