Chapter 17: Ch 17: The Championship- Part 2
Above the chaos of the arena, in her private viewing box gilded with ancient crests of honor, Champion Stelle leaned forward, her chin resting lightly on her hand as her sharp eyes scanned the aftermath below.
The crowd had broken into thunderous cheers following the aether explosion, voices rising in a frenzy of bloodlust and awe.
Around her, nobles and high-ranking officials murmured in excitement, but none dared to speak louder than the Champion herself.
Her servant, a pale, nervous thing in a tight uniform, edged closer and whispered,
"Champion... that last aether burst took out over ninety percent of the contestants. Isn’t that... a bit much?"
Champion Stelle didn’t turn. Her gaze stayed locked on the arena floor, watching the final eight fighters—especially one figure who stood just a little too still, too calm.
A slow smile curled her lips.
"It was perfect. This round was never about fighting fair. It was about cutting away the useless."
She said.
The servant hesitated.
"Then... did he make it through?"