I regressed and became the Sword Ice King

Raph was left stumped, his gaze flickering with intensity as he looked away. He wasn't the type to try to talk someone out of their innate characteristics, but he didn't mind if it helped in the future. And some may wonder, how did this bias affect her progress? Well, for starters, she became difficult to partner with during the war.

She showed so much hostility towards men that the number of male footmen who died during the war was astoundingly high. It was hard to imagine someone as rational as her having such a cold side when it came to people's lives. Having a bias is one thing, but letting it cloud your judgment is another.

She was a powerful mage at the time, reaching the 10th circle and becoming a Grand Mage, but her progress became stagnant. Surpassing the 10th stage of aura and mana involves a form of ascension known as energy perception, the ability to form an imprint on the world. And to do so, you must be in control of all parts of yourself.

Well, there are other conditions that must be met, but a 'bias' that has brewed something much deeper and darker within you is not one of them. 'And she shows so much promise. I won't let her limit herself.' These were his thoughts at the moment.

At one point in his past life, Ciara lost the initiative in becoming the Family head, or rather, it took a while before she became one. In fact, from what he was aware of in his past life, she had not become one until his death. 'Which also means the executive of the Merlin household at the time of my execution was probably not Ciara…'. Well, he always hoped that it wasn't.

He had a goal set once he started his academy life, and Ciara was included in it. He sighed deeply, turning towards Ciara, her gaze still fixed on him. "…do you have something to say?" He asked, his eyebrow forming an arch when he noticed how condescending her stare was. She shook her head. "How do you expect to win this battle?

I remember how much you boasted at the beginning, but with time…I could tell you're not as cut out as you think you are". Her tone was laced with curiosity rather than any form of negativity.

He could at least say he was making progress; Ciara from his past life would have walked away the moment she noticed a man in her personal space. Though her question... "Well, it's all a matter of circumstance, you see…." He replied, the image of the King appearing in his mind.

"Not to mention, fooling the Patriarchs…it would be nice to continue like that, but as you said, I won't win if I showed that level of prowess". Ciara stared at him with a blank expression. She never could read through him, unlike most men she knew…or boys her age.

Continue your journey with empire

She was curious, though, how was he going to win? "Do you have a plan or something?" She asked, folding her arms beneath the blanket. Raph stared into space for a while, a short silence suffusing the air. "Not yet…though it may be nice if the King didn't show up".

Ciara raised a brow. 'How does the King matter in this context?' She thought to herself. 'And doesn't he know that the King left this night after hearing of the Slave Trade?'. She seemed to have more questions than answers, but none of this was something he didn't know already….or at least she assumed.

"Speaking of which, the Slave Trade at the Slum Bastion…you found it, didn't you?" She asked, relaxing her muscles and turning away. 'He's filled with unpredictability; I'll just watch for now.' "Oh, that, yes, I was….got an earful too for leaving without asking for backup." Raph chuckled, remembering the series of activities that took place after returning to the Colosseum.

His father and mother were not pleased with his decision, but they were grateful for his reaction…which is kind of contradictory, to say the least. He wasn't punished, per se, but he was forced to stay in his room without getting to meet anyone. He was curious to know about Mariam's last battle, even if the outcome was obvious.

He turned to Ciara, staring blankly at her face, causing her to flinch. Her expression quickly turned from stoic to disgust. "What are you doing?" She couldn't imagine him ogling her, after all; it seemed like he showed interest in someone already, but she definitely didn't like it when men stared at her.

"I have a proposal…" He said, snapping her from her negative thoughts and invigorating the curiosity within her.

She raised a brow. "Oh?" "I plan on making a club once we start our first year in the Academy, and I want you to be my first member." Her brows furrowed, and her expression couldn't hide the amount of confusion she was in. "Why?" Raph sighed. "For starters, you're strong…" This statement made the tip of her ears to turn red, as she puffed and turned away.

"Compliments won't do you anything." Raph chuckled at her reaction. 'She always had a soft spot for genuine compliments….quite contradictory, in fact.'

"It's simple really; if I win the match against Jang, then I'll have you join my club….if I lose, though…you can think of anything you would ask or want me to do for you…" Ciara's eyes sparkled at the proposal. It's not every day the Jun household shows this sort of vulnerability….but how long was he going to keep on boasting?

"Sure, why not? The odds are not in your favor, anyway." Raph chuckled, his thoughts reeling in. 'If I decided to use…let's say 70%? It would be about that to barely win against him….but wouldn't it be nice if I could go all out….I'm an 8th star now. I can win by a landslide if I decided to….but then again, the King…'.

He sighed deeply, as his contour darkened quickly. 'Well, fooling the Patriarchs has its own perks.' With that, he had made up his mind on what to do. He stood up, performing a curt bow, and was about to walk away when something caught the corner of his eyes.

A trickling wave of danger spread through him like wildfire as his eyes bulged open in shock. He felt an intense knot form in his stomach, and the feeling forced him to snap around towards the Stands. He breathed lightly, attempting to even his breath when he noticed Ciara was in a similar predicament as his.

"...you can feel it too?" He asked, his gaze shifting between her and the stands.

"How could I not?! That…demonic energy? How?" She snapped at him, standing to her feet and summoning her wand. It was but a fleeting moment, but they felt it so clear, so vivid, enough to leave an imprint on their souls. "....let's return to our quarters?" Raph asked, unable to find anything of noticeable change. She nodded, her expressions betraying her action.

'Is he trying to make me do something I don't want to? Stupid boy.' Her thoughts screamed in her mind, but then again…better safe than sorry. They both retreated, Ciara walking through the door while Raph jumped all the way back and returned to his chambers through the door.

It was a cold night, and the hollow winds only made it worse by settling that coldness around, increasing in intensity with time as the Moon's luminescence dyed the atmosphere in an ethereal milky white. It was in that darkness, at the top corner of the Colosseum, where a female figure appeared. Her body features seemed to be straining against her clothing, and her eyes glowed with a malevolent hue.

"Oh, how cute~, they felt that".

****

The sun's rays were like a magnificent beam of radiant brilliance that illuminated the skies in an iridescent red and yellow as it stood mightily in the sky in all its splendor. The beams slid off the walls of the Colosseum, as the cries and cheers of the audience sparked life within its very walls.

The noise was so great that it inevitably filled the empty streets, while people fought for a chance to get a front-row seat to the finale of the Rankings Battle.

Who would have thought that a battle so mighty would actually have its end? Well, not necessarily mighty….but more like, interesting and unique? Something like that.

The Arena had an otherworldly glow that only radiated with the brilliant beams, igniting the hearts of many as they watched the four people who stood on that very ground. One was, of course, their commentator, as well as the Patriarch of the Jun household.

One would wonder why such an exalted figure would commentate, but it was something that had been done since time immemorial. Or since when the Rankings Battle began. It was normal for a Patriarch to be chosen as a commentator, and he happened to be the one this year.

The other three were the participants for the finale. Darell Silvan, Jang Kang Lin, and Raffaelo Jun. Their names sent waves of excitement within the stands, and the Patriarch seats were not left empty…though one seemed particularly empty at the time. It was time for the finale, and for the ending of this prolonged battle that had been carried out for about a week.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Are you ready?"