As the Vayne Clan disappeared beyond the gates of Willow Residence, the tense atmosphere slowly began to ease.

The drawn weapons were sheathed. The killing intent that had filled the air gradually faded.

Yet Lucas remained standing where he was, staring at the closed gates with a puzzled expression.

He couldn’t understand it.

A few seconds later, he turned toward Xavier.

"Wait..."

"What just happened?"

His voice was full of disbelief.

"Did they seriously come all the way here just to arrange a fight?"

Lucas rubbed his forehead.

The entire situation felt surreal.

Just half an hour ago, the two clans had been on the verge of killing each other. Weapons had been drawn. Martial artists from both sides had nearly charged forward. The atmosphere had been so tense that even breathing felt difficult.

To be honest, Lucas had already mentally prepared himself for the worst.

If a fight broke out, he wasn’t planning to hold back.

After everything Blake had done, Lucas had long lost any patience for the Vayne Clan.

In his mind, if Blake refused to rest peacefully, then Lucas would simply send a few more people to accompany him.

Yet somehow, the situation had ended with a duel.

Just like that.

No bloodshed.

The more Lucas thought about it, the stranger it felt.

However, as that thought faded, another quickly replaced it. His expression gradually became serious.

Because he knew something.

The fact that the Vayne Clan had accepted a one-on-one duel so confidently meant only one thing.

They were absolutely certain of victory.

Lucas still remembered the expressions on their faces. The smiles. Not a single person looked worried. It was as though they already knew the outcome.

That realization sent a chill down his spine.

This fight would not be simple.

Not even close.

Lucas slowly turned around.

Only then did he notice something unusual.

Xavier wasn’t smiling.

The relaxed expression he normally wore had completely disappeared.

Seeing that reaction, Lucas’s heart sank.

"What is it?"

Xavier remained silent for several moments before speaking.

"I don’t know who they’ll send."

His voice was calm.

"But whoever it is..."

"He won’t be easy to deal with."

Lucas frowned.

Xavier continued.

"The Vayne Clan isn’t stupid. They wouldn’t agree to this duel unless they had complete confidence in their fighter."

His gaze shifted toward the mountains in the distance.

"If Elder Tyrion proposed this himself, then the person they’ve chosen is likely one of their true trump cards."

A brief silence followed.

Then Xavier looked directly at Lucas.

"For the next two days, train. Eat. Rest. Forget everything else."

His expression grew serious.

"Because this may be the toughest battle you’ve ever faced."

Lucas swallowed.

Even Xavier was speaking this seriously.

That alone told him everything he needed to know.

After exchanging a few more words, Lucas headed back toward the villa.

As he walked through the front door, countless thoughts filled his mind.

Who was his opponent? How strong were they? Would the training Bianca had given him be enough? And most importantly, could he actually win?

The more he thought about it, the more restless he became.

Suddenly, an idea appeared in his mind.

His eyes lit up.

If he couldn’t become stronger instantly, then he could at least prepare better.

Immediately, Lucas pulled out his phone.

His fingers moved rapidly across the screen.

He searched for professional training equipment. Heavy punching bags. Combat dummies. Reaction training systems. Strength equipment. Speed ladders. Martial arts manuals. Anything that could help.

Within minutes, he had filled an entire shopping cart.

Without hesitation, he pressed purchase.

Then he dialed the supplier directly.

The call connected almost instantly.

"Hello, sir?"

Lucas got straight to the point.

"I need everything delivered immediately."

The employee sounded apologetic.

"Sir, delivery normally takes—"

Before he could finish, Lucas interrupted him.

"If you can get everything to Willow Residence within thirty minutes, I’ll personally give the delivery team a fifty-thousand-dollar tip."

Silence.

Then the man’s breathing became noticeably heavier.

"A fifty-thousand-dollar tip?"

"Yes."

Lucas replied casually.

"Thirty minutes."

"Can you do it?"

The employee nearly shouted.

"Sir, don’t worry! We’ll be there!"

Lucas leaned back against the sofa and exhaled deeply.

If the Vayne Clan wanted a duel, then he’d spend money his way.

And with enough money, there was always a solution.

Back at the Vayne Clan’s mountain, the atmosphere was completely different from the tense mood at Willow Residence.

The moment Elder Tyrion returned, he was immediately summoned to the main hall.

Inside, the clan’s upper echelon had already gathered.

Elder Crest Vayne sat at the head of the hall, his imposing figure radiating authority. Around him sat the elders of the clan, each one waiting to hear the outcome of the confrontation.

Tyrion stepped forward and recounted everything that had happened. From the meeting at the villa, to Xavier’s intervention, to the heated exchange between the two clans, and finally the agreement for a duel two days later.

As soon as the elders heard the conclusion, many of them smiled.

The tense atmosphere that had lingered for days instantly relaxed.

Several elders even laughed openly.

"A duel is far better than a clan war."

"Good. Very good."

"That Xavier fellow thinks he has bought himself time."

One elder snorted coldly.

"He doesn’t understand the difference between his people and ours."

Elder Crest remained silent for a moment before nodding slowly.

"The decision is acceptable."

His voice carried absolute confidence.

"If Kael steps onto the stage, there is no reason for us to lose."

The hall immediately echoed with agreement.

Every elder present shared the same belief.

Because Kael Vayne wasn’t merely the strongest among the younger generation.

He was the pride of the entire Vayne Clan.

A monster whose talent had shocked even the older generation. Many of the elders secretly admitted that if Kael were given a few more years, he would likely surpass them completely.

Soon after, a disciple was sent to summon him.

Several minutes later, footsteps echoed through the hall.

A tall young man entered calmly.

His face was handsome but cold. His posture straight. His eyes carried a confidence that bordered on arrogance.

The room instantly quieted.

This was Kael Vayne.

The future of the clan.

The young genius whose strength was already being compared to some of the elders.

Even among the Vayne Clan’s elite disciples, Kael stood alone at the very top.

Elder Crest looked at him and spoke.

"Kael."

"A duel has been arranged."

"Two days from now, you will represent the Vayne Clan."

Kael listened quietly.

When he heard Lucas’s name, a faint smile appeared on his face.

As though he had just been assigned a task too easy to be interesting.

"So that’s the person who injured Blake and Jade?"

His tone was calm.

Tyrion nodded.

Kael chuckled softly.

"I understand."

That was all he said.

No questions.

In his eyes, the outcome had already been decided.

The confidence in the hall immediately grew stronger.

Several elders began discussing the duel as though it were already over. Wine was brought out. Rare dishes appeared on the tables. The mood gradually shifted into celebration.

One elder raised his glass.

"To Kael’s victory."

Another laughed loudly.

"Victory?"

"You speak as though there was ever any uncertainty."

The hall erupted with laughter.

Even Elder Tyrion’s mood improved.

The pressure weighing on his shoulders seemed lighter.

Everyone believed the same thing.

Lucas was already dead.

The only thing left was to determine how long he would survive inside the arena.

Meanwhile, near the edge of the hall, Blake sat silently in a wheelchair.

His body was wrapped in layers of bandages. His face remained swollen. One arm hung motionless at his side.

The doctors had managed to save him.

But they had not managed to restore what he had lost.

As he watched the celebration unfolding around him, panic filled his heart.

His fingers trembled.

His body shook.

"No..."

He tried to speak.

The words barely came out.

Nobody heard him.

Nobody paid attention.

The elders were drinking. The disciples were celebrating. Even Kael stood calmly accepting their praise.

Blake’s eyes widened.

He wanted to warn them. Wanted to tell them they were making a mistake. Wanted to explain how terrifying Lucas truly was.

That Lucas wasn’t normal.

That the strength he displayed during their fight wasn’t something an ordinary martial artist should possess.

But no matter how hard Blake struggled, his weak voice was drowned out by the laughter filling the hall.

His body shook harder.

He was the only one who had experienced Lucas’s fists firsthand. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

And for some reason, a terrible feeling lingered in the depths of his heart.