Chapter LII - Understanding (part 1)

Everyone was trying to hold back against the force of magic pressure coming from Jonus, but it was most certainly difficult.

To be able to hold on when being pressured by a magical pressure, one needs to be able to fight back by guarding themselves with their own magical pressure or by releasing their own blast of pressure. 

This can be done by reinforcing their bodies with their magic, which is a lot more efficient than using a pressure blast. 

With their own magic energy, they will have to cover a certain area around their bodies to deflect the incoming force of pressure that is harassing or attacking them. 

However, if the incoming pressure blasts are too powerful for them to defend... they can get harmed.

On the spectators seat, everyone was troubled by the magical pressures of the two monsters fighting in the arena. Even though they were far away from the source, it still affected them immensely since the strength of each magical pressure was far stronger than anybody else in the arena.

Amongst those who can hold back against the pressure were Hod and Fran, and the two are trying their best to keep themselves and their teammates safe from the pressuring force. The pressure battle between the two at the arena was still too strong for them to handle, but they still did well enough that everyone else behind them could breathe properly.

While keeping the defensive pressure up, Hod and Fran finally balanced their posture and kept their eyes to the middle of the arena. Their eyes widened from the sudden changes, and everyone else was also surprised. Klane opened her eyes slowly because the wind force made it quite hard to do so, and she was both amazed and worried by the view.

Everyone is also mumbling something when they see the things occurring at the arena. Their brains simply couldn't believe what their eyes were seeing.

At the eastern side of the arena, a great force of pressure can be felt coming from Jonus's entire body. However, this force felt more condensed. He is charging a very powerful technique, and everyone can see just how powerful it was.

I, too, can't believe this. He actually did something… unbelievably amazing.

Jonus is just standing there calmly with his entire body completely covered in pure blue flames. His red eyes are shining while the rest of his body is blue. The dragon-like flame armor he is wearing looks extra dangerous compared to before, and the long burning flaming sword on his right hand is also fully covered by the same raging blue flames.

He is like that guy from Fantastic Four, just blue and wears his flame like an armor. His flames are also more chaotic, possibly following his lunatic personality.

The heat around him is much hotter and condensed than before, and yet nothing is melting. He was able to control his flames until this point. He really is befitting of the title 'Flame King'.

So, this... is the Flame King's true power. I'm shocked.

"Well, Rize…"

Even his voice turned different. It's heavier and steadier, and it contains power unlike any other.

"This is my strongest form… I hope you don't mind."

Jonus lifted his right foot forward, and he landed them on the ground.

BOOOMMMM!!!!!!!!!

All he did was take a step forward, and all the pressure around him somewhat focused on me. I can feel my body weighing ten times more than usual, and I only grinned madly from this insanity.

His pressure is really powerful. It was so heavy I could barely stand without shaking. This is the full power of a White ranked adventurer... No, this is the power of an experienced White ranked adventurer. He is just on a completely different level than anybody else I've met.

Strong... He is very strong. He is the strongest. No one else I know is stronger than him.

However... I am very glad that he is this strong.

My mouth is smiling madly, and I can tell I am truly enjoying this situation. The fact that he is so powerful made me glad that there was actually someone who isn't so boring in this kingdom, after all.

This situation is not nerve-wrecking like with Galar, where he actually tries to kill me. No, this is different.

This is… fun. This is interesting.

"Ha… Haha…"

Why am I laughing?

"Hahaha… Haha…"

Oi… hello, me…?

Something inside me has taken control, and I don't really think that's a big deal. In fact, I should probably follow the flow.

My hands gripped my swords a lot harder. My legs are bending, and I moved both of my hands to the right, forming a stance. My face is facing forward, while my eyes are wildly looking at the strong opponent right in front of me.

Right... this is another chance for me.

After the fight with Galar, I realized that I wasn't strong enough, and I had nothing to prepare myself if such a situation were to occur again. I needed to create some sort of ultimate form or technique so that I could fight someone more powerful than me. Since all this time I have been so free and blatantly fighting those weaker than me, I didn't know what to do when a stronger opponent appeared before me.

'What would I do if I fought someone like that again?', is the question I asked all the time after facing Galar.

And so... I came up with an idea when I was crippled. I was having so much free time that I actually managed to do a little bit of research about it.

One thing that I have is so different compared to everybody else... is my magic growth. I just can't stop growing my magic, and I am growing so much faster than anybody else. As a result, my magic points became so large, to the point where I can even rival White ranked adventurers like Jonus.

However, that amount is useless if I don't utilize it. I will have to use those humongous amounts of energy properly and efficiently, abusing them to the fullest.

And so, I came up with a concept. A method to break through my limits.

I simply had to open my magic output even bigger. And since I have a ton of magic points compared to everyone else, I have no problem in doing that. I can 'waste' more energy compared to everyone else, even though it's less efficient. I can do that, because I have more energy than they do.

And seeing how this fight is on another level, I will need to use that method. I need to open my 'Lid', to break through my limits.

So... I opened the 'Lid'.

VWOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The magical energy inside my body bursted out, and I can feel so much of my energy leaving me. This much movement felt so costly, but the results were quite obvious as well.

My whole body... became fifty times lighter. I can literally move a muscle, and I will just float in the air.

Of course, I can feel my energy draining even faster, but that's okay. The magic drain rate is probably the same as a normal person, as if I have the same amount of magic points as normal.

However, I can see that my whole body can't support this form for too long. The skins on my hand are starting to burn thanks to the heavy and overflowing energy on my body.

Ah... nothing is free. This method has its own costs and effects. But, I am quite prepared for the side effects.

Right after my skin started to burn, I activated healing magic around my body. The wounds that appeared were immediately closed, and I became fine right away. Of course, this adds more to the cost that is needed to use the form, but I'm betting that this battle will end faster before I can run out of magic.

Aside from my whole body, the power output on my swords also became more powerful. The flames are burning even bigger on my orcish sword, and my knights sword is shining blue even brighter. The flames on my orcish sword were even larger than the one at Jonus's sword, probably because I poured in more magic energy than what Jonus's King tier can do.

For sure... this is costly. But right now, this is my most powerful form. 

I can't keep this up for long. However, this will be more than enough to battle him.

VWOOOOMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As the two humongous powers clashed in the air, the world around us began to react.

The ground cracks endlessly. The stones are floating thanks to the pressure. The walls began to crack even more, and dust started falling even more from the top.

My hair is flying wild on my back. The red flames on my right hand that is burning the orcish sword are lighting the world red, but the shining knights sword on my left hand is lighting the world blue.

On the other side, Jonus's entire body is the brightest source of light. The wind is flying around chaotically due to the pressure of his fire magic, but his flames are burning even deadlier.

Everyone is watching in pure amazement and fear. They all knew that the two on the ground are, without a doubt, the strongest adventurers who are currently present in the kingdom.

Everyone turned excited. Everyone is afraid. Everyone wishes to see what will happen from this point on.

Everyone, but one.

"Hey… You two…"

Fran and Hod quickly turned to Klane. The two noticed the worried face worn on Klane's expression. She then explained to them what she was thinking, and both of them listened closely.

In the middle of the arena, me and Jonus are about to clash. I'm watching his body closely and tell that this form of his must've been costly as well.

"Can you really handle that form, Jonus?"

I asked him while studying him. Seeing how his entire body is cladded in full blue flame, it's going to take a toll on him, sooner or later.

"I have been practicing this form for years, Rize. Don't take me lightly."

He lifted his sword high and held it with both hands. The flames grew even bigger, almost as big as mine.

"And that question should be directed to you, Rize. Can you handle 'this' form?"

He asked while pointing at his body. I chuckled from his stupid question. He isn't underestimating me because he is taking this seriously, and I can't blame him.

We readied our swords, preparing for one huge clash. The pressure around us turned stiff, but then it started to grow crazy one second later.

VWOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The pressures were released fully right before the two of us began moving. We both know that this will be the beginning of a battle that will change our lives, and we are very excited for it.

The world around us shook even more, and the destruction began to grow more intense. Very quickly, the spectators realized their situation wasn't as simple as they thought.

Klane noticed that the powering up began to speed up, as if the clash was about to happen. She quickly turned to the two high ranking adventurers next to her with panic.

"Can you do that!? Hod!? Fran!?"

""Yes!!""

Without further ado, we both began enhancing our legs.

And... we made the leap.

BAAARRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!

BAAAAARRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The ground below me exploded into pieces, while Jonus caused a volcanic eruption as he leaped from the ground towards me.

Our distance grew smaller and smaller at a very high rate. I can see his face clearly enjoying this moment… as do I. We began strengthening the swords on our hands, and getting ready to do a clash.

However, my eyes quickly caught a glimpse of something arriving from the side.

ZRINNGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!

A wall of ice suddenly appeared right in front of me, blocking my path.

I immediately dropped my front leg and dropped it on the ground as fast as I could. It literally got buried under the ground, and kept on digging for three meters until it completely stopped my move.

The magic enchantments on my whole body quickly dissipated as I turned to the person right in front of me, wearing his angered expression.

"What the hell are you doing!?!?"

I shouted at him because I could've very easily killed him. That charge from me was prepared to face off against a monster like Jonus, not some Blue ranked magician.

"That question should be directed at you."

He replied to me calmly and coldly, and I quickly turned confused. My gaze turned to the gigantic ice wall behind him, and I realized he is purposely doing something with that wall.

He separated me and Jonus, so that we wouldn't clash. Why would he do that?