THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

In the world of Ternion, swordsmanship was not just an art but one of the cornerstones of the human empire's power, second only to magic. A swordsman gained true recognition as a national-level threat upon stepping into the revered realm of a king-ranked swordsman. What set these masters apart were three key skills, each representing a level of enlightenment.

The first was

Aura Blade

, a foundational skill that marked the beginning of their mastery. Next came

Formless Aura

, where the swordsman gained precise control over their aura, able to manipulate it at will. Finally, the pinnacle was

True Sword

, a breakthrough that elevated one to the status of a true master, transcending the mortal realm to become akin to a demi-god.

Though Noelle's use of

Aura Blade Discover hidden stories at m,v l'e|m-p| y r

was still crude, it was a sign that she had begun to glimpse enlightenment—a feat that made her a force to be reckoned with. The crowd had no idea that the girl standing before David was no mere contestant; she was a monster in her own right, teetering on the edge of true greatness.

With fierce determination blazing in her eyes, Noelle lunged at David, channeling all her strength into a powerful swing, bringing the great dark sword down in a swift, decisive arc. The sword, imbued with a faint dark power, cut through the air like a meteor, aimed to crush David beneath its weight. Yet, David remained eerily calm, not even flinching at her onslaught.

In his eyes, her movements were slow—dangerous, yes—but far too predictable.

With a slight twist of his body, David dodged the blow by mere inches, the force of Noelle's attack crashing into the ground and sending tremors through the arena. Dust and debris scattered, but David stood untouched, his gaze fixed on Noelle with a cold, calculated intensity.

Noelle wasted no time; she prepared for another strike, ready to follow up her attack. But she was too late.

"I hope you survive this," David's voice rang out, calm yet carrying a chilling weight as he delivered a devastating punch, aimed straight at her.

Her instincts saved her. With lightning reflexes, Noelle angled her great sword just in time to absorb the brunt of the impact. The sheer force of David's punch, however, sent her flying across the arena like a ragdoll, the ground beneath her cracking from the aftershock. The crowd gasped, eyes wide as they watched Noelle hurtling toward the edge of the pit, heading straight for them.

Before she could crash into the spectators, Elder Tyron appeared in a blur, moving so fast that David hadn't even seen him. In an instant, the Elder caught Noelle mid-air with a precision that left David momentarily stunned. His eyes widened in surprise as he realized that Elder Tyron's speed was far beyond anything he had imagined. The man was a true enigma, and David could now see why the Elder was chosen to oversee the trials.

Carefully, Elder Tyron placed Noelle back on her feet. Despite her disheveled appearance, she still exuded a fierce determination, but the weight of reality had finally settled in. Her chest heaved, and her hands shook as she let go of her great sword, letting it fall to the ground with a dull thud.

"I'm giving up," Noelle announced, her voice steady despite the inner turmoil she felt. She had given it her all, but even with her newfound power, she could sense the vast chasm between her and David. She had glimpsed a future where she could stand as an equal, but today was not that day.

Elder Tyron nodded solemnly, having witnessed enough. In truth, he had believed that David would meet his match in Noelle. Her potential was undeniable, and her growth had been nothing short of remarkable. Yet David—David was beyond their comprehension. His power defied the expectations of everyone who had underestimated him.

As Noelle walked away from the pit, the crowd, still buzzing with excitement, began to quiet down, realizing the true scale of what had transpired. David De Gor, once thought to be the weakest of his bloodline, had shown them all that they were playing a game of chess with a man who was already several moves ahead.

David stood alone in the arena, his gaze shifting from Noelle's retreating figure to Elder Tyron. The Elder's unreadable expression lingered, but David knew what he had earned that day—respect. Not just from the crowd, but from the people who truly mattered.

And this was only the beginning.

Before Elder Tyron could declare David as the victor, the sound of slow, deliberate applause echoed through the arena, drawing all eyes to a new figure stepping into the pit. Shaun Le Gor, a striking young noble, entered with an air of confidence. His elegant golden-brown brocade jacket shimmered in the golden sunlight streaming through the arena's arches, catching the attention of every onlooker.

The intricate embroidery on his attire spoke of wealth and status, while his sharp, calculating gaze exuded an air of superiority. His blonde hair was perfectly styled, framing his handsome features as he smirked slightly, clearly relishing the moment.

"Shaun!" Elder Maison's voice broke the stunned silence, his face twisted in shock and frustration as he saw his son interfere with the trial. The elder's voice carried a weight of authority, but there was no mistaking the underlying fury at Shaun's audacious move.

"What business do you have to interfere, Shaun Le Gor?" Elder Tyron's voice boomed across the arena, his stern gaze locked on the young noble. Displeasure was clear in every word, and the disrespect Shaun had shown the sacred ceremony was not something the elder could overlook lightly.

Shaun, however, remained unphased. He turned to the elder, bowing low in a gesture of respect, though the smirk lingering on his lips betrayed his arrogance. "Forgive me, Elder Noble," he said smoothly, his voice dripping with charm. "I simply thought of a glorious idea." He straightened up and faced the booth where the other nobles sat, their expressions ranging from curious to annoyed.

Shaun's eyes gleamed as he continued, "David De Gor is a prodigy, rivalling even his brother, the Blood Whale. No—" Shaun paused for effect, scanning the crowd, "—perhaps someone who could even surpass him." The crowd murmured in surprise, but Elder Tyron was having none of it.

"Cut to the chase, boy!" Elder Tyron snapped, his patience clearly wearing thin. His fierce gaze bore into Shaun, not at all pleased with the interruption. In the noble booth, Elder Maison clenched his fists, every muscle in his body tense. He looked as though he wanted to stand and stop his son, but the Earl, seated beside him, cast a single glance his way. Defeated and seething, Elder Maison slowly sat back down, cursing Shaun for his recklessness under his breath.

Shaun, undeterred by the elder's harsh tone, continued with his smooth confidence. "It's simple, really, Elder Noble," he said, taking his time to articulate every word. "Isn't it obvious that everyone here is curious about David's true strength?" Shaun's voice carried through the arena, each word wrapping around the crowd like a net. "Therefore, I, Shaun Le Gor, humbly propose to put David into the spotlight." His declaration shocked the onlookers. There was an audible gasp as Shaun's boldness sank in.

Never before, in all the years this sacred ceremony had been held, had anyone dared to propose such an audacious challenge. David's eyes narrowed as he considered the implications of Shaun's words, while the rest of the arena buzzed with whispers and speculation.

Elder Tyron remained silent for a long moment, his gaze flicking to the Earl in the noble booth. The Earl, always calm and calculating, gave a slow nod of approval. The elder's face tightened as he sighed, clearly displeased but unwilling to go against the Earl's silent command. He turned back to Shaun, his expression hardening. "Very well," he said, though there was clear reluctance in his voice. "Are you prepared for this, David?"

All eyes turned to David, who stood still in the pit. The weight of the arena's attention bore down on him, but instead of fear or hesitation, David's blood boiled with anticipation. His heart raced, his mind spinning as he recalled the oppressive aura of Captain Kaelen. Shaun Le Gor, despite his polished appearance, was no ordinary noble. David could sense the weight of a king-ranked swordsman in his presence, something akin to the strength he had felt before. Could he stand against a king-ranked swordsman?

David's grin widened as the challenge sparked a fire within him. "I'm more than okay with this," he said, his voice steady and filled with determination. "You can start the fight."

Elder Tyron watched him for a moment, his respect for David growing with each passing second. Though the elder knew how reckless this was, he admired the young De Gor's unshakable spirit. "So be it," he said quietly, before turning to signal the beginning of what would surely be an unprecedented battle.

Shaun, still standing tall and regal, smirked. He could see the excitement in David's eyes, but there was no doubt in his mind who would walk away victorious. This, after all, was his stage now.