Chapter 86: Who are you?

Suddenly, his opponent’s blade came dangerously close, nearly slicing his arm. In that brief instant, a powerful and oppressive aura flickered from the young spearman. Though he quickly suppressed it, stepping back to resume his stance, Julian caught it instantly.

It wasn’t the aura of a simple soldier, it was the unmistakable presence of someone at the peak of a Sovereign Mage. Julian’s eyes narrowed as he assessed the young man more closely.

His earlier suspicions were confirmed, this "beginner" was hiding immense power, one that rivaled even the most skilled fighters on the field.

Intrigued, Julian wondered why such a powerful individual would disguise himself and play the part of a beginner.

The young man took a deliberate step back as he lowered his spear and admitted defeat with a small nod to his opponent. But as he glanced around, his gaze settled on Julian.

Instantly, he felt exposed as though Julian’s piercing eyes could see right through his carefully crafted disguise.

A flicker of unease crossed his face, he knew that Julian had caught on to his true nature. His posture grew tense, and for a split second, his mask of indifference faltered. Julian’s calm yet knowing expression only reinforced his suspicion, this was no ordinary gaze but one that had already seen through the layers he’d tried to hide behind.

The young man held his composure, but he knew that with Julian, any attempt to conceal his power further would be futile.

Julian took a step forward, his presence commanding instant respect. All the soldiers in the training grounds turned and without hesitation, kneeled, bowing their heads.

"Your Grace," they said in unison, their voices echoing through the grounds. "To what do we owe the honor of your visit?"

Julian’s gaze remained steady, fixed on the young spearman. His curiosity about this mysterious figure outweighed his usual inclination to observe from a distance. With a calm yet firm tone, he addressed the group, but his eyes never left the young man.

"Rise," Julian said, gesturing for them to stand. "I came to observe today’s training... and to speak with our skilled spearman here."

The soldiers exchanged curious glances as they rose stepping back to give Julian and the young man space. The spearman, realizing that Julian had singled him out, met Julian’s gaze with a flicker of nervousness, silently bracing himself for whatever was to come.

With a simple motion, Julian summoned his weapon, the Cosmic Spear of Death. The air seemed to hum with energy as the spear materialized, its form both fierce and mesmerizing. Its blade glowed with an intense, ethereal light that casted a ethereal glow across the training grounds.

The young man’s eyes widened, awe-struck by the weapon’s beauty and overwhelming power. He could feel the raw energy radiating from the spear, a force that seemed to command both respect and fear.

For a moment, he forgot to mask his expression, marveling openly at the legendary weapon in Julian’s hands.

"Impressed?" Julian asked with a hint of a smile, his gaze never leaving the young man.

The spearman swallowed, regaining his composure, but the look of wonder in his eyes remained unmistakable.

Without warning, Julian lunged forward, his Cosmic Spear of Death slicing through the air with lethal intent. The young man’s instincts flared as he sensed Julian’s sudden bloodlust, and in a split second, he responded as he pulled his own spear up in a defensive stance. Their weapons clashed with a resounding impact that reverberated across the training grounds.

The young man gritted his teeth, feeling the sheer weight of Julian’s power pressing down on him. Though he managed to block the initial strike, the force behind Julian’s attack was far greater than he had anticipated. Sparks flew as their spears met, and the intensity in Julian’s gaze revealed this was no casual sparring match.

Julian pressed forward, testing the young man’s true abilities, each strike precise yet relentless. The young man’s calm demeanor wavered, and for the first time, he realized just how formidable his opponent truly was.

With a burst of strength, the young man pushed Julian back, unleashing the aura of the Sovereign Realm in a desperate attempt to turn the tide. His power surged, and his spear glowed with a fierce light, revealing the extent of his hidden abilities. But Julian merely smirked, unfazed, as he took a few steps back calculating his next move.

Then, Julian threw the Cosmic Spear of Death towards him. The spear cut through the air with terrifying speed, its energy spiraling like a cosmic storm. The young man barely had time to react, raising his spear in a final, desperate block.

But as the Cosmic Spear struck, his own weapon shattered in his hands, the force of Julian’s attack overpowering him completely.

Stunned, the young man stumbled back realizing that Julian had effortlessly surpassed his full strength. The sheer dominance of Julian’s power left him breathless, and he couldn’t help but feel humbled before the might of the Cosmic Spear of Death.

Julian called his spear back with a flick of his wrist, and it returned to him, radiating an intimidating aura. He looked down at the young man, his gaze sharp and unyielding.

"Who are you?" Julian demanded. "And why are you acting like a novice? What’s your motive here?"

The young man hesitated, averting his gaze. For a moment, he seemed to consider his options, his face shadowed with uncertainty. His lips parted as if to speak, but he quickly closed them, clearly struggling with the decision to reveal his true identity.

Julian’s eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. "If you have nothing to hide, then speak. Otherwise, I’ll assume you’re a spy or worse."

The weight of Julian’s words pressed on him, but still, the young man remained silent, unwilling or unable to give an answer.

Julian’s gaze hardened, his patience nearly exhausted. "I can have you executed for infiltrating the duchy," he warned. "So you’d better start talking if you don’t want to die here."

The young man’s expression shifted, and after a brief pause, he finally spoke, his voice low but clear. "My name is Raphael, my lord."

Julian narrowed his eyes, "And what are you here for, Raphael?"

Raphael hesitated before answering, his tone resolute. "I am here for war, my lord."