Elsewhere, many mages in the VIP rooms, and within the stands, as if by some agreement began to head down to the wall, drawing curious glances from those around them.

Jade also retreated into the stands, unable to handle the heat emanating from the ball above Syèl's head. If the phoenix from before was like the hottest flames, this new ball the sun itself. Everything around it burned without fail, and even the rebar on the canopy had begun to melt.

This was not a move that belonged in the realm of mortals! Jade glanced at Shokō who stood only a couple of meters from that blazing ball. Even with the protection of her ki, the swordswoman was suffering several third-degree burns on her face and arms. Her garment had caught fire, but thankfully, due to its high level, the flames had not completely destroyed it yet.

Rather, it made Shokō look like a tragic burning prince. Several artists in the audience saved the image in their minds. It would not be long before the 'Burning Prince' made its debut on the continent.

Jade could not understand why these two were going this far. When Shokō had asked her to get Syèl to come to this event, she had thought they would talk it out while having a showy, but safe battle. But this was definitely not safe!

However, it was too late to stop them.

By this point, the miniature star had grown to about 20 meters wide. Lightning and rocks flowed around the star, giving it an even more sinister appearance.

Syèl glared at Shokō and warned, "Sure about this? I won't be able to stop once I release this thing."

"No confidence?" Shokō teased in reply.

Syèl frowned and then raised his right hand above his head. He slowly squeezed palm into a fist. The star rapidly shrunk in tandem with his hand, until it became a small ball, barely 10cm in diameter, clasped securely in his right hand. Sweat poured down Syèl, visibly drained by the ordeal. This ball contained all his mana and blood. He had definitely overdrafted himself, and would require a good while before he recovered.

However, it was worth it in return for this logic-defying skill.

"[Wrath of the Sun God]" Syèl roared and then flung the ball at Shokō.

"[One Sword to Pierce the Heavens]!" Shokō replied in kind as a gigantic 30m katana appeared around her and then zoomed toward the miniature star.

The stadium watched with bated breath as the blade and star crashed towards each other. Time seemed to stop the moment that the blade tip met the star. There was a pause as if the rules of the cosmos were temporarily unable to calculate what the result of these two superpowers clashing should be.

However, that pause was only a misconception caused by the immense power on display, as the very moment those powers met...

BOOOOOOOM!

A world-shaking explosion tore through the stadium as flames, rocks, electricity and sword ki were sent flying in every which direction. The audience shrieked in terror as flames burst through the barrier and descended upon them.

BOOM!

Luckily, just before impact, a mana shield appeared blocked the attack. Absalon gritted his teeth as he raised his hand, forcing the flames to return the way they came. "Mages Reinforce the Barrier! We'll reward you handsomely after this crisis is over!"

Every mage in the arena ran to the walls and injected their mana into the barrier, reinforcing it against the tempestuous explosions. Absalon took charge as he placed his hand on the wall and immediately cast, [Absorb] and [Repel]. Absalon was tens, if not hundreds times stronger compared to his tenure as General during the war for Riven.

Dozens of mandalas appeared around the translucent barrier. The Absorb Mandalas, absorbed as much flames as they could, while the Repel mandalas, pushed back the flames that struck them. Absalon then cast a new ability [Convert] which deconstructed the flames he absorbed into pure mana. That mana was ten used to both reinforce the barrier and restore his rapidly emptying mana pools.

Despite the hundreds of mages present, it was clear that it was Absalon who handled over 50% of the barrier's reinforcement.

Even though the General did not recognize the fact, he was just as much of a monster as those two in the sky.

However, despite the best efforts of Absalon and the mages, cracks began to appear around the barrier. They could tell that it would shatter if the explosions did not subside soon.

However, there were no signs of abating.

"Damn it!" Absalon cursed as he looked at the cracks. "Where's Kashi when you need him!?"

Jade, who was also reinforcing the barrier gritted her teeth and cursed in regret, "I would've called Kashi earlier if I knew these two were going to go at it for real."

Creak! Craaack!

Jade, Absalon, and the mages paled as the cracks began to grow even wider. Several mages quickly abandoned their posts to flee for their lives, leaving only those who were either righteous or affiliated with the Hopeful Maggots.

These mages at the barrier were in the most danger. Once the barrier was broken, they would suffer the brunt of the flames. Despite this, there were quite a few mages unaffiliated with the Maggots who had chosen to risk their lives to protect the audience who were in the midst of evacuation.

Absalon looked around, committing these individuals to memory. He would not forget their help at this time, and would definitely implore Miote to reward these men and women.

Craack!

However, rewards or not would only come after this crisis was averted. With the deserters gone, the cracks began to spread even faster. Until eventually, there was a loud bang as the barrier finally shattered into a million pieces.

"Onyx"

However, just when the mages were in the pit of despair, a solemn voice rang throughout the stadium. Following which, a giant rock serpent shot out of the ground and wrapped around the barrier, trapping the flames within. With no path to escape, the flames exploded upward like a furnace.

Moments later, the explosions finally ended and the rock serpent relaxed its body. As soon as it did so, several sections of its body crashed to the battlefield as boulders. Evidently, it had not escaped the explosions unscathed.

Absalon's eyes went wide as a small serpent about 2 m in length and 10 cm in height shot down from the giant mass and wrapped around the arm of a man seated in the stands.

Although Absalon did not recognize the hooded figure, he recognized the woman seated next to him.

"Asha?" Absalon greeted the Chetah with equal parts shock and relief. "You're back?" Although that man appeared to be unfathomable, if Asha was at his side, he should not be an enemy at the very least.

"I've been back for a while," Asha responded with an apologetic smile. "Uncle said he wanted to evaluate the city by himself before meeting the Maggots."

Absalon cast a wary glance at the so-called 'Uncle.' "Sir, I am Absalon, General of the Hopeful Maggots' Advance Army. I am pleased to make your acquantaince. May I request your name, so the Maggots may properly express our thanks for saving our lives."

"Soon," the hooded man replied as he pointed at the sky. "The winner should be revealed soon."

Absalon followed his gaze to the sky, where the flames had begun to dissipate. The flames finally scattered to reveal two figures suspended in the sky. Absalon and Jade's eyes flew wide in shock as they looked at Shokō who had fallen to her knees.

There was nothing recognizable about the one beautiful swordswoman. Shokō's hair had been burned away by the flames, her face and arms burned beyond recognition. It was miracle she even had the strength to breath, let alone stay in the sky.

Behind her, Syèl remained in tip-top condition, if a little pale and sweaty.

It was clear who the winner was.

However, just before Jade could announce the winner, blood suddenly spurted from Syèl's neck. The vampire clutched his throat as he lost all the strength in his body and plummeted to the ground.

Meanwhile, Shokō, who should have been on her last breath, suddenly rose to her feet. She took a step and appeared below Syèl. She grasped the vampire in her arms and then softly landed on the ground.

Shokō fished out a potion from her inventory and poured it down Syèl's mouth. She let out a breath when she saw the wound around the vampire's neck begin to slowly close up. Syèl had been in real danger there. Her sword ki interfered with his rapid regeneration, and he did not have much blood left, so he couldn't rely on that to boost his healing either.

Luckily, because she did not have Kashi and Syèl's monstrous regenerative abilities, Shokō made it a habit to carry expensive healing potions with her.

The potion did its job and Syèl soon recovered enough of his strength to focus on Shokō. Tears welled up in his eyes as he reached for her charred face, but he hesitated and in the end, could only say, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

Shokō smiled as she grasped his hand and leaned into his palm. "Don't worry about it. This can easily be healed with a few potions." She nodded and then added, "Now do you see. You won't be able to kill me in this world, even if you try your hardest. So, don't run away. Look at me. Watch me for as long as it takes. Until you no longer see Henri in me."

Syèl let out a bitter smile. "I'm sorry." This sorry was different from the first. He knew how unfair it was to compare someone to another. No one should have to experience being compared to someone in another's past, especially if they were being compared to someone who had passed away. After all, there was no way to win over the dead.

"It's fine," Shokō once again assured. "Take all the time you need. I won't go anywhere. So don't you dare run away."

Syèl chuckled through the tears. "Fine, you win. I promise not to run anymore."

"That so? I'm glad to hear that," Shokō said as her eyes grew drowsy. "Don't forget your promise." Her voice drifted off as she slumped into Syèl's embrace.

"Prince! Hey Prince! Shokō!?" Syèl shouted in panic, fearing the worst, but the rising of Shokō's chest soon allayed his fears. It appeared she had only fainted.

Well, that was to be expected. Experts on Shokō and Syèl's level all played with 90% and above pain realism. One could only imagine how much pain she was in after having been burned to such unrecognizable levels. She had only stayed awake this long as a result of her stubborn will, and her desire to make sure Syèl knew how strong she was.

A group of priests and clerics immediately ran into the field and took charge of the fallen swordswoman. Syèl accompanied them as they carried her on a stretcher out of the field to seek better treatment.

Meanwhile Jade took the opportunity to announce Shokō as the winner of the competition, to thunderous applause from all sections of the stadium. This battle from beginning to end was something most of these people would never experience, dangers and all.

Even happier were those who had bet on Shokō to win. It was a happy day for these gamblers, but of course not as happy as the Maggots who had made a massive profit this day.

Thus the curtains closed on the first battle in the coliseum.

Meanwhile, in a VIP room upstairs, Absalon sat opposite the hooded figure, with Asha standing to the side.

"Forgive my rudeness earlier," the mertian said as he withdrew his hood, and revealed his ruggedly handsome face. "You can call me Brock. I am the steward of the lands on Merriheim's right claw. I have heard much of the Hopeful Maggots. Today I was blessed with seeing two of its lieutenants in action. I must say, the rumors do not do you guys justice. They even managed to hurt little Onyx to this extent."

As if in agreement, the rock serpent uncoiled from Brock's wrist and briefly hissed before returning to its resting spot.

Absalon, meanwhile stared at the rock serpent with an incredulous look. Brock and Onyx. Were the heavens playing tricks on him right now?