The blinding light overwhelmed everyone in the arena. The audience covered their eyes with their hands while doing their best to see what was happening.
"What is happening? I can't see anything."
There was a lot of confusion because they had to prepare for the worst. Fortunately, the four Arbiters in charge of the protection were the most reliable.
The Fire Arbiter might be ranked low among the Arbiters, but the Sword Arbiter, Fleeting Arbiter, and Void Arbiter were ranked 1st, 4th, and 5th, respectively.
When the blinding light dimmed down, the audience tried to look at the fighters, wanting to know the result of the battle.
However, what they found could be considered a disappointment. Instead of the conclusion of the match, they saw three people coming into the arena.
The first person was the Sword Arbiter, who cut down the pressure from the energy Anna released. The second one was the Void Arbiter, Anna's teacher. She formed a blue vortex that swallowed the giant stone hands as another vortex appeared nearby, connecting the hands.
Last but not least, the Fleeting Arbiter. He had the most crucial role as he was the fastest among the three.
Kevin appeared in front of Anna and placed his hand on the back of the sword's handle, preventing Anna from releasing that strike fully. But Anna managed to unleash a bit of her blade, causing the Spiritual Energy that had been stored inside to leak. That leak alone caused the blinding light as well as the Sword Arbiter to interfere directly.
"What?!"
"What is happening?"
"The Sword, Void, and Fleeting Arbiters are stopping the match?"
"But who wins in this case?"
"Come on!"
"Why do you have to intervene?"
The audience was disappointed because they couldn't see the conclusion, ignorant of how close they were to losing their lives.
When the people started raging, the Marshall suddenly opened his mouth, announcing with his Spiritual Energy. "I shall explain everything in detail. The Stone Arbiter's golem was strong. If he smashed down, the entire arena would be destroyed. In fact, this entire area might be leveled and everyone would be in danger as the attack would render the barrier useless."
When they heard the first explanation, they thought the winner was clear. The fact that Count Heirden could bypass the barriers made by four Arbiters and multiple Grandmasters meant he far surpassed Anna's strength.
However, the Marshall continued, "But…we have to take a look at the ability that Anna Stargaze was about to release. That dense energy would be unleashed at full force. Just like how the compressed air would explode when it could expand in an instant, her ability is the same."
"The lightning would wreak havoc in the arena. While it won't be able to destroy the barrier completely, there is a high possibility that a hole will appear. The lightning will pass that hole and endanger the audience."
"More importantly, we can't forget the fact that she is using a sword. That sharp energy will cut down the rocks, and the lightning would shatter the remaining rock. With the Stone Arbiter's current condition, there was a high chance of him losing his life."
"Hence, as a Marshall, I have to declare that Anna Stargaze is the winner of this match. The Arbiters are free to refute my explanation."
The Fleeting Arbiter and the Void Arbiter immediately bowed their heads, saying the same thing, "No, Sir. Your explanation is correct."
The Sword Arbiter nodded. "I agree with the Marshall. If this fight happened in the wild, Anna Stargaze, without a doubt, would kill Count Heirden."
"This…"
The people were in complete silence. On the one hand, Marshall's explanation was clear about the result. On the other hand, no one could tell if that was true or not.
However, the last thing that needed to convince them just occurred.
Count Heirden shouted, "I haven't lost. That puny lightning won't be able to kill me! I can still fight!"
There was a desperate action from Count Heirden. His expression showed that he had agreed to the explanation to some extent, but for one reason or another, he refused to accept his loss.
Count Heirden tried to move his golem's body, but the Sword Arbiter drew his sword.
It was just an instant, but all of a sudden, the giant hands were cut as the Void Arbiter changed the blue vortex and sent the giant rocks outside the city.
"That's enough, Stone Arbiter. You have to accept your loss." The Sword Arbiter glared at him. "If you think that's not enough, you may challenge the position again next year."
After the Sword Arbiter's ultimatum, the king finally stood up and declared, "Anna Stargaze has won the challenge and shall become an Arbiter."
Anna sheathed her blade and turned around, walking toward the king with a solemn face. Then, she kneeled on one knee while lowering her head.
"I declare from now on that Anna Stargaze shall be known as Lightning Arbiter. Her official rank shall be determined at a later date."
"According to the tradition, the Stone Arbiter shall retain his title as an Arbiter, but he shall be deprived of his duty. If he wishes to regain his official position, he will be able to challenge another Arbiter next year."
"Anna Stargaze has become an Arbiter at 19 Years Old. She is the youngest Arbiter in Muivell Kingdom's history."
"Oooohhh!" The people were stunned and confused. Although they felt some disappointment that they couldn't see the result of that last clash, the king had declared openly that they had a new Arbiter.
And this new Arbiter was none other than the most talented person in their kingdom. Even the Sword Arbiter, the strongest Arbiter, only became one when he was 26 years old.
She managed to break that record by a whole seven years. And no one would be able to break this record anytime soon.
"Amazing."
"She is able to reach this far at that age. How strong will she become in another ten years?"
"I think she has the biggest shot to become a Spirit Transcendence."
"That's right. The Supreme Banner Army has a Spirit Transcendence, Commander Oscar."
"And our Mashall is also a Spirit Transcendence."
"With her, there is a chance that we will have the third Spirit Transcendence."
"When that happens, our kingdom will be considered the strongest among the four kingdoms."
"Uooohhhh!"
"Anna Stargaze."
"Anna Stagaze!!!"
"Lightning Arbiter!"
"Long live the king."
"Long live the kingdom."
The cheers erupted from one spot and the others followed suits, celebrating the appearance of a new Arbiter.
Still, there was one thing that only nobles could see. The common people were oblivious to it, but the fact that Anna managed to become an Arbiter meant that the Stargaze Family currently had two Arbiters.
There were a few families who had two Arbiters in the past. And those families were so strong that no one dared to challenge them.
With that father and daughter pair, the golden age of the Stargaze Family would come soon. Even though Kevin Stargaze was only a marquis, his status might rival that of dukes and duchesses.
Hence, the nobles were thinking about what they could do in this situation. On the one hand, there was a possibility of marrying Anna since there was no news about her engagement. On the other hand, the royal family had been showing their interest in that matter since one year ago.
They also had to consider not to anger Kevin, fully knowing that they would be besieged by two Arbiters.
Amidst the cheers, the king had left the stadium as a security measure. His expression was grim after announcing good news for the kingdom.
In the past, he had been suppressing Kevin Stargaze. Now that Anna stood by his side, if he continued doing that, Anna might take her anger at the royal family. With those two Arbiters, everything could happen, especially if the Third Prince decided to join the fray.
He had to use Josephine to control Anna Stargaze's actions. If he couldn't do it, he'd find a way to kill Anna before she became too big.
That was why he had to leave and arrange the plan as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, Anna finally stood up after receiving her title.
Her father came to her with a smile on his face. "Congratulations, Anna."
"Thank you, Father." Anna bowed with a calm face as if she wasn't that happy receiving it from her father.
When Josephine did the same, Anna put on a smile to show that her affection was for her teacher rather than for her father.
On the other hand, the Sword Arbiter came to Kevin while saying, "Congratulations, Kevin. To think your daughter will be able to reach this stage at that age. I'm really envious. If only my grandsons can even get half of her achievement, I would be satisfied."
"Thank you, Sir. Your grandsons are also talented too, you just don't have to be so harsh to them, Sir."
"Is that so? Though, I prefer a bit harsh, or else, they would be defying me." The Sword Arbiter chuckled, indirectly implying the relationship between Kevin and Anna. "In any case, the kingdom will be noisy for a while, and you will have a lot of things to do."
"Indeed." Kevin nodded. "I hope that you can help me take care of my daughter in the royal court."
"Haha. Is that a signal?"
"I don't restrict her."
"I see. Either way, you should watch out for the next few days. I'm not very sure, but I can feel a strong presence inside the capital not long ago."
Kevin didn't answer him, knowing fully what the Sword Arbiter was saying. There was a possibility that this strong existence was trying to eliminate someone, and since they were on the rise, there was a chance that they would be the target to maintain the kingdom's balance. Kevin bowed to him politely to express his gratitude.
Meanwhile, Anna had left the arena first, following Josephine. Unbeknownst to all of them, appointing Anna as an Arbiter would plunge the kingdom into chaos, not because of her talent, but because of what she planned to do with that position.
