---

The chapter begins with Selena's guards cleaning up the chaos left behind. The smell of dust and shattered wood fills the air, while the heavy footsteps of the guards echo on the marble floor. We transition to Selena at the palace gate, where she arrives running after her mission, panting in shock, sweat dripping down her forehead, and her heart racing:

**Selena:** "What?! You said they were gone!! Where did they go, and with whom?!"

The guards, standing firmly, exchange worried glances before answering: "The king, Sir Karl, and a man named Zain, dressed in a magnificent military uniform, along with two companions, have left. They also took the criminal who killed the deputy."

**Selena** (in shock, touching her chest as if trying to calm her heartbeat): "When did they capture him? And why didn’t my father tell me?! … Well, goodbye! Guard the palace well!"

**Guards:** "Yes, ma'am!"

Selena takes off running in search of them. The evening breeze brushes against her warm face, and the sound of her footsteps echoes through the empty streets.

---

**Transition to the Battlefield**

We move to the military barracks northeast of the palace, where Karl and Zain are preparing for a duel in an open and wide arena. Soldiers surround them, talking excitedly and betting on who will win. At the edges of the arena, King Altair stands beside Ren, who looks around uneasily, feeling the cold air carrying the scent of earth and iron.

**Ren** (grumbling): "Ouch, why did you bring me here?!"

**King** (smiling, placing a hand on Ren's shoulder): "I decided to take you with me to watch this match."

**Ren** (sarcastically): "And why? Am I not a criminal? … All that’s left is for you to remove the handcuffs!"

**King** (calmly): "Ah, I forgot. I’ll ask the guards for the key to remove them."

Ren stares at the king in disbelief, then whispers to himself: "First, you pardoned me, didn’t kill or imprison me, and now you haven’t told me what you plan to do with me… You didn’t even put me on trial! What are you aiming for?"

The nearby guards stare at him in astonishment, unable to believe his boldness in speaking to the king in this manner.

**King** (with a light laugh): "I didn’t want to put you on trial because the court would sentence you to death or life imprisonment. Also, this matter concerns my deputy and close friend, and I don’t have an ounce of belief that you killed him."

**Ren** (to himself, in shock): "If he doesn’t want to put me on trial, then what does he plan to do with me?"

**Ren** (directly): "So, do you want to know the real killer?"

**King** (playfully): "And do you know who it is?"

**Ren** (seriously): "I’m not playing here. If you want to know, I’ll give you the killer’s name and the evidence."

**King** (surprised): "What are you saying, boy? Are you sure?!"

**Ren** (looking at the arena where Zain and Karl are preparing): "The match is about to start. How about we discuss this later? There are too many people here."

**King** (sighing): "You’ve suddenly become enthusiastic… I think you’re right."

---

**The Battle Begins**

The excitement among the soldiers rises, cheers erupt, and one of the guards shouts enthusiastically: "Ah! They’re about to start!"

**Ren** (wondering): "Why are they fighting? Aren’t they close?"

**King:** "Yes, since they were young, they’ve always fought, and it always ends in a draw. Although my son Karl is the strongest person in the kingdom, Zain can easily keep up with him. Karl is several years older than Zain, but that doesn’t make a difference for Zain… He’s very special."

**Ren:** "Is Zain from the Kingdom of Verdisa, the son of the king there? I mean, is your brother also a king?"

**King:** "No, he’s the son of my older brother, and my brother isn’t a king. In fact, he was a candidate to be the king of this kingdom (referring to Zain’s father or brother), but he refused and chose to live as a doctor because he preferred a simpler life in the Kingdom of Verdis. However, with the spread of that deadly disease, he had to stay there to take care of the people."

**Ren:** "So Zain’s title is Nova." Ren adds: "I heard that the Land of Doctors is cut off from the world… but Verdis could have communicated with other countries instead of traveling all this distance."

**King:** "The Kingdom of Doctors isn’t just a name. Despite its fame in medicine, it possesses one of the strongest military forces and monopolizes medicines, herbs, and treatments. Any attempt to negotiate with them means instant death. The king there sells medicines at exorbitant prices and prevents any information from reaching the outside. He exploits the kingdom’s reputation to strengthen it."

**Ren** (whispering sarcastically): "What a stupid king… as if he’ll live a thousand years… He’ll die surrounded by the best medicines in the world!"

The king hears these words and turns to him in surprise.

**Guards** (loudly): "They’ve started!"

---

**The Pulsating Battle**

Before they clash, a massive pulsating aura emanates from their bodies, striking the air with force, raising dust, and moving the wind and surrounding objects. The nearby soldiers involuntarily step back, some placing their hands in front of their faces for protection, while others drop their weapons under the immense pressure.

**Ren** (interested, unaffected by the aura): "Wow, they’re terrifying."

**King** (thinking as he looks at Ren): "This boy didn’t move an inch… Even our elite fighters can’t stand easily against this power… It seems we have an amazing person here."

---

Zain and Karl charge at each other at incredible speed, their swords gleaming in the air, each smiling at the other as if saying: Show me what you’ve got!

Their first collision releases a massive pulsating wave, knocking many guards to the ground. Some soldiers are thrown backward, hitting the walls, while others roll on the ground, trying to regain their balance.

**Ren** (calmly): "They’re releasing all their pulse energy in every attack… Just recklessness, and one of them will die."

**King** (agreeing): "You’re right."

Karl steps back slightly, then changes his grip on his sword as if holding a dagger. Zain skillfully dodges a swift strike from Karl, then counters with a powerful side strike that forces Karl to retreat two steps.

**King** (with a confident smile): "Now the serious part has begun!"

**Ren** (watching Zain): "And also… it seems Zain is preparing for something."

Zain gathers his pulse energy within his sword, and sparks begin to fly, resembling small lightning bolts! Karl attacks swiftly, but Zain dodges the strike with a quick sidestep, then strikes with his sword forcefully, forcing Karl to bend backward to avoid injury.

**Ren** (focused): "Am I wrong, or is this power [Essence]?"

**King** (admiringly): "Yes, he’s merged it with [Pulse]… I’ll feel sorry for Karl now."

---

When they clash for the last time, a massive pulsating wave explodes, shaking the arena! After the dust clears, we find Karl lying on the ground with severe injuries, while Zain stands barely holding himself together.

**King** (admiringly): "This is the first time Zain has defeated Karl!"

**Ren** (calmly analyzing): "It seems this boy is terrifying…"

---

**Selena’s Arrival**

At this moment, Selena arrives, looking around at the destroyed arena, the injured guards, and Karl lying on the ground… Then she turns to find the king standing beside Ren!

**Selena** (loudly): "What happened here?! Why didn’t I notice this fight?!"

**King** (calmly): "They started without you, Selena. But Zain was amazing today."

**Selena** (looking at Zain in astonishment): "Zain… defeated Karl?!"

**Zain** (with a faint smile, breathing heavily): "It was close… but this time, victory was mine."