The first rays of morning sun had just pierced the horizon, awakening the sleeping Paradise Island.
Unlike yesterday’s sneaking around, Diana today was in high spirits.
She had changed into a lightweight leather training outfit; the red breastplate outlined her perfect curves, and her golden bracers shimmered in the sunlight.
She strode along the flagstone path leading to the Royal Arena, every step carrying the lightheartedness of ‘freedom.’ Arthas followed beside her, still clutching half an unfinished apple in his hand.
He was wearing the same crimson mini training suit from yesterday and a pair of small leather boots, looking full of energy.
Though he was small and had short legs, he had to break into a trot to keep up with Diana’s pace.
This was the first time he had walked so openly on the island’s main road at this hour.
Occasionally, passing Amazonian Warriors would glance their way, but this time there was no shock like yesterday, only kind smiles and whispers.
After all, the news that “the Princess brought back a cute little boy” had already spread across the island like the wind last night.
The arena was located on the eastern side of the island, a massive open-air circular structure.
There were no superfluous decorations here, only hard stone ground, mottled weapon racks, and the sweat shed over thousands of years.
At this time, many warriors were already inside doing their morning exercises.
The sound of clashing metal and shouts rose and fell, filled with female hormones…
oh wait, it was filled with the beauty of strength.
The moment Diana walked into the arena, the noisy sounds fell silent for an instant.
Immediately after, several female warriors who were sparring stopped their movements and bowed to Diana.
“Your Highness.” In the past, Diana could only steal a glance from afar or find a deserted corner to practice on her own.
But today, she walked to the center of the field with her head held high.
“Don’t mind me, continue.” She waved her hand and then pulled an ordinary iron sword from the weapon rack.
She turned and beckoned to several of the strongest instructors.
“Come, it’s been a long time since I’ve had a good fight.” “Since Mother has given her permission, there’s no need for me to hold back anymore.” A fighting spirit burned in her eyes, a radiant confidence that was even more dazzling than the morning sun.
The battle was triggered at once.
Three experienced Amazonian Warriors surrounded Diana in a triangular formation.
They did not show mercy just because their opponent was the Princess, for they knew that would be an insult to a warrior.
“Ha!” With a synchronized low shout, three spears thrust out simultaneously, cutting off all of Diana’s paths of retreat.
However, Diana did not retreat.
She didn’t even assume a defensive posture.
Just as the spear tips were about to touch her leather armor, she moved.
The movement was so fast it was impossible to see clearly.
Only a flash of silver light was visible.
“Clang!
Clang!
Clang!” Three crisp sounds of clashing metal rang out almost at the same time.
Those three menacing spears were actually swept aside by her sword, the massive recoil making the wrists of the three warriors go numb.
This was only the beginning.
The moment she swept the spears aside, Diana’s figure lunged forward like a cheetah.
She didn’t use any fancy magic, relying purely on speed and strength.
That was the bloodline talent inherited from Zeus, the King of the Ancient Greek Gods, even if she didn’t know it herself yet.
This talent made her physical attributes far exceed those of ordinary people, and even far beyond ordinary Amazonian elites.
The sword in her hand was no longer a cold weapon but seemed to become an extension of her arm, a part of the wind.
She spun, jumped, and slashed.
Every movement was precise to the millimeter, every turn as elegant as a lethal dance.
Though the three warriors coordinated well, they had no power to fight back against such overwhelming strength.
In less than ten rounds.
With the final crisp sound of clashing blades, all three spears flew out of their hands.
The tip of Diana’s sword stopped steadily an inch from one of their throats, and she hadn’t even broken a sweat.
Arthas sat on the stone steps by the field, having forgotten to even bite his apple.
His amber eyes were wide and round, staring fixedly at the figure in the center.
Before this, his impression of ‘combat’ was stuck on Thor’s savage style of shouting and swinging a hammer around.
Or Odin’s God-King pressure, where enemies would kneel before he even made a move.
But he had never seen a battle like this.
Is this…
really fighting?
This is simply too beautiful!
Sister Diana’s black hair flew in the air like black flames.
Her focused gaze, the taut lines of her muscles, the trail of sweat sliding down her cheek.
Everything seemed to hit Arthas’s aesthetic sense perfectly.
He didn’t think it was violent, nor did he find it scary.
He only felt it was the most beautiful thing in the world.
“Thump…
thump…” Arthas felt something thumping wildly in his chest.
It was the sound of a heart.
Every beat was heavy and powerful, as if it were about to jump out of his throat.
And within that intense heartbeat, the pink power that had been lurking in his body became completely active, as if injected with a stimulant.
It cheered and jumped, flowing through his blood to his entire body, making Arthas feel hot all over and his cheeks flush.
The feeling was both strange and wonderful.
It was like stealing a drink of Odin’s mead for the first time—a bit dizzy, yet incredibly excited.
Arthas looked at Diana, who stood there with her sword sheathed, like a War Goddess descended to earth.
At this moment, the surrounding background blurred.
Only she was clear, glowing, the sole protagonist.
So…
is this the true Amazon Princess?
Is this what fighting looks like?
I want to…
I want to keep watching her like this forever.
Warm applause and cheers rang out from the field.
The spectating Amazonian Warriors showed their respect for the strong without hesitation.
Though Diana had won, she didn’t show any pride.
She reached out to pull up her opponent who was sitting on the ground, a humble smile on her face.
But that didn’t stop her inner joy at this moment.
Nothing makes one feel better than a hearty victory.
If there is anything better, it’s winning in front of someone you care about.
She subconsciously turned her head and looked at the small figure by the side of the field.
Arthas had long since thrown away the apple and jumped up from the stone steps.
His two little hands were clapped red, yet he was still clapping desperately.
“Sister is so amazing!!!” Arthas’s voice sounded exceptionally youthful among the cheers of the adults, yet it was highly piercing.
“Sister Diana is number one in the world!” “Wow!
That move just now was too cool!
Really too cool!” This string of free flattery swept over like a machine gun.
Diana had originally just felt happy about winning.
But hearing these exaggerated praises and seeing the little guy’s eyes full of stars, she felt her happiness instantly double.
The feeling was very strange.
When she was praised by her Mother for “doing well,” she only felt it was her duty.
When praised by Antiope for “making progress,” she only felt she needed to work harder.
But these few non-technical, purely fanboy remarks made her feel like her whole body was bubbling.
That sweet feeling spread from her heart all the way to the corners of her mouth.
She couldn’t help but laugh, a smile more brilliant than the morning sun.
This kid…
how can he be so good at coaxing people?
But…
this feeling seems quite nice?
Diana put the sword back into the weapon rack.
She picked up a towel hanging nearby and casually wiped the sweat from her face.
Then, with her long legs, she strode over to Arthas.
Looking at this little sprout who only reached her thigh, the affection in her heart almost overflowed.
She crouched down, reached out, and rubbed Arthas’s black hair with some force.
“How is your mouth so sweet?” Diana asked with a smile, her eyes full of doting affection.
“Did you secretly eat that whole jar of honey for breakfast?” Arthas let her mess up his hair, not angry at all.
He looked up at the close-at-hand Diana.
Because she had just exercised, Diana’s cheeks had a healthy flush, and her blue eyes were startlingly bright.
Arthas felt his heart beat a few points faster again.
“Where is it sweet!” Arthas retorted very seriously.
“I’m telling the absolute truth!” “Sister is really beautiful.” He looked into Diana’s eyes, his tone so sincere it was impossible to doubt.
“Especially when you were fighting just now.” “It’s like…
like a goddess who glows.” “Beautiful, cool, and majestic!” “I’ve never seen anyone like Sister!” If these words came from an adult man, they might seem a bit greasy or frivolous.
But from a seven-year-old, exquisitely carved little boy…
It could only make one feel the purest appreciation and adoration.
Diana felt her cheeks become even hotter.
She was a warrior, a princess, but she was also a girl who had never been in love.
Though she attributed this to her affection for a cute younger brother…
That heart beating uncontrollably in her chest seemed to be telling of some sentiment she didn’t even understand herself.
“Alright, alright, any more praise and I’ll fly into the sky.” Diana smiled and pinched Arthas’s little face.
She stood up and once again took a sword from the rack.
This time, however, she chose a shorter and lighter training sword.
She turned and looked at the still-adoring Arthas, a sudden thought striking her.
Since this child is Odin’s son…
And has such powerful divine power in his body…
Then…
does he know how to do anything?
Once the thought of wanting to know more about him and see more of his different sides appeared, it couldn’t be suppressed.
“Hey, little guy.” Diana handed the sword hilt to Arthas.
“Don’t just focus on praising me.” “Do you want to try too?” “I want to see if the legendary eldest prince of Asgard can do more than just talk.” Arthas was stunned for a moment.
He looked at the sword in front of him, which was already the smallest size but still a bit large for him.
Try the sword?
In Asgard, he had indeed studied swordsmanship with Uncle Heimdall and Uncle Tyr.
Though everyone treated him like a precious treasure and didn’t dare to actually hit him…
Father Odin’s requirements for him were very strict.
Father had said: “As the Crown Prince, even if you govern the country with your brain in the future, the sword in your hand must not rust.” “A true king must possess the power to protect himself and his people.” He had always kept these teachings in his heart.
And…
in front of such a beautiful Sister Diana…
How could he say he couldn’t do it?
A man must never say he can’t!
Especially after just seeing such a cool performance, his competitiveness and small desire to show off were completely stirred up.
“Me?” Arthas blinked and then puffed out his chest.
“Sure!” “It just so happens that since awakening my divine power, I haven’t truly fought yet.” “Even though usually no one dares to really fight me, I’m very strong!” He reached out his white and tender little hands and gripped the sword hilt.
A heavy texture.
This sword didn’t have any divine power enhancement; it was just a most ordinary iron sword.
But the moment he gripped it…
A subtle change suddenly occurred in Arthas’s soft and cute aura.
The smile on his face receded slightly, and his eyes became focused.
It was as if he had become a different person.
Arthas didn’t use the golden divine power in his body.
Nor did he pay attention to that pink power that was still jumping around.
He simply relied on this body nourished by divine power and the muscle memory formed from day after day of practice in Asgard over the past two years.
He took a deep breath and adjusted his breathing.
Then, he moved.
He didn’t assume a nimble starting stance like Diana.
Instead, he held the sword with both hands, holding it upright in front of him, the tip pointing to the sky.
It was a very standard starting stance belonging to the Asgardian style.
Though he was very small, and the sword was a bit long for him…
The moment he assumed this posture…
A youthful yet upright, dignified, and heavy aura actually radiated from this seven-year-old child.
The surrounding Amazonian Warriors, who had originally intended to watch a child playing around, instantly changed their gazes.
When a master makes a move, one knows immediately.
This starting stance was as steady as a rock.
No fluff, yet no openings.
This was definitely not just playing around; this was a frame that could only be stood after guidance from a famous master and countless hours of tedious practice.
Diana’s eyes lit up too.
She could see that it was another style of martial arts.
Different from the agility and technique of the Amazons…
That style was more ancient, more direct, and more…
overbearing.
“Interesting.” Diana said softly, a smile of anticipation curling her lips.
“Come, let me see.” “What the wind from Asgard actually looks like.” Arthas didn’t keep the audience waiting for long.
Since he was going to show off, he couldn’t lose face for Odins Son.
He gave a loud shout, the crisp shout of a youth.
“Ha!” He took a step, his small body driving the longsword, and swung forward fiercely.
No extra movements.
Just a simple downward slash.
But this one move brought a sound of wind.
The blade drew a straight silver line in the air.
Then, at the moment the downward force was exhausted, his wrist turned extremely flexibly.
The sword edge drew a perfect semicircle in the air, borrowing the momentum for a sweeping horizontal strike.
This seemingly simple change of move was extremely smooth, like flowing water.
It was an extremely beautiful sword flower.
But it wasn’t a fancy flourish meant for show; it was a practical combat technique used for self-defense and counter-attacking in a chaotic battle.
Though there was no divine power enhancement or flashing lightning…
Arthas’s set of movements was performed to the absolute standard.
Even if Odin himself were to watch, he wouldn’t be able to find any faults.
Amidst the flashing sword light, that small figure appeared exceptionally upright.
He was no longer that little baby who only knew how to act cute and spoiled.
At this moment, he truly displayed the demeanor belonging to the eldest prince of Asgard.
That nobility and glory belonging to a warrior, etched into his very bones.
Diana looked at the child dancing with the sword in the field.
Her heart seemed to skip a beat too.
Different from the joy of being praised earlier…
This time, it was a deeper emotion called ‘recognition.’ Is this…
Odin’s son?
Indeed.
A tiger father does not have a canine son.
Beneath his cute exterior, there hides the heart of a true lion.