The arena smoldered, walls scorched, floor cracked from the fury of blue and crimson energy. Vemy Lula's chest heaved, his slender yet muscular frame illuminated by the faint blue embers of his Azure Surge.
Aruto Samaki stood opposite him, crimson aura still burning fiercely, smirk unshaken despite the onslaught. "Not bad, Zero," he said, wiping blood from a cut on his lip. "But that's all you have?"
Vemy's lips curled into a confident, almost predatory smile. "I'm just getting started."
The air around him hummed. He could feel it—the third ring awakening inside his soul, demanding control, precision, and creativity. Samaki's words echoed in his mind: Your rings are more than power. They are your essence, your body, your choices.
He exhaled sharply, letting the blue flames spread from his arms, chest, and legs. The energy wrapped his body like a second skin, highlighting the subtle curves of his frame, the almost feminine allure of his lithe muscles, and the dangerous aura that now radiated from him.
With a sudden motion, Vemy leapt into the air, spinning gracefully as Azure Flow fully manifested. Trails of blue fire followed his movements, forming ethereal wings that shimmered with deadly elegance. The crowd gasped—not just at his power, but at the mesmerizing, almost hypnotic fluidity of his body in motion.
Aruto's eyes widened. "Hah… so that's the third ring…"
The first strike came like a bolt of lightning. Vemy's fist, now enveloped in concentrated Azure Flow, collided with Aruto's shoulder. Crimson energy flared as the force of the attack sent him skidding back, carving grooves into the stone floor.
"Impressive," Aruto muttered. He recovered quickly, his aura flaring higher, fists forming a vortex of destructive red energy. "But you're still too slow."
Vemy smirked. He pivoted, spinning in midair, letting his aura shift with grace. The blue flames around his body condensed into sharp, flowing blades along his arms, creating an almost weaponized extension of his essence. Each motion left a glowing trail, painting the battlefield in azure streaks of light.
The two clashed again—blades of blue and red sparking violently with each collision. Every strike, block, and dodge tested Vemy's mastery of Azure Flow. His body moved like water, twisting and turning, every curve and motion designed not just for efficiency, but for overwhelming presence.
He could feel it—the ring demanding more. More control. More creativity. More danger. Azure Flow wasn't just about strength. It was about expression.
Sweat and blood mingled with energy as Vemy pushed his limits. He dodged a sweeping punch from Aruto, rolling under the force and launching a spinning strike that sent shards of energy scattering like crystal. His aura flared brighter with each successful maneuver, the blue flames licking his skin and highlighting his body's dangerous beauty.
"You're evolving," Aruto said through gritted teeth, stepping back to reassess. "But there's still a limit. Everyone has one."
Vemy shook his head, aura flaring higher. "Limits exist only where you accept them."
With that, he surged forward, letting his energy expand into Azure Flow's full form. Ethereal wings unfurled behind him, body wrapped in a sheath of pure blue flame. His hair shimmered silver-blue, eyes glowing like twin stars. Every movement became a blur, a deadly, beautiful dance of power and precision.
Aruto staggered back, wide-eyed. "What… what is that…?"
"The next step. The Azure Flow." Vemy's voice was calm, yet carried the weight of fire, danger, and allure. "I'm learning… and I'm not stopping."
The two clashed again, blue and red energy colliding in a brilliant explosion. The arena trembled, debris flying as the sheer intensity of their power shook the foundation. Vemy's body moved flawlessly, each strike more refined, more deadly, more mesmerizing.
Samaki's voice rang in his mind. Good. But this is just the beginning. The Azure Path is infinite… and your body is only the canvas.
As the dust settled, Vemy stood tall, chest heaving, wings of azure flame still faintly glowing behind him. Aruto had been pushed back, panting, his smirk now tinged with grudging respect.
Vemy's gaze met his rival's. "The battle's not over," he said softly. "And I… will rise further."
Inside him, the spark of the fourth ring whispered, waiting for the perfect moment to awaken. And with it, the promise of something far more beautiful, deadly, and unstoppable than the world had ever seen.
The Blue Inferno had only just begun.