Narrator: Social media exploded with the news over a single photo.
"Who would have thought they’d meet even before the official encounter?"
That’s what many people thought.
On TV, the press claimed they had no information about the date or location of the event.
But everyone already had a good idea—it would likely take place in America, in the largest arena ever built to give space to the two contenders.
Its name: Eagle Dome.
[Name: Eagle Dome
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Capacity: 400,000 spectators
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Size: 1.5 km in diameter, with a 500-meter central battlefield
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Location: United States, built in the Nevada desert for high-risk events
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Features:
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Ultra-modern structure with a retractable roof
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Holographic screens for a perfect view from any angle
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Advanced energy barriers to protect the audience
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Eagle Dome is considered the temple of legendary battles, an arena designed to host the greatest combatants in history.]
Narrator: Dav spent almost the entire night talking with Azrael Kingsley, choosing the exact location and date.
Many beers were shared that evening, filled with laughter and banter.
After saying goodbye to Azrael, Dav returned to his room and rested before heading back to the academy.
The next day, as he arrived at the academy, he found government officials, the press, and even the National Security Guild waiting at the gates.
Without wasting time, the guild immediately took his measurements for the uniform he would wear—one that everyone would see, proudly displaying the Italian emblem.
Dav: (Looking around) Oi, stop it, what are you doing? You’re tickling me...
Tailors: (Hurriedly) Sir, please don’t move.
We’ll take your measurements in just a second, and it will be done.
Dav: (Making a funny face) Director Vittorio, what’s going on?
Vittorio: (Laughing) The consequences of accepting the duel, my boy! AHAHA!
Dav: (Still making a funny face) Aren’t you all worrying a little too much..?
It’s just a friendly duel.
[Silence. Everyone stares at him.]
Dante Di Valverde: (Chuckling) Hasn’t it been a while? I’m glad to see you well and in good health.
[Silence.]
Dav: (Serious) Where have we met before? I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere.
Dante Di Valverde: (Smiling) I’m honored that you still remember an old man like me.
Do you recall, ten years ago, when you ordered us to hold the line, not letting a single one of those monsters pass while we evacuated the remaining residents?
Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.
I was the commander back then. Let me properly introduce myself this time.
(Smiling) My name is Dante Di Valverde, Commander and Chief of Staff of the nation.
(Kneeling) Thank you once again for saving all of us ten years ago, Hero Dav De Lion.
[Everyone kneels.]
Dav: (Smiling) I suppose it was thanks to you that all those Hunters arrived to aid me that day?
(Placing a hand on his shoulder)
Dante Di Valverde, the only hero here is you.
If it weren’t for you, I would have died, and the monsters would have invaded the continent, causing millions of deaths.
(Bows) Thank you.
Dante Di Valverde: (Embarrassed) It was an honor, sir.
(Serious) Anyway, sir, we came to ask about the details of the duel.
The location and the date.
Dav: (Irritated)
1 - Call me Dav.
2 - We decided that the duel will take place on December 24, as a way to celebrate Christmas, and all proceeds will go to charity.
3 - The location and the arena will be the United States, in the Nevada desert."
4 - The arena will be Eagle Dome."
Dante Di Valverde: (Surprised) That’s a great choice, sir.
We will make sure to take you there on a private jet, and your uniform will be ready.
(Military salute) Now we shall take our leave. Farewell, Dav De Lion.
Narrator: The news soon spread across the world, and people eagerly awaited that day with fiery anticipation.
When Dav entered the academy, he saw many students excited—while others, like Miss Iris and Valeria, looked worried about his decision.
Dav spent his days in the library with Valeria and Lucrezia, reading books.
Lucrezia helped Dav with ancient languages, teaching him to decipher them.
He also helped Iris with grocery shopping every week, and they had a lot of fun together.
The academy’s training arena was always full, with every student diligently practicing their thrusts without a single complaint.
For two hours, the academy’s professors would either take a break or watch from the stands as the students trained.
Meanwhile, Azrael Kingsley trained day and night against high-level holographic monsters.
Narrator: In the quiet of the night, Dav stood alone in the professor’s reserved training area.
The dim glow of magical torches cast long shadows across the stone walls.
He wore only a tight black shirt and combat pants, his feet firmly planted on the ground. His breathing—calm, controlled.
In front of him, a row of reinforced training dummies, enchanted with defensive spells.
A single well-placed strike could shatter them.
But that wasn’t his goal.
Dav: (To himself) Azrael is strong. I can’t underestimate him.
I need to refine my precision, my speed...
I don’t have the same strength as before.
Narrator: He closed his eyes for a moment.
When he reopened them, his aura exploded for a brief second—a crimson glow illuminating the room.
He vanished.
An instant later, the first dummy was sliced across the chest.
Dav didn’t stop. His body moved in perfect harmony, delivering swift, lethal slashes.
Every movement was calculated, precise, without wasted energy.
Each strike landed on the exact points where a real opponent would be vulnerable.
After ten minutes, the air was saturated with lingering energy.
Some dummies remained intact—others were cracked.
Dav halted, taking a deep breath.
Dav: (Softly) A friendly duel… but everyone will see it as a world championship match.
I can’t afford to look bad.
And I won’t hold back either… He was so happy when I accepted the duel, ahaha…
He turned toward the corner of the room.
In the shadows, Matteo De Lion leaned against the wall, watching with an amused smile.
Matteo: You’re making this seem like a war, cousin.
It’s just a duel.
Dav: (Smirking) I know. But I don’t want Azrael to think he can beat me that easily.
Matteo: (Laughing) Then keep going. Let’s see if you can impress me.
Narrator: Dav resumed his stance, fire burning in his eyes.
The night was long, and he had no intention of wasting a single second.
The academy—at night.
The cool night breeze ruffled Dav’s hair as he gazed up at the starry sky.
Seated on the ground, his calloused hands intertwined over his knees, he took a deep breath of the crisp night air.
Dav: Mattee, will you take care of them?
Matteo: "Matteo..." Yes, I will be there.
Dav: (Smirking, still looking at the sky) How’s your hunt for the worms going?
Matteo: It’s going as planned.
Narrator: A moment of silence.
Dav lowered his gaze, looking at his hands—scarred from training.
Dav: Make sure you don’t get noticed by Director Vittorio during your stay at the academy…
He might think you want to kill him… Ahh…
[Matteo smirked.]
Matteo: I’m not that stupid, Dav.
Dav: Protect Elysia and everyone while I’m away. I’m counting on you.
[Matteo watched him for a moment, then nodded with certainty.]
Matteo: The entire Assassin's Guild will protect the academy in your absence. I will be their shadow.
[Dav tilted his head slightly, a half-smile on his lips as he returned his gaze to the starry sky.]
Dav: Good.
Narrator: For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The sky was vast, infinite, dotted with distant stars.
Dav slowly clenched his fists, his heart beating in a steady rhythm.
The day had come.
No fear, no doubt.
Only the awareness of what awaited him.
"Tomorrow will be the big day."
END OF CHAPTER - 58