"Nyx... no one is forcing you to fight him," Nathan whispered, cing his arm on Nyx''s shoulder. His temples creased slightly, and his eyes were full of worry.


    Though Prince Ainsworth seemed to be concealing his level with an artifact, old, experienced Awakened like Nathan could tell the young prince was a high-level Awakened, a very powerful one at that.


    ''From the aura alone, I can tell he''s several times more powerful than Nyx,'' Nathan thought.


    Of course, Nathan knew very well that the king wasn''t foolish enough to kill Nyx like he did with the othermoners, but he knew very well that he would definitely hurt her considerably.


    The old man couldn''t help but shift ufortably, thinking, "He must''ve taken offense because of her tant disrespect the other day."


    Thest thing Nathan wanted was for his granddaughter to be hurt or embarrassed in front of everyone.


    Despite Nathan''s pleading, Nyx''s gaze never wavered, mad resolve burning in those beautiful dark eyes that were fixed on the crown prince. She looked at her grandfather and smiled softly. "I''ll be fine... I have some personal scores to settle with him as well."


    Elowen, who had overheard the conversation, stared at Nyx with aplicated expression before shifting her attention back to the stage, where the prince was looming menacingly. Her eyes shed briefly, but she didn''tment and just watched the show that was about to unfold.


    As he heard Nyx''s words, Nathan opened his mouth to speak, but the words were caught in his throat. He had already seen the mad resolve in Nyx''s eyes and knew that no amount of convincing would work, so he decided to support her.


    "Beat him up! Show no respect for his title!" Nathan spoke, his voice booming quite loudly, his eyes alight with madness. His loud voice had been intentional, and the king, who had heard it, shifted in annoyance at the tant disrespect, but he couldn''t do anything.


    "I wasn''t nning on going easy on you," Nyx responded, a dangerous smile curling up on her lips. Those ck eyes mirrored her grandfather''s own. Those who were close to her felt a tremendous aura that shouldn''t have belonged to someone her age billowing out.


    "Hahahahahahaha! That''s my granddaughter!" Nathan''s loud voice boomed, resonating in the eardrums of all the nobles present, a terror crossing their faces. Cold shivers pierced their spines as though a  storm had suddenly swept into the surrounding unsettling the air around them.


    "T-thatugh... it had been a long time since I heard it," Serepahinamented, and all the other nobles nodded in agreement, their faces grim.


    Thisugh was very familiar for so many reasons, but the main reason was that it reminded them of the legendary mad dog at his peak, the one that could snap bones with his bare hands.


    Even though they were not aware of his identity, even the spectators felt shivers down their spines. Why did it feel as if thatughter was a... omen of doom?


    After receiving the permission, Nyx nodded and directly leaped off from the dignitary area, which was at the sixth row. It was a rtively towering height, and a normal human would probably have broken their legs and fractured their ribs, but Nyx was unfazed.


    To the shock of the spectators, she plunged down from that deadly height, her hair whipping against her face, her eyes locked on Ainsworth as if he were her snack to chomp on.


    The dignitaries all had varied expressions that ranged from mild surprise to curiosity as they saw the girl jump off like that. Subconsciously, they used their limited appraisal skills, which were essible to all Awakened.


    "Heavens... she''s level 20 already! How is this possible?" Lord Cedric Ironcrest jumped to his feet and pointed with trembling fingers.


    "How old is she? This is the first time I''m witnessing something like this."


    "She''s stronger than me... with so many levels too." At the corner, Elowen pondered quietly to herself. "Was this the reason I felt threatened by her earlier?" Aplicated gleam appeared in her eyes.


    "Hmph... that''s not shocking," King Aldric Vermilion sneered from his royal box, his voice filled with disdain. "Prince Ainsworth is already level 28. There is only one person that I know of who could fight someone at a higher level than him, and he is not here..."


    "In other words, even though she has a high level for her age, her fate is already sealed."


    BANG!


    With a thunderous bang, dust rose up as Nyxnded in the fighting tform just a few meters away from Prince Ainsworth. Despite the point of impact showing slight signs of cracks, Nyx''s feet didn''t even buckle in the slightest. She stood like sword sharpened for war.


    Tension crackled in the air as the two locked gazes.


    "Mydy, I heard you refused the dress I sent you," a sharp golden light shed with the prince''s voice. "Were you expecting something like this would happen?"


    "Yes..." Nyx spoke tly, a sword materializing in her grasp as she took a fighting stance. "Scum like you are very easy to predict, you know." She added, her tone and voice dripping with disgust; even her expression was filled with disgust.


    Prince Ainsworth seethed in rage as he swallowed saliva, also swallowing his anger in the process. Then he said, his tone dark and filled with malice,


    "You have be bolder. I wonder where this strange confidence ising from."


    The first time they had met, her insults had been much more subtle. After his disy of strength, she should be frightened and show respect. Why was she more bold instead and even insulting him directly?


    "Because that''s what you are... a mere coward who could only oppress those who are weaker than you... an idiot who could only hide behind his status as a prince. Take that away, and you''re nothing."


    "I''ll kill you." Ainsworth''s eyes went bloodshot.


    "Come and try." Nyx taunted, a derisive smirk ying on her face. The arena became electric, and the tension was palpable in the air.


    Sensing that a fight could break out any time soon, even before the official matchmenced, the knightmander, Sir Ignatius meheart, stepped in between the two and exined the rules of the fight.


    "Listen closely, everyone!" his voice boomed, resonating through the crowd. "As the officiator of this duel, I willy out the rules clearly to ensure a fair fight."


    "First," Sir Ignatius continued, "no interference. This is a one-on-one duel. Anyone who attempts to interfere will be disqualified."


    "Second," Sir Ignatius said, his tone firm, "you are permitted to use all lethal skills. The protective barrier is active, so you may go all out. There will be no disqualifications for lethal intent in this match."


    Nathan frowned, clearly seeing through the king''s n.


    "Third," Sir Ignatius added, "stay within the boundaries of the arena. If you step outside three times, you will forfeit."


    "And finally," Sir Ignatius concluded, "there is a five-minute time limit. If neither of you is dered the victor by then, it will be deemed a draw unless a clear winner emerges."


    After finishing his exnation, Sir Ignatius looked at both Nyx and Ainsworth.


    "Do you both understand and ept these rules?"


    Nyx nodded. Ainsworth hesitated but eventually grunted in agreement, a smirk ying on his lips.


    "Very well!" Sir Ignatius announced, stepping back. "Begin!"


    Immediately, the knightmander stepped back. Ainsworth hid a smirk on his face as he brought his hands behind him. In his palm, a mini sun appeared.


    "Father, thank you for the gift..." He smirked. "It wille in good use."