The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation-Chapter 53 - 51 — In Place

Seated in the trainees section, Zephyrion calmly took in the sheer scale of the people gathered in the grand coliseum.

They numbered into the thousands, men and women from the secondary Calderalth line. He could spot many familiar figures from his childhood, people who held considerable influence within the South and even the Ferran Empire as a whole.

Even as whispers rippled through the stands, he could feel the piercing gazes of the thousands settling on him. Even the trainees seated beside him kept stealing glances in his direction.

’As expected.’

The thousands present had all come for a singular purpose, to witness the battle between him and Kaiden.

Zephyrion could read the emotions within those stares. Scorn. Pity. Disdain. Amusement. It was obvious how they all thought the battle would end.

Yet, Zephyrion suppressed a faint smile.

Everything was in place.

"Alright, listen up."

Zephyrion shifted his gaze to Garrick, who stood before them with a serious expression.

"I’m sure you can all see how packed the coliseum is?"

"Yeah... there’s way more people than last time."

"We’re really fighting in front of all of them?"

The Iron trainees cast uneasy glances at the crowd and swallowed.

"Tch... as if it matters."

Of all of them, only Kaiden maintained a confident smile.

Garrick gave a small nod, taking in their reactions.

"I know you’re nervous. That’s why I’m saying this now. This coliseum is filled with Calderalth warriors, all watching your fight. But listen carefully, you don’t need to fear them. They can’t do anything to you."

"...Yeah."

"He’s right."

The trainees clenched their fists, their expressions gradually turning resolute.

"...however, I can."

Garrick’s heavy pressure descended without warning, freezing them in place.

"If you go out there and give me anything less than your best... if you disgrace me, I’ll make sure the rest of your years in this house are the worst you’ve ever lived through. Understood?"

"Y-yes..."

The trainees trembled under his gaze and quickly nodded. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"Good."

With a brief glance at Zephyrion and a faint wink, he turned and strode away.

Even after several seconds, the trainees were still trembling. However, Zephyrion could see that none of them were staring at the crowd nervously anymore.

’He did it on purpose.’

With that threat, the trainees now feared earning Garrick’s ire more than the opinions of the crowd. It forced them to focus on their skill rather than trying to put on a show.

Several moments passed, and it wasn’t long before the heads of the three great lines finally arrived.

While the Grand Marshal and Grand Forge Master took their seats upon their thrones, Ingrid stepped forward to address the crowd.

"We can now—"

"THE HEAD OF HOUSE CALDERALTH HAS ARRIVED!"

"!!!"

The gazes of every soul widened.

As Kastor stepped in, his presence settled over the entire coliseum like a mountain. Every single person sank to their knees instantly.

"We greet the head of house!"

’He’s attending?’

From what he had heard, Kastor had stopped attending such events since the incident.

’Did he come to watch me fight?’

Zephyrion’s brows drew together faintly as something stirred in his chest. He exhaled and suppressed it before it could take shape.

The most likely case was that Kastor was indeed here to watch, but that didn’t mean he thought any differently from the rest of the crowd.

His eyes slowly grew cold.

’It doesn’t matter.’

Nothing would change the result.

As Kastor took his seat upon the throne, the weight of his presence eased slightly.

"Begin."

The event commenced the moment the order was given.

The Steel trainees were the first to begin. They were paired up and instructed to fight at full strength.

Soon, the clash of steel rang through the coliseum. Zephyrion silently observed each battle.

From the way they fought, the difference between the Steel and Iron trainees was clear. They were faster, stronger, and capable of using Rune Arts. Their battles were far more flashy and intense compared to the spars of the Iron trainees he had seen.

A chorus of awe and applause rose from the crowd as each match concluded.

Eventually, Kaelion stepped onto the stage.

"Hey... that’s the Grand Marshal’s second son."

"Kaelion? He’s the top in the steel division, right?"

"As expected... let’s see what he can do."

Kaelion’s opponent was a confident boy with a broad physique. From what he gathered, he was second strongest in the Steel division.

"I am Logan."

"Kaelion."

Kaelion inclined his head slightly, his expression calm and unfazed.

"Begin!"

Logan swept his arm to the side, metal condensing to form a large sword.

In the next moment, it began to compress, shrinking rapidly until it was no larger than a normal blade.

Yet, Zephyrion could sense the heavy vibration emanating from it.

’Mark four.’

"Then... I’ll start."

Logan blasted forward, cracks spreading across the arena beneath his feet. He appeared before Kaelion in an instant and thrust forward with all his might.

Boom!

A violent explosion tore through the arena, engulfing the space in dust. The haze slowly began to clear...

"That’s—!"

"Titan Armor!"

Gasps rippled through the crowd. A gleaming armor had encased Kaelion’s body, completely halting the momentum of Logan’s sword.

Zephyrion stared at the armor with interest.

’Titan Armor.’

From what he remembered, Titan armor was a secret rune art passed down only within the primary line once they reached a certain level. Kaelion must have learned it from his father.

Scrutinizing it, Zephyrion could see the sheer complexity woven into its structure. Still, he could see that there were gaps, sections that felt incomplete, as though parts of it were missing.

’It’s unfinished.’

Logan gritted his teeth, straining as he tried to tear through the armor, but it didn’t leave so much as a scratch.

Tsk.

He clicked his tongue and pulled back his blade, preparing to retreat... but Kaelion vanished.

His fist drove into Logan’s stomach, knocking the air out of his lungs. Logan was sent flying backward, crashing out of the arena the next moment.

"Winner!"

"It ended in an instant..."

"As expected."

A chorus of applause rose from the crowd.

The armor retracted, revealing Kaelion’s unfazed expression. He bowed toward the head of house, and as he stepped away from the arena, he suddenly turned and locked eyes with Zephyrion.

For a moment, Zephyrion caught something between pride and confidence flickering in his gaze before Kaelion calmly turned away.

"...."

"Next!"