Merlin did not understand why Asuka was angry with him. Merlin felt he had done nothing wrong or offensive to provoke Asuka's rage.
Merlin had no idea what the issue was, and he had never had any personal disputes with Asuka. Yet, Asuka's sudden attack clearly signaled that he had a problem with Merlin.
Standing his ground, Merlin fought back, grabbing Asuka by the collar. He was outraged by Asuka's unprovoked aggression. Though Merlin barely knew Asuka, the unjust attack infuriated him.
"What's your problem, huh? You're nothing but an ill-mannered brute! If you've got an issue with me, speak up instead of acting like an uneducated thug," Merlin shouted, his anger flaring.
Asuka struggled to break free from Merlin's iron grip, but his efforts were in vain. Merlin's hold was too strong.
"You're a shameless woman, disrupting others for your selfish gains," Asuka spat back, his disdain for Merlin apparent.
Asuka began to channel his inner energy, preparing to strike. Sensing danger, Merlin pushed Asuka, causing him to crash into a wooden wall. The force was so great that the wall collapsed under Asuka's weight, drawing the attention of nearby guards. The guards immediately restrained Merlin, further fueling his frustration toward Asuka's reckless behavior.
"You coward! If you have any guts, meet me in the arena for a real fight!" Merlin challenged, undeterred by the situation.
"I accept your challenge. I'll be waiting in the arena," Asuka retorted, storming off.
The timing was fortuitous, as the arena was empty, waiting for the next match to begin. Asuka's arrival stirred the crowd, and the commotion grew louder when Merlin appeared. The spectators cheered and jeered at the two for disrupting the matches.
Azuma, startled by the scene, stood up to intervene. However, his father stopped him.
"Let them be. That woman doesn't stand a chance against Asuka," the king said dismissively. He had harbored animosity toward Merlin from the start due to her association with the Black Clan, a source of his ire.
Azuma reluctantly obeyed his father. He didn't want to defy the king, but he was deeply concerned—not for Asuka, but for Merlin. Having witnessed Merlin's capabilities, Azuma feared Asuka might be unprepared for the challenge ahead.
Zaky, equally shocked, could only watch helplessly. His father's disapproval of Merlin, stemming from her Blue Clan origins, left Zaky unable to intervene. Both brothers watched the unfolding duel with a mix of anxiety and dread.
For Azuma, the match was a no-win situation. Asuka was his sibling, but Merlin, whom he had come to care about, was in danger. The bond between Azuma and Merlin had deepened ever since Merlin confided in him about her cruel family and her survival against the Black Clan's attacks.
Merlin, meanwhile, was seething. She was fed up with Asuka's arrogance and privilege as a prince. In her eyes, Asuka had no right to assault innocent people. Merlin simply wanted to live her life in peace, without being subjected to such hostility.
Reflecting on Azuma's advice to remain steadfast in any situation, Merlin felt emboldened to stand her ground. She no longer cared about Asuka's royal status. His behavior was intolerable.
Asuka, on the other hand, was driven by his hatred. He despised Merlin for her audacity to associate with leaders of both the Black and Blue Clans. His disdain for her lowly origins fueled his desire to humiliate her publicly.
Asuka launched his first attack the moment they entered the arena. Merlin dodged, looking for an opening to counter. The crowd's cheers turned to boredom as Merlin continued to evade without striking back. Using her flying ability to stay out of reach, Merlin was formulating a strategy against Asuka and his lion companion, a formidable familiar.
Lucy, sensing Merlin's struggle, reached out via telepathy. "Do you need my help?"
"I need a chain to bind that annoying lion, something strong enough to immobilize it," Merlin responded.
"Got it," Lucy replied, transforming into a restraining chain for Merlin to use against Asuka's familiar.
The match became more intense, and the crowd roared with excitement as Merlin finally fought back. To everyone's surprise, the supposedly powerless Merlin was now holding her own against Asuka, forcing him onto the defensive.
When Asuka hurled his sharp spear at Merlin, she caught it mid-air and used her chain to bind Asuka. With Asuka immobilized, Merlin aimed the spear directly at him.