At this point in time, Elliot was able to beat a Hohenberg.
Lucius hated admitting it, but that much was clear.
Even if the original was useless to his clan, the name still carried weight. The Hohenbergs were monsters in human skin.
From childhood, their bodies were broken down and rebuilt through training meant to kill weaker bloodlines, although it didn't help them in their awakening. By the time they reached adulthood, their bodies were weapons sharper than any forged steel.
And yet Elliot, of all people, had defeated Lucius before and now the heir of the Gale clan in front of a roaring crowd.
Lucius leaned back in his seat and sipped from his glass.
The arena still echoed with cheers, people chanting Elliot's name as if he'd saved the Empire. To Lucius, it was laughable.
Elliot hadn't even landed a clean punch, and somehow the people worshiped him for it.
The boy had no business winning — but that was the thing about protagonists, wasn't it?
