My body began to glow, and my strength surged suddenly. With a powerful pull, I tore apart the chains binding me.
"Hah… Looks like facing you just got harder… I'll really pray for your enemies in the future…"
"You're incredibly strong too Luthan… But how did you even end up here…?"
"What…? What do you mean? I'm a relic spirit…"
"What…?"
Hearing an unexpected answer, I stared at Luthan in shock—only to find him staring back at me with equal astonishment.
"Hmm… You… What do you mean? You didn't come here for the Chain Relic?"
"What? What are you talking about? I was wounded in battle, lost consciousness, and ended up here… That's why I'm asking you… What even is this place?"
Luthan smacked his forehead after hearing my words.
"...Fuck… I thought you were asking me about the Trial…"
"...Trial?"
"Damn it… I'm stuck fighting some brat who doesn't even know what a Trial is… Fuck."
Luthan groaned in frustration.
"You idiot… Most relics can be used freely, but some require you to prove your worth by passing a Trial… Ugh, I wish I were dead… I'm struggling against a kid who doesn't even know what a Trial is… I must be getting old. My skills are getting worse…"
Everything Luthan said was completely new to me. My grandfather had the Moon Ring relic, but he never mentioned anything like this. Wait… Luthan just mentioned the Chain Relic. That means…
"...Luthan, if I defeat you, will I be able to use the chains you used earlier?"
"...Yeah?"
Instantly, it felt like sugar rushed through my veins—pure excitement. A knight who could use chains like Luthan… That's exactly the kind of knight I wanted to be. The only reason I was struggling now was because his chains were so overwhelming. If I could get my hands on them, I'd become an unstoppable knight. Yes!
"You look way too happy… Let me warn you because your excitement is disgusting. You only get the Chain Relic if you defeat me… And do you think you can? Worst of all, if you die here, it's over."
Luthan's words forced me to face a harsh truth. Even with my recent growth, I had no idea how to defeat him. Screw it, I'll figure it out mid-fight. Overthinking is just depressing.
Just then, Luthan seemed to notice my shift in demeanour.
"Kid… Don't lose focus in battle. And don't gamble with your sword like last time. I'll let it slide this once."
Chains coiled around the sword embedded in the wall and flung it back toward me. I caught it, gripping it tightly with both hands and pointed it at Luthan.
"...Come at me," I said.
Luthan smirked. Instantly, chains erupted from the ground beneath me, aiming to impale me. I quickly twisted my body and dodged them.
Only for a black blade to slash at my neck.
"Clang!"
I parried Luthan's strike, sparks flying from the clash. He grinned and unleashed a barrage of slashes.
*"Clang! Clang! Clang!"*
I blocked frantically. Each strike was fast, heavy, and lethal. My hands, arms, chest, ears, and cheeks all stung from grazing blows. I ducked low—then suddenly swept Luthan's legs, knocking him off balance. Seizing the opening, I twisted and slashed at his chest.
Though he barely managed to block, his stance was disrupted. Seizing the opportunity, I drove my right elbow into his stomach. His black armour absorbed most of the impact, but his posture broke completely. Not wasting a second, I launched a relentless assault.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
The force of our clashes made the very air tremble. Luthan tried to create distance, likely to attack with chains.
"Your plans are obvious, Luthan!" I taunted while fighting.
He smiled—then his blade suddenly glowed white and cleaved toward me.
"Clang—!"
The sheer force sent me flying into a wall. My hands trembled from the impact.
"What… was that?"*
"Aura,"*Luthan answered instantly—just as countless chains shot toward me. I quickly leapt onto the audience platform
"Boom!"
The chains cratered the wall, shaking the entire Colosseum.
"Where you running, kid?"
Luthan appeared behind me, slashing relentlessly. I spun, clashing swords with him as we fought midair.
"Ting! Ting! Ting!"
Sparks flew with each clash. Then, another Aura-infused strike emerged from below.
"Boom!"
I was blasted into the sky, soaring high above the Colosseum. Before I could recover, I realized something was coming. Chains. Spear-like formations shot toward me.
"Grrr…!"
I slashed desperately, cutting through chains—
"Did you forget about me?"
Another Aura Slash. I was launched skyward, crashing into a floating pillar.
"Boom!"
"Urgh…!"
My armour shattered. The impact cracked bones, blood spilling from my mouth. I looked down to the Colosseum.
Chains. They covered my entire field of vision, ready to swallow me whole.
"It's over, kid."
Luthan watched, sighing. "First time I've struggled this much against a brat…"
For some reason, the boy reminded him of a long-forgotten past. "Golden eyes, huh?"
At that moment, his instincts screamed danger. The black chains trapping Arthur suddenly glowed blue—before shattering apart.
Arthur stood there, his blade covered with blue light.
Before Luthan could react, Arthur appeared right in front of him. With a devastatingly powerful strike, Luthan barely managed to block.
"Clang..!"
The force of the impact resounded throughout the entire Colosseum. Even through his sword, Luthan could feel it—Arthur's strength had surged dramatically. Then, something shocking happened. His sword blade cracked.
"Swish..."
Arthur had already moved past him. Luthan turned back, looking at Arthur, and spoke.
"Not bad… kid."
Blood spilled from his lips—then he collapsed.
---
I did it… I actually did it!
My heart pounded wildly. Gasping for air, I looked at Luthan's fallen form.
"That… was a great fight. I'm honoured my first real battle was against you."
"Heh... So that was your first real fight...? I can't believe I lost to a rookie... Oh well... At least I got to witness the future hero... Hey, kid... What's your name?"
"Hey, kid… What's your name?"
"...Pardon?"
"Your name. I have the right to know who defeated me."
"...Arthur …Arthur Rowan."
"Rowan?!"
Luthan gazed at the floating debris and suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahahahaha... Rowan, huh...? Hahahahaha... So your name is Rowan..."
"Are you… Okay? Why are you laughing?"
I stared, confused—until I noticed a single tear in Luthan's eye. Was I imagining it?
"Now hand over your relic."
*"...What? I don't have it."*
"You said if I won—"
"Kid, you need to read more about relics. Once you leave this place, the relic will automatically be with you."
"Is that so...?"
Suddenly, my body began glowing.
"Time's up, kid. Don't forget the sensations you felt here. Your strength here will reset in the real world… But you know how to get stronger now, right?"
"...Yeah. By the way, why are you helping me?"
"Hmm… If I had to answer… It's because you're a Rowan."
"What?!"
Just as I was about to ask, my entire vision suddenly went dark, and I felt as if something was pulling me away. Then, almost immediately, I felt an intense burning sensation on the entire upper left side of my body, causing me immense pain.
"Urgh… That hurts…"
"...Arthur, are you okay?"
A faint voice called to me. The sounds of blades and explosions echoed vaguely.
"...Who…?"
"It's me… Nax."
Nax? I forced my eyes open, and then I saw blue sky, green leaves, and Nax's worried face staring down at me.