The arena of Floor 38 trembled with excitement. The crowd leaned forward, whispering about the boy who had once fallen here.
Shubh's cloak swayed as he entered the ring, his eyes locked on the same man who had defeated him before.
"So, you came back," the man smirked. "I'll crush you again. History repeats."
Shubh's voice was calm.
"No. History changes today."
The bell rang.
His opponent struck first, unleashing a Flame Devourer Wave, a sea of fire rushing forward. The heat warped the very air, threatening to consume Shubh.
This time, Shubh raised his palm.
"Infernal Reversal."
The entire wave bent backwards, collapsing into harmless sparks that scattered into the sky.
The crowd gasped.
"What…? He's controlling fire?!"
Shubh stepped forward, his heel pressing into the arena floor. The ground cracked. Suddenly, his opponent's body trembled as though chained by invisible weight.
"Gravity Bind."
The man roared, struggling to move, veins bulging in his neck. With a desperate cry, he broke free and conjured lightning into a spear, hurling it with all his might.
Shubh didn't flinch. His eyes glowed faintly.
"Heaven's Disperse."
The lightning spear shattered into harmless streams of light, scattering like falling stars. Then, Shubh flicked his finger, and those same sparks reformed, circling the arena.
"Celestial Blades."
The glowing blades hovered, pointing directly at his opponent.
Fear spread across the man's face. "No… fire, gravity, lightning, light—how many affinities do you—"
Shubh's body blurred. He was suddenly before his opponent, fist cocked back.
"Collapse Strike."
His punch landed. The sheer force, amplified by crushing gravity, sent his opponent crashing into the arena floor, shattering stone and echoing like thunder. Dust filled the air.
When it cleared, the man lay unconscious, completely defeated.
The bell rang again.
Shubh lowered his fist, his cloak fluttering in the silence before the crowd erupted into cheers and fearful whispers.
"He has… more than one affinity!"
"No—I saw at least three!"
"Four… he used four!"
Shubh's gaze never wavered. Looking at his fallen rival, he said quietly,
"I told you… history changes."
Far above, unseen eyes of stronger beings watched. Masters. Leaders. Perhaps even gods.
And for the first time, they whispered Shubh's name's