Chapter 15: The Duel Begins

The day had arrived.

Ryo stood at the center of the grand arena, surrounded by the murmurs and cheers of eager spectators. The air was thick with excitement, anticipation crackling like static in the atmosphere. Today was the day of the duel.

At his side, Leon gave him a side glance, frowning slightly. "Are you really going in without a weapon?"

One of the instructors raised an eyebrow as well. "Where's your weapon?" he asked, looking at Ryo with concern.

"I don't need one," Ryo said firmly, his voice unwavering.

"Are you sure about that?" The instructor narrowed his eyes.

Leon nudged him. "Last chance, man. You can still change your mind and take a weapon."

But Ryo shook his head. "Too late for that. I'm ready."

At that moment, the leader of the prince's group Kyle entered the arena. His muscles were visibly toned from the days of training, his expression confident, almost arrogant. He had something to prove today.

"You're going to wish you never existed," he sneered at Ryo.

Ryo smirked. "Do I look like I need a weapon to beat you?"

That single remark made Kyle blood boil😡. His sword ignited, flames roaring to life like an uncontrollable inferno👺. The intense heat surged through the arena, forcing some spectators to shield their faces. His eyes burned red, veins bulging with fury, and his muscles swelled with raw energy.

The instructor raised his hand. "Ready… set…"

🔥 "FIGHT!" 🔥

Just as the words left his mouth, Ryo's tattoos began to glow, faint at first, then brighter and brighter, until a nanotech exoskeleton formed over his body like liquid metal. The suit assembled itself seamlessly, covering him from head to toe, transforming him into a technological warrior.

The crowd gasped.

Leon's jaw dropped. "What… the hell?!"

For the first time, Ryo had activated his micro-engraved magic-tech suit.

Through the metal mask, his voice came out distorted, robotic. "Come at me."

Kyle dashed forward, his flaming blade slashing through the air with terrifying force. 🔥🔥🔥

BOOM!

A wave of fire exploded, engulfing the entire arena in a fiery storm. The sheer heat melted some of the stone tiles on the ground. The audience screamed, struggling to see through the thick smoke and flames.

💨 "CLEAR THE FIELD!" The instructor swiftly used magic to disperse the smoke.

But when the dust settled, the unexpected was revealed.

Kyle was the one bleeding🤕.with holes of bullet's from his hands to his chest.

His armor was cracked💔. His body trembled in shock. He looked down at his own wounds, struggling to understand what had just happened.

"What… what did you do to me?" he coughed, blood dripping from his lips.

Ryo chuckled, his glowing blue eyes piercing through the metal mask. "Do you really want me to explain? Fine." He mockingly shrugged. "But it won't help you win."

Kyle rage boiled over. The ground beneath him cracked, fiery lava veins spreading like an uncontrollable disease.

🔥 "YOU'RE DEAD!" 🔥

The entire arena floor erupted into molten lava, turning the battleground into a boiling wasteland. The heat was unbearable, steam hissing from the ground.

But Ryo was already airborne. 🚀

With a subtle click, his exoskeleton suit activated its jet boosters, launching him into the sky like a rocket. The audience gasped, eyes wide in shock. This wasn't magic—it was something new.

"What the hell is that?!" someone shouted.

"Is that really Ryo?! How did he get that kind of power?!"

💥 Missiles emerged from Ryo's shoulders.

Kyle eyes widened as homing missiles locked onto him, tracking his every move.

🚀💨 BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

He desperately dodged, using his lava control to melt as many projectiles as possible, but one still managed to explode against his chest, sending him crashing into the ground.

Before he could recover, Ryo descended, his arm transforming into a giant mechanical fist with rocket thrusters.

💥 BOOM!

A thunderous punch sent the prince flying across the arena, his body tumbling through the ruined battlefield. Blood splattered from his mouth as he hit the stone wall with a sickening crack.

Silence.

The audience stared in awe. Shock. Fear. Disbelief.

Ryo landed gracefully, his suit humming softly, steam escaping from the vents.

For a moment, it seemed like the duel was over.

But then…

🔥 The prince leader got up. 🔥

His body burned, his skin charring, but his eyes glowed with unrelenting fury. He stood up like a zombie, his body broken but refusing to fall.

"No… no, this isn't possible…" he whispered, his flaming aura intensifying. "I am the strongest! I am the future ruler! How… how is a commoner like you beating me?!"

🔥 His entire body ignited. 🔥

The crowd gasped in horror.

💀 "No… he's using the forbidden technique…" one of the prince's followers muttered in fear.

"If he keeps that up… he'll deplete his life force and destroy himself!"

But the prince didn't care. His mind was set on one thing—defeating Ryo.

🔥 **"I DON'T CARE IF IT DESTROYS HIM!HE MUST WIN!"