The name echoed through Amyra's mind as she stood frozen in the center of the banquet hall, her eyes completely unfocused.
Alden had walked away… but she didn't follow.
She didn't move at all.
That name brought back memories she could never forget.
Did he… finally remember?
Her knees nearly gave out at the thought.
How is that possible?
A distant commotion rose from the balcony… but she didn't react.
He shouldn't remember—not yet.
Why does he know that name?
Her mind raced, spinning through possibilities that didn't make sense.
No. THEY said he wouldn't remember.
Amyra took a step back, her breathing turned rough.
This was the first time she had cried in this life… the first time she felt so powerless again.
That fragile hope that maybe, just maybe…
Not the current her… but the one she used to be.
This wasn't the time to fall apart.
She steadied herself. But the moment she did—she noticed something odd.
A commotion was spreading across the banquet hall. Guests were shifting. Heads were turning.
Her daze broke as she followed their gazes.
A crowd had started forming near the eastern side of the room, just beside the doors that led to the balcony.
Isn't that where Alden went?
She forced herself to move. The nobles parted as she stepped through.
And then she saw him.
Standing at one end of the open space, calm as ever.
An elf. One she recognized.
Zarien Vael'thir. The seventh prince of Sylvenia.
What… is he doing here?
And more importantly—
Zarien looked at the black haired boy standing in front of him.
Something about him made Zarien's teeth grit.
That boy's cold red eyes stared back at him without any emotions whatsoever.
Zarien was hailed as a prodigy across Sylvenia. A rising star. One who reached Adept Rank at the age of eighteen.
And this… this nobody had the audacity to look him in the eyes?
Like they were equals?
He just couldn't ignore it.
Maybe—just maybe—he would've let it go if the boy had shown proper remorse. A sincere apology.
The boy didn't flinch. Didn't hesitate.
He simply said he'd "pay for the damage."
Who the hell did he think he was?
As if the Prince of the Elven Empire could be bought off like some common merchant.
As if his dignity had a price.
He clenched his fist.
I'll show him the price of insulting me.
Alden looked at his opponent Prince Zarien.
He had all the makings of a cliché, third-rate young master—one just begging to be face-slapped.
Why the hell do situations always find me?
I was literally just standing on the balcony—minding my own business, for god knows what reason… and somehow, the trouble still managed to find me out.
He didn't even remember when or how he ruined the guy's suit.
He needed to talk to her—ask what happened… what the hell he was doing on the balcony in the first place.
No matter how hard he tried, his memory wouldn't cooperate. It was like someone had ripped a chunk of it out and tossed it into the void.
He needed answers but first, he had to deal with the whole duel situation.
Alden sighed and scanned his surroundings.
That was the only thought that came to mind as he noticed the dense crowd that had gathered around them.
A translucent blue mana dome now enclosed Alden and Zarien, separating them from the rest of the hall.
And it had been cast by none other than the benevolent Emperor of the Vallorian Empire himself.
Alden sighed as his gaze landed on the Emperor seated on an actual throne just outside the dome.
Where did he even get that thing from?
But then again, he was the Emperor. He could probably summon furniture out of thin air if he wanted.
Still—wasn't it kind of disrespectful to sit while the rest of the guests stood?
But did the Emperor care?
He was one of the strongest beings alive. Ruler of the largest empire on the continent.
And who the hell was going to tell him he was being rude?
From his throne, Emperor Kaelith watched the two boys with mild interest.
Not because of the duel—he'd seen thousands.
But because one of them was a disciple of Jeremy Voidforge.
Kaelith couldn't understand it.
Jeremy had options. Better ones. More talented, more powerful, more politically beneficial.
Hell, even when Kaelith himself had offered his own son as a candidate, Jeremy had refused without a second thought.
What had that old snake seen in this boy?
Kaelith leaned back slightly.
He intended to find out.
Kaelith rose from his throne, his voice calm but filled with undeniable power.
The hall was utterly silent.
"Let it be known," he said, his voice echoing through the hall,
"A formal duel shall take place—between Prince Zarien Vael'thir of the Sylvenian Empire…"
"…and Alden, disciple of Jeremy Voidforge."
He stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back.
"As Emperor of the Vallorian Empire, I shall serve as moderator. No interference shall be tolerated."
"To ensure fairness," he continued, "I have suppressed the combat abilities of both duelists to the same rank."
"Fatal injuries are strictly forbidden. I will interfere before death becomes a possibility. So you can fight without restraint."
His gaze paused on Alden for just a second longer.
"The duel will end upon disarmament, surrender or incapacitation."
Then, with a small smile he announced the beginning of the duel.
"Now then… entertain me."
Who do you think Lumyn is?
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