Emery was relaxing in one of the Centauri inns, sitting at a high podium table alongside Gwen and Glita. The three were quietly discussing strategies to restore the fallen reputation of his apothecary shops. Outside, through the crystalline windows, Centauri City shimmered beneath the light of its twin moons—airships gliding between spires of glass and metal.

Their talk was interrupted when a communication rune flared on Emery's wrist.

Julian.

The man had finally reached out.

Moments later, a knock sounded. The door slid open to reveal a familiar figure.

"Master, I am glad to see you safe and well."

The man bowed deeply. It was Titus, one of his former Earth student who had advanced into the magus realm. His polished armor gleamed under the inn lights, marked by the crest of Nova Roma, the golden eagle of Julian's empire. His presence radiated discipline and military pride.

Emery smiled faintly, pleased to see an old acquaintance. "I heard you and Arminius joined Nova. Is he coming with you as well?"

Although Emery had his share of disagreements with Julian's vision of Nova Roma, he could not fault Titus and Arminius for their loyalty. Both were born Roman, and following Julian's banner was something deeply rooted in their identity.

Titus straightened and replied firmly, "No, Master. I am the only one sent here to assist.. I come to lead you to the meeting place."

His tone was courteous, but Emery caught a flicker of unease behind his eyes. Deciding not to pry, he dismissed Gwen and Glita to take care of errands before following Titus out into the streets.

The Roman warrior walked with steady precision, he spoke little as they made their way through the glowing cityscape. The meeting place was an unusual choice, though familiar. Emery actually went to this place with Julian before. It was a massive metallic structure that dominated the city's central district.

The Centauri Arena.

Emery let out a quiet chuckle. "He wishes to spar with me right away?"

Titus remained silent, leading him through the guarded gates and up the spiraling corridors into one of the VIP chambers, familiar voices greeted him.

"My brother, Emery! Its been a while!"

Julian stepped forward with open arms, his face alight with warmth and energy. He clasped Emery's shoulders firmly, the gesture filled with sincerity. Behind that easy smile, however, Emery could sense the heavy aura radiating from him—refined, controlled, unmistakably grand magus

Before Emery could speak, his attention shifted to the two other figures in the room. Both radiating power at the level of a Grand Magus.

One was a tall, dark-skinned man in layered luxury robes, a calm intellect gleaming behind his round spectacles. The other… a towering, broad-shouldered warrior with sea-blue eyes that shimmered like lightning over water.

Emery's gaze hardened. He knew that face.

Poseidon.

Emery turned to Julian, waiting silently for an explanation.

Julian smiled, ever the diplomat. "Allow me to introduce them," he said smoothly. "This is Athar, a well-known merchant of the Alpha Quadrant—one of the few Grade-3 certified traders trusted by the Alliance."

Athar bowed slightly. "It is an honor, I've heard many tales of your deeds."

Julian then gestured toward the imposing warrior beside him, the corner of his mouth curving. "And this one needs no introduction."

Poseidon's gaze sharpened, his expression cold and cutting. He stepped forward, the weight of his presence thickening the air. "Is it true?" he demanded, his voice edged with barely restrained emotion. "Did you fight my father twenty years ago?"

Julian frowned, shooting him a warning glance. "You promised me you would behave."

To Emery's surprise, Poseidon turned to Julian with an apologetic tone. "I hope for your understanding… I need to know." Then, he faced Emery directly. "Tell me... Did you really kill my father Kronos?"

Emery's eyes moved between the three men, trying to gauge the situation before giving a calm reply. "Yes, I did. We fought, and he was defeated."

The moment those words left his mouth, Poseidon's aura erupted. His domain flared open like a tidal storm. "For the honor of my family," Poseidon declared, "let me fight you!"

Emery expression remained steady, but his tone carried a cold edge as he turned to Julian. "I will do nothing," he said, "until you explain what this is truly about."

Julian sighed, his expression torn between amusement and exasperation. "I did ask you to meet here so we could have friendly spar—to see your strength... You may accept or refuse, but I assure you… there will be no trouble."

Emery caught the subtle undertone in Julian's words, something deliberate and veiled. He didn't bother prying. Simplicity suited him better. Turning back to Poseidon, he said, "I accept."

At once, Julian and Athar stepped several paces back, while Titus withdrew out of the door. The room's protective formation activated with a low hum—layers of shimmering light sealing the area. The air thickened, charged with pressure meant to withstand the clash of grand magus powers.

Poseidon didn't waste a heartbeat. His trident appeared in his grasp in a surge of blue light, the weapon humming with divine pressure. With a sharp thrust, he unleashed a torrent of water that burst forward like a collapsing tide, shaking the entire arena chamber.

Emery reacted instantly. With a calm motion, he drew a saber — a slender blade glimmering with pale frost. [Frostveil], the ice-element sword he had taken from Draeven. The air around him grew frigid as mist spiraled outward, and in the next instant, he invoked the Heaven and Earth Dao, channeling nature's equilibrium through the blade.

A freezing gale swept forth. The wave Poseidon summoned froze mid-surge, solidifying into a sculpture of blue ice before shattering into glittering shards.

Then, Poseidon's trident and Emery's saber collided head-on.

BAMMM!!

A deafening explosion of sound echoed through the chamber as water and ice clashed violently. The shockwave blasted outward, shaking the metal walls, scattering frost and vapor in all directions. Poseidon's divine weapon pressed forward with crushing force, yet Emery's blade met it with equal power — frost crawling along the trident's shaft, freezing its divine glow.

Julian and Athar both flinched as cold air rushed past them, the temperature plummeting sharply.

"He's truly a powerful grand magus…" Athar muttered, eyes wide in disbelief. "But… ice? That's not what written about him!"

Julian chuckled, watching the duel with a glint of admiration. "That's my brother. He never stops surprising me."

Poseidon roared, spinning his trident in sweeping arcs that summoned crashing waves, each strike carrying oceanic fury. But no matter how fierce his assault became, Emery's blades danced in perfect rhythm — precise, controlled, freezing each surge before it could reach him.

Julian's smile widened and he shouted "Poseidon! ...my brother here once defeated a grand magus when he was still only a magus. So... I hope you won't mind if I… join the fun."

Before Emery could answer, Julian's domain unfolded — golden light flooding the room, majestic and commanding. His aura flared like a rising sun, divine and overwhelming.

And just like that — the arena chamber trembled once more as the two grand magus lunged toward Emery together, their combined might igniting the start of a two-on-one battle.

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