[Light returned.]
[Not the suffocating dark of the pit.]
[Not the weight of trials.]
[Sunlight.]
[Sharp. Real.]
[The shattered dueling arena came into view.]
[Stone cracked.]
[Runes faded.]
[The crowd—watching.]
[And from the broken earth—]
[He emerged.]
[Abaksa Einsro stepped forward.]
[Gasps rippled across the nobles.]
Noble— "He's alive…?"
Noble— "No one survives the pit…"
[At the center—]
[Prince Vaelric stood still.]
Prince Vaelric— "…You."
[Abaksa didn't answer.]
[He walked forward.]
[Controlled.]
[Measured.]
[Even though—]
[His body was on the verge of collapse.]
[Every step burned.]
[Every breath tore through his ribs.]
[Plot Armour Active: 10%][Stability: Low
"…Hold it together…"
[His fingers tightened on the sword.]
[Earl Bruts watched.]
[Sharp.]
[Silent.]
Earl Bruts— "…He changed."
Prince Vaelric— "You should be dead."
Abaksa Einsro— "…I was."
[Silence.]
[The nobles leaned in.]
Prince Vaelric— "…What did you say?"
Abaksa Einsro— "Let's finish this."
[He raised his blade.]
[No hesitation.]
[No flourish.]
[Just intent.]
[The duel resumed.]
Prince Vaelric— "Then die properly this time."
[He lunged.]
[Fast.]
[Refined.]
[Royal technique.]
[Abaksa didn't react immediately.]
[He watched.]
[Outcome Awareness Active]
[The world shifted.]
[Not slower—]
[Clearer.]
[He saw it.]
[The first strike.]
[The follow-up.]
[The angle of the third.]
"…Now."
[He moved.]
[Minimal.]
[Precise.]
CLANG.
[The first strike deflected cleanly.]
[Step.]
[Second strike passed.]
[Pivot.]
[Third—]
[Missed.]
Prince Vaelric— "…What—"
[Abaksa stepped forward.]
[Inside his range.]
[Too close.]
Abaksa Einsro— "Too predictable."
[He struck.]
[Light.]
[Controlled.]
[Tap—]
[Wrist.]
[Vaelric's grip faltered.]
[Second strike—]
[Shoulder.]
[Third—]
[Leg.]
[Vaelric staggered.]
Prince Vaelric— "You—!"
[He swung again.]
[Wild.]
[Angry.]
[Abaksa stepped back.]
[Just enough.]
[Miss.]
[The crowd went silent.]
Noble— "…This isn't possible…"
Noble— "He's overwhelming him…"
[Vaelric attacked again.]
[But now—]
[He had lost control.]
[Abaksa didn't rush.]
[Didn't overpower.]
[He controlled.]
[Redirect.]
[Deflect.]
[Guide.]
[Plot Armour stabilizing outcomes…]
[To the crowd—]
[It looked effortless.]
[Like the result had already been decided.]
[But inside—]
[His body was breaking.]
[Muscles tearing.]
[Vision blurring.]
[Breath uneven.]
"…Just a little more…"
[Vaelric charged.]
[Final strike.]
Prince Vaelric— "DIE—!"
[Abaksa stepped forward.]
[Into the attack.]
CLANG.
[Steel met steel.]
[He twisted.]
[Redirected.]
[Vaelric's balance broke.]
[And—]
[The blade stopped.]
[At his throat.]
[Silence.]
[Complete.]
Prince Vaelric— "…No…"
[The nobles froze.]
Noble— "The prince… lost?"
Noble— "He actually lost…?"
[Abaksa stood still.]
[Breathing steady.]
[Expression calm.]
[Perfect.]
Abaksa Einsro— "It's over."
[His voice didn't shake.]
[But his body—]
[Was finished.]
[The moment the tension broke—]
[His legs weakened.]
[His grip slipped.]
[He forced it back.]
[Not here.]
Prince Vaelric— "…This isn't over…"
Abaksa Einsro— "It is."
[He lowered his blade.]
[Turned.]
[Walked away.]
[Step.]
[Step.]
[Each one heavier.]
[The crowd parted.]
[No one spoke.]
[Earl Bruts watched him approach.]
Earl Bruts— "…You overdid it."
Abaksa Einsro— "…Had to."
[Bruts' eyes narrowed.]
Earl Bruts— "You're barely holding together."
Abaksa Einsro— "Still standing."
[That was enough.]
[He passed him.]
[Reached the edge of the courtyard.]
[Out of sight.]
[Silence.]
[Then—]
[His body gave out.]
[He collapsed.]
[Bruts caught him instantly.]
Earl Bruts— "…Idiot."
Butler Kael— "His condition is critical—muscle failure, internal strain—he pushed past his limit."
Earl Bruts— "Stabilize him."
[Kael moved quickly.]
[Bandages.]
[Medicine.]
[Pressure.]
[Abaksa's breathing slowed.]
[Unconscious.]
[But alive.]
[Plot Armour: Stabilization Complete]
[Back in the arena—]
[Prince Vaelric stood alone.]
[Defeated.]
[Humiliated.]
[And for the first time—]
[Uncertain.]
[Above the castle—]
[The sky dimmed slightly.]
[As if something had taken notice.]
[Far away—]
[In darkness—]
Voice— "He wins again…"
"Even when he shouldn't."
[The whisper lingered.]
"Let's see how long he can keep stealing fate."