Five days later, Kanoru and Asuna walked out of the blacksmith shop, their new swords strapped to their sides. With light steps, they began making their way toward a restaurant, planning to celebrate the completion of their weapons.
Just as they were about to turn a corner, they heard someone call out Kanoru's name.
They turned to see a man accompanied by several followers, one of whom held a bamboo umbrella over the man's head. The man stepped forward confidently and said, "I am Wu Hou, and I challenge you to a duel."
Kanoru barely spared him a glance. "Not interested," he replied flatly.
Without pausing, he and Asuna turned away and resumed walking.
Wu Hou's voice rang out again. "That means you're afraid of me."
Without looking back, Kanoru said casually, "Yes, I am."
Wu Hou's voice sharpened with mockery. "Then go and cancel your marriage with Princess Ming."
Kanoru's eyes narrowed slightly.
Princess Ming… Gu Mingzhu.
He had wondered why no one had caused trouble for him after he agreed to participate in the struggle for the royal throne. It was strange—marrying a princess should have drawn attention and challenges, yet everything had remained quiet. Now, it was clear that trouble had simply been biding its time.
In just a day or two, he would be marrying Gu Mingzhu, and if rumors spread that he had backed down from a challenge for her, it could invite pressure to have the marriage annulled.
Still, he wasn't concerned about the marriage itself—the Snake Fruits were all that mattered. Fu Qinzhou had promised to deliver them on the wedding day, so Kanoru wasn't going to let this duel threaten that gain.
Kanoru turned back to face Wu Hou, his expression calm. "Do you want to fight here or somewhere else?"
Wu Hou smirked. "I want to defeat you in front of the princess—so she'll acknowledge that I'm the right partner for her."
Kanoru's eyes remained steady. "Do I need to call the princess, then?"
Wu Hou shook his head. "No need. Today is the day of the Special Fight held in the arena every year. Most of the royal family will be there—including the king."
Kanoru's brow lifted slightly. "Special Fight?"
Wu Hou's grin widened. "Yes. After the founding celebration, the kingdom holds a Special Fight in the arena. One fighter has to face ten opponents without a break. If they succeed, they qualify for the Royal Fight. The winner of that earns the title of 'Champion,' ten thousand gold coins, and a small oasis as their fief."
Asuna, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke up. "A small oasis?"
Wu Hou chuckled. "In the desert, oases are the most valuable of lands. With one, you could become a lord or lady, controlling your own territory. Now, let's go before the Royal Fight begins."
He turned and started walking, calling over his shoulder.
"After I defeat you, I'll take down the next nine opponents and earn my spot in the Royal Fight. Then, the princess will have no choice but to accept me—I'll be the one who can win her the Royal Hunt later."
Kanoru and Asuna exchanged a glance before silently following Wu Hou toward the arena.
Upon arriving at the arena, Kanoru followed Wu Hou to inform the arena officials and arrange their duel.
As they walked, Kanoru turned to Asuna and said, "Go and inform Fu Qinzhou or the princess about this matter."
He retrieved a golden jade pendant marked with Gu Mingzhu's bronze seal and handed it to her.
Asuna took the jade without question, fully aware of its purpose—it would allow her to gain immediate access to the royal family. Without a word, she turned and walked away.
Kanoru continued following Wu Hou, and once the duel was officially arranged, they were led to a large waiting room.
The room was filled with injured fighters—some bloodied and lying on beds, being treated by physicians, while others sat silently near the circular windows overlooking the arena. These windows lined the perimeter of the arena, offering a clear view of the ongoing battles.
Kanoru scanned the room and found an empty seat by one of the windows. Without a word, he sat down and waited for his name to be called.
Ten minutes passed without his name being announced, but then Fu Qinzhou arrived.
The older man offered a faint smile. "Sorry for the trouble."
Kanoru shook his head slightly. "I was aware trouble would come my way when I agreed to the proposal."
Fu Qinzhou's eyes narrowed with conviction. "Then, I want you to win the entire competition."
Kanoru, still watching the fight in the arena, asked evenly, "Why?"
Fu Qinzhou's voice lowered slightly. "Your status as a foreigner is already being used by certain officials to pressure the king into canceling the marriage."
Kanoru's eyes narrowed slightly. "The king will agree, then?"
Fu Qinzhou shook his head. "We don't know. That's why we need to nip the trouble in the bud before it sprouts. This fight presents an excellent opportunity."
He leaned in slightly. "If you win the Royal Fight, you'll be awarded a small oasis as your fief. That will elevate you to the ranks of the nobility. Even if it's the lowest rank, you'll still be recognized as a citizen of the Desert Kingdom—officially making you one of its people."
Kanoru's gaze remained on the arena, his expression calm.
"Alright."
A few minutes later, his name was called.
He stood up and glanced at Fu Qinzhou beside him. "I'm going."
Fu Qinzhou gave him an encouraging nod. "Best of luck."
Kanoru's lips curved into a faint smirk. "I don't need luck to win a battle."
Without another word, he opened the door and stepped into the arena.
Stepping into the arena, Kanoru felt the buzz of the crowd intensify. The cheers for Wu Hou roared louder, with most of the spectators chanting his name.
Kanoru walked to the center, coming face to face with Wu Hou.
The referee glanced at both fighters. "Are you ready?"
They nodded silently.
"Begin!" the referee declared, swiftly stepping out of the way.
Without hesitation, Wu Hou exhaled, releasing a thick fog that engulfed the entire arena.
Kanoru squinted through the haze, only able to see one meter ahead, but his sharp senses allowed him to locate Wu Hou's position.
Suddenly, he stepped back, just as icicle spears shot toward where he had been standing.
Kanoru's movements became fluid—he shifted left, right, forward, and back, narrowly dodging each attack. Though he couldn't see them, he felt the subtle shifts in the wind, sensing the spears' approach and Wu Hou's location.
Deciding to end the fight swiftly, he swung his new sword, sending a wind blade slicing toward Wu Hou. The force dispersed the fog, revealing his opponent.
In response, Wu Hou conjured an ice shield, but it failed to stop the cutting wind. Just before the blade could strike him, Wu Hou's body was encased in ice, transforming into a towering ice mech.
Kanoru's eyes narrowed. This was the first time he had seen such a spell, but from the crowd behind him, he heard whispers:
"Ice Demon!"
"I thought Wu Hou was untalented, but he can use the Ice Demon Spell!"
"Why does he look like that?"
"You don't know about Avatar Spells?"
"Avatar Spells?"
"Yes. It's a spell system derived from Priest Cultivation."
Kanoru's mind registered the term for the first time, but he was already familiar with Priest and Warlock cultivation systems—both began with visualization, but while Warlocks practiced inward, strengthening themselves, Priests projected their power outward, materializing it.
Before he could dwell on it, ice surged from Wu Hou's feet, spreading rapidly. Kanoru leapt backward, but the ice raced past him, freezing the entire arena.
Wu Hou moved with blinding speed, closing the distance. Kanoru barely had time to raise his sword before Wu Hou swung his massive ice blade at him.
Though Wu Hou's strength was only slightly superior, Kanoru struggled for footing on the slick ice, causing him to slide backward.
Meanwhile, Wu Hou glided effortlessly, his speed enhanced by the ice.
From the stands, spectators erupted in cheers for Wu Hou, convinced of Kanoru's defeat.
In the royal seating area, a young woman with a mole by her right eye, dressed in purple noble attire, smirked and turned to Gu Mingzhu.
"Mingzhu, it looks like your chosen husband will lose. Do you want to pick another one?" she taunted.
Gu Mingzhu's eyes narrowed slightly. "Sister, this doesn't concern you. Besides, the fight has just started—how can you be sure Wu Hou will win?"
A man nearby, the Second Prince, interjected with a smirk.
"Sometimes, you can tell the outcome from the beginning."
Gu Mingzhu's voice remained steady. "And sometimes, it's merely an illusion created by others, Second Prince."
The prince chuckled mockingly. "I pray you remain this confident until the fight ends."
Though Gu Mingzhu appeared calm, her fingers tightened slightly, betraying her unease. She glanced at Asuna, who stood beside her, watching the battle with calm, unwavering eyes.
Gu Mingzhu gently touched Asuna's hand to get her attention. When Asuna turned to her, Mingzhu murmured softly, "Can Kanoru win?"
Asuna's voice was cool and steady. "Kanoru could have ended this fight the moment it started."
Her words, though quietly spoken, carried through the royal seating area, drawing surprised glances.
The woman with the mole sneered. "Really? Because from what I see, Kanoru is losing. And what a strange name—Kanoru."
Asuna ignored the taunt. She simply cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted toward the arena, her voice clear and confident:
"Kanoru, end the fight—it's getting boring!"
For a moment, nothing seemed to change.
But then, the temperature in the arena shifted.
Hot winds began swirling through the battlefield, melting the ice coating the ground and even weakening Wu Hou's ice mech.
Kanoru's sword glowed with a bright red light, the intense heat radiating from it.
In a single, swift strike, Wu Hou's massive ice sword shattered in half.
Then, with blinding speed, Kanoru's right hand moved—his sword a blur, nearly imperceptible.
In ten seconds, he sheathed his blade.
A beat passed.
Cracks appeared across Wu Hou's Ice Demon form, and in the next breath, it shattered into countless pieces.
Wu Hou's real body, weakened and disoriented, collapsed onto the wet, sandy ground.
From the royal stands, Gu Mingzhu's eyes gleamed with triumph. She turned toward her cousins, a confident smile curving her lips.
"Cousins, how do you like the husband I chose?"
The girl with the mole scowled but forced a smile. "There are still nine more fights. Let's see how he fares."
She glanced at an attendant and snapped a command.
"Send Chen Zhi to challenge him next."