Simultaneously to This
In the Underground Capital of Oculi
Still on Level 0 – Center of the Base
Near the Main Square
One could observe several people who worked at the base enjoying their free time after their shifts, chatting calmly in the plazas and commercial areas within the base.
[Various Voices Conversing in a Relaxed Manner]
But suddenly, across the entire base's communication system, a message appeared announcing the initiation of a "legendary" training combat.
[Random Man – Curious & Intrigued Voice] ...Strange, what is that notification? –
Everyone who had been relaxing began receiving the message on their bracelets, one by one. At first, they didn't understand what was happening, and some even thought it was a kind of prank.
[Random Woman – Curious & Intrigued Voice] Must be another one of Queen Lilian's new "jokes"... [Subtle, Lighthearted Sigh] –
Just a few weeks earlier, the young queen Lilian had played a prank on her older middle sister, Urius.
She had broadcast videos of Urius in casual moments as a form of teasing, after Lilian had been grounded for skipping her tedious etiquette lessons.
[Random Young Boy – Curious & Intrigued Voice] ...Wait, it really does look like a live broadcast, look! –
Revealing to everyone present — even those who had been chatting casually and not paying much attention —
[Random Young Girl (1) – Disbelieving & Speechless Voice] This has to be a joke. Is this really real, girl? [Voice Cracking] –
Even those working in kitchens or at customer service in the shops saw it. It was nothing less than a live scene appearing in the form of a holographic "television screen."
[Random Young Girl (2) – Disbelieving & Speechless Voice] This must be a dream! My god... [Deep, Excited Breath] –
The broadcast came from their own bracelets, from those of their friends, and even from their coworkers standing beside them, watching it all with curiosity.
The live, high-quality transmission was coming from one of the cameras located within the training area. At first, it focused on Lord Count himself.
He was taking off his black shirt, now shirtless, wearing only his black pants, showing his well-defined and youthful body — remarkably well-preserved for someone of his age.
He was around 40 years old in the current present and possessed a certain distinct style: short, naturally white hair.
He had had it since childhood, and that unique trait made several younger girls gape in awe, some even going wild at the sheer beauty and delicate elegance he exuded.
Older women across the base also displayed surprised expressions — eyes filled with evident desire — trying not to gape at the masculine and undeniably sexy figure of the Count.
Unaware that he was being watched, he was completely relaxed, tossing his shirt to the ground beside him and beginning to stretch before his friendly duel with Urius.
But what was supposed to be a simple pre-fight warm-up became something far more sensual in the eyes of the female audience. The transmission gave a wide, panoramic view of him and his body.
To many of the women watching, that moment became imbued with an unexpected intimacy — even as many of the men around the base, young and old alike, were left blushing and awkward, reacting to the euphoric responses of the women beside them.
Then, the camera angle shifted, moving away from the Count and focusing instead on Urius, who was standing on the opposite side of the training field.
Urius was removing her black combat gear from the waist up — first her jacket, then the shirt underneath.
She was left wearing only a fitted training top across her chest and her black, pocketless pants covering her legs and hips. That scene alone was enough to impress not just the men.
But also the women — captivated by the beautiful, well-defined feminine curves of Urius. The sight of her stretching after removing her shoes and standing barefoot on the floor like the Count,
became even more sensual — not in an overtly sexual way, but in how it naturally revealed her beauty and femininity to all those present, who were visibly impressed by her striking physical appearance.
As she delicately tied her long blonde hair so that it wouldn't get in the way during the match against the Count, the entire base — from the lowest level, Zero, to the almost empty upper levels —
grew feverish with anticipation for what was about to unfold. Some bar owners scattered throughout the more social areas of the base,
as well as kiosk vendors, began offering free drinks to further liven up the atmosphere.
But one thing stood out as strange in all of this: the training area in question was heavily secured in terms of its transmission systems, with restricted access to the rest of the city and the underground base.
Who could possibly have the power to override the system and broadcast this to every single bracelet within the base?
A Few Moments Later
Still on Level 0 – Base Center
Royal Residence
She stands leaning with her arms on the edge of the royal apartment balcony, positioned close to one of the outer sides of the underground city.
[Lilian – Quiet & Comforting Whisper] They are all anxious for the outcome of the fight between the two of you, sister. -
Queen Lilian could hear, in the background, the entire city buzzing with excitement over the legendary duel that was about to unfold.
All the while, she calmly interacted with a small hologram projected from her wristband.
She was controlling all the cameras and the communication network, enabling everyone to clearly watch the entire training field.
Young Lilian wasn't doing this merely for fun; she wanted to use this moment to show everyone in the base just how much her sister, Urius, mattered.
[Lilian – Affectionate & Comforting Whisper] But for me, the fight itself doesn't matter as much... it's your heart that does. -
She was more than just the one handling the bureaucratic side of the Reginae faction; she was also one of the top three warriors of the new generation.
She could, on her own, face off evenly against the greatest fighters of the old generation—whose strongest was none other than the man the Reginae faction had, for decades, hailed as the most powerful. Even in his youth, he stood alone, matching others in countless skills and attributes.
[Lilian – Tender & Sweet Whisper] Mother would adore your smile right now... if only she could see how you look beside the Count... -
Many of the older and newer generation members, especially those of the rival Inanis faction—the only true contender today—were closely watching.
Around the entirety of Oculi, the Reginae faction's world, the system was finalized and set to run autonomously.
Queen Lilian seemed to turn off her wrist device, already knowing what the outcome of the friendly match between Urius and the Count would be.
Turning back inside her apartment, a proud and overwhelmingly sweet smile appeared on her lips.
[Lilian – Deeply Affectionate Whisper] ...I want to see you happy, after everything you've endured these past five years in complete silence.
[Subtle Tremble in Her Voice] -
She then received a message through her communicator, spoken with respectful care into one of her ears.
It confirmed that the mission she herself had assigned just minutes ago had been completed—near the border entrance of the capital of Oculi.
That gave Lilian a new, genuine reason to look downward and smile as subtle tears streamed from her eyes.
She could be seen standing alone inside the apartment, still completely cloaked in darkness.
Feeling a tightening in her chest followed by a gentle warmth, she slowly lifted her gaze forward, as if soothed by something unseen.
She silently thanked the twins—Salon and Selene—who were the same age as Queen Lilian and served as her "shadows" within the night.
They served only Lilian's commands, protecting her above all others in the Reginae faction.
Selene and Salon, with voices so caring and respectful, thanked her for such kindness and affection in her words.
They wished her a peaceful night, hoping she might rest easier knowing the border had been secured once again—
Safe from the watchful eyes hidden in the darkness, remnants of the Inanis troops who had not crossed into the human reality.
Most of the Inanis now resided there, their core members and leadership gone, leaving only the worst behind in Oculi.
Lilian remained alone at that moment, crying in total silence, as she felt—just behind her—what she most longed to be real.
[A Subtle, Deeply Caring Whisper from the Past]
Two arms embraced her from behind, emerging from a vivid memory—arms that belonged to her beloved mother, Luna.
[Echoing Voice of Luna from the Past] ...Don't cry, my little angel. [Deep Breath] -
The former queen of all Oculi, who had died many years ago after crossing into the human realm, seemed now to hold her from behind with deep affection.
[Echoing Voice of Luna from the Past] Mommy is here whenever you need me, to hold you and make you smile, my little Lilian... [A Gentle, Sweet Laughter] -
With just that embrace, she gave Lilian an overwhelming sense of emotional safety—and strength, even when Lilian herself thought she had no need of it.
[Lilian – Deeply Emotional Whisper] ...Thank you so much, my dear friend Salon. And my beloved Selene. Sleep well... [End of Communication] -
A Few Moments Later
Still on Level 0 – Base Center
In the Training Area
Above the Arena
Urius was now taking her stance after finally stretching, followed by the Count himself, standing twenty-five meters ahead of her.
The training field, with its invisible energy barriers, protected the empty bleachers on all sides.
Above, the same barrier sealed the ceiling, visible only as a translucent shimmer hovering above their combat-ready bodies.
Their translucent flames, extensions of their respective bodies, flared outward the moment they activated their Oculi abilities with remarkable control.
Their techniques, refined to the point of elegance, wasted no energy — their fires burned with a smoothness that seemed almost effortless.
And yet, at the same time, they radiated a grandeur, gradually condensing back into their bodies in both an offensive and defensive manner.
Their translucent flames were no longer visible over their skin as they exhaled deeply and closed their eyes.
Those colorless, translucent flames did not burn their clothes, nor did they damage the floor or the surrounding environment.
And then — in the blink of an eye — when looking at their appearances again, it was as if an energetic vision had replaced the ordinary: every nerve and muscle now visible.
Each fiber became reinforced under the fusion of their materialized essence, as the translucent flames coursed through their organs, muscles, nerves, tendons, and limbs.
These flames had not truly disappeared; in reality, they now resided just beneath the first layer of skin, faintly visible to the naked eye.
This created a subtle pressure that spread across the entire training field, a weight so immense it made the solid ground sink slightly — less than a centimeter — as their eyes reopened and locked onto one another.
[Urius – Confident & Playful Voice] ...I hope you're not rusty, considering you're in your forties now, Count. [Subtle Sarcastic Laugh] -
It was clear Urius was in high spirits, eager to prove herself to her only master — the one who had trained not only her, but also her older sister, Nox.
And more importantly, the one who had once trained the former queen Luna herself, back when she was at the height of her strength and martial dominance.
[Count – Motivated & Amused Voice] You do know this is supposed to be a friendly sparring match, don't you? -
Whether it was with the blade formed of one's essence or in unarmed combat — the Count's own specialty — Urius longed to demonstrate how much she had improved in the last five years.
Since his departure alongside Nox to the human reality, battling the Oculi members of the Inanis faction in that "innocent" human world...
[Urius – Confident & Playful Voice] If it were truly a friendly match... I wouldn't be able to obtain what I've wanted for so many years, Count. -
She had become much stronger — and remarkably skilled. Years ago, she had bested the Count in swordplay at the age of twelve.
But she had never managed to defeat him in hand-to-hand combat — his true expertise, dating back to his youth as a royal bodyguard.
[Count – Casual & Amused Voice] Alright then, Princess Urius... [Takes a Deep Breath] -
A former personal guard of none other than Princess Luna, long before she ascended the throne after the death of her parents so many decades ago.
[Count – Confident & Provocative Voice] I'll give you twenty-five seconds at full power. Let's see if that's enough for you to get what you want. -
They locked eyes with eager, commanding stares — their gazes piercing straight into each other's resolve.
[Subtle Echoing Laugh from the Count]
His lips curled into a genuinely amused and joyful smile as both fighters closed their eyes again, their deep breaths echoing through the arena.
[Urius – Confident & Motivated Voice] ..That's more than enough for me, my dear annoying master! [Exhales Temptingly] -
And as their eyes opened once more, their smiles vanished, replaced by an expression of pure seriousness and unwavering confidence.
As those words echoed in the air, time itself seemed to slow, the colors draining into shades of black and white.
In the very next nanosecond, they surged forward — lightning fast — toward one another. The impact created an immense pressure on the ground.
Shockwaves rippled across the training field beneath their feet, cracking its dense surface completely.
As if the floor were forged from a material harder than the thickest diamond known to the human world.
This subtle depression in the terrain measured nearly five centimeters — deepened in less than a nanosecond from their launching force.
Both Urius and the Count, having successfully propelled themselves, advanced like flashes cleaving through the air.
Each of their movements was defined by a single clenched fist — and an expression that unveiled a darker facet of their personalities.
This was the side of them that loved combat, be it in swordplay or unarmed. Their arms, guided by these powerful intentions...
Seemed to tear the very air apart, distorting the atmosphere with the immense pressure of their speed.
They were channeling their Oculi abilities into what would become the first clash — one that was growing less and less "friendly" with every second.
And then, in the second nanosecond — the impact. Their fists collided in midair, unleashing subtle flashes of pure energy, like lightning dancing between them.
These streaks of energy, negative in hue as they surged across their bodies, flared outward from the point of collision.
The impact of their Oculi forces sent an energetic resonance in all directions, immediately triggering the arena's emergency energy dissipation system.
The system kicked in within half a nanosecond, instantly recharging all the base's batteries — enough for five uninterrupted years of function.
And as a second safeguard, another system activated half a nanosecond later, shifting all focus to Urius and the Count.
Both were now hovering in midair, smiling at each other. Urius's long blonde hair danced wildly from the energy released through her clenched fist, meeting the Count's short white hair, also swaying with the impact.
[Urius – Whisper, Confident & Driven] I'm not that little twelve-year-old girl anymore! [Deep, Sarcastic Inhale] -