"

The Colosseum remained silent ever after Julien's departure. The medics quickly rushed onto the stage, helping the referee recover while Leon's body remained on the ground, twitching slightly.

He was not in great condition...

As this was happening, Karl, who had been quiet the entire time, suddenly asked a question that was in the minds of everyone present.

"So, who won?"

The match ended, and before the referee could even voice out his verdict, he fell for the rebound of their attacks.

Was it a draw?

Did Leon win?.... Or was it Julien that won?

At this very moment, everyone watching wanted to know the answer. There had to be one. There had never been a draw in the past, and this was the first time such a situation had occurred.

"....I'm not sure."

Johanna tactfully replied, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"Although there is no clear announcement just yet, I don't believe it really matters." "Uh?"

"Both contestants are from the Nurs Ancifa Empire. There's no real conflict of interest between the two sides. Regardless of who won between the two, they were both members of the Empire."

"Ah."

Karl was suddenly enlightened.

"If you put it that way, it makes sense. But still... I would want to know if there was a winner. The fight was amazing, but a draw seems a little bit..."

Johanna took a deep breath then and didn't answer.

Shifting her attention back toward the stage, her lips pursed together. Staring at the state Leon was in, and recalling the image of Julien leaving amidst the stares of everyone present she could only sigh.

Though the winner may not have been announced, his last moments had left an impact on those watching.

For he was the one who remained standing.

***

"... What do you think?"

The Empress glanced at the Emperor from the side, her expression rather stoic. Looking at Leon who was lying down on the ground, his body twitching, her heart pained a little.

However, it wasn't as though she could just rush down and help him up.

He also wasn't aware of his background. She couldn't just throw the truth all at once to his face.

"His injuries are bad, but not life-threatening. There shouldn't be anything to worry about. In a couple of days, he'll be back to his usual condition."

The Emperor replied, his eyes never leaving Leon's.

Though his tone was calm, his mind was anything but calm. The shock the fight had given him was immense.

'He's not had any of the resources that Amell has had since young, and yet he's this powerful? What sort of....'

In fact, he was a little horrified.

What sort of 'monster' was this son of his? No, not just him, but Julien as well.

'Could this be something related to the Evenus household?'

The Emperor had done his homework. He knew everything about Leon and thus was aware of the fact that he was currently working as Julien's knight. At first, he was a little apprehensive about the fact, but seeing how powerful Julien was, he wasn't so sure anymore.

The two most definitely benefitted from each other, making them grow into the monsters that they were now.

It was just that...

....It was a little hard to believe.

With so few resources, an oppressive regime that prevented training until a certain age, and duties to fill, Leon was able to become this strong.

"Hoo."

It was an unbelievable situation.

And yet...

The truth was presented right before his eyes.

'Shocking.'

"What now...?"

Amell's words shook the Emperor out of his thoughts. Turning his head, he could see the complicated look on Amell's face as his gaze lingered on the injured Leon. He too seemed to have realized exactly what he was thinking.

However, as the Emperor looked into Amell, he couldn't really see any trace of jealousy.

No, what he saw was more akin to relief...

And that made him smile.

'It looks like my teachings weren't in vain.'

Talent was not to be envied or feared but nurtured. Amell knew this and thus didn't show any jealousy. Even if the subject in question was his own brother who had a chance at the throne.

"Father, are you going to reveal yourself to Leon?"

11

The Emperor shook his head.

"No."

"W-what?"

His answer took Amell by surprise.

He had previously thought that they had come here to personally escort him back into the

Empire. And yet...

"Do you think he'll accept the truth if we tell it to him right now? How would you feel if the people you thought abandoned you for so long suddenly reappeared again, telling you of

their massive background?"

"That..."

Amell was left speechless by the statement.

Yes, that would indeed be a little bit too much to say at once. There was a chance that their

words might backfire on them.

A bitter smile formed on his face as he realized this.

"What do we do then...?"

"We wait."

The Emperor said, leaning back against his chair. As he turned his head, he glanced at his wife

who remained silent after the initial words. She seemed to be in deep thought, and as if

sensing his gaze her head turned.

"....Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Yes,"

The Emperor nodded his head, shifting his attention toward Amell.

"...I guess this might work."

***

"Haa..."

Sitting in the locker room, I let out a long breath. I was exhausted and my entire body was twitching, the muscle fibers tearing as I struggled to keep my body steady.

It was a bit of a pain, but I was starting to get used to it.

'Well, it's fine. Now that things are over, I don't have to worry about fighting for a while.'

I was mentally exhausted.

All the fights required me to be in top condition, analyzing my opponent's every move and

thinking of new ways of defeating them.

The results brought me an unimaginable amount of growth.

But there was a limit.

I was near a breaking point. I couldn't keep doing this.

I needed some rest...

"...A well deserve rest."

There would now be a couple of month's break before the second academy year was set to

start, and while the draft was also set a month from now, I didn't think I was going to join.

I no longer needed to.

My reputation now preceded me.

They were the ones that needed to try and recruit me. Not the opposite.

Not that I had any interest to begin with.

"For now, I just want to rest."

Taking in the pain, I started to undress myself before heading for the showers as cold water

poured down on me.

Shaa-

My skin prickled under the cold but it didn't feel uncomfortable.

In fact, it almost felt relieving.

It was taking my mind away from the pain that covered my entire body. Though I could

withstand the pain, it didn't mean that I liked it.

This was a nice break as I closed my eyes and basked in the aftermath of the fight.

'....I won that.'

The referee may have stopped the fight without giving a verdict, but I knew that I had won

that fight.

Perhaps if he had not stopped us, the two of us would've been critically injured, but that

wasn't enough to stop me.

On the other hand, the only thing keeping Leon standing was his domain.

Had the two of us been allowed to clash...

Drip! Drip...!

"Ho."

Wiping my body with a dry towel, I came out of the shower and started to get changed.

From time to time I'd have to stop due to the twitches that prevented me from smoothly

putting on my clothes. I had to be careful, and as I tried to put on my clothes, I felt a sudden presence appear before me.

I almost sighed as I prepared to open my mouth and greet her,

"You fought well."

But my body froze upon hearing the voice.

Flicking my head up, a pair of yellow eyes met my gaze. Without even thinking, locks

appeared within my mind, sealing all my emotions.

The shock that was budding from deep within me stopped as a strange silence filled the room.

It was a silence that I soon broke.

"....Thank you."

"There's no need. I'm stating a fact. You fought extremely well and made our Empire proud."

I nodded in acknowledgment.

The room fell silent once more after that.

Atlas moved forward and sat next to me. My heartbeat remained steady as he did so, and the

atmosphere turned serious.

Almost oppressive. "Phecda."

Phecda...

I turned my head to meet Atlas's eyes.

'It has been a while since someone has called me that.'

"Do you know why I'm here?"

"....To congratulate me?"

"A part of it."

Atlas smiled, his radiant yellow eyes seeming to pierce through me, blinding in their

intensity. But it was only an illusion; he hadn't moved a muscle, nor lifted a finger.

"You've been summoned."

Ba... Thump!

The chains within my mind rattled, and I felt the beat of own heart.

"...Our leader wants to meet you."

Ba... Thump! Ba... Thump!

My entire body grew tense as an impending sense of dread dug its way into the back of my

mind. My palms felt sweaty while jaw clenched together.

It was by a miracle that I was still able to keep myself composed.

"I waited until the end of your fight to inform you so that you wouldn't get distracted and

fully focus on what you had to do."

Ba... Thump! Ba... Thump! Ba... Thump!

His words were going on deaf ears.

I could hardly make out what he was saying as I felt a steady ring echo throughout.

"I know just how important one's state of mind is when entering a fight. Our leader

understands that too."

"....Oh."

I lowered my head, in an attempt to show gratitude.

The reality was that I just didn't want to show him my face. I could feel my body growing

weaker, but I could only forcefully keep myself composed.

This was not the time to break.

"Meeting our leader will definitely do you a lot of good, but..."

Atlas paused, and I raised my head up to look at him. His eyes were serious, unlike anything I

had ever seen before.

I felt a chill run down the back of my spine as the locks started to crack.

"You're not ready."

His deep voice carried through the room.

"....You're still not ready to meet our leader. First impressions are always the most important.

So I bought you some time."

Uh?

The sudden turn of events left me shook.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The locks in my mind shattered one after another as Atlas's eyes fixed on me.

"Let me make you ready."

He said, extending his hand my way.

"...Allow me to nurture you into the Low Seat of Dawn."