Chapter 91: Max Luminaris vs Grim Van Ambrose Part 1
The arena hummed with anticipation. News of House Draykar’s arrest had spread through the capital like wildfire, thanks in no small part to Lady Mei’s network of informants and messengers. By the time the last semifinal match was about to start, even the commoners in the market squares were whispering about elven spies and Draykar’s deceit.
"I heard Lord Draykar was caught with elven markings on his body," one merchant whispered to another as Grim passed through the competitors’ entrance.
"My cousin’s wife works in the palace kitchens," another replied. "She says they found letters written in elven blood."
The rumors grew more outlandish with each retelling, exactly as Grim had hoped. Lady Mei had performed her role perfectly, seeding just enough truth to make the embellishments believable.
Inside the preparation chamber, Grim sat cross-legged on the floor, his eyes closed in meditation. The match against Talyra had drained him severely, and yesterday’s events had left little time for recovery. He estimated he was operating at barely sixty percent of his full strength.
[Your mana is low,] the voice cautioned. [You should consider yielding if the match turns against you.]
"Not an option," Grim muttered. "I need this victory."
[Pride is a luxury you can’t afford right now.]
"It’s not pride," Grim replied. "It’s necessity. I’ve driven Julius into a corner, I need to make sure he stays there."
The voice went silent, but Grim could sense its disapproval. He knew the risk he was taking. Max would be at full strength, eager to avenge both Aithen’s death and the disgrace of House Draykar. And without his mana being full, Grim wouldn’t be able to sustain for a long time.
Grim’s remembered something Chen Xing had once told him during their years in exile: "A man blinded by rage can’t see the blade that kills him." Max Luminaris had always been proud, quick to anger. It was a weakness Grim intended to exploit.