Chapter 47: The Duel of Shadows
The Imperial Arena.
A vast coliseum within the palace grounds, used for training, tournaments, and trials of combat.
Today, it would witness something far more… unprecedented.
The Imperial Duel.
A test of strength. A show of power.
Between Julius Faelan, the Empire's renowned knight—and Leonhardt Valerian Everhart, a ten-year-old boy.
The nobles whispered, unable to hide their skepticism.
"A mere child against an imperial knight?"
"This is nothing more than a lesson in humility for the Grand Duke's heir."
"Perhaps it will temper his arrogance."
But Leonhardt ignored them.
He had nothing to prove to these fools.
He stood at the center of the arena, his red eyes burning with a quiet, unshakable confidence.
His opponent, Julius Faelan, stepped forward—a towering man in his early thirties, clad in light armor.
He studied Leonhardt with a mix of amusement and curiosity.
"Lord Everhart." Julius gave a small nod. "You are… younger than I expected."
Leonhardt's expression remained impassive. "And you are weaker than I expected."
A hush fell over the spectators.
Julius blinked. Then—he laughed.
"Confident, aren't you?"
Leonhardt didn't respond.
Confidence? No.
This was simply reality.
The Emperor's Eyes
High above the arena, on the grand balcony, Emperor Hadrian watched the scene unfold.
Beside him, the Imperial Family and the highest-ranking nobles observed with varying degrees of interest.
Hadrian leaned back, golden eyes gleaming.
"This should be entertaining."
The Duel Begins
The announcer's voice rang across the arena.
"Begin!"
Julius moved first.
A blur of speed—he closed the distance in an instant, his sword slashing downward with precise, overwhelming force.
A single strike.
Fast. Deadly. Designed to end the duel immediately.
The nobles barely had time to react—
When Leonhardt vanished.
A flicker. A shadow.
And then—
A gust of wind as he reappeared behind Julius.
The knight's eyes widened.
What?
The crowd gasped.
He dodged?
No.
He read the attack before it even started.
Julius turned sharply, his instincts screaming—too slow.
Leonhardt's sword was already at his throat.
A single moment. A single move.
And the duel… was already over.
Silence.
The nobles froze.
Julius Faelan, the Imperial Sword of Light—defeated in an instant.
By a ten-year-old.
Hadrian's golden eyes narrowed slightly.
Aldric Everhart remained still. Unmoved.
The crowd erupted.
"What—what was that?!"
"That was not normal!"
"Impossible! He didn't even use magic!"
"He's a monster—"
Julius exhaled sharply.
Slowly, he stepped back, lowering his sword.
Then—he smiled.
"I see. So this is the future of Everhart."
He turned to the Emperor, bowing. "Your Majesty, I concede."
A heavy silence followed.
Then—laughter.
Hadrian laughed.
"Magnificent." His golden gaze fixed on Leonhardt. "Truly magnificent."
The Emperor stood, his voice ringing across the arena.
"Today, we have witnessed something remarkable. A boy—no, a warrior—who has proven himself beyond expectations."
The nobles murmured. Some in awe. Some in fear.
But Hadrian's next words silenced them all.
"Leonhardt Valerian Everhart. From this day forward, you will be recognized as one of the Empire's strongest young warriors."
"The future belongs to you."