Namari and Renan could be seen clashing in the golden arena, their every impact leaving a crater behind. The force of their strikes sent shockwaves through the arena, making the ground tremble beneath them. Their clothes were torn, stained with their own blood, yet their expressions couldn’t have been more different as they exchanged blows.
Namari had a wild grin on her face, looking like she was having the time of her life. Her eyes gleamed with excitement as if she found joy in every strike that landed. Renan, on the other hand, looked just as intense—but not from enjoyment. His expression was twisted with pure, unfiltered rage. His movements were sharp and aggressive, his attacks fueled by anger rather than exhilaration. At this moment, he wasn’t just fighting Namari—he was venting his frustration on her.
As he blocked Namari’s strike aimed at his left eye, he clenched his jaw, seething.
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Namari, who had spent the last two years training with Renan, immediately understood what he was thinking. Just from his facial expressions alone, she could tell exactly what was going on in his mind. Smirking, she decided to push him further.
"What’s wrong, Renan? Is this little pain too much for you to handle?" she taunted, her voice laced with mockery. Without hesitation, she threw a straight punch at his chin, her fist covered in black scales.
Renan blocked her attack with his own hand, which was also covered in white scales, and shot back, "Of course, I can handle it, but why do I need to feel it? Unlike someone, I’m not a masochist who enjoys feeling pain."
A vein popped in Namari’s forehead at his words. She narrowed her eyes slightly before pulling her fist back. Then, with a smirk playing on her lips, she replied, "Oh really? Then let’s find out if you’re one of those masochists."
At her words, Renan suddenly broke into a cold sweat.
’Oh shit, I’m screwed,’ he thought, watching as Namari’s speed, which had already been difficult to deal with, suddenly increased at an insane rate.
She moved in a blur, grabbing Renan’s left wrist in a vice-like grip. Before he could react, her other hand swung down in a sharp, cutting motion aimed directly at his shoulder. Renan knew he couldn’t break free from her grip in time, so he did the only thing he could—he threw a punch straight at her face, hoping to make her step back.
*BOOM*
His fist landed cleanly against her face.
But Namari didn’t even flinch.
She stood completely still, as if she were an unmovable mountain. There wasn’t even a slight reaction—no pain, no stumble, nothing. It was as if she hadn’t even felt the impact.
And then—
*WOOSH*
*SPLURT*
Renan’s left arm was severed from his shoulder.
"Aghh!" He grunted in pain but refused to scream. He had become accustomed to pain after all this training, but that didn’t mean he liked it. He gritted his teeth.
’Damn it; this freaking hurts!’ he cursed inwardly, not focusing on his arm, which was cut off. But focusing all on Namari who had cut his arm.
She stood in front of him, smirking while casually holding his severed arm in her hand.
"Hmm, I’m still not sure if you’re a masochist or not," she mused aloud. "I guess I need to injure you a bit more to find out. How about I split you in half from the waist? That might help me figure it out. If not, we can keep going," she added, tapping his severed hand against her palm as if deep in thought.
Renan’s face visibly paled at her words.
The next thing he knew, he was getting beaten with his own arm.
And just like that, his torture—no, his training—continued.
Renan lay motionless in a massive crater in the center of the arena, his body battered and broken. Blood had pooled around him, and for a moment, he didn’t move. Then, the golden arena shone brightly, its energy wrapping around him, healing him completely. His severed arm was restored, and the damage to the ground vanished as if the battle had never happened.
Even after his injuries were gone, Renan didn’t get up. He remained lying there, staring at the ceiling of the training ground, completely drained.
’Hah… finally, it’s over,’ he thought, feeling overwhelming relief.
Namari walked over and glanced down at him. "What? Too tired to get up? Do you want your mother to carry you back to your room?" she asked, half-joking. Despite her teasing, a trace of concern flickered in her eyes. ’Did I go too far?’ she wondered inwardly.
Renan let out a deep breath before replying, "No, I’m okay." He slowly pushed himself up from the ground, shaking off the exhaustion that lingered in his limbs. Seeing this, Namari relaxed and turned to leave.
"I see. Well, I’ll be heading out first," she said, walking toward the exit of the training ground.
Just as she reached the door, Renan called out to her.
"Mother, wait. I want to ask you something."
Namari stopped and turned around, raising an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"Well, now that my training is complete and I have nothing else to do, I was thinking… can I go outside the empire and explore the outside world? I want to gain some real-world experience—it’ll be good for my growth," Renan said, giving a well-thought-out reason to support his request.
Namari looked at him, slightly surprised. "Huh?" She tilted her head slightly before folding her arms. "So, you want to leave the empire?"
"Yes." Renan nodded with a small smile.
"Hmm… if you’re asking for my opinion, then yes, I think you should go and see the world. But if you’re asking for my permission, then you’re asking the wrong person. You should go ask your grandfather—that decision is up to him," Namari said before turning and walking out of the training ground.
"So, I need to ask Grandpa, huh?" Renan muttered to himself.
And that’s exactly what he did.
Renan now sat in front of Ruston, who was seated on a luxurious sofa in his personal chamber. Ruston sat in front of him and exuded an aura of authority, his gaze calm yet piercing. He studied Renan in silence, his expression unreadable.
Renan took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before speaking. "Grandfather, I want permission to leave the empire. I believe it would be beneficial for me to see the outside world and gain experience beyond our borders."
Ruston remained silent for a moment before finally responding.
"No."
Just one word. A firm, unwavering ’No’.
Renan blinked, his mind going blank for a second.
’What?’