I'm in Mota, and they all want me to confess my feelings!

Duanmu Yan moved his lips slightly.

Although things took an unexpected turn, perhaps influenced by the atmosphere of Seven Hills, he found himself not averse to gladiatorial combat—especially after meeting Lupa.

The girl's pure passion sparked his curiosity about the sport, and he even secretly planned to sign up for the competition without telling the second young lady.

But he didn't expect...

This first gladiatorial duel was against Augusta, the governor of the Seven Hills.

This is far too exciting a start.

But strangely, besides nervousness, what surged in my chest was more of an eager excitement.

If you're going to fight, you should challenge the strongest; it's no fun just to bully the weak.

"Alright." Duanmu Yan stood up, gently placed the untouched ice cream back into Yuno's hand, and turned to Augusta with a fighting spirit in his eyes. "It is my honor to spar with the Governor."

"Huh?" Yuno blinked blankly. "No, you guys are really going to fight? I thought it was just a joke. Augusta, you're the governor now."

"Now you're personally going to fight others—even foreigners. Aren't you afraid of what those old fogies in the Senate will say?"

“So what?” Augusta laughed heartily. “Even our audacious Lady Yuno isn’t afraid of the old fox in the Senate, so why should I, as the governor of the Seven Hills, be afraid of them?”

"Besides, gladiatorial combat is an inherent right of the people of the Seven Hills, and no one can take away our freedom to fight. Don't forget, before I wore the governor's crown, I was first and foremost a gladiator."

"Do as you please." Yuno took a small bite of ice cream and mumbled, "But Duanmu is my friend now, so you'd better go easy on him. If you hurt him, I'll personally avenge him."

Hearing this, Augusta shook his head helplessly: "It seems that spending this day together has helped you two build a good friendship. Even I, your old friend, have to take a backseat."

"Hmph, who told him to spend the whole day with me?" Yuno puffed out her cheeks and deliberately turned her face away.

No wonder he said you were cute.

Upon hearing this, Yuno's face instantly flushed a deep, intoxicated red.

She stood there, holding her ice cream, so engrossed that she forgot to lick the melted cream off her tongue.

"What nonsense are you spouting all of a sudden, Augusta?!" The girl tried to remain calm, but her flickering eyes and trembling fingertips betrayed her panic.

Augusta looked at Duanmu Yan innocently: "How could I be talking nonsense? He said it himself."

"you--!"

Yuno glared angrily at Duanmu Yan, but gave in the instant she saw his awkward smile. She quickly turned her head away, hiding her burning cheeks in the shadows where the light didn't reach, and refused to say another word.

Seeing this, Augusta couldn't help but smile and shake her head slightly, then looked at Duanmu Yan.

"As for us? I certainly don't have as much time as Yuno to spend a whole day wandering around Seven Hills with you and getting to know each other."

"So let's go."

She held out her hand.

"—Go to the arena. Amidst the crisp clash of swords, get to know each other better."

……

……

Lupa has finished get off work.

Or……

Training should be over.

The setting sun cast a long shadow over her, mirroring her dejected mood—her teammate of only a few months had left.

This wasn't the first time; she was almost used to these gatherings and partings.

As the absolute core of the team, she has lost count of how many teammates she has had.

Although strength can compensate for weaknesses in the lineup, but...

How long will this cycle of separation continue?

The girl tilted her head back, letting the evening breeze brush against her sweat-dampened hair.

"When... will I finally find that partner who can walk alongside me to the very end?"

Her whisper faded into the twilight, as light as a sigh.

Just then, the noise from ahead pulled her back to reality.

"Have you heard? The Governor is currently competing in the arena!"

"real or fake?"

"Of course it's true! Would I lie to you?"

"Could it be Lupa who can fight the Governor-General?"

"It's not her, it seems to be someone from out of town!"

Lupa suddenly stopped and blinked blankly.

Governor? Gladiator? Outsider?

Could it be...?

"he?"

Volume 1: Chapter 95 The Undefeated Hero

Augusta—the undefeated crown of the Seven Hills gladiatorial arena, a fearless leader born of blood and iron.

In the hearts of every Qiqiu person, her name is the embodiment of power.

Despite her unremarkable resonance ability, she repeatedly defeated powerful enemies in the arena, ultimately ascending to the undefeated throne—a legend never before seen in the history of Seven Hills.

As an invincible symbol of this land, every move Augusta makes attracts countless eyes.

Therefore, when the news of her sparring with the stranger spread, it swept through the entire Seven Hills City like wildfire.

The once quiet Leonidas Square was suddenly swallowed up by crowds.

—Everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the governor's handsome figure.

She has never set foot in the gladiatorial arena since she came to power.

How can we not go crazy to witness a legend make a move again?

"Why are there so many people?"

Duanmu Yan gazed at the surging crowd in the stands and unconsciously swallowed. He clearly remembered that not long ago, this place was so empty that you could hear the wind.

How did it get so crowded in the blink of an eye?

But then he realized—standing opposite him was the governor of Seven Hills, a legend whose achievements in the arena had never been surpassed.

Even though she hadn't fought for several years, the prestige she held in people's hearts had never faded.

“Relax.” Augusta stood at the other end of the field, cracking her knuckles, her tone calm. “Just treat it as a normal sparring match. However…” She glanced around at the boisterous stands and smiled helplessly. “This spectacle has certainly exceeded my expectations. It seems we’re in for a lot of work. Those old fogies in the Senate are probably going to nag about this for quite a while.”

At this point, Augusta seemed to suddenly remember something and turned to look at him: "Oh right, I haven't asked yet—what is your resonance ability?"

"My resonance ability?" Duanmu Yan was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this question, then looked up and tentatively asked, "Uh, does simply having a lot of energy count?"

This answer startled Augusta at first, then he burst into a hearty laugh: "It seems we're quite similar in this respect. Do you need weapons? Or are you used to hand-to-hand combat?"

"No need," Duanmu Yan gently shook his head. "I have a weapon."

As soon as he finished speaking, a milky white light slowly emanated from the sound mark on the back of his hand.

The light intertwined and recombinated in the air like solidified ice crystals, eventually transforming into a longsword carved from gemstones.

—It was the same gift that Coleta had given him before.

Since Abu awoke, Duanmu Yan has been trying to develop his unique resonance ability: a container that can hold the frequencies of all things.

In Solaris, everything in the world is made up of frequencies.

If these frequencies can be analyzed, they can be temporarily stored in the sound traces and retrieved at any time.

That way, we won't have to carry weapons around all day anymore—it's such a hassle.

"What's wrong? What's wrong?" Abu suddenly jumped out from the sound trail, his round eyes shining with excitement. "Is there going to be a fight? I'll come help!"

“No need, Abu.” Duanmu Yan shook his head with a light laugh. “Since Augusta didn’t summon the Sound Remains, we should have a fair fight.”

"Huh? Is that so..." Abu frowned, looking worriedly at the composed Augusta opposite him. "I don't know who she is, but she seems really strong. But it's okay! I believe my partner can definitely win!"

Abu nodded encouragingly and stretched out his little paw towards Duanmu Yan.

Amidst the deafening cheers, almost everyone was shouting for Augusta, but Abu remained steadfastly on Duanmu's side.

"Thanks, Abu." Duanmu Yan felt a warmth in his heart and gently touched its little paw with his fist.

No matter what happens, I will stand by your side!

Leaving behind this resounding declaration, Abu transformed into a golden ray of light and disappeared back into the echo.

“Is that Abu you mentioned before?” Augusta asked. “What an interesting little guy.”

“It is my partner.” Duanmu Yan flicked his wrist, the sword blade drawing a cool arc in the setting sun. “Although it is very impolite, Your Excellency, this contest… I have a reason not to lose.”

"Is that so?" Augusta's lips curled up slightly.

She slowly opened her arms, her five fingers moving lightly as if playing a zither, as if summoning something.

In an instant——

A massive, jet-black sword ripped through the sky and crashed down beside her like a meteorite, kicking up clouds of dust.

It was less a sword and more a murderous weapon forcibly forged from countless dark fragments.

An ominous, ghostly light flowed across the twisted blade, as if bearing the lamentations of countless souls lost on the battlefield.

"Then let me see—your strength!"

Om-!

The storm unleashed by the black greatsword swept across the entire arena; even before the blade arrived, its sharp sword energy had already carved deep marks into the ground.

Without any warning, Augusta's figure rushed forward like lightning, and the ferocious greatsword came crashing down with a roar that tore through the air.

Duanmu Yan took a deep breath, showing no sign of flinching or fear. He gripped his sword with both hands, raising it high above his head, facing the powerful blow with an impenetrable stance.

clang--!

The deafening explosion of metal clashing against stone caused the ground beneath their feet to crack and crumble due to the immense force.

Amidst the scattering sparks, a faint golden light shone deep within Duanmu Yan's pupils, like the embers of a fire lit on the day of the world's end, constantly teetering between life and death.

Augusta seemed somewhat surprised that Duanmu Yan had met his attack head-on.

After all, her attack was full of flaws, and Duanmu Yan had the ability and time to dodge it.

But why...

"Interesting, why didn't you dodge?"

"Since it's a gladiatorial contest, I should personally experience the weight of the legendary 'undefeated crown'."

He met Augusta's gaze, and deep within his dark pupils, golden light surged like a tide.

"Moreover—how can you know how much strength to use to retaliate if you don't first assess your opponent's strength?"

……

……

The family's affairs in Qiqiu have finally come to an end.

Koleta breathed a sigh of relief, finally able to temporarily relieve herself of the burden on her shoulders and enjoy some rare leisure time.

She strolled alone through the streets of Seven Hills, walking casually toward the Leonidas Grand Hotel.

"I wonder what Cat's Eye Stone is doing now..."

"You must be so bored without me around, right?"

"Hmph, looks like I'll have to make it up to him properly—"

Just as she was lost in her reverie, a hurried figure bumped into her.

"I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!" A young girl from Qiqiu apologized repeatedly. "I was in a hurry to watch the gladiatorial combat and didn't pay attention to where I was going..."

Koleta waved her hand: "It's alright. But... a gladiatorial contest? What's all the fuss about?"