chapter fifteen

The moment the battle began, Paul slammed his fists into the ground, causing the arena to tremble as stone pillars erupted toward John. John leaped back, dodging the onslaught, his mind analyzing the patterns of attack.

Paul's mastery over stone was impressive. Every movement was deliberate, each strike calculated. He wasn't just controlling the earth—he was using it as an extension of himself.

John took a deep breath. He still didn't fully understand his ability, but he could feel it growing with every fight. His talent lay in his adaptability, in his ability to sense and wield the power of those he encountered.

Paul lunged forward, his body reinforced with stone armor. His punch shattered the ground where John had been standing just a second before.

John focused, instinct guiding him. His energy shifted. Suddenly, the ground beneath his feet became an ally rather than an obstacle. He mimicked Paul's technique, tapping into the essence of his opponent's power. Stones rose around him, swirling in a controlled storm.

Paul's eyes widened in surprise. "You're using my ability?!"

John smirked. "Not exactly. I'm understanding it."

With a swift movement, John sent a wave of stones toward Paul. But the earth-wielding warrior was unfazed. He countered with a massive wall of rock, stopping the attack.

The two warriors clashed in a brutal exchange of blows, stone meeting stone, power meeting power. But there was a difference—John was evolving mid-battle. Each attack sharpened his understanding.

Then, in a decisive moment, John stopped fighting with stone and switched to raw agility. He sidestepped Paul's powerful strike, got behind him, and delivered a precise, energy-infused strike to his back.

Paul staggered forward, his control momentarily lost. John capitalized on the opening, striking again with pinpoint accuracy.

With a final, powerful kick, John sent Paul crashing to the ground. The dust settled, and the arena fell silent.

Gabriel: "John is the winner!"

As Paul lay on the ground, breathing heavily, he chuckled. "Damn… you're something else."

John extended a hand to help him up. "You made me stronger."

Paul took his hand with a smirk. "Next time, I won't lose."

The crowd roared as John walked back, his heart pounding. He was beginning to grasp his power—but he knew he had a long way to go.

The next battle was announced:

Ronesa vs Azura.

The battle for dominance continued.