Steel clashed without pause.
---
The battlefield had no rhythm.
---
Only chaos.
---
Alex moved with the line—
Step.
Block.
Thrust.
---
Too slow.
---
Again.
---
Too weak.
---
A blade came down—
---
He raised his spear—
---
CLANG.
---
The impact forced him back.
---
His arms trembled.
---
I can't keep up…
Not far away—
Kael Draven walked through the battlefield.
---
Casually.
---
Effortlessly.
---
Each step—
Another body fell.
---
He laughed quietly.
---
"…This is disappointing."
---
Then—
---
His eyes shifted.
---
Locked onto Alex.
---
A pause.
---
His smile widened.
---
"…Don't die yet."
---
He began walking toward him.
---
Slow.
---
Certain.
Behind the enemy lines—
Lyra Voss raised her staff.
---
The air tightened.
---
Compressed.
---
Energy gathered.
---
Denser than before.
---
Faster.
---
"…Again," she murmured.
---
Her gaze never left Alex.
---
"You won't interrupt me this time."
Alex exhaled slowly.
---
The noise of the battlefield—
Faded.
---
Not gone.
---
But distant.
---
His vision sharpened.
---
Movements became clearer.
---
Slower.
---
More… defined.
---
What is this…?
---
An enemy soldier rushed him.
---
Sword raised.
---
Alex saw it—
---
Not just the strike.
---
The weight shift.
The timing.
The opening.
---
There.
The blade came down—
---
Alex moved.
---
Not fast.
---
Not forced.
---
Natural.
---
His spear shifted—
---
Guided.
---
The attack slid off.
---
Redirected.
---
A step—
A turn—
---
And then—
---
A thrust.
---
Clean.
---
Precise.
---
The enemy stumbled back.
---
Eyes wide.
---
"…What—?"
---
Alex froze.
---
That…
---
It wasn't luck.
---
It wasn't panic.
---
It felt—
---
Right.
From the rear—
Sir Vald's eyes narrowed.
---
"…Again."
---
Theo blinked.
---
"…That's not normal."
Lyra's expression changed.
---
"…That movement…"
---
Her voice lowered.
---
"…Impossible."
---
Kael stopped walking.
---
For the first time—
---
Completely still.
---
Then—
---
He laughed.
---
"…There it is."
---
His grin widened.
---
"…Now I'm interested."
Three soldiers rushed Alex at once.
---
Left.
Right.
Front.
---
Too many.
---
He moved—
---
Deflected one—
---
Dodged another—
---
But—
---
Too slow.
---
A blade cut across his side.
---
"Ghk—!"
---
Pain exploded through him.
---
His balance broke.
---
Another strike came—
---
He barely raised his spear—
---
CLANG.
---
Forced back.
---
Breathing uneven.
---
Vision shaking.
---
I can't… maintain it…
---
That clarity—
---
Was fading.
The battlefield rushed back in.
---
Loud.
Chaotic.
Overwhelming.
---
Alex staggered.
---
Blood dripping.
---
Grip tightening.
---
But he didn't fall.
Kael stood a short distance away now.
---
Watching.
---
Smiling.
---
He tilted his head slightly.
---
"…Not bad."
---
A pause.
---
"…But not enough."
---
He turned away.
---
Just like that.
---
"You're not ready yet," he said casually.
---
"Next time…"
---
A glance over his shoulder.
---
"…don't disappoint me."
Alex stood there.
---
Breathing hard.
---
Heart racing.
---
Mind spinning.
---
What… was that?
---
Far behind—
Sir Vald watched in silence.
---
"…He crossed the line."
---
Theo frowned.
---
"…What line?"
---
Vald didn't answer.
---
His eyes remained fixed on Alex.
The battle didn't stop.
---
But something had changed.
---
Not in the war.
---
But in him.
---
And somewhere deep within—
---
Unseen.
---
A seal had begun to crack.