"Go, Shin'en! I have hope in you!" Satel cheered.
The chief looked at her with confusion in his eyes.
"You really are serious about making him king?" the chief inquired.
Satel turned and looked at him, determination written in her eyes.
"Yes," she answered with cold resolve.
The chief chuckled a little, then turned to witness the trial.
Shin and Bael circled each other, sizing each other up. Bael struck first—he lunged forward and brought his sword down on Shin.
Shin dodged and countered with his own blade. To his surprise, Bael caught Shin's sword with his bare hand.
Bael kicked Shin in the stomach, knocking him back and disarming him. Then he tossed Shin's sword far behind him.
"Really? That was easier than I thought," Bael said, mocking him.
Shin glared at Bael as he got back up. He sprinted straight at him. Bael swung his sword down once more.
Shin dodged to the side and aimed his hand at Bael. A gust of wind burst from his palm, launching Bael into the air.
Shin seized the opportunity and darted for his sword. But just before he reached it, a shadow rushed at him from behind.
He couldn't dodge in time—the shadow slashed his back and snatched the sword, retreating toward Bael in the distance.
"Hey, how about we start using spells?" Bael taunted as the shadow tossed him the weapon.
Shin turned to face him and scoffed. Flames burst from his feet, propelling him forward at high speed.
Bael raised his hand.
"Dark Magic: Tier 3—Echo."
Shockwaves of dark energy slammed into Shin in rapid succession, immobilizing him as mana wrapped around his body like chains.
"I wish this spell had a timer. I'd win just by suspending you like this," Bael sighed.
He dismissed the spell and slashed Shin across the stomach. Shin collapsed to the ground.
Bael stepped closer, looming over him. Shin looked up with a blank expression. Bael tilted his head in confusion.
He glanced at Shin's stomach—and froze. The wound had closed, completely healed.
When he looked back at Shin's face, he was met with a sudden double kick.
"Guess I'll have to thank the Demon King's blood for my new healing factor," Shin said as he kicked Bael in the side of the head.
But Shin's eyes widened in shock—Bael hadn't moved an inch.
Bael chuckled. "Not bad, human."
He grabbed Shin by the ankle and flung him into the air.
"Phantom Sword: Form Two—Limit Break!" Bael roared.
He stabbed his sword through Shin's right shoulder, unleashing a massive wave of mana that tore through the battlefield.
Shin hit the ground hard, blood pouring from the wound in his shoulder.
"Oh! So you really do have demon blood in you," Bael said in surprise.
Shin gritted his teeth and grabbed Bael's left leg. Bael frowned in confusion as Shin's back sizzled and healed before his eyes.
"Fire Magic: Tier 3—Binding Burn!" Shin shouted.
A rope of flame coiled around Bael's body, glowing brighter as Shin grinned.
Bael tried coating himself in mana to resist, but it was too late—the spell had already activated.