x
At midnight, Raven went to his usual training spot. The cold wind brushed against his skin, and the silence of the night was broken only by his own footsteps. Yet, something felt… off. He could sense someone watching him.
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs83EF4fsGh
He stopped for a moment, scanning the area. Suddenly, a figure emerged —Ryo. He stepped forward with a confident smile.
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuFWwQbEqL
Ryo: "You’re the masked fighter. I saw you that day."
Raven (expressionless): "I don’t know what you’re talking about."
Ryo (stepping closer): "Why did you interfere in that fight? And why didn’t you join the tournament from the start?"
Raven (sighing): "You’re annoying. I’m just here to train."
Ryo (grinning): "Then let’s train together!"
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡke1hhGqgw4
Without warning, Ryo lunged at Raven, forcing him to step back cautiously.
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpe8HR8WEz
Raven: "What do you want from me now?"
Ryo : "I just want to know why you interfered."
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmd3BeGKwhD
Raven smirked.
"So you only understand the language of battle?"
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTjtiWN1vL
In a flash, Raven attacked with a rapid flurry of punches. Ryo, however, was no ordinary opponent—he dodged and blocked with remarkable skill, countering with his own strikes. The air crackled with the force of their blows.
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo16pMbGteA
Then, Ryo suddenly stepped back, his body glowing with intense flames.
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMiDfbur0J
Ryo: "Fire Magic – Level Two!"
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQppH4lrPPe
Flames enveloped his entire body, forming a blazing armor around him.
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwyPWPiUUn
Ryo (smirking): "With this level, I can coat myself in fire. Any touch from you… and you’ll burn."
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNMLsbepjK
Raven (muttering): "Tch… so you’ve started using magic, huh? Fine, I won’t hold back either."
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstQykW2Zxy
Ryo launched fire bullets toward Raven, who dodged swiftly but couldn’t avoid all of them. Burn marks began to appear on his arms and clothes.
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjybctu5RV
Raven (gritting his teeth): "Your ability… it’s like both a shield and a weapon."
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcC6Kos5CR
Realizing that a prolonged fight would wear him down, Raven thought quickly: "I need to land a single decisive hit… otherwise he'll incinerate me with his fire shield."
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnPKH5bQ7K
Feigning retreat, Raven dashed away, luring Ryo in.
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4Ff5krfdB
Ryo (mocking): "Are you running away now? Pathetic."
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGtmu3Pd5n
But Raven had a plan. Using the surrounding buildings, he leaped high into the air. From above, he extended his hand toward Ryo, energy crackling around his palm.
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHS58ShAUqc
Then, with a fierce shout, he unleashed his attack.
"THUNDER SHOT!"
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxEcRr3mLe
Ryo’s eyes widened in shock at the sheer speed of the strike. He raised his arms to block, but the lightning bolt shattered his flaming armor and struck him square in the chest.
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDE3TcfbZMd
The force sent Ryo stumbling backward, his body twitching from the electric shock. He dropped to one knee, panting heavily.
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTrFMql0RU
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUflkU5gV8
Meanwhile,The six heads of the royal families gathered with the ruler of Esteria in the grand meeting hall. The atmosphere was tense, and the faces around the table ranged from fuRyous to pale with shock.
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGZjeI5AMJ
Head of the Evren family, his face contorted with anger: "I can't believe we're paying such an outrageous amount! This is extortion!"
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjS2NfVCKZ
Head of the Falconir family, slamming his fist on the table: "And what did you expect? Why did you even interfere with their shipments? You were playing with fire!"
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLLUnhzZmV
Head of the Draconis family, speaking in a calm yet intense voice: "This is not the time for blame. We need to gather the money and find a way out of this mess with the least possible losses."
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡae4t05Hha6
Head of the Strathmore family, looking directly at the ruler: "But are we certain that paying is the best solution? Is there no other way?"
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcI3YebjRA
The Ruler of Esteria, his voice firm as he scanned the room: "We have no choice. We will cooperate and collect the required amount, and the Evren family will repay its debts to us later. We will not let this crisis shake the stability of our nation."
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1r1JQyOPza
Head of the Nethrid family, stroking his chin thoughtfully: "But what guarantees that they won’t return to demand even more? If we pay now, we might become easy prey for them in the future."
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqZ6KxpbHG
Head of the Zircon family, leaning forward with frustration: "Why don't we fight them? Why should we show weakness in front of Arcadia? We can unite our forces and eliminate this threat!"
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwN7DvnWq6
The Ruler of Esteria, narrowing his eyes and staring sharply at him: "And who exactly will you fight? Do you even understand what Arcadia is? That organization could erase us from the map in a single night. No, fighting is not an option, and we don’t have the luxury of indulging in fantasies. We must pay and end this matter now."
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxiDXANQF6
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDU0SlnuLYW
After the fight between Ryo and Raven, with Ryo’s defeat, he decided to expose the masked fighter’s identity to the Evren family. That night, Ryo went to the Evren estate and confidently told the guards and officials present:
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHW82Dg5Og
"The masked fighter is a second-year student at the academy... Raven."
ns216.73.216.176da2
