Chapter 68: Unfinished Businesses

Gareth immediately raised another stone wall in front of the Support Mage.

BOOM!

The spear struck the wall and shattered it.

Gareth quickly raised another one.

BOOM!

The second wall broke as well.

The Storm Lancer kept attacking, forcing Gareth to constantly create new barriers to protect the Support Mage.

On Kael’s side, things were much easier.

The Spectral Guardian stayed beside the Support Mage, protecting it from the Storm Lancer’s attacks while Kael focused on blocking the attacks himself.

It was almost like two people were defending the same target.

"Kael has it much easier," Aria said.

Ethan nodded.

"The Spectral Guardian gives him another defender. Gareth doesn’t have that luxury."

Another lightning-enhanced thrust shot toward Kael’s Support Mage.

Kael stepped forward and blocked it with his shield.

At the same time, the Spectral Guardian raised its shield and blocked another attack from the side.

BOOM!

The Storm Lancer was forced back.

Across the arena, Gareth’s situation continued to worsen.

He couldn’t simply stand in one place anymore.

The Storm Lancer was too fast.

Every time it changed direction, Gareth had to move to intercept it. And whenever he moved, he lost the benefit of his talent.

A lightning-covered spear struck his side.

BOOM!

Gareth was thrown backward. He quickly got back up and planted both feet on the ground, raising another stone barrier.

But the Storm Lancer was already attacking. Gareth barely had time to react before the spear struck him again.

BOOM!

Gareth took another direct hit.

This time, no damage was transferred into the ground.

He gritted his teeth and forced himself to stay standing.

"He’s taking too much damage," Aria said.

"Because he can’t keep his feet on the ground while defending his ally," Ethan replied.

The Storm Lancer charged again, but Gareth raised a stone wall to block its path, only for the spear to shatter it.

Gareth stepped aside and blocked the next thrust with his arm.

BOOM!

His body was pushed backward. ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Before he could plant his feet again, the Storm Lancer was already in front of him.

Another thrust.

BOOM!

Gareth’s HP dropped sharply.

On the other side, Kael and his Spectral Guardian were still holding their ground.

The difference between them was becoming clearer with every exchange.

Gareth had to fight the Storm Lancer alone while protecting his ally.

Kael had another defender beside him.

The Storm Lancer suddenly accelerated.

Lightning flashed around its body as it changed direction and charged toward Gareth’s Support Mage.

Gareth immediately moved to intercept it, but his feet left the ground and the spear struck him directly, sending him flying.

He crashed onto the arena floor and rolled several meters before stopping.

The Storm Lancer immediately turned toward the Support Mage and charged.

Lightning exploded around its body as it thrust its spear toward the Support Mage’s head.

Whoosh!

Gareth quickly forced himself back onto his feet and raised a stone wall between them.

BOOM!

The spear shattered the wall and continued toward the Support Mage.

Gareth’s eyes widened.

He had no time to raise another barrier.

The spear stopped just before reaching the Support Mage.

[Gareth has failed this round.]

[Kael has passed the Protection Trial.]

Kael, Gareth, the two Support Mages, and the Storm Lancers all disappeared from the arena.

Aria watched the arena disappear.

"So that means Kael won this round."

Liana immediately smiled, clearly pleased with the result.

"I told you. Young Master Kael’s defense is much better. There was no way Gareth could beat him."

But suddenly, Ethan, Aria, and Liana’s vision went completely dark.

When their vision returned, they were back inside the Combat Simulation Area.

The round table was still in front of them, and the crystal orbs were beneath their hands.

"What just happened?"

"Why are we back already?"

"Did the battle end?"

Voices immediately filled the room.

Aria looked around in confusion.

"Wait... that’s it?"

Aria looked at the crystal orb in front of her.

"I was looking forward to the third round."

Ethan glanced at the other tables.

"Someone must have quit. Otherwise, the simulation wouldn’t have ended like that."

Liana immediately shook her head.

"It must have been Gareth."

She crossed her arms, clearly confident in her guess.

"There’s no way Young Guild leader Kael would quit after winning the second round. Gareth probably knew he couldn’t win the third round, so he gave up before it started."

Aria gave her a strange look.

"You’re really confident about that."

"Of course."

Liana didn’t hesitate.

"Young Master Kael had already proven that his defense was better. Gareth probably realized that he couldn’t beat him and decided to quit."

Ethan didn’t bother arguing with her.

Just then, the three of them turned toward the table where Kael and Gareth were sitting.

At almost the same time, Kael and Gareth opened their eyes.

Gareth suddenly jerked upright and pointed at Kael.

"You bastard! Why did you quit?! We were about to start the third round! Why would you suddenly forfeit?"

Liana’s eyes widened as she stared at Kael. She had been so sure Gareth was the one who quit.

Aria turned to her with a small smile. "So... Gareth quit, right?"

Liana’s face tightened. "I thought he would."

"You sounded pretty sure."

"I was wrong, okay?"

Aria’s smile widened. "You even said there was no way Young Master Kael would quit."

Liana glanced at her. "Do you have to remind me?"

Aria laughed. "A little."

Liana clicked her tongue and turned back toward Kael. "I didn’t expect him to quit."

Gareth was still glaring at Kael. "Well? Why did you quit?"

"My Spectral Guardian disappeared."

"So what?!" Gareth clenched his fists. "You could have continued without it!"

Kael’s expression hardened. "And give you the upper hand? My talent is one of my biggest advantages. Without it, I’d be fighting you at a disadvantage."

"You were supposed to fight me, not look for an excuse to quit!"

Kael stood up, clearly irritated now.

"I know exactly how much my Guardian adds to my strength. I’m not going into the final round after losing one of my biggest advantages while you still have yours."

Gareth stepped forward, his frustration obvious. "You can’t just end the match like that. We were one round away from settling this."

Kael’s expression remained tense. "I know. That’s why I’m not pretending the result is settled."

Gareth frowned.

Kael continued, "We’ll finish it another time. Right now, my talent is gone and yours isn’t. I’m not giving you that advantage when we’re supposed to settle this in a proper match."

Liana walked over with Ethan and Aria. "So that’s how it ended? One round each and then the third round gets cancelled?"

Kael nodded. "My talent duration ended before the third round started, so I decided not to continue."

Aria tilted her head.

"So the fight just ended because your talent ran out? That’s a little disappointing. You two finally made it interesting, and then the third round doesn’t even happen."

Liana suddenly gave a mischievous smiled.

"Oh, Young Guild Leader Kael, speaking of people you might want to meet again..."

Kael looked at her. "What?"

"I just happened to run into someone you know."

Liana slowly stepped to the side, revealing Ethan standing behind her.

Kael’s face changed the instant he saw him, and at the same time Gareth turned around, his eyes immediately landing on Ethan.

"It’s you!" they both shouted.

Gareth and Kael turned toward each other.

"You know him?" they asked at the same time.

They both paused and then looked at each other, apparently surprised that they had asked the same question.

Ethan smiled faintly.

"It’s been a while. How have things been?"

Kael’s expression darkened.

"Don’t act like we’re old friends."

His eyes stayed on Ethan.

"You took the Thornheart Flower right in front of us, then disappeared with the rest of the resources. And now you’re standing here asking how we’ve been?"

Liana nodded in agreement.

"He’s right. You caused us a lot of trouble back there."

Gareth looked between Ethan and Kael.

"Wait. You two know each other?"

Kael glanced at Ethan before answering.

"Not exactly. We just happened to want the same thing."

Liana nodded in agreement.

"That’s one way to put it. He caused us a lot of trouble back there."

Gareth looked between Kael and Ethan, then frowned.

"So you’ve had trouble with him too?"

"Too?"

Kael caught the word immediately and looked at Gareth.

"How do you know Ethan?"

Gareth’s expression changed as an unpleasant memory surfaced.

"The assessment."

Kael raised an eyebrow. "You fought him during the assessment?"

"Yeah." Gareth clenched his fist. "He was the one who knocked me out."

Kael looked at Ethan, then back at Gareth.

"What happened?"

"I thought my defense could withstand his attacks, but he figured out my weakness almost immediately. And by the time I realized what he was doing, it was already too late. He hit me again and knocked me out."

Gareth stared at Ethan with a serious expression.

"I’ve wanted a rematch ever since."