Eridale was trembling.
Not from war.
Not from monsters.
But from a decree that shattered the city like a thunderbolt:
"Yuto, Spirit-Blessed, is hereby challenged to a Duel of Sovereignty by His Majesty, King Regulus Aurelight."
A duel against the king.
A legend.
A man whose blade was rumored to carve through armies.
A ruler said to possess ancient dragon blessings.
Mimi squeaked when she heard it. "W-W-WHAT?! The king?! THAT king?!"
Zarek cracked his knuckles. "Finally. A real challenge."
Seraphina shook her head frantically. "No. NO challenge. Yuto, you can politely decline and..."
Yuto stretched, rolling his shoulders like he was preparing for a morning jog.
"Guess I'm fighting royalty."
Elira grabbed his sleeve, worry softening her silver eyes. "This is political. One wrong move and nations turn on you."
[ Advisor: Yes, please try not to accidentally commit international treason. Very inconvenient.]
Yuto smirked. "Relax. I'll win. Then we'll become allies."
Elira's cheeks puffed. "Cocky spirit boy…"
Yuto blinked. "Are you mad or flustered?"
She turned away. "B-both."
Mimi leaned to Seraphina, whispering loudly,
"They're gonna kiss eventually."
Elira and Yuto both froze.
Yuto coughed. "Moving on."
[ Advisor: Romantic progress: 11%. At current rate, first hand-holding in… 47 years.]
"Shut up."
---
The arena felt ancient, carved from marble and mana-stone. Banners fluttered as nobles, adventurers, and citizens filled the stands.
Royal knights formed a perimeter , armor gold-lined, faces stern.
Then he arrived.
King Regulus Aurelight.
Silver hair like moonlight steel. Eyes burning with draconic authority. Muscles carved like a war god.
He didn't wear a crown, his presence was the crown.
Even Yuto's aura flickered under his pressure.
"Yuto of the Spirit Lineage," the kingboomed.
"Your power is unrestrained. Your growth. unprecedented. You build a city, gain followers, slay corruption… yet you answer to no throne."
Yuto tilted his head. "I answer to myself."
The king smiled , cold, thrilled, dangerous.
"A king recognizes potential threats."
[ Advisor: Translation: he thinks you might accidentally become the next Spirit Emperor and blow up his country.]
"Hey! I wouldn't, well probably not."
The king drew his sword .. Aureline Fang, a blade forged from dragon bone and star-metal.
Mana roared around him... scales rippled along his skin, draconic runes igniting.
The arena shook.
"Yuto. Prove your right to rule."
Yuto cracked his neck, aura flaring.
Spirit Combat Mode: Active
Spirit Core Stabilized
Evolution Gauge: 28% → 29%
[Advisor: Warning: This man can and will yeet you into another continent if you underestimate him.]
"Noted."
---
No countdown.
Just a BOOM as the king vanished.
Yuto barely raised his arm...
CLANG!!!
Steel met spirit energy, shockwaves erupted, stone fractured.
The king's strength was monstrous.
He swung again .. a blur.
Yuto ducked, sprinted, afterimages trailing.
Acceleration Burst!
Spirit Step!
Air trembled. Sparks danced.
Each strike was like two storms colliding.
"Good," the king snarled, smiling. "You are no fraud!"
Yuto smirked, breath steady. "You hit hard for an old man."
The audience gasped.
Zarek face-palmed. "He really said that."
Mimi held a sign she drew herself:
GO YUTO SMASH THE DRAGON GRANDPA!
Elira, red, whispered, "He's going to die."
[ Advisor: Statistically? 41% chance.]
Thanks.
---
The king's aura flared , Dragon Ascension Mode.
His muscles expanded, scales forming, eyes slitted like a dragon.
Yuto's HP dropped just from the aura pressure.
HP: 520 → 410
"Your spirit power is pure," the king growled. "But you lack worldly weight. Show me transcendence!"
Yuto grinned.
"You want transcendence?"
Spirit aura roared, swirling like a celestial storm.
Spirit Manifestation: Partial Release Mana Shaping: Blade Wings Spirit Reinforcement x3
Light wings formed from mana, ethereal and sharp.
The crowd gasped.
Even knights stepped back.
They clashed again , sky cracking, ground trembling.
Yuto blurred behind him
Strike!
The king blocked, sparks erupting...
"EXCELLENT!"
He unleashed a dragon roar , shockwave blasting Yuto back.
HP -120
HP: 410 → 290
Warning flashed in Yuto's mind:
Spirit Core Auto-Reversion Threshold Approaching
[Advisor: 10% more damage and you turn into floating marble mode. Please announce first or everyone will panic.]
"Noted!"
---
The king raised his blade, burning gold.
Yuto clenched his fist , spirit light swirling.
Both moved.
Space warped.
BOOOOOOM!!!
Dust surged. Silence.
When the smoke cleared..
Yuto stood, panting, one knee down…
but still conscious.
The king's blade stopped inches from his neck.
Yuto's glowing fist hovered at the king's heart.
Both smiling.
A stalemate?
No.
The king lowered his blade, laughing.
Mighty. Proud. Relieved.
"You are worthy, Spirit Heir."
He knelt.
The arena erupted in chaos.
---
Eridale bowed to Yuto.
The king placed a crest in his palm a dragon-shaped seal glowing gold.
" I will now give you workers to help you out in the building of this settlement, and I am very now In support of it"
[Royal Alliance Obtained
Construction Support Granted
Reputation: Ascendant Sovereign]
Mimi cried. Zarek roared. Seraphina sighed in relief.
Elira approached quietly, touching Yuto's arm.
"You scared me."
Yuto smiled softly. "Sorry."
She elbowed him lightly, cheeks pink. "Don't do it again."
[Advisor: Romantic progress: 13%. Miraculous.]
---
[ Stats Update]
Level: 24 → 27
HP: 520 → 690
MP: 780 → 960
Strength: 92 → 120
Agility: 110 → 145
Endurance: 78 → 105
Intelligence: 103 → 130
Evolution Progress: 29% → 30%
New Title: Recognized Sovereign Blessed by Royal Authority
---
With royal backing, labor, materials, and volunteers, Yuto's city began to rise.
Nerulia Haven, birth of a future kingdom.
( Yuto named it in remembrance of the Nerulians)
----
....
But in the shadows of the forests…
A monstrous howl echoed.
A voice like broken steel growled:
["Spirit king… I will devour your light."]
The Corrupted Werewolf Lord had awakened.