Location: Grand Arena of Crowns
The massive Grand Arena was packed to the brim.Tens of thousands of citizens, nobles, and adventurers filled the towering stands, their roars shaking the skies.
At the very center, a colossal stage of white marble floated, surrounded by enchanted glyphs.The arena's enchantments were so powerful that even a battle between legends wouldn't destroy it.
Above it all, on a high balcony, the King himself sat — cold and calculating.Beside him, his advisors whispered urgently, but King Eldric's eyes were locked on only one figure.
Kael Solaris.
The Tournament Rules
A massive, booming voice echoed through the arena:
"Hear ye, hear ye!
The Tournament of Crowns begins!
Rules are simple:
Defeat your opponent!
Win three matches to reach the finals!
Victory or death — the choice is yours!"
Magical pillars shot into the sky, each bearing the name of a chosen competitor.
Kael's name burned in golden fire, while dozens of other elite names shone in silver and blue.
And then — the first match was called.
"First Battle: Prince Kael Solaris versus Sir Dren of the Iron Blood Clan!"
The crowd exploded in excitement.Sir Dren — a terrifying beast of a man — was famous for crushing steel armor with his bare hands.A blood knight who had killed hundreds on the battlefield.
Many whispered:
"Kael is doomed.""He has no chance!""The King will finally be rid of him!"
The First Battle Begins
Kael calmly stepped onto the stage.
Dren followed, a giant in black and red armor, wielding a massive greathammer.
The referee — a neutral archmage — raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Dren roared and charged.
BOOM!
The marble cracked under his steps.The ground shook.His hammer swung in a devastating arc that could shatter a fortress wall.
Kael didn't even flinch.
Kael's Hidden Power
As Dren's hammer descended, Kael moved — but not with magic.
He stepped to the side with casual grace, avoiding the hammer by a hair's breadth.
Dren roared again, swinging furiously — but Kael danced between the strikes like a shadow.
Whispers rippled through the crowd:
"How is he moving like that?""Is that... divine footwork?"
Kael's eyes gleamed.
He wasn't using magic.He wasn't using brute strength.
He was using techniques — ancient, forbidden martial arts that he alone remembered from his time as a god.
Every twist, every dodge, every flick of his wrist carried the weight of a thousand years of mastery.
Finally, when Dren overextended—
Kael struck.
A single palm thrust to Dren's armored chest.
A shockwave exploded outward.
BOOM!
Dren was hurled back like a ragdoll, smashing into the arena walls and crumpling unconscious.
The Arena Falls Silent
For a heartbeat, no one could speak.
Then—
"Victory! Prince Kael Solaris!"
The crowd erupted into chaos.
Half in awe.Half in terror.
Kael turned away from the fallen Dren without looking back.
To him, the battle had been over the moment it started.
The Harem's Pride
From the royal stands, Kael's harem companions cheered.
Zara: "That's our Kael — perfection!"
Mira: (smirking) "Barely even tried."
Velcia: (grinning) "The blood knight didn't even touch him."
Selene: (whispering to Ishira) "He's... so dazzling…"
Evelyne: (clutching her pendant) "This is just the beginning."
Each of them knew:Kael was holding back.
He hadn't unleashed even a fraction of his true power.
The King's Reaction
King Eldric leaned back in his throne, stroking his beard thoughtfully.
For the first time in years, a ghost of a smile touched his lips.
"Perhaps... I underestimated him."
But not everyone was pleased.
Far below, hidden among the nobles, dark figures whispered.
"We must eliminate him before he becomes unstoppable," one muttered. "The plan must accelerate."
In the shadows, assassins prepared their knives.Traitors made their deals.And far across the world, fallen gods stirred, sensing their ancient enemy's awakening.