Several people were checking Daniel's condition.
The boys, visibly worried, tried to run toward him.
"Stay right there!" ordered Captain Edward.
They froze, hesitating, then looked at him.
"Don't worry, your friend will be fine. But right now, I need you all here."
The captain's voice was firm, authoritative. In the end, they were forced to stay put, slowly calming down.
"I want to fight next…" said the blond-haired soldier, but Felix pushed him aside, visibly irritated.
"Hey! What's your problem!?"
Felix glared at him with his piercing gray eyes, and the other instinctively backed away.
The vice-captain walked to the center of the field, all eyes on him. Then, pointing at Enea, he motioned for him to come closer.
"Come on, it's our turn."
Enea looked at him, then stepped forward.
Edward nodded as he saw them face each other.
"For the third match, we have the summoned one, Enea, versus the vice-captain of the Third Unit — Felix Greymont!"
The soldiers watched with judgmental eyes.
"Poor kid… he got picked by the vice-captain."
"Let's hope he comes out of this in one piece…"
Hearing those comments, Princess Alexia began to feel the tension rise.
Enea glanced around briefly.
"Enea!" Felix called out. "From now on, you need eyes only for me and a mind focused solely on this fight. If you fail at that… my wait will have been wasted."
"Don't worry," Enea replied, drawing his sword and locking eyes with him confidently. "I'll give it my all — I won't disappoint you."
Felix smirked with a devilish grin. "That's all I wanted to hear."
"Begin!" shouted Edward.
Both moved at the same instant — the metallic clash of blades tore through the air.
Sparks flew with every strike, and the soldiers held their breath.
Neither of them backed down.
Between exchanges, their swords locked in a tense deadlock.
"You're doing pretty well… but in battle, everything's allowed!" Felix laughed, placing his leg between Enea's and pushing him to the ground.
Felix tried to take advantage, but Enea quickly grabbed a handful of dirt and threw it into his opponent's eyes.
"You bastard!"
Felix stumbled back, and this time Enea seized the opening.
"I don't need to see you!" snarled the vice-captain as he rubbed his eyes — which then began to glow.
Felix started perceiving every sound with supernatural clarity, understanding exactly where Enea would strike from.
He countered effortlessly, forcing Enea to retreat, just as his vision cleared.
"That was a dirty trick!"
"It's a battle. Everything's fair game," Enea replied, steady and composed.
Felix let out a short, approving snort.
The boys were following the fight intensely.
"Enea's doing great!" Hector said, excited.
"Yeah, but it's still early," Princess Alexia added, stepping closer.
"True… and he hasn't used his Divine Admission yet," said Alexandre.
Everyone's expression darkened at those words — except Leon.
"He'll make it anyway. After all, we're talking about Enea."
Those few words were enough to lift their spirits.
"Right. He won't lose that easily."
"We have to keep believing in him."
They spoke lightly among themselves while Alexia quietly observed them.
They all supported one another naturally, but…
Alexia's gaze fixed on Enea.
I've realized he's the reason that bond exists. In this fight, he carries a massive burden. If he loses, they'll all fall together.
Felix stretched slightly. "Well then… how about we raise the level?"
"You didn't have to tell me twice."
Felix's eyes glowed again, and he charged.
Enea lowered his hand slightly, but every small movement was perceived by Felix.
From Felix's perspective, time seemed to slow.
Then he noticed frost spreading across the ground. Nothing can surprise me now!
Felix jumped to avoid the ice, but sharp spikes shot upward, reaching for him.
The vice-captain conjured a platform of air beneath his feet, leaping high and landing right behind Enea.
"Watch your back!" he taunted.
Enea turned instantly, swinging his sword, but Felix easily blocked it, sliding his blade along Enea's and throwing him off balance.
"Take this!" Felix slashed toward Enea's face — Enea barely managed to block, earning a cut across his right cheek.
Felix struck again, but this time Enea parried, countering with frantic blows that Felix dodged with ease.
The vice-captain stepped back, studying the panting, struggling Enea.
"Look at you… already in trouble, and I'm barely using my full strength."
Felix turned toward Captain Edward. "Captain, did you really think this one was special? To me, he looks like a fake hero — strutting around, proving nothing."
Edward didn't respond.
Felix looked back at Enea. "What do you think, Enea? You're just about to fail again… and disappoint your friends once more."
That last line hit Enea hard.
Am I about to disappoint them?
He seemed lost in thought for a moment — then a sharp headache struck him.
Am I about to lose?
Flashes of light burst before his eyes.
Felix noticed his confusion and smiled. "What's wrong? The truth hurts?"
He started walking slowly toward him — then charged.
"I'll put an end to this agony myself!"
The boys shouted encouragement for their friend.
Enea put a hand to his face. Damn, I won't lose! I won't disappoint anyone, I can't afford that!
His eyes lit up with a dark golden glow.
Felix, mid-charge, noticed a light descending from the sky. "What the hell!?"
A pillar of blinding light struck the ground where Enea stood, followed by a powerful explosion.
Felix was thrown back by the shockwave.
The boys and Alexia panicked.
"Enea!" Michael shouted.
The column of light was visible even outside the castle walls, alarming the citizens.
The King stood up to see what was happening.
Felix recovered, staring at the fading light — when suddenly, Enea appeared before him.
He was surrounded by a radiant aura, yet it made everything around him seem completely shrouded in darkness.
Felix flinched and instinctively swung his sword — but Enea vanished from his sight.
An instant later, he was behind him.
A crushing punch to the stomach sent Felix crashing to the ground, creating a crater.
Felix coughed up blood, unable to stand.
Enea raised his sword, his face blank — as if another force was guiding him.
Edward and Alexia moved at once.
"Stop, Enea!"
But the light engulfed him completely — he could no longer hear anything.
Only when the blade stopped a breath away from Felix's neck did Enea's body finally give out.
He collapsed — and the world began to breathe again.