Back in the arena, the duel between Zarrell and Gameliel had already lasted several minutes.
What everyone had expected to be a quick and one-sided battle had gradually evolved into a heated clash between two outstanding talents of the younger generation.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
The sounds of steel colliding rang endlessly throughout the arena.
Sparks flew.
Dust rose.
The two figures repeatedly crossed paths before separating again.
Both sides had already displayed numerous combat techniques and skills, showing why they had earned the title of promising talents among their peers.
Zarrell's sword attacks became increasingly refined and fierce. His footwork was graceful and swift, resembling a phantom dancing amidst a storm.
Meanwhile, Gameliel's defense remained as solid as a mountain.
His shield seemed capable of blocking everything.
But after fighting for so long, signs of fatigue had finally begun to appear.
His breathing had become heavier.
His movements appeared slightly slower.
Even the speed with which he raised his shield had noticeably decreased.
Seeing this, many spectators couldn't help but sigh.
"It's finally catching up to him."
"Of course."
"Full plate armor and a heavy shield consume enormous stamina."
"Against a Sword Warrior who specializes in agility, this outcome is inevitable."
"Still, to last this long is already impressive."
"He deserves his title as one of the younger generation's promising Guardians."
Despite their admiration, most people believed the result had already been decided.
However—
If someone paid close attention to Gameliel's eyes, they would notice something strange.
There was no panic.
No frustration.
No unwillingness.
Instead, his eyes remained sharp and bright, like those of a patient hunter waiting for his prey to walk into the trap.
After another fierce exchange, both men retreated several meters from one another.
Heavy breaths escaped from their mouths.
Zarrell smirked.
"Heh."
"Are you regretting challenging me now, Gameliel?"
"You seem to be having trouble lifting that shield properly."
He leisurely paced around him like a predator toying with its prey.
"Give up now and apologize to Lily and me."
"We're old friends after all."
"And we're both promising talents of the same generation."
"Bow your head, admit your mistake, and I can pretend this never happened."
His tone was filled with arrogance and superiority.
In the spectator seats, many people nodded subconsciously.
"It seems the battle will still end with Zarrell's victory."
"Indeed."
"Gameliel is already amazing for surviving this long."
"A Guardian facing a Sword Warrior specialized in speed was always fighting an uphill battle."
"For a moment, I thought he'd actually pull off a miracle."
"Looks like I was wrong."
Similar thoughts spread among the crowd.
Inside the VIP area, Lily regained her confidence.
A smile returned to her face.
"I told you all."
"Gameliel isn't Zarrell's match."
"He's strong, but he can't outlast him."
Kant immediately nodded.
"We really overestimated him."
"How can a Guardian carrying a heavy shield and full plate armor compete against an agile Sword Warrior?"
"The duel is practically over."
"There won't even be any suspense."
Everyone agreed.
Their eyes turned back toward the battlefield.
The duel had reached its climax.
Everyone knew—
The next exchange would determine victory and defeat.
Yet suddenly—
Gameliel laughed.
"Hahaha!"
The laughter startled everyone.
He slowly raised his shield and sword.
Despite his seemingly exhausted appearance, his eyes burned with unyielding vigor.
"You really think too highly of yourself, Zarrell."
"I'd rather die than apologize to you and that bitch."
His words instantly froze Lily's smile.
"You—"
Her expression darkened.
Zarrell's face became ugly.
"I see."
"So reconciliation is impossible."
His eyes narrowed dangerously.
But Gameliel sneered.
"Reconciliation?"
"There never was one."
"And there never will be."
His voice became cold.
"You mongrel."
"Come!"
"Let this grandpa of yours teach you what it truly means to be a Guardian!"
The spectators exploded.
"Damn!"
"That mouth!"
"He really doesn't know fear!"
Zarrell's expression twisted with rage.
"You are dead!"
Boom!
His spiritual power erupted.
His longsword burst into blazing flames, illuminating the arena in crimson light.
Without hesitation, he rushed forward.
His only thought—
Beat Gameliel into a pulp until even his parents couldn't recognize him.
The distance between them rapidly disappeared.
Ten meters.
Seven meters.
Five meters.
Then—
Boom!
Zarrell leaped into the air.
His blazing sword rose high above his head.
Roaring like a beast, he poured all his strength into a devastating downward slash.
"Die!"
The spectators stood up.
Everyone held their breaths.
Even Lily's eyes lit up.
"This is over!"
But at that moment—
Something changed.
The sluggishness in Gameliel's body vanished completely.
His breathing stabilized.
His eyes became as sharp as they had been at the beginning of the battle.
Seeing this, several experts among the spectators widened their eyes.
"No!"
"He was acting!"
"He deliberately showed fatigue!"
"He was baiting Zarrell!"
Shock spread through the audience.
All this time, Gameliel had been patiently setting a trap.
He knew prolonged combat naturally favored his opponent.
Thus, he had intentionally exaggerated his exhaustion, allowing Zarrell to lower his guard and commit everything into one final attack.
And now—
The prey had finally bitten.
Gameliel raised his shield.
His voice thundered.
"Burning Light!"
Buzz!
The gem embedded in his shield suddenly erupted.
A blinding golden radiance exploded forth.
The light was so intense that countless spectators instinctively closed their eyes.
"Agh!"
Zarrell subconsciously turned his head away.
His vision went white.
An overwhelming sense of danger descended upon him.
Unable to dodge while suspended in midair, he instinctively shifted his sword diagonally across his body to protect his vital points.
But—
Too late.
Swish!
At that moment, Gameliel moved.
His speed was so terrifying that many spectators failed to see his movement.
His heavy sword transformed into a pair of silver arcs.
Cross.
Then another cross.
An X-shaped slash.
Blood splashed.
Pfft!
Zarrell's right arm flew into the air.
Along with it, his sword spun away before crashing onto the ground.
A deep wound stretched across his chest.
Fresh blood sprayed onto the arena floor.
Thud!
Zarrell's severed arm landed several meters away.
Thud!
His body crashed heavily onto the ground.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The scene resembled ancient gladiator battles.
But unlike the thunderous cheers of ancient Rome—
Not a single person uttered a sound.
Thousands of mouths hung open.
Their eyes nearly popped out.
Disbelief.
Shock.
Confusion.
Everyone wondered if they were hallucinating.
Even Zarrell himself couldn't believe it.
Moments ago, he had been certain of victory.
Yet now—
He lay defenseless on the ground.
His sword arm was gone.
His vision blurred.
His heart trembled.
As he stared at Gameliel approaching him, fear appeared in his eyes for the first time.
Monster.
That was the only word he could think of.
How?
How did he still have so much strength left?
How could he execute such a terrifying attack after appearing exhausted?
Zarrell couldn't understand.
He simply stared blankly upward.
Gameliel stopped before him.
Looking down at his former friend, his eyes were devoid of pity.
"I said before that I have enough strength to back up my words."
"Unlike you."
"You haven't improved one bit all these years."
Those calm words struck harder than the sword itself.
Zarrell's pupils contracted violently.
He stared at Gameliel in horror.
His lips trembled.
Then, as if he had finally realized something impossible—
His voice shook.
"Y-you..."
"T-Tier Two..."
"Late Stage?"
Boom!
Those words exploded like thunder in the minds of everyone present.
The silent arena instantly descended into chaos.
"What?!"
"Late Stage Tier Two?!"
"Impossible!"
"He's hiding his strength!"
"That's why he won!"
"Heavens!"
"No wonder!"
Even the experts among the audience stood up in disbelief.
Inside the VIP area, Lily's face had turned deathly pale.
Kant and the others were frozen like statues.
None of them could believe what they had just witnessed.
Because the person they had mocked...
The person they thought would lose...
Had just crushed the pride of the Mac Corell family.
And from beginning to end—
He had been holding back.