The next day arrived quickly.

Like the previous morning, anticipation for the second round robbed people of sleep. Many chose to remain on the streets to avoid losing their spots, while others returned before the sun had even risen into the skies.

Just like that, the entire South waited for the second round to begin.

Once again, the coliseum was packed with thousands of spectators, their laughter and cheers filling the massive space with excitement.

Zephyrion sat on an open stand at the edge of the coliseum alongside the thirty nine other candidates who had qualified for the second round. A tall, vast arena had been erected at the center of the coliseum.

Despite sitting amongst the other candidates, Zephyrion could feel the majority of the gazes fixed on him. Candidates, spectators, and even many of the heads of houses seated above on their thrones.

Anticipation simmered within Zephyrion. After yesterday’s failure, he could barely wait for the battles to begin so he could complete his objectives. But he wasn’t alone in that thought.

’Ah, how my heart aches for these poor, ignorant youths,’ Demorian lamented sadly. ’They truly have no idea they’re merely stepping stones for our glorious rise. After this competition, the women of the South shall tremble at our magnificence. A single breath from us would send panties flying like autumn leaves!’

Zephyrion’s brow twitched faintly.

’Our?’

’Ahem... you, me, our... must we really split hairs between brothers?’ Demorian said shamelessly. ’What matters is that we’re carrying out sacred work! After this, we won’t have to worry abou—’

Zephyrion tuned him out. Partly because the spirit was rambling nonsense. And partly because Kaelion Calderalth now stood before him.

Kaelion’s gaze was firm as he stared down at Zephyrion, both fists tightly clenched at his sides. Zephyrion wasn’t certain whether this was about him taking first place yesterday... or something else entirely.

Eventually, Kaelion slowly loosened his fists and exhaled through his nose before speaking.

"Make sure you don’t lose until we meet."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away.

Zephyrion felt a faint trace of killing intent brush through the air and turned slightly.

Beside him, Lumi was staring at the departing Kaelion with tightly furrowed brows and a deep frown. The puffiness of her cheeks made her resemble a small angry panda more than anything intimidating.

"He’s harmless," Zephyrion said quietly.

Lumi turned toward him and blinked once before looking back at Kaelion with narrowed eyes. A moment later, she scoffed softly and shook her head.

By the time she turned back toward Zephyrion, the hostility had already vanished. A bright smile spread across her face, erasing every trace of coldness from her expression.

At this point, Zephyrion was already accustomed to the abrupt change.

He quietly erected a small barrier around them before speaking.

"During the second round, if you’re paired against a strong opponent, drag out the fight," Zephyrion said calmly. "Make sure they reveal everything before you finish them."

Lumi nodded with a serious expression. She didn’t even bother asking why.

Zephyrion shifted his gaze toward the remaining candidates.

As it turned out, only six descendants from House Calderalth had made it into the second round, showing just how intense the competition truly was.

The other high houses had also lost members, leaving the remaining seats occupied by descendants from mid houses.

Zephyrion’s eyes settled on the five seated confidently at the very front.

The descendants of the city lords. And his targets for today. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Glancing away, he quietly waited for the competition to begin.

Eventually, Ingrid stepped forward. The entire coliseum fell silent almost instantly.

"People of the South," Ingrid said. "Welcome to the second round of the Proving."

"WOAHHHHHH!"

The deafening cheers shook the coliseum. As the noise gradually subsided, Ingrid turned toward the candidates.

"For those of you who made it this far, you’ve done well. But don’t misunderstand." Ingrid’s gaze swept across the candidates. "Surviving the first round does not make you worthy of becoming the Prime. Today will determine that."

"So tell me... are you prepared for what’s to come?"

Many of the candidates instinctively straightened in their seats, lifting their chins proudly.

Zephyrion briefly felt Ingrid’s gaze rest on him before it shifted away almost immediately.

"Good. Then pay attention while I explain the rules."

The next few moments were spent going over the rules.

It was straightforward. One-on-one battles where participants could go as far as they wished. No outside weapons. Leaving the arena boundaries counted as a loss. Any lethal strike would automatically be intercepted, meaning the youths had no reason to hold back.

Afterwards, Ingrid announced the first match.

"Kaiden Calderalth. Lucien Donvaire."

Kaiden’s expression tightened slightly as he rose from his seat and stepped toward the arena. Opposite him stood the chubby figure of Lucien Donvaire.

Zephyrion frowned faintly.

’He’s unlucky.’

Zephyrion had already seen a glimpse of what Lucien Donvaire was capable of. As a primary descendant of a city lord, the boy was naturally talented. This battle already had an obvious outcome.

"Are you ready?" the overseer asked.

Kaiden exhaled deeply. The hesitation in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a fierce sharpness. A massive broadsword materialized within his grip as he gave a firm nod.

The overseer then turned toward Lucien.

The boy stood with his chin slightly raised, faint disdain flickering through his gaze. He gave a casual nod as well, not even bothering to form a weapon.

The overseer gave a final nod.

A brief silence followed. Then—

"Begin!"

Kaiden had barely begun to move when a blade suddenly filled his vision. His widened eyes shook violently.

"What—"

Whoosh.

The next moment, Kaiden found himself standing outside the arena, supported upright by the overseer.

He stared blankly at his trembling arms. Even as the overseer announced the result, disbelief still lingered across his face.

"Winner, Lucien Donvaire!"

"WOAH! That’s it?!"

"He folded him instantly!"

"As expected of a city lord’s descendant!"

"...wait, a Calderalth descendant lost that fast?!"

Deafening cheers erupted throughout the coliseum.

Lucien turned toward the city lords.

"Mother," he said with a graceful bow. "I dedicate my future victory in the Proving to you."

"...did he just declare himself the winner already?!"

"HAHA! This bastard’s confidence is insane!"

"How arrogant!"

"Forget arrogant, he basically just slapped every other candidate in the face!"

The crowd instantly descended into a frenzy at the brazen declaration. Saying such words was practically dismissing the strength of every other candidate present, especially the descendants of the high houses.

Eyes immediately shifted toward the remaining candidates, many of them staring at Lucien with narrowed eyes and furrowed brows.

But Lucien merely maintained his composed smile as he returned to his seat.