The thunderous applause of the colosseum echoed off the towering stone walls as Kale Ardentis stepped back from the second trial platform. His face remained calm and unreadable, his gold-trimmed robes resting smoothly against his broad shoulders.
Beneath his high collar, the gold runic mesh hidden beneath his skin continued its silent work. The dual forces of the Terra Shell and the Ignis Core maintained perfect equilibrium, masking his black curse mark from every scrying sensor in the arena.
On the high royal dais, Princess Aria tapped her golden fan against her palm with a slow rhythm. Her yellow eyes shone with deep fascination as she watched the green-haired artificer store his pristine Aether Elixir into his spatial pouch.
Beside her, Prince Renard let out another loud laugh that carried across the VIP seats. The prince raised his golden goblet toward Kale, celebrating the public humiliation of the competing noble houses.
