Augusta, the undefeated crown of Septimont's arena, the fearless leader born from blood and iron.
In the hearts of every citizen of Septimont, her name was the embodiment of strength itself.
With a Resonance ability that was far from outstanding, she had nonetheless shattered formidable opponents in the arena time and again, ultimately ascending the undefeated throne—a legend unprecedented in the history of Septimont.
As the living symbol of invincibility in this land, every move Augusta made drew countless eyes.
Thus, when news of her sparring with a foreigner spread, it swept through Capitoline Hill City like wildfire.
Leonidas Plaza, which had been gradually quieting down, was in an instant flooded with crowds.
Everyone had come to witness the Ephor's majesty firsthand.
Since she had assumed power, she had never once set foot in the arena again.
Now that a legend was about to be seen in action once more, how could the people not be driven wild with excitement?
"Why are there so many people?"
Ray looked at the surging crowds in the stands, swallowing nervously. He distinctly remembered that not long ago, this place was so empty you could hear the wind.
How had it become packed wall-to-wall in the blink of an eye?
But a moment's thought brought clarity, standing opposite him was the Ephor of Septimont, the legend who had never been surpassed in the arena.
Even though she hadn't fought for years, her prestige, deeply rooted in people's hearts, had never faded.
"Relax." Augusta stood at the other end of the arena, flexing her wrists, her tone calm. "Just treat it as an ordinary spar. However..." She glanced around at the roaring stands, smiling helplessly. "This scale really did exceed expectations. Looks like I'll be busy later. Those old foxes in the Senate will probably nag me about this for a good while."
At this point, as if suddenly remembering something, she turned to him. "Oh, right, I haven't asked yet. What's your Resonance ability?"
"My Resonance ability?" Hearing the question, Ray paused briefly, then looked up and said tentatively, "Uh, just being really strong counts, I guess?"
The answer made Augusta pause for a moment before she burst into hearty laughter. "It seems we're quite similar in that regard. Do you need a weapon? Or are you used to bare-handed combat?"
"No need." Ray shook his head gently. "I have a weapon."
As his voice fell, a milky-white stream of light slowly emanated from the Tacet Mark on the back of his hand.
The light wove and reconfigured in the air like crystallized ice, ultimately forming a swiftblade carved from gemstone.
It was precisely the gift Carlotta had given him before.
Ever since Anby awakened, Ray had begun experimenting with his unique Resonance ability: a vessel capable of containing the frequencies of all things.
In Solaris-3, all things in the world were composed of frequencies.
If he could analyze these frequencies, he could temporarily store them within the Tacet Mark and retrieve them whenever needed.
That way, he'd never have to carry weapons around on his back all day again.
"What's happening, what's happening?" Anby suddenly popped out from the Tacet Mark, its round eyes sparkling with excitement. "Are we fighting? I'll help!"
"No need, Anby." Ray smiled and shook his head. "Since Augusta hasn't summoned her Echo, we should fight fair as well."
"Huh? Is that so..." Anby's little face scrunched up, gazing worriedly at the composed Augusta across the field. "I don't know who she is, but she feels really strong. But it's okay! I believe my partner will definitely win!"
Anby nodded encouragingly, extending its little paw toward Ray.
Amidst the deafening cheers, almost everyone in the arena was shouting for Augusta. Only Anby stood firmly on Ray's side.
"Thanks, Anby." Warmth flooded Ray's heart. He extended his fist and gently bumped it against Abby's little paw.
"No matter what happens, I'll always be on your side!"
Leaving behind this resolute declaration, Anby transformed into a beam of golden light and vanished back into the Resonance Mark.
"That's Anby you mentioned earlier?" Augusta asked. "Quite an interesting little creature."
"It's my partner." Ray turned his wrist lightly, the sword blade tracing a cold arc in the sunset. "I know this may be presumptuous, Ephor, but in this match... I have a reason I cannot lose."
"Is that so?" The corner of Augusta's lips lifted slightly.
She slowly spread her arms wide, her fingers raised lightly as if playing a zither, as though summoning something.
In an instant,
A pitch-black great sword tore through the sky, crashing down beside her like a falling meteor, stirring up a cloud of dust.
It was less a sword and more a brutal weapon forcibly forged from countless dark fragments.
An ominous, eerie light flowed across its twisted blade, as if carrying the lament of countless souls from countless battlefields.
"Then let me see just what you're capable of!"
Whoosh—!
The storm stirred up by the black great sword swept across the entire arena. Even before the blade arrived, the sharp sword aura had already carved deep marks into the ground.
Without any warning, Augusta's figure charged forward like a bolt of lightning. That menacing great sword came crashing down, the roar of it tearing through the air.
Ray took a deep breath. Without any fear or evasion, he raised his swiftblade with both hands above his head, meeting this overwhelmingly powerful strike with an impeccable stance.
Clang—!
The explosive clash of metal against metal was deafening. Even the ground beneath their feet was continuously splitting apart under the immense force.
Amidst the flying sparks, a faint golden gleam flickered in the depths of Ray's pupils like dying embers lit on the last day of the world, hovering between life and annihilation.
Seeing Ray meet her attack head-on, Augusta appeared somewhat surprised.
After all, this strike of hers was full of openings. Ray had both the ability and the time to avoid it.
But why…
"How interesting. Why didn't you dodge?"
"Since this is a duel, I wanted to feel for myself the weight of the rumored 'Undefeated Crown.'"
He met Augusta's gaze. In the depths of his jet-black pupils, that golden light surged like a tidal wave.
"Besides if I don't first gauge the strength of my opponent, how will I know how much force to use in return?"
…
…
The family affairs in Septimont had finally come to an end.
Carlotta let out a soft sigh of relief. At last, she could temporarily set down the heavy burden on her shoulders and enjoy some rare leisure time.
She strolled alone through the streets of Septimont, heading in the direction of the Leonidas Grand Hotel.
'I wonder what Cat's Eye is doing right now…
He must be so bored without me around, right?
Hmph, it looks like I'll have to make it up to him properly.'
Just as she was immersed in these little daydreams, a hurried figure rushed right into her.
"I'm so sorry! I'm really sorry!" A young woman of Septimont apologized repeatedly. "I was in a hurry to get to the gladiator match and wasn't watching where I was going…"
Carlotta waved her hand. "It's fine. But… a gladiator match? What's all the commotion about?"
"You haven't heard?" The young woman's eyes lit up. "The Ephor is sparring with someone at the arena! Everyone's rushing over to watch!"
"The Ephor? A duel?" Carlotta was momentarily taken aback.
"I heard her opponent is from Ragunna!"
"Ragunna?"
Carlotta suddenly froze.
'Wait... Could it be Cat's Eye?!'