Owen had just arrived at the dueling platform, looking at Princess Marry in his arms with a serious expression, though his heart was pounding with excitement!
What a great opportunity!
On his way here, he was still contemplating how to get close to Princess Marry. Unexpectedly, as soon as he approached, he encountered such a heaven-sent opportunity.
He had already noticed a thumb-sized badge pinned to Princess Marry's heaving chest.
The badge emitted a faint blue glow, displaying an endless sky that radiated a soft, veil-like light.
Under this light, the surrounding mana seemed to become more active.
Evidently, as he had anticipated, Princess Marry was wearing her family crest at this important occasion of the Magic Competition!
Such close proximity was definitely a great chance to copy it!
Absolute Copy, activate!
As Owen's burning gaze focused on the family crest on Princess Marry's chest, activating his magical skill, Princess Marry felt Owen's eyes become extremely bright, with a hint of inexplicable heat.
Especially the masculine aura he exuded, it ignited her entire body. Her snow-white skin quickly turned pink, blushing with shyness and heat.
Princess Marry had always been very proud since childhood. She had hardly ever been in such close contact with a man, not even sharing a room with one.
Besides, Owen's talent and appearance made her feel inferior. She had already had a slight affection for him.
Now, with Owen gazing at her so affectionately, her heart was pounding like a deer running wild. She instinctively turned her face away, not realizing that burying her cheek in Owen's chest made their relationship seem even more intimate.
"Owen has arrived!"
At this moment, everyone's eyes around the dueling platform fell on the approaching Owen.
Owen was already a prominent figure in this Magic Competition. Alfonso's arrogant actions earlier made them even more eager for Owen's appearance.
Though Alfonso displayed great strength, Owen had previously killed the half-step platinum-tier Tony with a single move.
Many people wanted to witness the duel between these two prodigies.
Under everyone's gaze, Owen's heart raced. Fortunately, Princess Marry was too flustered to notice.
After a moment, Absolute Copy succeeded!
Owen let out a slow breath and then gently placed Princess Marry on the ground.
She was somewhat dazed, and as everyone's eyes focused on her, she quickly walked away from Owen, breathing rapidly, even forgetting to ask Owen for help.
Princess Marry's sudden departure left a faint floral fragrance lingering on his fingertips.
Owen steadied himself and then looked at Alfonso on the dueling platform.
Although he had just arrived, he had heard Alfonso's arrogant remarks from afar.
This person was simply too conceited!
Recalling the assassination attempt by the Kyrikmage, it was clear they were Alfonso's guards.
Such an attack couldn't have happened without Alfonso's orders.
Being surrounded by dozens of gold-tier mages in an assassination attempt would be a death sentence for any gold-tier mage.
If it weren't for his strength surpassing that of an ordinary mage, he might have perished in their ambush.
Owen remembered this grudge well.
As Owen's expression gradually grew serious, Alfonso, whom he was staring at, also looked at Owen, his face showing a slight surprise.
Seeing Owen's calm demeanor and lack of battle scars made him realize Owen hadn't faced the ambush from Erik's gold-tier mages, which puzzled him.
However, he quickly composed himself, his tightly clenched fists creaking. Behind him, the shadow of a fire dragon soul faintly appeared, greedily staring at Owen and flicking its red tongue, as if eager to devour him whole.
This wasn't the first time he had seen Owen. Alfonso had already had a strong desire to challenge him.
Upon learning that Kyrik Commander Bada was killed by Owen, who also possessed the Order of Fire, his intent to kill Owen had reached its peak.
The Order of Fire was a supreme item for nurturing the fire dragon soul!
A lowly person from the Azure Kingdom dared to kill a noble Kyrik commander—this was simply unacceptable. The Order of Fire was not something a lowly person like Owen should possess. Such a rare treasure would not be wasted in his hands.
Furthermore, Owen's unprecedented talent and strength forced Alfonso to want to eliminate him quickly, not giving the Azure Kingdom any chance to rise.
With a cold expression, Alfonso spoke, "Owen! A coward who bullies women dares to appear here?"
He took a step toward Owen, and an overwhelming and scorching wave of air, like an invisible mountain, pressed down on Owen.
The crowd, seeing Alfonso's intense hostility toward Owen, was somewhat stunned but mostly cheered, urging the two to fight.
Owen looked Alfonso up and down. From Erik, he had already obtained a storage ring and numerous gold coin treasures.
As a renowned genius of Kyrik, Alfonso surely had even more treasures on him than Erik!
Especially with the faintly visible fire dragon soul on Alfonso, Owen felt a subtle sense of oppression, clearly indicating its extraordinary origin and immense value!
Seeing Owen's somewhat greedy gaze, Alfonso frowned slightly. What was this guy staring at him for?
With a cold snort, Alfonso spoke loudly, "Everyone here can bear witness. An Azure Kingdom person killed a Kyrik individual. Shouldn't Kyrik receive an explanation for this?"
The crowd, hearing this, looked at Alfonso in confusion, not understanding his words.
In the palace, King Aldric, who had been silently watching the battle, furrowed his thick brows and glanced at the crown prince and the elders of the Council.
They also appeared puzzled, seemingly unaware of this matter.
Over the years, facing repeated provocations from Kyrik, the Azure Kingdom had always chosen to be patient and lenient toward Kyrik, never having such an incident.
"Azure Kingdom's attitude towards Kyrik has always been weak. Could Alfonso be mistaken?"
"Yes, Kyrik's mages are indeed more fierce and powerful than those of the Azure Kingdom. Even if a mage from Kyrik were captured, it would typically be resolved through negotiations..."
Many of the prodigies from other nations whispered among themselves, finding the situation peculiar.
Seeing the crowd start to discuss, Alfonso's face turned serious.
He took out an echo stone from his pocket and spoke loudly, "This is the death message sent by our Kyrik commander Bada not long ago. Everyone, listen carefully. This matter demands blood for blood!"
As Alfonso's voice fell, the echo stone began to emit sound.
"This is... the Godslayer Staff. You are Owen! You are that Owen!"
"Owen! Our Kyrik prodigy, Lord Alfonso, is already on his way. If I die, he will never let you go!"
As Bada's voice fell, the area around the dueling platform erupted in an uproar!
They had heard of Bada's fierce reputation and his formidable strength, known for his killings in Kyrik. But now, he was dead! And killed by Owen!
Their first thought was disbelief.
However, the echo stone couldn't be faked, and with Alfonso's confident demand for an explanation, the likelihood of the event being true was very high.
However, in previous battles with the Azure Kingdom, they had always been at a disadvantage, causing everyone to fear Kyrik's people.
Owen not only dared to take on someone like Bada, the butcher, but also killed him without hesitation!
Immediately after, Alfonso's cold words rang out again, shocking the crowd.
"Commander Bada's death must be avenged!"
"Today, you and I will fight to the death, and no one shall interfere!"
He was issuing a challenge to a duel to the death with Owen!
A duel to the death is different from an ordinary duel; it is a fight to the death with no quarter given!
The duel continues until one side dies, and during this time, neither party's allies can intervene.
It is an extremely brutal way to resolve a grudge.
They hadn't seen a duel to the death in a long time, and a duel to the death between two top prodigies was even rarer!
For a moment, the eyes of all the mages present were fixed on Owen and Alfonso. They even held their breath, afraid to disturb the two.