How

Atticus's eyes snapped open, only to find himself standing in the middle of the pit-turned-coliseum.

'I didn't move?'

He quickly observed his surroundings and saw the sovereign watching him with a small smile. Behind the sovereign stood Niall, fully healed and with his head bowed.

"In record time, amazing,"

The sovereign's voice pulled Atticus out of his reverie, and he realized the situation. The sovereign was looking at him like a priceless treasure.

'I see. It was all in my mind,' Atticus realized.

"It was all in your mind, and you were able to overcome it. Once again, congratulations."

Atticus didn't feel any happiness at the sovereign's words. Instead, he asked something that had been bothering him.

"What would have happened if I hadn't recovered and fought back?"