"Hoh… now you get it..."
Gareth's deep voice rumbled across the training ground. His smile widened, sharp and terrifying. "Good. Good. You're finally realizing — without aiming to kill, you can't defeat me."
Ethan's heart pounded painfully against his ribs, but his eyes stayed firm.
'Is he serious…!?'
Even as his chest ached, his body moved. He leapt up from the cracked earth, landing light on his feet. His silver sword raised high, trembling only slightly as mana surged through it. This time, there would be no mercy.
He swallowed hard, burying the thought that this was his father. No — to win, to survive, he had to see Gareth as an enemy. A monster that would kill him if he faltered for even a second.
His killing intent flared, thick and suffocating.
Gareth's grin only deepened. "Yes… that's it."
Ethan moved first, charging with a burst of mana. His blade glowed faintly blue.
'First Form: Ember Slice!'
