The flames surged around me, melting the frozen prison that Elaine had conjured.


    The crowd was **stunned.**


    **"He broke out?!"**


    **"Impossible! No one has ever escaped the Ice Prison before!"**


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    Elaine tilted her head slightly, her violet eyes gleaming with newfound curiosity.


    **"Impressive. You really are different from before, Lucian."**


    I smirked, gripping my **Berserker Sword.**


    **"Glad you noticed."**


    Elaine **vanished.**


    Before I could react, she was already behind me.


    **"Too slow."**


    **SLASH!**


    Her rapier **pierced my shoulder.**


    Pain flared, but I gritted my teeth and swung my sword in a **wide arc.**


    Elaine backstepped, narrowly avoiding the burning edge of my blade.


    I exhaled.


    She was still **faster.**


    But now…


    I **knew how she moved.**


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