Kanoru ended the tenth fight with a wave to the spectators. The crowd, which had gradually shifted to his side after his third victory, was now cheering his name with fervor.
He lowered his hand as the referee stepped into the arena. Kanoru turned toward him and offered a brief nod, which the referee returned.
The referee announced, "Today, we have another champion and the third participant for the Royal Challenge." He added, "Kanoru will surely dazzle us again in the upcoming challenge."
With a gesture from the referee, Kanoru walked toward a nearby door leading out of the arena. As he left, he could still hear the crowd roaring his name.
Upon entering the circular preparation room, he immediately felt the weight of countless gazes—some filled with jealousy and fear, others with admiration and fighting spirit, and a few with sneering contempt.
An arena official approached him and handed him a bronze jade token bearing the arena's insignia. The official explained that the token granted him free access to watch any future fights in the arena.
Just then, Fu Qingzhu walked up to him and remarked, "Nice fight. You're stronger than I thought."
Kanoru merely shrugged and made his way toward the hallway exit, with Fu Qingzhu following closely behind.
Once outside, Kanoru asked, "Who are the two champions before me?"
Fu Qingzhu replied, "Zhou Yan and Ye Ming. They're both from noble families in the kingdom."
Kanoru's attention shifted as he heard Asuna calling his name. He turned to see her walking toward them.
Kanoru asked, "When will the Royal Fight start?"
Fu Qingzhu answered, "Tomorrow morning."
Kanoru nodded. "Then I'll leave," he said, eager to get some food. Though he hadn't sustained any serious injuries during the fights, the slight burns, cuts, and bruises he received had consumed some of his chakra to heal, along with the chakra he had already spent during the relentless battles.
Fu Qingzhu reassured him, "I'll keep an eye out for you. An hour before the Royal Fight, I'll send a carriage to fetch you."
Kanoru gave a curt nod, and as he turned to leave, Fu Qingzhu added, "If you need anything, just ask me."
Without hesitation, Kanoru said, "I want to learn about Avatar Spells."
Fu Qingzhu shook his head slightly. "Our family doesn't practice Avatar Spells. They're a specialty of the Desert Kingdom."
Kanoru's expression fell slightly at the news.
Sensing his disappointment, Fu Qingzhu added, "Don't worry. Once you become the princess's consort, you'll be allowed to enter the Royal Library. You can find the information you seek there."
Kanoru nodded in understanding, and after exchanging brief farewells, he and Asuna walked away together.
That evening, after some rest, Kanoru left his room and entered the kitchen. He began making himself a cup of tea.
As the water boiled, he found his thoughts drifting back to the previous fights.
The Desert Kingdom has Avatar Spells… he mused. Does the Ming Empire have any specialty spells?
The Ming Empire was stronger than the Desert Kingdom, but the Desert Kingdom's heritage was older and deeper.
I should ask Bai Yue or Yun Feng. They wouldn't hide it from me if I asked.
Still, fighting warlocks with Avatar Spells was risky.
Avatar Spells create elemental mechs that shield the warlock inside, he reflected. The large constructs not only protected the warlocks but also radiated elemental power, affecting those nearby, even without direct attacks.
Kanoru noticed the tea was ready. He poured himself a cup and walked toward the training ground.
He sat on the elevated platform, feet on the ground, and sipped his tea while watching Asuna refining her body.
After some time, Asuna opened her eyes and spotted him. She nodded briefly, but her eyes held a distant look.
Kanoru narrowed his eyes. Since they had left the arena, she had been unusually quiet, and her gaze often drifted far away.
With concern, he asked, "What's wrong?"
Asuna shook her head. "Nothing."
Kanoru pressed, "From the look on your face, I can tell something's bothering you."
Asuna let out a sigh. "In our land, among people our age, you were the most talented. I was also among the top ten."
Kanoru nodded.
She continued, "But even those more talented than me in the same realm couldn't defeat me easily."
Her voice grew quieter, almost bitter. "Except you."
She gazed at him. "But during the arena fights, half of your opponents were around our age. Even if I were in the same realm as them, they would defeat me easily. I can't find any way to change that."
Kanoru said evenly, "Only this?"
Asuna's frown deepened. "It doesn't matter for you. You defeated all ten of them. But it's a huge deal for me."
Her voice grew sharper. "The gap between us is widening with each passing year."
Kanoru shrugged slightly. "I don't know how to close the gap. I'll keep improving regardless."
Asuna rolled her eyes at his response.
He smiled faintly. "But I can help you defeat the ten opponents I faced in the arena."
Asuna's eyes narrowed slightly. "How?"
Kanoru set his cup down and said, "Let me show you."
He entered the house, placed the empty cup on a table, and returned with his new sword.
Stepping down onto the training ground, he motioned for her to sit where he had been.
"Get up and go sit there," he instructed.
Asuna stood and sat on the house's elevated edge, watching him intently.
Kanoru took her previous position, unsheathed his sword, and held it for a moment.
Suddenly, a phantom of a dark cobra appeared behind him, swirling with shadowy essence. The cobra faded, and in its place, a dark wolf's phantom emerged.
Asuna, her brow furrowed, said dryly, "Are you showing off how talented you are? You don't have to. I already know."
Kanoru shook his head. "No, no. You're in the second realm of the Sword Wind path. You're already practicing the sword technique I created, along with its advanced derivations."
Asuna nodded. "I've mastered Sword-80. Now I'm practicing Sword-40."
Kanoru's eyes glimmered slightly. "You'll master them faster if you become proficient in all five sword styles."
Asuna's eyes lit up with realization.
Kanoru added, "By grasping the nature of wind-cut, you'll be able to defeat them the same way I did, even without fully relying on the nature itself."
Asuna rose to her feet, determination in her eyes. "Then let's start. Help me master all of them."
She walked back toward the house to retrieve her sword.
Kanoru watched her go and muttered softly to himself, "I've only mastered two of them…" but there was no one around to hear him.