Reincarnated in the Astral World

Oliver flexes his muscles as he confronts Elias. "Why do we always end up like this?"

"This town isn't big enough for both our families," Elias retorts arrogantly. "So, after we take your mother's store, we'll strip you of everything else you have."

"Delusional..." Oliver shakes his head, "The Viscount may have an upper hand because of his father, but you and your family are just useless leeches."

"YOU!!" Elias glares at Josephine furiously, "What are you waiting for?!"

She clutches her spoon near her glass, hesitation flickering in her eyes. 'What is this feeling?' She glances at Arthur, who appears concerned, then at Aria, who nods encouragingly. 'I guess it's time to trust them...'

Josephine also eyes the Viscount, who smiles at her with a malevolent grin. Certain something's amiss, she's powerless but to give the signal, letting the *Ding* resonate through the courtyard.

"I will destroy you!!" Elias charges at Oliver.

As the eldest son of Lord Isambard, Elias has been in the Elite Rank's sixth grade for two years; his strength and technique are formidable, yet Oliver easily predicts his moves.

*Shoosh*

Oliver dodges Elias's direct punch with a fast side-step, immediately launching a counterattack. Even with faith in his superior technique and lineage, Oliver anticipates his opponent's reaction, but Elias surprises him by simply taking the hit.

*BAM*

Oliver's fist connects with Elias's face, sending him staggering backward. Without overthinking, Oliver quickly follows up with another attack.

*Bam* *Bam* *Bam* *Bam*

Elias fails to react in time as Oliver lands a series of rapid punches on him, coating his fists in blood.

Most nobles watching the fight think Elias stands no chance, but Josephine remains concerned while Dmitri, the Viscount, and Edgar appear quite confident.

Arthur and Aria notice that, becoming more certain something's amiss. Yet, none of them, not even Nyx, can identify the issue.

Oliver keeps on the offensive, with Elias forced entirely on the defensive.

"Just give up," Oliver says in a neutral tone, continuing his swift movements. "There's no shame in losing to someone superior."

"Hahahaha!" Elias starts laughing hysterically, blood streaming down his distorted face. "You're a fool, Oliver! There's no way I'm losing to you this time!!"

"You're just insane," Oliver feels pity for Elias and tries to knock him out with a strong blow to the head, aiming to end the fight already.

*Whoosh*

He dashes towards his opponent but feels his speed decrease mid-move, 'What?' Oliver is confused but still tries to connect his strike.

*Shoosh*

But Elias dodges this time, his smile growing wider and more sinister. "You see?" He taunts and then punches Oliver in the face.

*BAM*

Oliver tries to dodge but feels his agility and senses numbing. 'What the heck?!' He fails to avoid another blow, and Elias hits him hard, knocking him to the ground.

Attempting to get up agilely with a jump, Oliver finds his body becoming heavier with each second. Unable to leap up, he rolls and tries using his arms to push himself up.

But Elias quickly kicks him in the stomach; *Bam*

"ARGHH!!" Oliver spits out a mouthful of blood and is thrown to the side. 'FUCK IT!!!' He tries to react, but his body responds less and less to his commands.

At that moment, Josephine stands up, her face etched with a worry that no one has ever seen her display publicly. "What have they done to my son?!" She tries to rush toward the arena.

But Aria grabs her arm and whispers, "Don't act rashly, or you might end up breaking your own rules."

"But they did something!" Josephine exclaims in panic. "There's clearly something wrong with Oliver! They must have poisoned him or something!!"

"I know," Aria holds Josephine firmly. "But I can't see any common poison or magic on him; whatever it is, it's well hidden."

"But..." Josephine tries to hold back tears as she sees Elias kicking Oliver repeatedly on the ground, "He can't react! They're going to kill him like this..."

"No," Aria says determinedly. "Arthur wouldn't let his first friend die like this."

As soon as Aria speaks, Josephine notices Arthur beside the Arena speaking to Oliver.

"You have to give up!" Arthur says as he and Nyx struggle to understand what's wrong with Oliver.

'No! I can't just give up like this!!' Oliver tries to regain control of his body, but he fails repeatedly. Even breathing becomes difficult, yet Elias continues brutally kicking him, opening wounds all over his body.

"Oliver!!!" Arthur is furious, helpless to aid his friend. "Just give up! Something's wrong, let me handle this!!"

Elias lessens his attacks and places his foot on Oliver's chest before casting a mocking glance at Arthur. "You can't do anything, and neither can he! I'll just kill this son of a bitch right in front of you, bastard!"

Oliver finally stops trying to fight and attempts to surrender, but he can't raise his arm or even utter a word, 'Damn! What's happening to my body?!?'

Arthur catches Oliver's pleading look, making him feel even worse. "Stop, Elias! He's finished, you've won!!"

"Oh?" Elias smiles maliciously while pressing down on Oliver's chest with his boot, "But he's still conscious and doesn't seem to want to give up..."

'Kill him!' Nyx shouts in Arthur's mind. 'Save your friend and let your mother help you deal with those cheating nobles!'

Arthur really wants to do just that, ignoring the rules Elias clearly already broke to do something with Oliver and just attack the guy to help his friend.

Yet, he manages to control his emotions and thinks about how breaking the rules in front of everyone could harm the Drummond family, which is why Josephine hasn't done anything yet.

Arthur quickly needs to find a way to deal with the situation, so he comes up with something and speaks to Elias. "What do you want to stop?"

"Ohh?" A greedy gleam surfaces in Elias's eyes, still pressing Oliver's body to the ground. "The dress," he quickly says.

"Margaret's dress?" Arthur doesn't hesitate; a dress for a life that matters to him is not something Margaret would deny. "Alright, I'll give you that dress!"

Elias's smile widens even more. "Not just that one..." His eyes gleam lasciviously. "I also want your mother's dress, and they can't be clean; I want them with their scent!"

"I see..." Arthur finally grasps Elias's intent, and it ignites a fury within him, but he remains calm, his mind considering all the ways he will inflict pain on the man who dares make such a request.

"So?" Elias moves his boot towards Oliver's neck. "Don't test me. I'll really kill him, and nothing can stop me!"

"If you defeat me next," Arthur quickly speaks up. "I might agree to your request if you can beat me."

"Hmm..." Elias ponders that. He glances at Aria and Margaret, then turns his attention back to Arthur. "I have your word?"

Arthur's eyes shine like two icy blue gems. "I'll kill you, that's for sure. But in your dream world, if you defeat me, you can have a dress, you pathetic little man."

"Hahahaa!" Elias laughs even more and then brutally kicks Oliver's face before stepping back. "We have a deal; and they can take off the dresses in front of me, hehehe..."

Arthur ignores the madman and leaps into the arena to assist Oliver, who begins to throw up blood uncontrollably. "Mother!" He calls out as he picks up Oliver and leaps out of the arena.

"I'm here!" Aria quickly arrives and wastes no time before using her healing magic to treat the injured Drummond while Josephine watches everything with a worried expression by her side.

Her magic is incredible and quickly closes Oliver's wounds, but he continues to vomit blood and remains unable to move or speak.

"What's happening to my son?!?" Josephine exclaims in despair.

"His organs are shutting down..." Aria continues attempting to heal him with her magic, but she can't find the real problem. "Without knowing what his issue is, I can't solve it."

"SHIT!!" Arthur turns his attention back to Elias, who is smiling at Oliver's suffering. "What did you do to him? Tell me, and I'll grant you a quick death."

Elias shrugs. "I just hit him a bit, as everyone saw."

"Then I'll extract it from you," Arthur starts moving towards Elias, but Josephine holds his arm.

Aria stands up, and her eyes start to glow grey. "It's okay, Josephine; I can handle them."

"Don't do this, please!" Josephine quickly tries to stop Aria. "I know you're powerful, but if you do this, it will start a war against many powerful people as well... and my family will pay the price in lives. That isn't what Oliver would want."

"But... he's your son," Aria can't comprehend why Josephine would be concerned about others when her son could die. "I would destroy this whole continent for Arthur; let me help you deal with this."

"Isn't there another way?" Josephine asks desperately.

Aria tries to think of something. "Arthur, bring him!" She requests, and Arthur quickly picks up Oliver.

"We need to take him to a large bathtub or pool!" Aria says, and Josephine swiftly leads them towards the bathrooms.

Meanwhile, a commotion arises among the nobles. Most are confused, while only a few know what's truly happening with Oliver.

Elias returns to the Viscount's table, and the man hands him another glass of wine. "Good job, Elias."

"Thanks, your grace."