If Elden had known earlier that Ethan intended to participate in the martial arts competition, he would have halted the boy's ambitions outright.
The thought of Ethan competing, rather than quietly observing from the stands, was a matter of great embarrassment to Azure Sky Peak. Even now, as his name was called, murmurs of doubt swirled through the crowd.
Ethan's lips twitched into a faint smile—whether this turn of events was purely accidental or orchestrated by unseen hands, it no longer mattered to him. Fate had thrown Kain and him into the same contest: a costly encounter for Kain and a stage for Ethan's resurgence.
Just as Ethan's footsteps carried him towards the stone platform, a voice, as light and clear as a wind chime, floated from behind.
"Senior Brother Ethan, come on!"
Ethan turned to see Liana, her presence a balm amid the storm of spectators. Her arrival was unexpected but welcome.
