Chapter 292


    "Agreed."


    "Deal," E decided for vin, giving him a nudge with her shoulder. "Crush him! Show no mercy!"


    The onlookers’ faces were souring, and a cold glint shed in their gaze.


    “Nothing but trouble,” vin thought helplessly.


    "Lead the way!" The trio of white-haired elders had no interest in entering the Lord’s Keep. Their


    main purpose here was to see just how strong the Top 5 Protégés from The sh of Eight Orders


    really were.


    In days of yore, the pit was the most bustling spot in Stormcast, able to host thousands of


    spectators forbat. The grounds were vast, fashioned like a wild forest, providing a more


    authentic and thrilling stage for Magi-Monster duels. Though now in ruins, with many sections


    copsed into rubble, the inner field remained mostly intact, overrun with weeds and trees. The


    ground was littered with stones, resembling a stretch of wilderness.


    The Blessed Citadel party surveyed the area, and despite its dpidation, found it possessed a raw,


    primal style well-suited for a disy of martial prowess.


    "What''s the n of attack?" E was excited, ncing at vin and then at the Citadel Protégés,


    eager for the match to begin. The prospect was thrilling. The new generation of Nortnders were


    pitted against the elite of the Blessed Citadel. It was a shame everything was so rushed. They


    should have organized a grander venue with more factions as spectators.


    The Citadel Protégés shared strange looks. “What''s got this woman so worked up?”


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    Marak sneered. E and vin were all so naive. The Inner Protégés of the Blessed Citadel were


    absolute elites, and those present were the cream of the inner circle.


    "Who''s first?" vin limbered up, ready to test his recent progress against the Citadel Protégés.


    A handsome youth was about to speak when vin suddenly suggested, "How about I warm up


    with a friend of Lord Viperbane first?"


    Marak''s smile was cold. “Do you really want to take me on?”


    "Fine! I agree. A little appetizer before the main course," E taunted Marak.


    “Appetizer? Don''t underestimate us.” Marak snorted. The two guards by his side were not ordinary.


    They were warriors not afraid of death, handpicked by his father. Having grown up with him, they


    showed strong talents and battle-hardened loyalty. Now in their twenties, they were already


    Advanced Mages, one at Stage I and the other at Stage III, no less formidable than the elite


    Protégés trained by the Eight Orders.


    "My lord, I shall go," said Romarn. The Stage I mage clenched his fists, and his cold re were


    fixed on vin. “An appetizer? You insult me!”


    "Warm up with Lord vin, but remember, just a spar. Leave the real fight for the Citadel Protégés,"


    Marak insisted, maintaining the honor of his colleagues.


    "Rest assured, I''ll exercise restraint." Romarn stepped toward vin, bowing with a fist in palm.


    "Romarn, here to challenge you."


    The Citadel Protégés scattered to the surrounding stands, seizing the opportunity to gauge vin''s


    strength against Lord Viperbane''s guard.


    The guards of the Mallister family gathered to one side, watching intently.


    Meanwhile, Carlys and Oda had also arrived stealthily, whispering to catch up on the situation.


    "Sparring can lead to injuries; you wouldn''t mind, would you?" vin provocatively directed at


    Marak.


    "Do your worst," Marak was confident in his guards.


    Romarn''s aura began to shift noticeably, his body erupting with fierce winds and his hair looking


    wild. The tall, lean figure seemed to exude a bestial presence. "The Nortnds boast more than just


    Eight Orders, but also the Five Lords!"


    "I have a feeling something''s off with him," Lucan and the others murmured in surprise.


    E, however, seemed thrilled. "Romarn, I know of him. Look, just look, he''s transforming!"


    "Transforming into what?"


    "Roar!" Romarn bellowed. His voice was ferociously loud, shaking the trees and scattering stones.


    His muscles writhed, and his bones were cracked audibly. His body swelled like an inting balloon,


    rapidly growing over three meters tall, and bursting through his clothes. His muscles exaggerated


    like boulders, veined with bulging sinews.


    The entire arena was aghast. Even the Citadel Protégés had not anticipated such a savage disy


    from Marak''s quietpanion. Marak''s smile broadened, pleased with the shocked atmosphere.


    Romarn''s presence ballooned, a wild rage coursing through him. His eyes were shining with a


    green ferocity, and his expression twisted and frenzied, a true beast incarnate.


    "Is this Combat Magic or a bloodline ability?" Carlys gasped, covering her mouth in shock.


    "Combat Magic!!" E was ecstatic, having only heard of such things, and now witnessing it


    firsthand.


    "Ferocious Demon Art!" Romarn, now like a wild beast king, was enveloped in dark energy, howling


    as he charged at vin. His fists swung with energy that roared through the air, each punch shining


    with a fierce blue light, like entwining lightning, brilliantly blinding.