Chapter Thirty-Four – The Flames of the Strongest
Reyan's kick smashed across Ethan's face, sending the prince drifting several feet back through the air. But Ethan quickly steadied himself, wings flaring wide, and darted toward Reyan with blinding speed.
His counter kick struck Reyan square on the chin, hurling him upward. Before Reyan could fly higher, Ethan caught his leg mid-motion and—
SLAM!
He hurled Reyan back toward the arena floor.
Reyan twisted at the last moment, stabilizing himself inches above the ground. He shot back up immediately, driving his knee deep into Ethan's abdomen. As Ethan folded forward, Reyan grabbed his face with both hands and smashed his knee into his nose.
Ethan staggered back, shaking his head to clear his dizziness. He swung his elbow hard, connecting with Reyan's jaw. Reyan's head snapped to the side from the impact—only for Ethan to follow up with a vicious roundhouse kick to the cheek.
Any normal person's neck would've snapped.
But Reyan—half-dragon, half-angel—stood his ground.
He gritted his teeth, then drove a powerful punch into Ethan's left jaw. Before the prince could recover, Reyan's next strike rose upward, his fist connecting with Ethan's chin. Grabbing Ethan by the collar, Reyan pulled him close and headbutted him with brutal force.
BOOOOM!
The shockwave rippled through the entire arena, shaking the stands. Both warriors were sent crashing down together, slamming into the stone floor from fifty meters up.
---
Dust filled the air.
Reyan lay there, eyes closed, a smirk creeping across his bruised lips.
This feels good… finally fighting without holding back. I didn't think Prince Ethan could handle my full strength. But I should've known—he's not just the prince of angels… he's Saint Athepia's most relentless mage.
He sat up, rubbing the side of his head. But standing in front of him—calm, collected, and barely breathing hard—was Prince Ethan.
Ethan smiled faintly. "You've impressed me, Reyan. I'm sure one day you could even become a Guardian of the Angel Kingdom. But that day is still far away."
He stepped closer, eyes gleaming. "For now… I'll end this. We've fought long enough."
Reyan's eyes widened at his words. A Guardian… me? The thought flickered for a heartbeat—but he shook it away, determination replacing wonder.
He rose to his feet and smirked. "I've been waiting for this moment, my prince. Show me your magic."
Ethan's expression softened into a confident grin. He lifted his hand.
"Flames of Catastrophe—Divine Fire."
A crimson blaze erupted around his palm, roaring with divine energy. The heat alone made the air waver.
Reyan leapt backward, widening the distance between them. Ethan's voice echoed, calm yet commanding:
> "To die when it is right to die.
To strike when it is right to strike.
That is the way of a true mage."
With a smooth motion, Ethan swung his hand forward.
A massive fire eagle burst from his flames, shrieking as it soared toward Reyan at blinding speed.
Reyan's eyes widened. Too fast to dodge!
"Earth Magic—Mud Wall!" he shouted.
A thick earthen barrier rose before him just as the flaming eagle struck—
KA-BOOOOOOM!
A deafening explosion ripped through the arena. The ground quaked. Flames roared skyward, consuming the air in heat and smoke.
But before anyone could be harmed, Luke Blackwood had already raised a massive energy barrier around the arena, protecting the audience.
As the firestorm faded, the dust settled.
Prince Ethan stood tall amidst the scorched battlefield—his shirt half-burned, flames still flickering across his sleeves. His hands slid calmly back into his pockets.
Across the arena, Reyan sat slumped against a cracked wall, unconscious, his chest rising and falling weakly.
Silence filled the air.
Then the announcer's voice broke through:
> "And as expected, the victor of this match—
our beloved Prince of Angels, three-time champion of the Theoms, the undefeated Ethan!
And his brave opponent, the fierce brawler Reyan—after giving his all—has been knocked out!"
The crowd erupted in thunderous applause. Cheers echoed through the stands as Ethan gave a small nod to the audience, his calm demeanor unshaken.
---
Up in the balcony, Atta exhaled deeply.
"Reyan lost… but he fought damn well," he murmured. "Now I want my turn against Ethan—no matter if he hates me or not."
Princess Isha glanced at him, her expression unreadable, her thoughts hidden behind her sharp, royal gaze.
---
To be continued…