Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 868: A Miserable Defeat

Pain and wide cuts were all that awaited Giselle.

Adam proved to be faster and stronger, in every aspect of their fast and fierce battle.

Defeat?

Giselle didnʼt give it a second thought before the fight began. She wasnʼt going to give up in any way.

She was trying to figure out how to defeat Adam, adjust her fighting style to him, and use her strengths to overwhelm him.

Yet, even though she didnʼt realize it yet, Giselle couldnʼt even hurt Adam.

ʼNo... How could this happen?ʼ

Giselleʼs lost look was reflected in the wide splashes of blood whipping from her chest.

ʼIt canʼt be. Our powers arenʼt that much different.ʼ

A cold wave ran through her entire body as their eyes met - one last time as duelists.

ʼYou... Did you just get lucky? None of my decisions have brought me any closer to victory. Why...?ʼ

Thump.

Then, Giselle reached the ground. Her back slammed into the hard surface, causing her to gasp in pain once more.

The blood flowing from her numerous wounds quickly formed a crimson puddle beneath her, growing wider with each of her heavy breaths.

Step.

Adam took a step forward, his shoe sinking into the thin layer of blood.

He stared at her silently for a while, seeing only incomprehension in her eyes. There was no fear, nor Giselleʼs usual pride - she just wanted to know what she did wrong.

Her facial expression seemed to scream one question:

ʼHow...? How was I supposed to win?ʼ

However, Adam wasnʼt going to give her answers, his job was merely to win. He managed it without difficulty.

Turning around, Adam spoke in a deep voice:

”Donʼt get up, Iʼm sure help will come soon. And... one more thing.”

Giselle held her breath, waiting for his next words.

”If you werenʼt ready to die, you shouldnʼt have demanded such a promise from me. Now, I feel shitty.”

Then, he turned his blue eyes, two bright stars casting a glare at Giselle over his shoulder.

”Next time - Iʼll kill you. I wonʼt hold back.”

Leaving Giselle in even more shock than she was originally, Adam headed forward to observer no. 3.

As soon as he stepped away from Giselle, whispers broke out among the crowd, the active discussions would not subside for a long time.

The blond-haired man smiled slyly, raising his right hand in the air. His fist was tightly clenched, holding two coins at once.

Stopping in front of him, Adam jerked his head toward Giselle.

”Thatʼs enough to end the fight, right?”

The man nodded, not delaying his answer.

”Sure, you put on a first-class show Mr. Adam. Too bad Giselle couldnʼt get you to fight to your full potential. That would be quite the show.”

With a deft movement, the blond-haired man opened his fist, tossing two twilight coins to Adam.

He deftly caught the coins.

”Agh...”

Adam sighed heavily as he looked at the result of his victory.

”Despite everything that happened here, Iʼm just back to the beginning. I guess giving up in the first fight was a mistake.”

”Well...” the man chuckled, ”It was your decision. Who knows, maybe you could have found two more fools willing to take the easy win.”

Then, the observer glanced at Adamʼs coins.

”However, things will change for you now. Iʼm sure after your victory over Giselle, there will be plenty of nobles willing to fight against you.”

He lifted his chin, looking at Adam with narrowed eyes.

”Two victories? Hah, you will achieve that in a matter of days. I doubt youʼll lose again unless itʼs your will.”

Adam shrugged nonchalantly and approached Silvana. She greeted him with a slight smile.

”Congratulations, that was a great fight, and...” her eyes ran over Adamʼs coat, ”Your new ability. It seems you managed to take something with you from the Crimson Monarch after all.”

Adamʼs corners of his mouth went up, forming a bitter grimace.

”Yeah, I guess youʼre right.”

Saying nothing more, Adam gently took Silvanaʼs hand and headed forward, along the passageway under the observerʼs curious gaze.

None of the nobles dared to approach him, there was no need.

Right now, they were spectators and Adam was one of the fighters.

He won and Giselle lost.

Nothing else mattered. The nobles only had to discuss the sensation and come to some conclusions.

Obviously, it couldnʼt be good for Giselle.

She could choose any opponent and leave the Twilight Palace with a perfect score, yet she chose a different path - she probably regretted it.

The rumors didnʼt bother Adam much.

From his very first day as the Phantom, he was discussed in the ranks of the military, then after his first fights he began to gain fame among the common people and eventually performed at the Moon Colosseum.

As it turned out, it was not enough for all the nobles of the younger generation to know about him, but that was not his goal.

Now, even the young nobles, the talents from the first wing who reached a K3-Level, realized that he was no ordinary Phantom.

Step. Step. Step.

In a serene stride, Adam and Silvana were moving away from the Amber Cloud. A few more steps and they disappeared around the corner.

Suddenly, a silhouette emerged from the crowd, moving towards them with clear intentions.

The observer no. 3, smirked insidiously as he licked his lips.

”Hah, how interesting.”

Then, behind Adam and Silvana came an irritated, verging-on violent cry.

”Adam Vinter! Stop! How... How dare you do this to Ms. Giselle!? To a high noble!?”

Without any emotion on his face, Adam turned around seeing a girl of average height.

Like the others, she was one of the nobles, the high one.

The girl had jaw-short, unusual green hair and the same color eyes, bright and toxic as if they couldnʼt be natural.

However, as it always was in these situations, it was the hallmark of one of the Twelve Branches - the Xeron Family.

Adam raised an eyebrow, the girl dressed in the white vest couldnʼt scare him despite her menacing stare and creepy grimace.

”What do you want, kid?”