Chapter 112: A Monster Without Aura
The hall was silent for a heartbeat, everyone processing the sheer speed and control he displayed.
The arena fell completely silent.
Every student was stunned.
Even Michael, watching from the stands, couldn’t hide his shock.
It wasn’t just that he had underestimated Rowan.
Even if he hadn’t known who Rowan was until today, he would still be shocked.
A Sword Saint... going toe-to-toe with a Sword God... without even releasing his aura?
What kind of monster is this...?
Rowan noticed the silence.
He glanced around.
Ah... I see. Everyone’s shocked.
Like I said... no one knows how truly powerful I am.
But still... I won’t let anyone look down on me.
Velqira pushed forward, her blade pressing against his.
Rowan responded instantly—
He forced her back.
She skidded across the ground, her feet dragging as she stabilized herself.
Her expression sharpened.
Her aura flared stronger.
A red glow surged around her body.
Then—
She vanished.
Boom!
The air itself seemed to tremble as she moved at an intense speed, aiming straight for Rowan’s neck.
Clang!
He blocked it effortlessly.
And in the same motion—
He countered.
Her instincts screamed.
She jumped back instantly, narrowly avoiding his strike.
Then—
Rowan moved.
This time—
Everyone screamed.
He disappeared.
Not fast—
Vanished.
The next second—
He was behind Velqira.
His sword rested calmly at the side of her neck.
Silence—
Then—
"Ahhh!!"
The entire arena erupted.
Even Michael’s mouth fell open.
That speed...
That’s... Aura Movement.
But he didn’t release any aura...
Michael clenched his teeth, his eyes shaking.
What the hell is this kid...?
His father may have been talented... but this...
This is something else entirely.
Something I haven’t seen in years...
The teacher stood frozen, speechless.
Velqira slowly smiled.
She loosened her grip—
Her sword dropped.
"I lose," she said calmly.
The arena exploded with noise.
Rowan lowered his blade, a faint smile on his face.
I was planning to hold back more...
But I guess I got a little tired of pretending.
Even that... was still me holding back.
I didn’t even use up to 0.1% of my strength...
That was barely 5% of my speed.
The teacher finally snapped out of her shock.
She adjusted her glasses slowly.
"The winner... is Rowan."
The students erupted.
"What the hell?!"
"He defeated the princess?!"
"I knew it—he’s different!"
"He’s a monster!"
Daryl stood up from the stands—
Then began clapping.
Others followed.
The applause spread across the arena.
And at the center of it all—
Rowan stood calmly, as if none of it surprised him.
Rowan slowly glanced around.
Every student was staring at him.
Not with fear—
But admiration.
He shifted his gaze toward the stands.
Michael was already turning away, walking out of the training grounds without a word.
Rowan smiled faintly.
Well... it’s done. What’s done is done.
He adjusted his grip on his sword and walked back toward the stands.
Velqira followed behind him.
As soon as he arrived—
Students gathered around him.
"Man, that was insane!"
"You were amazing!"
"I knew you were strong, but I didn’t think you could defeat the princess!"
"Just how strong are you?"
Neville stepped forward, eyes wide.
Rowan smiled calmly.
"You’re overestimating me. I’m not that strong."
Velqira walked past the crowd and sat down quietly.
Rowan glanced at her—
Then took a seat beside her.
For a moment—
Neither of them spoke.
In the arena, the teacher still stood frozen, clearly trying to process what had just happened.
The entire place felt different.
Quiet.
Heavy.
A Sword Saint defeating a Sword God—
It wasn’t something that happened.
Velqira finally spoke.
"You’re smart... Rowan. I’ve known all along that you were pretending to be weak."
Rowan tilted his head slightly.
"Pretending? Not really."
Velqira smiled faintly.
"When we were kids... around six years old... I saw what you were capable of."
Rowan didn’t interrupt.
Her gaze drifted slightly, recalling the memory.
"I remember it clearly. Like it was yesterday."
"You appeared out of nowhere... with those people. I didn’t even understand what happened."
"You teleported... and they were holding someone captive."
Her eyes sharpened.
"And then... in less than a second..."
"You cut one of them into tiny fragments."
"There were three adults."
"And you were only six."
"You defeated all of them effortlessly."
She looked back at him.
"From that day... I started looking up to you."
"And not just that... I wanted to surpass you."
She paused slightly.
"Even though... I already knew it might be impossible."
"Because I don’t know how truly powerful you are."
Rowan smiled faintly.
"You’re overthinking it. Try not to think too much."
Velqira let out a quiet breath.
"Maybe I am..."
Then she added—
"But don’t you remember that day?"
"That party... the one held for you."
"I challenged you there."
"I thought it was ridiculous at the time..."
Rowan stayed silent.
"Well... you can do whatever you want," Rowan said calmly. "I’m not weak, and I’m not strong either."
He glanced at her.
"And I’ll tell you this... even if you try to catch up to me—even if you already know it’s impossible..."
He paused slightly.
"You won’t surpass me."
Velqira’s expression tightened.
"Not as an insult," Rowan continued. "It’s just a fact. Even if it sounds rude."
Then his gaze sharpened.
"But tell me something... why is the crown princess walking the path of the sword?"
"Shouldn’t you be in the castle... enjoying royalty? Living the life meant for you?"
Velqira froze for a moment.
Her expression stiffened.
She hesitated—
Then let out a quiet breath.
"...You’re not wrong."
She looked away slightly.
"But I’m not the first princess. Nor the second."
Rowan remained silent, listening.
"My elder sister... Princess Lily... she’s the one closest to the throne."
Velqira’s tone grew quieter.
"From a young age, I understood something... if I didn’t choose my own path—if I stayed in the palace..."
"They might think I was competing for the throne."
Her grip tightened slightly.
"Things between us... aren’t simple."