Eric and Carlos were given two seperate holding chambers so that they could prepare before the duel. Eric was sitting quietly in his room, meditating, he could feel his mana flow in his body.

Ocean had took him by surprise in the morning when he said he would conduct a training for the two Princes before the Trial and spar personally with each. When he was young, he practically had to beg Ocean to even watch his training so, having to get to spar with him was like a good luck charm for him before the actual duel.

But what surprised his more was Carlos, he had expected Carlos to be a good-for-nothing considering how his mother raised him. However, he seemed to have some potential.

Eric was rather happy to see that there was a chance of having a proper duel with the boy who had harrassed him during childhood. Today’s duel was more than a Trial, it was a way to shatter the version of Eric who was too weak during childhood. It was away for him to show his childhood version of how far they had come and how much they can still grow.

The duel was a simple test of strength and skill for both the Princes, even though everyone knew who would win but it was still important. The scores that the Princes will get after this duel’s victory would decide their future. The first Trial’s victor was Eric, if he won the second Trial then his path to the throne would be smooth, but if he loses, it would give Carlos some hope and put them on the same level since the scoring system was decided like that. But, the real test was the Third Trial which would decide who would be the Long.

On the other side, Carlos was calm, his previous determination was still there but he couldn’t help but feel his heart pounding in nervousness and anticipation.

He knew he couldn’t win the duel whatever he did, only a few hours’ training was no good before Eric’s years and years of hard work. Besides, the way Eric and Ocean had had their spar, it was clear that Carlos could never reach that level.

He was bitter to admit it but Eric was going to win against him and he would have nothing but just try to keep his side. He had already been humiliated enough in the First Trial but he had to work a little harder to at least save his face during this one.

"Your Highness?" Carlos flinched and turned around expecting a guard to tell him that it was time for the duel.

The guard entered the chamber and closed the door behind him making Carlos frown a little. The guard walked ahead and Carlos couldn’t help but have a strange feeling of something gnawing at senses.

"What’s the matter?" Carlos asked.

"I have been sent by Her Majesty, Your Highness." The guard spoke and Carlos’s eyes widened.

"My mother?"

The guard placed his hand into the small pocket under his armor and pulled out a vial with a fluid that seemed more like the mixture of black and red thick liquid.

Carlos gave the vial a suspicious look before asking, "What is this?"

The guard spoke, "Her Majesty has told you to drink this before the duel. This will ensure your victory."

Carlos’s stomach was in knots and his instincts were screaming at him to not touch the vial. Even the guard seemed strange as his eyes looked hollow and lifeless and his tone was monotonous. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"What is it?" Carlos asked.

"No questions, please drink this." The guard spoke and Carlos frowned.

"I don’t want to." Carlos spoke.

"You must." The guard insisted stretching his hand with the vial to Carlos.

"I said I don’t want to!" Carlos shouted.

"So, you’re ready to disappoint your mother then?"

Suddenly the guard’s voice changed and Carlos’s eyes widened as he saw a sick, large grin appear on his face. There was a faint black miasma that slowly seeped out of the guard’s mouth and a black rash that appeared over his neck running up to his jaw and disappearing beneath his armor.

"Who... What are you?" Carlos stumbled back.

The guard chuckled darkly before he tilted his head speaking in a woman’s voice, "I am your mother’s helper, Your Highness. You have no idea how much your mother is suffering and working hard to make you the King but you keep letting her down."

Carlos’s eyes widened while the voice continued, "Your mother is fighting everything and getting humiliated because you cannot do well. Is this how you repay your mother’s love?"

Carlos’s heart pounded in his ears as he watched the guard approach him.

"If you want to make her proud you must win this Trial," the voice said, "and for that, you must drink this."

Carlos stared at the vial with quivering pupils as he felt his body slowly growing heavier, his hand approached the vial and his jaw clenched. It seemed like his body was out of control. He grasped the vial and the guard’s grin almost turned devilish.

"Now, drink it and you will feel power surfing through you." The voice spoke and Carlos felt it ring in his head.

He removed the cork and brought the vial close to his mouth before pouring the contents of the vial down his throat.

The liquid felt like liquid fire flowing down his throat and he clutched his chest and throat feeling as if he was being burned inside out but couldn’t even let a sound out of his mouth. His heart was beating so fast that it might just explode, his head pounded and the blood in his veins seemed like acid coursing beneath his skin. He fell to the ground clutching at his body feeling as if he was thrown into the lava.

The guard watched Carlos fall to his knees and writhe in agony on the floor with a demonic glint in his black eyes with the same grin still on his face.

After a few minutes, Carlos felt the agony subside and he got to his feet. His eyes were downcast and he seemed normal, albeit, there was something about him that wasn’t visible on the surface.

"So, are you ready to kill the ones who are standing between you and your throne?" The guard asked and Carlos lifted his head.

His eyes pulsed black for a moment before returning to their usual hue and he grinned.

"Yes."

The amphitheatre was buzzing with excitement as Ocean announced the arrival of both the Princes. The two had their own weapons and armors already checked and worn.

The crowd cheered for Eric unanimously waving his name banner and Eric smiled waving at them making the screams grow louder.

Ocean noticed that Carlos stood silently without any expression on his face. He couldn’t help but have a strange feeling, there was something about him that he couldn’t see.

After a few minutes, Ocean brought the Sound Resonance Crystal to his mouth and smiled at the people.

"Now that we have both our contenders here, I ask you all to hold your hearts because the second Trial, the duel will commence now. Your Highnesses, please remember that there is a time limit, you shall battle for thirty minutes and within that time limit, if one of you accepts defeat or falls unconscious, you will lose. And the one who stays standing till the end will be the winner." The crowd cheered hearing that and Ocean added.

"And, if both the Princes are standing till the end of the time limit then it will be a draw."

The crowd cheered loudly and Ocean turned to see Eric and Carlos.

"Are both of Your Highnesses ready?" He asked.

"Yes, Marquis." Eric answered and Carlos simply nodded.

Ocean’s eyes lingered on him for a moment longer than necessary before he gestured for the Princes to take positions.

"Good luck, Your Highnesses." Ocean spoke before he turned to leave but from his peripheral vision he saw a smirk curl up over Carlos’s face.

Ocean went up to the balcony of the Ryujin family box where Kai and others were watching the duel, excited.

"Are we betting?" Kai asked.

"No," Ocean spoke as he leaned against the railing watching the duel.

Eric and Carlos had both picked swords and were now standing still facing each other. The two drew their swords and Eric stared at Carlos while Carlos’s eyes were downcast

The arena pulsed with tension and Ocean couldn’t help but have a nagging feeling, he glanced at the Golden Serpent who had a smile on her face with an expression that screamed like she was one hundred percent sure that Carlos was going to win this duel.

But, what could give her this confidence?

Just then, Eric moved from his spot, his speed was low to match Carlos. Ocean watched as Carlos stood in his spot without moving as Eric approached him, but just then, Carlos moved with an almost blinding speed. There was only a silver glint before Carlos stood a couple feet behind Eric and Eric stood still, eyes wide in shock and in the next second, he grimaced, clenching his jaw as a little blood spurted from his side, and his armor had a scratch.

Ocean gripped the edge of the railing, his fingers making dents and cracks on the storm as he saw it. He saw Carlos move with the precision of a seasoned swordmaster and his blade slicing through Eric’s side. If not for the armor, Carlos would have injured him gravely.

Ocean gritted his teeth as his eyes zeroed in on Carlos now, there was a mad glint in his eyes as he looked at Eric.

Ocean activated his Mana Eyes immediately as he couldn’t sense anything from Carlos, but it was impossible for him to have hidden such a talent and also to have improved like this within a few minutes.

Just what was it?