The high priest jolted out of his stupor, as if struck by divine lightning.
He cleared his throat awkwardly and raised his voice:
"Victory… goes to Kaelion Drenlor!"
But no one cheered.
The arena was silent—dead silent.
Even the wind held its breath.
Kael said nothing.
He simply sheathed his sword with a soft click and took one step back, composed as ever.
Aerik, still bleeding, still sprawled in the wreckage of his pride, finally snapped.
His voice was hoarse, sharp with fury.
"What nonsense is this?!
Even if the War God bestowed him mana—how the hell does this bastard know spells?!"
A beat.
Then thousands of heads turned toward Kael.
He smiled.
A calm, calculated smile.
The smile of a man who had already written this scene in his head—and was just acting it out.
"I used to memorize incantations all the time," Kael said lightly, as if discussing the weather.
"Couldn't cast them, of course.
No mana.
But now that the War God himself has blessed me..."
He spread his arms just slightly, eyes lifted toward the heavens.
"Why wouldn't I be able to cast them now?"
Aerik looked like he might vomit blood.
The high priest of Thalrik stepped forward, his face unreadable—suspicion flickering in his eyes.
And that was Kael's cue.
He raised a trembling finger and pointed straight at the crowd.
"Why are you all so quiet?" he shouted, voice ringing across the arena.
"Do you doubt the War God's will?!"
Gasps.
"Are you saying a miracle didn't just occur before your eyes?"
Kael spun and pointed directly at the high priest now.
"You serve the War God!
Can't you see it?
This is divine intervention!"
The priest visibly flinched.
Tension rippled through the spectators like a drawn bowstring.
Nobles leaned in.
Priests exchanged nervous glances.
Even Yue let out a groan beside him, muttering dryly:
"You manipulative bastard..."
But Kael didn't care.
He had done it. He'd shifted the burden.
If this wasn't a miracle, then what was it?
A magicless noble had just cast spells—powerful ones—in full view of the capital's elite.
If logic failed… belief would fill the gap.
That's how the world worked.
And then—
"Yes!"the high priest said suddenly, seizing the lifeline Kael had thrown him.
"Yes, this young man tells the truth!
I—I've always known he was touched by Thalrik!"
Kael barely resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
Of course you did.
But it worked.
The crowd exploded in cheers.
"KAELION! KAELION!"
Selene stared with wide eyes, breathless.
"He… really pulled this off," she whispered.
Even Elara was stunned into silence, her gaze fixed on Kael like she was seeing him for the first time.
Then the high priest turned to Kael again, his voice solemn and loud enough for all to hear.
"Young man… you are worthy.
The Temple of Thalrik welcomes you."
He paused dramatically.
"The position of Chosen One is yours, should you accept it.
Our doors are forever open."
Chosen One?!
Gasps echoed.
That was the War God Temple's highest honor—only one per generation, a symbol of divine favor.
And Kael… had just been offered it on the spot.
He said nothing.
Just bowed slightly.
Internally, he shrugged.
I'll look into it after the system mission.
Suddenly, the Duke raised his hand.
The roaring crowd fell into an uneasy silence.
Kael's expression turned sharp.
Judgment time.
But he already knew what the verdict would be.
The Duke's voice echoed across the arena, calm but absolute:
"As we have all witnessed—Kaelion Drenlor has defeated Aerik Drenlor in honorable combat.
Not only that… he has earned the War God's favor.
This alone proves that the accusation was true.
It was Aerik who poisoned his own brother."
Gasps rippled across the stands.
"I, Duke Drenlor," he continued,
"Place Aerik under house arrest, effective immediately.
His final punishment will be decided at a later date."
Kael exhaled slowly.
Just as expected.
Had he lost today, it would've been branded slander—a grave crime against a prodigy of the Royal Academy.
Against House Drenlor's golden son.
He would've been crushed beneath the weight of Aerik's reputation.
But since he won? The truth was acknowledged… and then shelved.
A neat, quiet verdict.
Kael's eyes flicked to Aerik—just in time to catch the smug smile tugging at his brother's lips.
Even as the guards approached, even as chains clicked around his wrists… Aerik was smirking.
Yue's voice rang softly beside him, laced with cynicism.
"He's the shining star of House Drenlor.
Royal Academy prodigy.
Your father will make sure he lands on his feet."
Kael didn't reply.
He didn't need to.
Everyone watching knew it.
Every noble in the stands, every priest, every knight.
This wasn't justice.
It was damage control.
Still, no one spoke up. No one challenged the Duke.
They simply raised their voices again—
"KAELION! KAELION!"
A chant.
A name.
A distraction.
Kael stood still in the center of it all, eyes cold as the storm behind them.
He didn't smile.
He wasn't celebrating.
Because he knew…
This was only the beginning.
As the cheers faded and the crowd began to calm, Kael finally turned toward Selene.
She was still clapping, practically glowing with pride.
But then…
Elara stood.
And the entire arena seemed to freeze again.
Kael's smile faltered.
His spine stiffened.
And somewhere deep in his soul, a very rational voice whispered:
"…You're doomed."
Elara stepped forward.
Kael stiffened.
This was it.
This was doomsday.
She was going to expose him—rip the illusion apart, speak a single sentence that would unravel everything.
He readied himself.
Every lie he'd rehearsed, every smirk, every deflection was poised and sharpened like a dagger behind his teeth.
But instead…
She said:
"As Princess of the Velmora Kingdom,
I wish to propose a marriage alliance."
Pause.
"To House Drenlor's Kaelion Drenlor."
Silence fell like a guillotine.
Kael's face contorted.
Not with pain.
Not with fear.
But with pure, unfiltered
What the actual hell.
Yue turned to look at him.
Her face was unreadable—except for the pity.
Pity so strong it could drown nations.
She didn't say a word.
She didn't need to.
Kael finally managed to choke out,
"Wh—"
But he was cut off.
The Duke slammed his hand down on the side of his chair like he'd just won the lottery.
"We accept!" he declared, without a moment's hesitation.
Kael almost collapsed on the spot.
Did they… did they just skip the part where they ask him?
His soul briefly left his body.
He whipped his head toward Selene.
She was frozen.
Emotionless.
Just standing there with eyes that looked like someone had turned off the lights inside her skull.
And then—
She turned.
And ran.
Not a word. No glance back.
Just gone.
Kael felt something in his chest snap.
He staggered, then sprinted after her.
Yue floated behind him, whispering,
"You've truly done it now, Romeo."
Back on the platform, Elara watched the chaos unfold—still poised, still royal.
Then, as if it were all a formality, she turned and walked back to her carriage.
No expression.
No explanation.
No warmth.
Just cold calculation in heels and silk.
The Duke watched her go with the smile of a man who believed the world was finally working in his favor.
"Don't worry, Your Highness!" he called out helpfully.
"Kaelion's just a bit overwhelmed!
We'll talk him into it!"
And Kael?
Kael was too busy sprinting after a broken girl, his third silent heart attack still echoing in his ribs.