The night slowly withdrew, leaving gray scars across the horizon. The air was unnaturally still, as if waiting for a single word to ignite the city. A cold breeze passed through the narrow streets, carrying the faint scent of ash from what had happened hours before.
Crows watched silently from the rooftops, like witnesses to Milo's secret one he had confessed to no one. With every step through the alleyways, his earlier words echoed within him... the anger he had suppressed and the need to prove he was not merely a shadow of his father's name.
The first light of dawn brought no warmth, only clarity: the traces of the fight and the void left by his doubt. It felt as if the city was nearing a turning point... and Milo stood at its center, facing the confrontation ahead.
Milo's Perspective:
Everything around me seems calm, but inside me, everything is screaming. Every step on these streets makes my heart pound, as if the city itself knows my weakness.
I feel the pressure I've always tried to deny. I'm not like my father... I haven't reached his level. Every threat, every confrontation, every word my sister said reminds me of that.
It leaves me with one need: to prove I'm strong, not just a shadow of my father's name... not just an echo of Arthur's power.
But anger isn't enough. My strength is still limited, and it feels like everything around me is testing me.
I can't run anymore. I have to face it all and find out... am I weak, or can I become more than just a son?
When I was eight, my mother died during an incident that took many innocent lives. A massive monster attacked Novara, spreading destruction across the city.
The warriors fought it, including my father, but my mother stayed to protect me and my sister... and she paid the price. She took the blow meant for us.
I remember that day like a burning scar. The helplessness, the loss, the guilt... they became part of me.
Since then, I've tried to grow stronger, so no one I love has to sacrifice themselves for me again.
My father was too far away to help us that day. I felt completely powerless, as if the world had abandoned us.
Many people died, even some guild leaders. It was one of the worst days Novara had ever seen.
That pain, that loss, that helplessness... planted one thing inside me: the need to become strong enough to protect those I love.
Milo paused, slipping into those dark memories. The sorrow on his face was clear, his eyes heavy with thoughts that refused to fade.
A cold wind passed through the street, stirring his brown hair, but the emotions inside him remained trapped. He stood still in the quiet city as the echoes of the past pushed him to grow stronger and face what awaited.
"My mother's death left something inside me... a grief that never disappeared. Even though I was just a child, I kept blaming myself my weakness, my helplessness, everything I couldn't do.
But the real pain didn't come from the memory alone.
It came from people.
Everyone who knew I was Arthur's son kept comparing me to him. Every look, every comment carried the same message: your father was stronger... your father would never fail.
To them, I was only a faded shadow of him. And that... hurt more than any wound.
My sister was always worried about me, especially after my father left on a mission four years ago. She wanted to keep me close, to protect me, even though I wasn't as weak as before.
But what truly shook my confidence... was that fight with the girl earlier. I was close to losing, and if Celestine hadn't helped, I would have been defeated.
I've always avoided fights, yet deep down I wanted them... to prove I wasn't weak, that I wasn't just my father's shadow.
And now... I won't lose to that girl with the katana. No matter how hard it gets, this time I'll prove my strength on my own."
Milo clenched his fists, his body tense with focus. His eyes never left Raiza as she leaned on her katana, then slowly raised the blade toward the sky one calm movement carrying all her intent.
The air in the narrow alley felt heavy, as if the world itself had paused. Milo felt energy surge through him, his heart pounding, every muscle ready to move. Even a moment of hesitation could cost him dearly... and this time, no one would save him.
Raiza raised her sword toward the sky, and blazing crimson energy ignited along the katana's edge, as if blood itself were boiling. Sparks fell around her, the air trembling under the force of her power.
A drop of blood slid from the corner of her mouth, yet she didn't wipe it away. She stood tall despite the pain, her head raised as the crimson flames continued to surge.
She fixed her gaze on Milo and shouted, her voice filled with rage:
"Milo... I will end you for sure!"
Anger twisted her features, as if the crimson energy on her sword had spread through her veins. The ground beneath them trembled under her power.
Raiza's blade flared with furious crimson light as she shouted,
"Crimsoooon Slaaaash!"
She slammed the katana into the ground, sending a blazing crimson wave racing toward Milo. Sparks and flames mixed with dust as the narrow street shook from the impact.
Milo stood firm, every muscle focused on the incoming strike, knowing even a moment of hesitation could cost him everything.
He realized instantly the attack would sever his arm if he tried to block it. With sharp agility, he dodged the rushing slash.
He hit the ground, breathing heavily, and looked back. The crimson wave continued toward a nearby house... but Novara's energy barrier repelled it, protecting the building.
Moments later, a red alarm lit near the house, and police sirens pierced the air as Novara's officers arrived to intervene.
Milo's eyes burned with anger as he looked at Raiza:
"If it weren't for Novara's barrier... you would have claimed the lives of innocent people!"
Raiza completely ignored his words and gracefully leapt onto the roof of a nearby house.
"I'll change the battleground before the police catch you," she muttered to herself, determination in her gaze.
Milo froze for a moment as he spotted the approaching officers. Their voices rang out sharply:
"Stop right there!"
Without hesitation, Milo leapt at Raiza and threw a powerful punch with his energy-coated left hand, but she calmly dodged, crimson energy swirling around her.
Raiza glanced at the police below, then jumped away to create distance. Milo followed closely, his eyes locked on her.
She led him to the small wall separating the middle-class district from the poorer area and stopped at its edge.
Milo rushed forward but halted as soon as he reached the wall, focusing entirely on her.
Raiza stared sharply at him and raised her sword.
"This time, I'll be serious!"
Her crimson energy flared stronger, charging the blade and filling the air with a threatening aura.
Still burning with anger, Milo released his translucent energy, his body tense and ready.
He rushed her again but Raiza moved faster. Her sword slashed toward him, and Milo barely leaned back in time, the blade slicing a few strands of his hair.
Sweat poured down his face as he breathed heavily, realizing more than ever the true strength of his opponent.
Milo refused to give in, raising his right hand and delivering a powerful punch toward her.
Raiza easily dodged it, but she didn't give him a moment of relief, directing her sword toward his left side.
It was a decisive strike, yet Milo didn't hesitate; he charged his energy and blocked the blow with his hand, the force of his power colliding with her crimson sword in sparks flying around them.
Despite blocking the strike, Milo began to bleed slightly, the blood falling to the ground.
"Damn... seems like my energy shield isn't enough... but I won't give up!" he muttered to himself.
Milo trapped her hand between his side and his own, using his right foot to unbalance her. He swung a quick punch, but it missed, hitting the ground and sending dust flying.
Raiza yanked her sword free, leaving a small cut on Milo, then stepped back to regain her stance.
Panting, Milo watched as Raiza launched toward him with astonishing speed.
He hadn't even noticed her until blood began trickling from his shoulder. Placing his hand on it, he muttered:
"Hah! She's fast..."
Raiza smiled, mocking him:
"Come on, boy, show me your abilities, or are you already tired?"
She continued moving beside him with lightning speed, scratching parts of his body and sending waves of pain across him.
Milo lost his balance and fell onto his shoulder, writhing in pain.
Raiza stood firm, moving her sword swiftly to wipe away the blood clinging to it.
"This is the end, boy..." she said in a calm yet razor-sharp tone.
She lunged at Milo with incredible speed, but he stood firm, placing his hands on her shoulders to halt her movement.
Her sword hovered dangerously close to his abdomen, almost grazing him. The air thickened with tension one wrong move could change everything.
Milo stomped on her sword, forcing it down, and landed a powerful punch to her face.
Raiza stumbled but quickly recovered, surging forward again, eyes blazing with determination.
"You will not defeat me, boy!" she shouted, aiming straight for his abdomen.
Milo stepped back just in time; the strike tore only his clothes, grazing him. Her relentless pressure and resolve weighed heavily on him.
Raiza unleashed a short-range Crimson Slash, the explosion throwing Milo off balance. Before he could recover, she surged forward, sword aimed to stab, the wind carrying the sharp hiss of her blade and tossing his hair as tension mounted.
The night faded into a cold, gray sky. Winds swept through the narrow streets, stirring dust and torn leaves. The distant city sounds were muted, and every movement, every burst of energy, echoed sharply across the empty alleys.
Everything felt silent, as if the city itself watched, waiting for the fight's outcome.
Raiza didn't stab him; instead, she let her sword pass just beside his side. In a calm but sharp voice, she said:
"I don't want to send you to Tavian disfigured, so it's better if you just surrender."
Milo smiled, then fell to his knees. He glanced at the ground for a moment, quietly wondering:
"Is this... what losing feels like?"
Raiza sheathed her sword and adjusted her long black hair, streaked with red, letting it flow lightly in the wind.
"Yeah, that's the feeling of losing to me."
Milo smiled, small wounds scattered across his body. He breathed slowly, chuckling as if the pain hadn't shaken him.
"Yes… this is what losing feels like… but I haven't lost yet."
He stood firm as Raiza raised her sword, charging it with crimson energy.
"You bastard… I should have knocked you out!" she shouted, swinging a swift strike.
Milo blocked with his energy, the impact surging through him, then spun and drove his knee into her stomach.
Raiza stepped back, eyes glowing with anger.
"No use… stop resisting, you know you're going to lose!" she growled, lunging again with a swift slash.
Milo closed his eyes, and the color of his energy began to shift, glowing in a familiar yet intensified way.
Raiza stopped abruptly, taking a step back, silent for a moment...
When Milo opened his eye, the color of his left eye shifted to red,
and his hair danced with his energy as a crimson aura spread around him.
"This is my unique ability!" Milo declared confidently, channeling all his anger and determination.
Raiza spoke in a calm tone, her eyes carefully observing every movement:
"I see now... so you do have a unique ability after all. I'll be cautious, to see what you can do."
Suddenly, Milo stopped, and his energy returned to its normal state.
A hint of sadness flickered across his face.
"You... you came... after all... once again," Milo said softly.
Raiza looked at him, confused and curious:
"W... why did you stop? What do you mean?"
Milo reached out and firmly grasped Raiza's shoulder.
Raiza turned, eyes widening as she saw who stood behind her… Celestine.
Celestine held Raiza's shoulders with a steady grip. Her long black hair, streaked with violet highlights, flowed lightly in the evening breeze, and her coat moved smoothly over her figure, radiating calm authority. Her eyes were steady, untroubled, as if she controlled everything.
In a low, controlled tone, she said,
"I didn't expect to meet you again so soon, Tavian's subordinate."
Raiza tried to pull away, but Celestine twisted her wrist firmly behind her back.
"A-a-a… wait, girl! You're not going anywhere," Celestine added, calm and unyielding.
Milo's eyes narrowed, a mix of anger and frustration flashing across his face as he stared at Celestine.
"Why... why did you come?" he demanded, his voice tense, laced with both suspicion and unease.
Celestine tightened her hold on Raiza, keeping her from slipping away, and turned her gaze to Milo.
"Alright," she said calmly, voice measured, "I was looking for you. When you didn't return home, I noticed the Novara patrol reported some troublemakers fighting. I told them to leave it to me… and here I am."
Milo stayed tense, frowning, silent as he watched.
Raiza struggled, swinging a powerful back kick at Celestine's stomach. Celestine barely flinched, responding with calm control.
"I told you... you're not going anywhere," Celestine said quietly, reaching for Raiza's shoulder again.
Suddenly, Milo acted, kicking Celestine's hand upward and forcing her to release her hold. Raiza slipped free and quickly withdrew, vanishing into the shadows.
She muttered under her breath as she ran,
"Did... did he just help me escape?"
Milo stood facing Celestine, chest rising and falling as he calmed himself. His tousled brown hair fell over his forehead, and his sharp eyes, still tinged with anger, now held composure. His shoulders eased, yet his stance remained alert, ready for anything.
Celestine, calm and collected, inspected her hand with deliberate ease. Her long black hair, streaked with violet, flowed over her shoulders, and her dark coat draped elegantly, radiating authority. A slight frown hinted at her displeasure with Milo's recent actions.
"You just helped your enemy," she said softly, her voice calm but carrying a sharp undertone. "You were about to get rid of her annoyance."
Milo's eyes narrowed, his tone sharp. "She's my enemy."
Celestine's expression softened as she understood his point of view. "Ah... I see," she murmured, her voice steady despite the tension.
She straightened, brushing an imaginary speck from her coat with graceful composure.
"Well, I should have gone to sleep instead of wasting time here. But… Mr. Milo, why don't we have a little talk? Perhaps we can understand each other better."
Milo drew a slow breath, regaining calm. He didn't reply, but his posture and gaze showed he was listening.
Celestine smiled gently, placing her hand on his head.
"Good… you understand, little Arthur."
Her serene expression and soft eyes carried intelligence and authority, radiating confidence a guiding presence Milo couldn't ignore.