The Extra's Reincarnation-Chapter 84: In My Eyes

As Lady Meredith watched Julian deal the final blow to Marcus, she figured it was best to give him time to get up, since Marcus was the one fighting an uphill battle from the start.

The time seemed to pass quickly and as 5 minutes turned to 4, then to 3, she got up from her seat, which was positioned from outside of the dome.

"It seems like things are about done here. Maybe I should just wrap things up-"

"…!"

Just as she thought things were finally over, she saw Marcus’s body twitch for a moment.

"He’s getting up? No... from what I can see, the punch he took earlier should’ve stopped the flow of mana throughout his body. He shouldn’t be able to move, but just how is he doing it? Could he just be doing this out of pure will?"

Lady Meredith, the epitome of composure and control throughout the entire challenge, looked utterly shocked.

The fact that Marcus was able to move was a miracle, but even then, moving his body was more impressive than anything else.

It was as if she had witnessed something so extraordinary when it came to human endurance, so unexpected, that it had shattered her carefully maintained facade.

…

…

…

Whether it would be throwing dirt from the ground or grabbing onto a person’s leg, Marcus did not let go.

Even though every inch of his body was in pain, he grabbed a hold of Julian’s ankle.

"…?"

When he looked down to see Marcus bleeding heavily, he had to resist as much as possible not to help him.

For Julian, a man who’s lived with the principal of helping others without expecting anything in return, it was a struggle to maintain his resolve.

It felt like everything in his body was screaming to reach down and help him up.

But he knew he couldn’t.

He was his opponent, so why should he help?

"I-I can’t let you win… Tell me… Who are you even doing this for… I-I won’t let go until you answer me,"

It seemed childish for Marcus to speak in such a manner, but after all he was merely a child who didn’t know any better.

Even through his ragged gasps, even when he was severely beaten, and even as blood continued to drench him, he had never desired anything as intense in his life as becoming the royal blade.

It was his dream to become something his older brother would’ve been proud of.

"…"

"Answer me, please…"

Blood continued to trickle down from Marcus’s head as he spoke. It felt like he could pass out at any moment, but he clung to his consciousness with every ounce of strength and willpower he had.

He may have lost, but he wanted to know how much stronger Julian’s purpose was. He needed to know if what drove Julian was something worth losing for; only then would Marcus accept his defeat.

Tch...

Julian stood there, gritting his teeth with a hardened expression that seemed to say, "If I answer you, I’m willing to yield everything to you."

Yet, the sight of this young boy, battered and bruised, clinging to him with such desperate determination, chipped away at his own composure.

In the original novel, Marcus had died a disastrous death for the kingdom. However, he, along with many other soldiers, fought with a proud and truthful meaning to serve their land, even when it meant walking toward death.

"Who are you even doing this for?"

Marcus’s words echoed in his ears, It was a simple question, though it struck a chord deep within Julian’s soul.

He contemplated answering, as victory was already within his grasp.

"..."

CREAK!!!

[1 Minute Remaining]

The final creak began to close as the scores were tied up 4 to 4, If the gate closed Julian would win.

However, something deep within his consciousness wanted to answer him in a way where everything was fair.

He may have not lived a fair life, but he had the heart to be fair among others, even to his opponent.

"Haah…"

As the gate slowly began to close, Meredith’s eyes couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

Step…Step…Step

Julian dragged Marcus across the ground towards the gate, and as he reached the closing metal bars, he stood directly beneath them as if he was ready to lift them.

"Wait, what is he doing? Is he crazy?!"

Meredith was about to rush onto the field to stop Julian, but even at his age, his strength surpassed that of any child prodigy she had ever seen.

Julian used all his strength, from his legs to his shoulders, and held the silver steel gate with his palms, which trembled.

"Marcus… tell me, who are you doing this for?"

Julian’s eyes glanced down towards Marcus, who was bloodied from head down.

[Divine Eyes Of Convergence Has Been Activated!]

If there was one thing Julian can see with his divine eyes, it was that he could see the truest emotion of a person’s inner being.

He may have realized it during the battle, but Marcus possessed a unique aura that resided deep within his soul. \\

Throughout their fight, Julian could sense Marcus’ desire with every punch he landed.

"I’m not going to give up… I’m not going to give up… I have to keep going… I have to keep going…"

These were the words Julian kept hearing from deep within Marcus’ soul.

"I’m doing this for my brother... my sister... and my family..."

Marcus choked out with tears as he found it extremely hard to keep himself conscious at any moment he could faint.

"I may not be as... gifted like my brother... or as smart as my sister… but still I want... to give them a future. A future where they can look at my back and be proud of me…"

He clung to Julian’s leg with even more force, as his grip was surprisingly strong despite his exhaustion.

"I want to clear my father’s and mother’s debt... I want to protect them from... from the nobles with dirty hands..."

Each word he spoke was a struggle, a testament to his extreme love for his family, something Julian had never grown up with in his previous life.

He may have a loving mother now, but he has never experienced what it’s like to have a sibling, nor has he ever received the nurturing care of a fulfilling father. It was confusing for him that, even when someone struggled beneath him, he still found meaning to keep going.

"Now tell me... tell me your reason I want to hear it before...haah... I... haah... go..."

Marcus was pouring out his heart because he wanted it more than anyone… even when his voice cracked or when he couldn’t speak right, he tried to stop his tears from mingling with the blood that stained the arena floor.

Julian stood motionless, his gaze fixed on the young boy clinging to him.

-He truly deserves to be the Royal Blade. His reason for fighting... it puts mine to shame...

He listened, truly listened… and for what he saw within Marcus, he knew what he was seeing was more than true.

Julian understood that someone with a stronger conviction than his own was stronger in every way. He believed that strength meant nothing without something to protect, and for Julian, who had lived by an upright principle of righteousness, it was clear that Marcus, having lived just one life, deserved it more than anyone else in the world.

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He was the true epitome of what a Royal Blade is.

Dedication, loyalty, and undying will.

Those were the principals of what a royal blade should live by.

But for Julian, he figured that his intentions weren’t as pure as Marcus’s.

"I did have a reason for being here,"

As he spoke, Marcus’s head glanced up towards Julian, who held the gate at a standstill with all his might.

"However, my intentions weren’t as pure as yours..."

"...!"

Marcus’s eyes widened as Julian’s hand reached into his pocket.

"You asked me who I was doing this for, right?"

"...."

Marcus was at a loss for words when Julian pulled the hourglass out.

"I was doing this because I didn’t want my mother to ever work again, but... I realized that my reasons they were selfish in comparison."

"They don’t compare to what you would do for someone... haah... It’s crazy for me to think like this when you are only living for the first time..."

Julian sighed as he held up the glass filled with sand.

"Congrats, Royal Blade, you deserve it."

CRACK...

With just one hand, he crushed the hourglass, and the world dissolved into a blinding flash of golden light.

Marcus shielded his eyes, barely holding on to any kind of ground he had, it was almost hard to breathe.

When he could see again, Julian was gone.

[Julian Ryker Uzziel #10,000 - Has Withdrawn From The Challenge.]

As the golden light faded, Marcus found himself alone in the arena, his hand still outstretched where it had grasped Julian’s ankle.