CHAPTER 9 : City Lord's Mansion

The dust settled, revealing the final ten victors standing proud amidst the cheers of the crowd. Yajat, his body marked by the scars of battle, emerged as one of them, his eyes burning with an unwavering resolve. He had fought his way through countless opponents, each victory etching itself deeper into his soul.

Now, only one hurdle remained. Across the stage, bathed in the arena's spotlight, stood his final adversary: the Princess herself. Her arrogant gaze, seemingly devoid of any doubt, was a stark contrast to the quiet intensity burning within Yajat.

As the daughter of the city lord, the Princess held immense power and influence. The city lord's mansion, with its formidable army of 50,000 A-ranked warriors and the city lord himself, an S-rank powerhouse capable of single-handedly crushing entire armies, was the undisputed force in the southern region.

Yajat stood at a crossroads. Defeating the Princess would grant him access to the Imperial Academy, a crucial step on his path to vengeance. Yet, victory would come at a steep price. The city lord, enraged by his daughter's loss, would likely become his sworn enemy, unleashing the full might of his forces against him.

His heart pounded with the weight of this decision. He yearned for the power that awaited him in the Sunlei Dynasty, but the prospect of facing the city lord's wrath was daunting. He knew he was no match for the S-ranked warrior, at least not yet.

A cold fury washed over him as he remembered his fallen family. He clenched his fists, the memories fueling his determination. He could not falter now. He had come too far, sacrificed too much, to turn back.

With a newfound resolve, Yajat met the Princess's gaze, his own eyes hardening with unwavering determination. He knew the path ahead would be fraught with danger, but he was ready to face it head-on. He would not let fear or doubt cloud his judgment. He would fight, not just for himself, but for the memory of his family and the promise of a better future.

The crowd held its breath as the final battle commenced. The stage became a canvas for their clash, each move a brushstroke in their epic tale. Yajat, fueled by his unwavering resolve, unleashed a torrent of attacks, pushing the Princess to her limits.

The Princess, though initially arrogant, was surprised by Yajat's raw power and skill. She fought back valiantly, showcasing her own impressive talent, but Yajat's relentless assault proved too much for her.

The battle reached its climax, the air thick with anticipation. Yajat, seizing his opportunity, struck with a final, devastating blow, sending the Princess reeling. She stumbled back, defeated, the arrogance wiped clean from her face.

Silence descended upon the arena as the crowd absorbed the outcome. Yajat, standing tall amidst the silence, knew he had made his choice. He had secured his victory, but at a significant cost. He had chosen to stand against a powerful force, a decision that would forever alter the course of his destiny.