"Like for real, how the flipping hell did I find myself in this situation?!" Liam cried out as he clutched his hair in fright while staring ahead. The direct descendants stood like pillars. Their auras immediately began clouding the whole platform, causing Liam to shiver even more, but Grey stood rooted, eyes fixed on the three figures before him. The crowd sat tight, their eyes gleaming, waiting to see what strength the direct descendants would unleash on those who had come to challenge them. "Kent! Are you sure this is your final choice?!" Leo asked, staring at the team of six below, confusion etched into his face. Kent swallowed and replied, "Yes." "Like for real?!" Rowen muttered, a dark glee in his eyes as he stared at Rivock, who stood slightly behind Mada and Noelle. "Isn’t this overkill? You could have just made it six versus two. Throwing Rivock into the mix is like sending in a ravaging dog to battle mice." "What are you trying to insinuate now?" Selene snapped back with a raised brow. "That my daughter is weaker than your son?" "Did I say such a thing?" Rowen asked, a smile flashing across his face. "Although it is true." "Enough, you two." Orion scolded calmly, his voice carrying authority as he stared at the six students. "I really do not know why you both bicker like children, but none of this is befitting for leaders of the great clans in this faction." "Tch!" Rowen scoffed and turned his face away. ’I don’t take orders from you! Just because you are the figurehead of the Aetherian faction, doesn’t mean I’m your slave! But don’t worry, the day you die of mysteriously natural cause, my son— Rivock would step up.’ he chuckled inwardly as he relaxed in his seat. "Leo, call the match," Orion ordered. "Sure." Leo stood and addressed the warriors below. "Now listen. The rules of this match are simple. It is the same as before. Either you knock your opponent unconscious, kick them off the platform, or make them surrender and accept defeat." "So without further ado, are all warriors ready?" He asked. The students nodded. "Fine then, let the fight begin!" he shouted as he swung his arm down. The crowd erupted into cheers. "Uhm, how do we battle these monsters?" Liam asked, gulping as the direct descendants still did not move. "Ray," Grey called without taking his eyes off the trio. "You, Finral, Liam and Jared against Noelle. Make sure you knock her out before you think of helping me." "Huh?" Liam muttered in confusion. "Tha... uhm, Pink, can you handle Rivock?" Grey asked, and Finral’s mouth dropped open at the request. "Are you crazy, Grey? How do you expect a blue band like Pink to battle the strongest warrior of the trio?!" Finral snapped. "Don’t question me. I know what I’m saying and doing," Grey replied as he swung his hand down and his sword slid into his grasp. "Do what I ask. If you cannot defeat your opponents, hold out long enough until I come to help." "I hope you do know what you are doing," Ray said as he banged his gauntlets together, causing a loud metallic ring to echo throughout the platform. Without hesitation, he bolted toward his opponent, his aura flaring like a burning torch. "Pink, don’t die," Liam chuckled nervously as he sprinted after Ray, his face pale yet determined. Finral and Jared followed right behind, their weapons already drawn and eyes locked on Noelle. "I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I hope you have a plan," Thalos muttered, his tone quiet but edged. Grey didn’t reply. Instead, he let Ki surge beneath his feet, swirling in sync with the wind element that danced around him, creating a faint spiral of dust and force. A loud explosion of air echoed out as Grey launched himself forward like a blur. Mada’s grin widened the instant he saw him coming. He raised his sword high, the blade glinting coldly under the light. ’It’s time I finally send you to your maker. Too bad my brother—your savior ain’t here. I’d have loved to see his face when I impale you,’ Mada thought, his excitement turning vicious. Without hesitation, he bolted forward too, his movements swift and full of killing intent. ’I still remember how you kicked me off that cliff. How you and your goons beat the crap outta me in front of everyone in the canteen. Then you lied against me too,’ Grey thought as his expression darkened. ’Today’s the day you all face my wrath.’ In a split second, the two met at the center of the platform... A violent shockwave burst outward, rattling the entire field and even hitting those about to engage in their own battles. The tiles beneath them shattered, fissures racing across the ground. Mada’s teeth ground together in restrained rage while Grey’s lips curved into a confident smirk. "You peasant!" Mada roared as his Ki flared around his feet, rippling outward like a wave. With a thunderous burst, he dashed forward, pushing Grey back with sheer force. The Supreme Magus staggered a few steps but quickly regained his footing. "Today is the day you die!" Mada bellowed as he swung his sword downward in a vertical slash aimed straight at Grey’s exposed chest. Meanwhile, on the other side of the battlefield, while everyone else had already clashed with their opponents, Thalos still hadn’t moved. Rivock, too, remained perfectly still for several seconds before sighing and deciding to take the initiative. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒·𝗇𝗲𝘁 "I’ll make this quick and as painless as possible for you," Rivock said flatly, lifting his foot slightly. The next instant, his body vanished. In the blink of an eye, he appeared right in front of Thalos, closing a distance of nearly six meters effortlessly. That unsettling grin never left his face as he threw a punch, his fist cutting through the air like a cannonball. ’I didn’t even want to get involved in the spat of kids,’ Thalos thought, his gaze unchanging. ’But I can’t let a weakling like you land a hit on me. That would be unacceptable.’ Before Rivock’s fist could connect, Thalos disappeared. Rivock’s punch met nothing but air, yet the force behind it shook the arena. The sudden burst of power left cracks in the ground beneath his feet. His eyes widened slightly—just slightly as he registered the speed Thalos had just shown. "I won’t go all out, but I still won’t make this easy for you," Thalos’ calm voice drifted from the side. Rivock barely turned his head before... A powerful impact followed, shaking the platform once again as the crowd gasped, their cheers turning to roars of disbelief.