Max looked at the cracks radiating outward from Rakan's step, and the faint smile on his face never wavered. If anything, his eyes grew brighter with interest.
"Good," he said. "That is exactly what I wanted to hear."
Rakan's grin froze for an instant before stretching even wider. "You truly are insane."
Max slowly raised both hands and loosened his shoulders. Dragonheart remained in its sheath. The Emotion Severing Path did not appear, nor did the Divine King Punishment, nor the Heavenly Luminance Divine Bloodline. Not a single dragon scale covered his skin.
Only his body stood there, calm and prepared, and the sight alone made the blood of countless spectators run hot.
On the participant pillars, Damian Voss narrowed his eyes. "He genuinely intends to fight with his bare hands."
Orion Starfall smiled. "This is either arrogance or confidence."
Kaiden Voidmere replied evenly, "With Max, it may well be both."
