Realm Lord
Chapter 170: Part of the Team

Chapter 170: Part of the Team

Cara stood motionless for several long moments, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm as she caught her breath from their intense battle. The air around her still shimmered with residual energy from the powers she had unleashed, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere that made everything seem slightly unreal. With a graceful gesture, she dismissed her sword, the radiant blade dissolving into motes of pure light that danced around her fingers before fading into nothingness.

The brilliant aura that had transformed her into something resembling a divine warrior began to coalesce and slowly disperse, the luminous energy drawing inward like a reverse explosion of light. Layer by layer, the celestial radiance peeled away from her form, revealing the girl beneath the goddess-like power. The process was mesmerizing to watch—streams of golden light flowing across her skin like liquid starlight before evaporating into the afternoon air.

When the last traces of her enhanced state finally faded away, all that stood before Arthur was Cara herself—no longer the terrifying avatar of light and power, but simply the academy student he had admired from afar for so long. Yet somehow, even in her normal state, she was still no less outstanding to look at than she had been moments ago. If anything, the contrast between her ordinary appearance and the incredible power she had just displayed made her seem even more remarkable.

Arthur, meanwhile, was a stark contrast to her composed recovery. His shadow-enhanced form had long since dissipated, leaving him looking thoroughly human and thoroughly exhausted. Sweat had soaked through his pants, creating dark patches across the fabric that spoke to the intensity of their prolonged battle. His chest heaved with each labored breath, his body still struggling to process the adrenaline and exertion of facing an opponent so far beyond his capabilities.

But more than the physical exhaustion, Arthur was still reeling from the psychological impact of what had just transpired. His mind kept replaying those final moments when Cara had revealed her true speed and strength, the casual way she had dismantled every strategy and technique he had thrown at her. The memory of her blade stopping just inches from his neck served as a constant reminder of just how completely outmatched he had been.

There was an undercurrent of frustration flowing through him like a bitter river, threatening to overwhelm his other emotions. ’After everything I’ve done till now, I’m still so weak, so feeble,’ the thought echoed in his mind with painful clarity. All his training, all his preparation, all the confidence he had built up through his previous battles—none of it had mattered when faced with someone operating on Cara’s level.

But even as the frustration tried to take hold, another emotion was forcing its way through the disappointment and wounded pride. As he looked at Cara now, standing there with her hair still slightly disheveled from their fight and that familiar composed expression back on her face, Arthur realized that he no longer saw what he had seen before.

Where once he had seen an untouchable figure—someone to admire from a distance but never dare to approach as an equal—now he saw something entirely different. He saw a goal, something concrete to chase after. The vast gap between their abilities no longer seemed like an insurmountable chasm but rather like a mountain to be climbed, a challenge to be conquered through dedication and perseverance.

The realization hit him like a lightning bolt, cutting through his exhaustion and frustration with crystalline clarity. Suddenly, his labored panting stopped, his breathing evening out as a new sense of purpose filled his chest. A grin slowly spread across his face, starting small but growing wider until it dominated his entire expression.

"That was a great match," Arthur said, his voice carrying none of the disappointment one might expect from someone who had just been thoroughly outclassed. Instead, it rang with genuine appreciation and newfound respect. "You’re truly as outstanding as everyone says, Cara. I’d say you’re stronger than many Pathfinders while still being a Chosen, which is an amazing feat."

He paused for a moment, his grin taking on a more determined edge as he met her eyes directly. "But make no mistake—the next time we spar... I’ll win."

The declaration hung in the air between them like a challenge issued and accepted. For a moment, Cara’s face showed genuine shock, her carefully maintained composure cracking to reveal surprise at his boldness. It was clear that she hadn’t expected such a response from someone she had just defeated so decisively.

But the shock quickly faded, replaced by her normal composed expression—though now it carried a wry grin of what looked distinctly like satisfaction. She studied Arthur’s face for several long seconds, as if trying to read something in his determined expression, before a soft giggle escaped her lips.

"I look forward to it," she said, her voice carrying a warmth that hadn’t been there before their battle. "I think we’ll be able to work together after all."

With that, she extended her hand toward him in an offer of partnership, the gesture simple but loaded with significance. It was an acknowledgment of equals, a recognition that despite the vast difference in their current abilities, she saw potential in him that was worth cultivating.

Arthur stared at her outstretched hand for a moment, slightly shocked by the gesture. He had expected dismissal, perhaps polite acknowledgment of his effort, but certainly not this kind of acceptance from someone who had just demonstrated such overwhelming superiority. After a moment’s hesitation, he nodded with a smile that radiated determination and reached out to shake her hand.

"Looking forward to it as well," he replied, his grip firm and confident despite the sweat that still dampened his palm.

For a moment, silence settled between them as they stood there, hands clasped, staring at each other with newfound understanding. It was a moment of mutual respect—warrior to warrior, rival to rival, partner to partner. The air around them seemed charged with possibility, with the promise of future battles and shared struggles that would push them both to become stronger.

But sadly, that peaceful silence was destined to be short-lived. Like storm clouds gathering on opposite horizons, two very different disruptions began to approach their moment of connection.

"Cara! You can’t be serious!" Myah’s voice cut through the air like a blade, sharp with indignation and disbelief. She had been watching the entire exchange with growing frustration, and Arthur’s bold declaration had finally pushed her past her breaking point. "You beat him! He’s weak! He’s not fit to be in our tea—"

"Myah!" Cara’s interruption was sharp and commanding, cutting through her teammate’s protest like a sword through silk. The single word carried enough authority to stop Myah mid-sentence, her mouth hanging open in surprise at the sudden rebuke.

Cara’s expression had shifted from the warmth she had shown Arthur to something much more serious and stern. "You’re blinded by your baseless distaste for them," she continued, her voice carrying the weight of absolute certainty. "This man is stronger than you, Myah. On top of that, I’d say right now he might even be one of the strongest of the Chosen rank. He’s more than capable of being a useful part of our team."

The words hit Myah like physical blows, each one seeming to drain a little more color from her face. She looked completely defeated, her confidence crumbling in the face of Cara’s unwavering assessment. "Wha— b— bu—" she stammered, struggling to find words that could counter such a definitive judgment from someone she clearly looked up to.

Arthur chose that moment to step forward, his expression serious and his tone carrying a gravity that commanded attention. "Myah," he said, his voice cutting through her confused stammering, "I want to assure you of this right here and right now—that boy you knew at the academy... in many ways died in the Second Realm."

The weight of his words seemed to settle over the entire platform like a heavy blanket. There was something in his tone, something in the way he carried himself, that spoke of experiences that had fundamentally changed him. "I swear I won’t hold you guys back," he continued, his voice unwavering in its conviction.

Then, to everyone’s surprise, Arthur suddenly bowed deeply, his upper body forming a perfect ninety-degree angle in a gesture of profound respect and humility. "So please, let me stay here and fight for District 3 with you."

Myah recoiled as if she had been struck, her eyes wide with shock at the unexpected display of formal deference. For many long moments, she seemed completely at a loss for words, her mouth opening and closing soundlessly as she processed what had just happened.

Finally, she turned away with an attitude that was equal parts frustration and something that might have been embarrassment, a slight blush coloring her cheeks as she spoke. "Whatever," she muttered, her voice trying to maintain its earlier hostility but lacking the conviction to pull it off. "I guess you can stay... for now."

Arthur smiled as he raised his head from his bow, a sense of relief and accomplishment washing over him. He had cleared the first hurdle, earned his place on the team despite Myah’s obvious reservations. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to bask in the small victory.

But his short-term bliss was destined to be very short-lived indeed.

Suddenly, without any warning whatsoever, Azile came crashing down on top of him with the force of a falling boulder. The impact sent Arthur stumbling forward several feet, his already exhausted body struggling to maintain balance under the unexpected assault.

"Dude! That was fucking insane!!" Aziel shouted, his voice carrying a mixture of excitement, admiration, and what sounded distinctly like jealousy.