""Every view is a glance… but a collection is a connection. If you feel something while reading this, don't hesitate—add it to your collection.700 eyes have witnessed this story… but only 10 chose to stay. If this journey touched even a small part of your heart, don't just pass by—add it to your collection and walk this path with me.""
The arena had not recovered from the shock.
Not from the wish.
Not from the challenge.
Not from the blade pointed at the throne.
Silence stretched—tight and unsteady.
Then—
The king spoke.
King Aurelion Seraphius leaned slightly forward, his gaze fixed on Kael.
"…Your motive…"
His voice was calm.
Measured.
But it carried across every corner of the arena.
"…was never to defeat me."
A pause.
"…It was to change the tradition."
The words struck like a blade.
Murmurs spread instantly.
"…What?"
"…Change the tradition?"
"…What does he mean…?"
The king continued, his tone sharpening just enough to hold absolute authority.
"The tradition of binding my daughters… to the victor of a tournament created for them."
A deeper silence followed.
This time—
Heavier.
Because now—
Everyone understood what Kael had done.
Not just challenged a king.
But challenged a kingdom's belief.
Aurelion's eyes narrowed slightly, though there was no anger in them.
Only clarity.
"You stood in front of me… knowing I would grant you a wish."
"And yet…"
"You chose not to take the obvious path."
He leaned back slightly.
"…Because your wish was never simple."
Kael remained silent.
Unmoving.
Listening.
"You stood at a crossroad."
The king's voice softened—just slightly.
"One path…"
"…was to ask for Seraphina's freedom."
"And you did."
A pause.
"But the other…"
His eyes sharpened.
"…was to ensure that no princess of the Silver Kingdom would ever be bound by this tradition again."
A ripple moved through the nobles.
Unease.
Shock.
Realization.
"And for that…"
Aurelion continued,
"…you challenged me."
The king's gaze locked onto Kael.
"…Because you know."
"…A king of the Silver Kingdom never refuses a proposal… if he is defeated."
The entire arena fell silent.
Not a whisper remained.
Then—
A faint smile appeared on the king's face.
"…You are a brilliant one."
No sarcasm.
No mockery.
Only acknowledgment.
"…But you are also injured."
His tone shifted again.
Firm.
Measured.
"I could fight you now."
"And end this instantly."
A pause.
"…But that would not be a king's way."
The crowd stirred.
Respect.
Anticipation.
Tension.
"So instead…"
He stood.
Slowly.
"…We will fight tomorrow."
The announcement echoed like thunder.
Gasps spread across the arena.
"Tomorrow?!"
"A duel with the king?!"
"This is insane…"
Aurelion raised his hand slightly.
"I will use only my blade."
"No aura."
"No amplification."
"And if you…"
His eyes narrowed just a fraction.
"…manage to make even a single scratch on my clothing…"
"…I will declare you the victor."
The arena exploded.
"That's impossible!"
"That's the king!"
"He's giving him a chance?!"
"No—he's testing him!"
The reactions clashed, overlapped, and spiraled into chaos.
But Kael—
Did not react.
Not outwardly.
In the stands—
Aurelia exhaled slowly.
"…He saw through everything."
Lyrielle crossed her arms, though her eyes never left Kael.
"…Of course he did."
Seraphina stood silent.
Her heart still unsettled.
"…He understood him…"
Lucien gave a faint smile.
"…Both of them did."
Aurelia's gaze shifted slightly.
Toward Kael.
"…You know…"
Her voice lowered.
"…This isn't the first time he's done something like this."
Lyrielle raised an eyebrow.
"…What do you mean?"
Aurelia let out a quiet breath.
"…That mission."
"…The one to the Dwarf Kingdom."
Lyrielle's expression shifted.
Seraphina looked toward her.
"…You noticed it too… didn't you?"
Aurelia nodded slowly.
"…Back then… we thought he was just reacting."
"Adapting."
"Getting lucky."
Lucien let out a quiet chuckle.
"…Yeah…"
"But now…"
His gaze sharpened.
"…It doesn't look like luck anymore."
Lyrielle's eyes softened slightly.
"…He always moved last…"
"…But every time he did…"
"…it was the exact moment things would collapse."
Seraphina whispered—
"…And every time…"
"…he acted like it just happened."
Aurelia smirked faintly.
"…He even played dumb."
Lucien added,
"…And distracted us."
Lyrielle's cheeks turned faintly red.
"…Don't say it like that."
Aurelia glanced at her.
"…Oh?"
"…You mean those 'random arguments' you had with him?"
Lyrielle turned away slightly.
"…Those weren't arguments."
Lucien raised an eyebrow.
"…Really?"
Aurelia smirked.
"…They looked pretty… personal."
Lyrielle's cheeks flushed deeper.
"…Shut up."
Seraphina watched quietly.
Then—
A small smile appeared on her face.
"…He was protecting us."
The others fell silent for a moment.
Because now—
It made sense.
Everything.
Aurelia exhaled slowly.
"…He kept attention on himself."
"…So no one would look at us."
Lucien nodded.
"…Or what we were doing."
Lyrielle looked back toward the arena.
"…He carried everything quietly…"
Her voice softened.
"…Idiot…"
From above—
Elyndra watched them.
Her gaze shifting between the group and Kael.
A faint smile touched her lips.
"…So that's the kind of person you are…"
She stepped forward slightly.
Just enough to be seen.
Aurelia noticed first.
"…Looks like someone's interested."
Lyrielle glanced up.
"…Who is that?"
Seraphina followed their gaze.
Elyndra met their eyes.
And smiled.
Not arrogantly.
Not mockingly.
But knowingly.
Then she descended.
Graceful.
Composed.
Standing just a short distance from them.
"…You must be his companions."
Her voice was calm.
Refined.
Lyrielle crossed her arms slightly.
"…Depends who's asking."
Elyndra placed a hand lightly over her chest.
"…Elyndra Valenor."
"…Of Luminaryth."
Aurelia raised a brow.
"…Another princess."
Lucien muttered softly.
"…Of course…"
Elyndra's gaze shifted briefly toward Kael.
"…He's quite interesting."
Seraphina's expression didn't change.
But her voice did.
"…He is."
A small pause passed between them.
Unspoken.
Measured.
Elyndra smiled faintly.
"…I'd like to know him better."
Lyrielle responded instantly.
"…Get in line."
Aurelia smirked.
"…Long line."
Lucien chuckled.
"…Very long."
Seraphina didn't speak.
But her eyes—
Didn't leave Kael.
Below—
Kael finally turned.
Slowly.
His gaze lifted toward the throne.
Then toward the sky beyond it.
Tomorrow—
He would stand against a king.
Not for victory.
Not for pride.
But for something far more dangerous.
Freedom.