Angelic Predator:Trust Me, I'm Sane

Elarion's POV

Herua and I stood facing each other, blades in hand.

Both of us took our stances. Silence settled over the arena, but it wasn't peaceful. It felt... charged. Like everyone was holding their breath.

And then—

Out of thin air—no, from the sidelines—a group of loud, brightly dressed boys slash Herua's side chicks stormed in.

They wore short cheerleader outfits, waving pompoms, shouting Herua's name like this was some kind of festival.

"Herua-sama! Go for it!"

"Beat him up, Herua-sama!"

I blinked.

'...What the actual hell is this?'

It almost broke my focus. I felt my lips twitch. A laugh. No, not laughter—disgust.

I held it in, barely, shaking my head slightly.

Herua, of course, caught the opening.

His eyes lit up with sharp instinct. He charged without hesitation.

Fast. Fast enough to surprise most. But to me... it wasn't fast enough.

The moment his blade came toward me, I stepped to the side, lowering my stance, and parried with a flick of my wrist.

Herua stumbled forward as his balance broke.

He recovered quickly, raising his blade again, but even as he moved, I could see it: his speed wasn't slow. But it wasn't... enough.

The arena stayed completely silent.

Not from respect.

From pure, raw suspense. Curiosity.

I stepped forward now, black hair falling like a curtain over my eyes. My face was blank, unreadable. Like none of this mattered to me.

Across the dusty training ground, Herua stood panting, eyes locked on me—not with pity or desperation, but frustration and calculation.

I could feel it.

He knew I was stronger. So he did the next thing he could:

Agitation.

"What? Is this the best you can do?" Herua shouted. His voice echoed through the arena, making the onlookers stir again.

The crowd went louder, excited by the clash.

But me? I didn't blink.

I didn't need volume.

My skill spoke louder.

The moment Herua lunged again, sword cutting through the air—I watched him calmly.

To him, he must have thought he was fast.

But to me?

It felt like time slowed down.

His feet shifted. His blade raised. His breath hitched.

All predictable. All too slow.

I tilted my body just slightly and let his blade pass me harmlessly.

Herua gritted his teeth, stepping back in frustration.

Then... he lowered his sword into a defensive stance.

Signaling me to attack first.

I stared at him. Then, slowly... smirked.

His stance was solid. I'd give him that.

But it wouldn't be enough.

I stepped forward—faster than before—closing the distance between us in a flash.

Before he could react, I feinted left. He flinched, raising his blade too high.

That was all I needed.

My foot shifted under me, and with a quick strike of my blade's blunt edge—

I hit him directly in the stomach.

The impact sent Herua flying backwards, landing hard on the dirt.

The arena went dead silent.

For a moment, all I could hear was the wind.

Then—

A single gasp.

And like an avalanche, the crowd roared.

Clapping, cheering, shouting my name, though most of them had probably never even said it before today.

As the saying goes: "The moment you rise, the world applauds—not because they believe in you, but because you won."

I clicked my tongue quietly, wiping dust from my clothes.

Then I walked toward Herua, who was still sitting on the ground, rubbing his sore back with a grimace.

His face wasn't angry though. Or upset.

He looked... impressed.

Without a word, I extended my hand toward him.

He stared at it for a moment before grabbing it, letting me pull him up.

Then, standing straight, dusting off his clothes like nothing happened, Herua raised an eyebrow and said:

"So, buddy... wanna be friends? Well—what's your name first, by the way?"

I didn't react outwardly, but honestly... it was so sudden, I almost smiled.

That's just the kind of guy Herua was.

Coolly, I answered:

"I'm Elarion von Crimsonveil. But you can call me... dear Master."

Around us, the crowd fell quiet again. I saw jaws drop.

Herua's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Are you serious?" he asked, voice tight.

I tilted my head slightly.

"No." I smirked. "I am your DEAR MASTER."

Herua let out a dry laugh, rubbing the back of his head like he didn't know whether to punch me or agree.

But in the end, he grinned.

"Whatever you say, dear Master."

And that was how I made my first real friend.

Not through kindness.

But through victory.

Yet I wanted it, not just because of bet but I wanted to earn it, his loyalty.

Afterall he was someone close to me...not in this life but previous.

So I wish to be close again, not by force by will.

Ofcourse I don't mind forcing it, if it doesn't go my easy. But atleast others SHOULD think they have a choice(even if they don't).

That is how you can stay at the top for longest.......