Rio's sword lowered, but not because he surrendered willingly—it was because his body had finally reached its limit. His grip trembled, his breathing came in rough bursts, and the dull ache in his arms had turned into a heavy weight that refused to lift.
Leo stood across from him, sword still in hand, blade gleaming faintly under the arena's light. His breathing was controlled, his stance unchanged, and his gaze steady. There wasn't a single sign that the battle had taxed him to the point of exhaustion.
For a brief moment, silence blanketed the arena. The only sound was the faint echo of Rio's strained breaths. The air between them still felt charged, like the aftermath of a lightning strike that left the sky tense and expectant.
Rio finally spoke, his voice low but clear enough for the crowd to hear.
"…I lost."
He said it without shame—just the simple acknowledgment of truth. The words didn't carry despair, only the weight of reality.
Leo gave a small nod, his eyes still fixed on him. "You fought well."
Rio let out a slow breath, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "At least I tried… I gave everything I had." His voice was calm, but underneath it, there was a strange sense of satisfaction.
Because even in defeat, he knew he had crossed a boundary within himself. He had felt his body and mind push beyond their previous limits, adapting mid-battle in a way that most warriors couldn't achieve even after years of training. And that… was enough to make him proud for now.
Leo, however, didn't miss the meaning behind Rio's expression. He could see it clearly—the spark that wouldn't die out, the determination that would only burn hotter after this loss.
And deep down, Leo sighed inwardly.
What a genius…
Even with a system guiding his own growth, even with advantages that most could never dream of, Leo could tell that Rio's natural ability to improve in real time was astonishing. His swordplay had evolved during the fight in ways that couldn't be taught—only experienced.
But that same thought also reaffirmed something within Leo:
Even so, no matter how fast he grows… he still cannot match my pace.
It wasn't arrogance—it was simple truth. The gap between them was too vast right now, and Leo intended to keep it that way.
He sheathed his sword with a single, smooth motion, the sound of metal sliding into its scabbard marking the true end of the duel.
Rio straightened his back, still catching his breath, and gave one last look at Leo—one that carried no bitterness, only respect. Then he turned and began to walk away from the center of the arena, each step slow but steady, his pride intact despite the loss.
The crowd didn't erupt into noise right away. Instead, there was a lingering hush, as if everyone present was still processing what they had just witnessed. The battle hadn't just been a clash of swords—it had been a clash of growth, willpower, and sheer determination.
Finally, the applause began. It wasn't wild cheering—it was something deeper. Respect.
Leo remained where he stood for a moment longer, his mind already shifting to the future. He knew Rio would come back stronger. He knew this wasn't the last time they would face each other.
And that thought didn't make him uneasy—it made him look forward to it.
The match was over.
The outcome was clear.
But for both of them, this was only the beginning.
Alright — I'll start with Part 1 of this chapter exactly as you instructed, making sure it is long, expanded with relevant words, and strictly based only on the information you provided without adding anything unnecessary.
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Chapter – After the Final Battle
Part 1
The moment Leo's sword lowered in victory, a wave of sound surged through the arena. The crowd erupted into loud, thunderous applause, their voices blending into an overwhelming roar that echoed off every wall of the grand stadium. The sound was not merely noise—it was the pure expression of admiration, respect, and excitement from countless spectators who had just witnessed a battle of extraordinary intensity. Every clap, every cheer, and every shout carried the energy of people who had been captivated by the skill and willpower displayed on the stage.
While the audience celebrated the result, medical staff rushed onto the field. Their footsteps were swift yet cautious as they made their way directly toward Rio, whose body still bore the marks of a fierce, relentless battle. His breathing was uneven, his muscles sore from the repeated exchanges, and though his pride remained unbroken, the exhaustion was impossible to hide.
Two of the staff carefully supported him, each one holding one of his arms, helping him step down from the dueling platform with steady care. Another staff member carried a satchel of medicinal supplies—herbs, ointments, and healing potions—ready to address any hidden injuries that might not be visible at first glance. The crowd's noise dimmed slightly as they saw the fallen competitor being escorted away, a gesture of silent respect for his efforts.
As Rio was carried toward the designated medical area, a familiar figure approached—Roxanne. Her expression, usually calm and composed, now carried an edge of concern. The moment her eyes fell on her brother, her steps quickened. She moved past a few bystanders without hesitation, closing the distance between them in moments.
When she reached him, her gaze scanned him quickly, searching for any sign of serious harm. Upon seeing that he was, in fact, fine—tired and bruised, but without grave injuries—her shoulders eased, and she exhaled a long, quiet sigh of relief.
"You are fine," she said simply, her tone containing both reassurance and confirmation to herself.
Without lingering, she stepped back and turned away, her steps carrying her toward the opposite side of the arena—toward Leo.
Rio's eyes followed her retreating figure, and in that moment, a faint sigh escaped his lips. Why is my sister still going to him? The thought echoed in his mind, tinged with a complicated mix of feelings. Yet, as quickly as the question formed, another memory surfaced—Leo's voice from earlier, the promise he had made, the quiet certainty in his words: I will always take care of your sister.
That promise brought him a strange sense of relief, enough to ease the sting of her divided attention. If nothing else, knowing she was safe under Leo's protection allowed him to breathe easier.
From his resting position, Rio glanced toward the arena floor. Selena and Roxanne were now both moving through the small crowd that had gathered, each of them making their way toward Leo. Their paths overlapped, and for a moment, the two seemed to be almost competing to reach him first. Rio could see the small moments of subtle struggle—neither willing to yield their position—both pushing through with polite but determined steps.
From a distance, he simply smiled faintly, perhaps amused by the scene despite the fatigue still weighing on his body.
Leo, still standing at the center of the stage, noticed Roxanne approaching. His usual composed expression softened slightly, and a faint smile formed on his lips, directed toward her.
Selena, however, misread the situation. From her angle, it appeared as though Leo's smile was meant for her, and the slight flush that rose to her cheeks betrayed her assumption.
While these small personal moments unfolded on the arena floor, the conversation in the special viewing area was far different in tone.
Henry, seated in the dignitaries' section, leaned forward slightly with an approving smile. "It was a marvellous match," he commented, his voice carrying genuine appreciation for the skill he had just witnessed.
Beside him sat the Sword Emperor, Maximus. Henry's eyes shifted toward him with a subtle glint of curiosity. "So," Henry began, "who will you select as your disciple?"
Maximus's gaze remained steady as he answered without hesitation, "It's Leo."
There was no pause, no sign of uncertainty. "He is strong," Maximus continued, "but more than that, he never used his full strength. Instead, he chose to fight his opponent on the same level, as an act of respect. That alone shows he has more than just skill—he has good character. And that is the type of person I will choose."
Elsewhere in the stands, another figure had been watching closely—Rio's father. His expression was heavy at first, the natural reaction of a parent seeing their child lose. Yet as his eyes followed Leo, he exhaled slowly, the tension in his face easing. At least Leo won, he thought, and with that, our Bladecrest family remains on good terms with someone of his capability.
Back on the stage, a faint electronic chime rang only in Leo's ears.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for snatching the protagonist's opportunity and becoming a student of the Sword Emperor!]
The voice of the system was as clear as ever, and Leo's mind registered the words instantly. He sighed inwardly. It really wasn't easy to become that guy's disciple.
Before he could think further, the system's voice returned.
[System is updating. It will take time and will be set to offline. Okay, bye host.]
And just like that, the connection cut off.
Leo blinked once, momentarily caught off guard. "…Huh?" he muttered under his breath, his expression unreadable. With no way to get answers from the now-offline system, he simply pushed the matter aside for the time being.
After stepping down from the stage, Leo's attention was drawn to a familiar face waiting near the base of the stairs—Henry. He remembered him well. Though Henry lacked overwhelming talent, his supportive abilities were invaluable. In fact, without Henry's aid, the so-called protagonist Alex would have found it far more difficult to defeat many of his past opponents.
However, Leo remained indifferent to Henry's outwardly warm smile. He knew that beneath that innocent expression, a far more dangerous side existed—a hidden monster masked by politeness.
Careful not to reveal any sign that he had seen through it, Leo maintained a neutral expression.
Henry stepped forward, his tone pleasant. "I'm Henry, the assistant of the Sword Emperor, Maximus. He intends to meet you."
Leo gave a single nod in acknowledgment. Without further conversation, he followed Henry toward the section of the stadium reserved for the highest-ranking guests.
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End of Chapter
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