But I wasn't done.
I turned to the crowd, my breath still ragged from the fight. Slowly, deliberately, I let my mana flare, unleashing the power I had kept hidden for so long. The runes in my [Analyze] eyes blazed to life, glowing a brilliant red that cut through the lingering haze of the duel.
Gasps rippled through the onlookers as the air around me seemed to hum with energy. My mana spread out like a living force, brushing against everyone in the courtyard. It was no longer subtle, no longer restrained.
"This," I began, my voice carrying across the courtyard, "is who I am. Not the weak, talentless fool you all think me to be."
The murmurs grew louder, a mix of awe and confusion. Even Father, who rarely betrayed emotion, furrowed his brow, his arms tightening across his chest.
I didn't stop.
"And now," I continued, taking a deep breath, "I will show you what I've spent years preparing for. What I've worked toward in silence, despite all the ridicule, all the hatred."
Raising my hands, I began the ritual.
The air around me shimmered as mana coalesced into a brilliant construct, glowing with raw power. It floated in front of my chest, pulsating with a rhythm that matched my heartbeat. The Second Heart was unlike anything anyone had ever seen—a swirling nexus of aetherium threads, their golden glow intertwining like the roots of a sacred tree.
"What is he doing?" someone murmured, their voice tinged with fear and fascination.
The construct grew brighter, its light spilling across the courtyard in waves. It was no longer just a spell—it was a declaration.
Sweat beaded on my forehead as I focused on stabilizing the core. The energy was overwhelming, threatening to spiral out of control. I clenched my teeth, forcing the threads into alignment, guiding them with the precision my [Analyze] eyes afforded me.
"This is insane..." another voice whispered.
"By the gods. . ."
"A monster. ."
+
The crowd was captivated, their eyes glued to the spectacle before them. Even Mother, who had been sipping her wine with disinterest, was now sitting forward in her chair, her gaze sharp and unblinking.
Damien, still kneeling where he had fallen, stared at me with wide, disbelieving eyes. His mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. The proud, arrogant brother who had tormented me for years was finally silent.
My hands trembled as the construct reached its peak. The Second Heart pulsed in tandem with my own, a perfect synchronization that sent waves of energy coursing through my body.
And then, with a single motion, I pulled it into me.
The construct sank into my chest, and a shockwave rippled outward, scattering loose leaves and dust across the courtyard.
+
For a moment, the world went silent.
I could feel it—the energy threading through my veins, weaving itself into the very fabric of my being. My body, once frail and weak, now felt alive in a way it never had before.
Then, it happened.
A second heartbeat echoed through the courtyard.
Ba-dum. Ba-dum.
It wasn't just a sound; it was a presence, a declaration that something had fundamentally changed.
I did it.
+
The onlookers froze, their faces a mixture of awe and disbelief. And then, as if in response to the second heartbeat, a golden halo appeared above my head.
The light was radiant, warm, and impossibly pure. It bathed the courtyard in a glow that seemed to chase away every shadow, leaving no room for doubt.
"That's... a Halo of Merit," someone whispered, their voice trembling with reverence.
The weight of those words settled over the crowd like a tangible force. The Halo of Merit was no ordinary phenomenon—it was a gift from the gods themselves, a mark of unparalleled achievement. It was said that even some gods had failed to earn such an honor.
+
Father's stoic mask finally cracked. His eyes narrowed, and for the first time, I saw something other than indifference in his gaze. Was it pride? Fear? I couldn't tell.
Mother, too, seemed shaken. She gripped the armrest of her chair tightly, her composed facade betraying a flicker of unease.
As the crowd whispered among themselves, Ariana was the first to move. She ran toward me, her golden hair streaming behind her as tears welled in her eyes.
"Lloyd!" she cried, throwing her arms around me. "Are you okay?"
I staggered slightly, the exertion finally catching up to me. But I managed a smile, resting a hand on her head.
"Better than ever," I said softly.
Her tears spilled over as she clung to me, her small frame trembling. "I knew you were amazing, but this... this is beyond anything I imagined!"
The crowd began to stir, the weight of what they had witnessed sinking in. Servants exchanged stunned glances, guards shifted uncomfortably, and even the nobles present seemed unsure of how to react.
Damien, still on his knees, looked up at me, his face pale and his pride shattered. He opened his mouth, perhaps to protest, but no words came.
I turned to face him, my voice calm but firm. "Do you remember our deal, Damien?"
His eyes widened, and he flinched as if struck.
"You've humiliated me for years," I said, each word deliberate. "Today, that ends. You will apologize for everything, here and now, in front of everyone."
The crowd murmured, their attention shifting to Damien. His face twisted in anger, but there was no fight left in him.
Slowly, he lowered his head. "I'm... sorry," he muttered, his voice barely audible.
"Louder," I said, my tone unyielding.
"I'm sorry!" he shouted, his voice cracking.
The courtyard fell silent once more, the sound of his admission hanging in the air.
As I stood there, the halo still glowing above me, I realized that this moment wasn't just a victory—it was a beginning.
The world had finally seen me for who I was, and there was no turning back.