Seeing Nova slightly bowing to the Sword Master, Imperia was feeling guilty because it was her fault. Her heart hurt a little bit when she saw his love lowering his head for her. But Nova's next words stunned her.
"Now let's make a bet. If you win I will completely heal Sania's wounds and she will be brand new."
Hearing this not to mention the Sword Master, the others were shocked too. The audacity to challenge a man who almost crippled his daughter and then bet with him for healing her wounds.
"If I win... I'll still heal her. How does that sound?"
"You can heal her?!" Asked the Sword Master somewhat incredibly pleased but also incredulous.
"Of course, I was the one who hurt her, remember?" Nova confidently said.
"How do I know you can heal her? Let's do this, heal her and I will fight a few rounds with you." The Sword Master proposed.
Hearing this, Nova shook his head. "Nope, she will stay like that until we fight."
The Sword Master was once again enraged. "Why?!"
"Because if I heal her, you won't fight me at full power and will hold back knowing that she is fine.
But when she is still hurt you have a reason to fight with everything you have to win and heal her." Said Nova matter-of-factly.
The crowd and the Sword Master were rendered speechless by hearing this. The Sword Master shook his head and sighed. "Forget it, bring it on."
"It's okay you can attack the first old man, so at least you don't say I don't respect my elders."
Not even bothering to respond Nova, the Sword Master raised his sword above his head and disappeared from his position.
He appeared a few meters in front of Nova and slashed with his sword from there. A wave of sword energy was released from the sword.
It was a casual attack, but a casual attack by a Peak Stage 9 wasn't a laughing matter at all.
Still, what happened next stunned the spectators and the Sword Master.
Nova coated his right arm in semi-transparent black energy and casually swatted the sword's energy completely dissipating it. He shook his head.
"If that's all you have I have to say that I'm disappointed. "
The Sword Master's words were stuck in his throat seeing this performance by Nova. Not only he but the other powerhouses and even Elura were all shocked seeing the semi-transparent black energy on Nova's arms. They all had the same thought in their minds. 'Universal Energy'
Universal energy could be controlled by Evolver Stage and above, even a Peak Stage 9 powerhouse could only have a little bit of Universal energy at its disposal.
The universal energy wasn't strong but it was the most volatile as it could be influenced by its user mastery of it to increase in power.
Everyone's affinity for elements was almost decided when they first Awakened. 'Almost' because if you were not part of a big family with a lot of resources or had heaven-defying luck to find a special resource that could improve your affinity it will remain stuck at the same level.
This changed when one became an Evolver Stage, as its name implied an Evolver could 'evolve' not only himself but even his affinity, ability, or even bloodline in certain cases.
With universal energy in hand, one could even use it to counter-attack their opposing forces. For example, if you were a fire user and your opponent was a water one, you could use universal energy to boost your fire energy and resist said water energy, sort of balancing the scale.
Still what shocked everyone was the fact that Nova's universal energy wasn't used to enhance existing energy on his body, but rather it was pure universal energy.
Meaning he could transform his universal energy into whatever energy he wanted. It was something that maybe only Transcendent Stage could do.
Of course, the Apex and seclusion played a part in this, but how could the others know?
The Sword Master's aura changed completely upon seeing this. At this moment he wasn't holding back anymore. Dense sword energy enveloped him and his sword, being further boosted by his fake universal energy.
'I finally feel some pressure from this old man...' thought Nova a little bit excited.
He secretly used universal energy to coat his feet in it and disappeared from his spot. At the same time, the Sword Master's sword clashed with Nova's fist. Space creaked and the arena was almost shattered by the two's power.
They were seemingly equally matched. Nova tried to kick Reus, the Sword Master. But Reus backed away, Nova's foot barely missing him.
He tried to counter-attack with his sword when he saw Nova smile and he tried to stop his attack, alas it was too late as Nova grabbed his sword with a hand.
Seeing this Reus's pupils constricted and by instinct, he let go of his sword and retreated a few meters, a flaw normally no swordsman would make.
Still seeing the scene that happened after, he rejoiced in his decision as the space in front of him was cut exactly where his hands were supposed to be.
'Did he just separate the space at the same time he caught my sword? No, I'm sure he planned it, what a monster.' Reus was still calm despite his unfavorable situation.
Nova's hand had little cuts on it from catching a Peak Stage 9's sword swung in full force. But he didn't seem to notice it.
He saw that Reus was calm and he knew something was wrong when he sensed the sword in his hand trembling a little so he hurriedly let go.
The next moment the sword floated in front of Reus and he took it again in his hand.
"I didn't expect you to be so strong, I reckon that a Middle Stage 9 would've died from your previous ambush.
But I'm still a few levels above, what separates the Peak from the Middle stage is simple. Battle sense, experience, and power output, all these things are forced to their maximum capacity for the said level.
In a way, a Peak Stage 9 is half a foot in the Evolver Stage where a massive upgrade will await us."
Saying this, Reus concentrated his sword energy on his sword. The space around him trembled and creaked. "Sword Clan Secret Technique: Falling Moon."
He swung his sword and the energy released from it emitted a white-bluish color that resembled a moon.
Sensing the powerful attack coming towards him, Nova was excited to finally try a new technique.
"Apex of Defense..." Saying this Nova's eyes emitted a golden light that enveloped him and formed an armor of energy around him.
BOOM...!!! The entire arena collapsed from the impact, even Elura was alarmed as this attack was barely comparable to a newly ascended Evolver Stage.
Imperia and Orion were frightened out of their seats, as well as Nova's parents. Only the Old Shrine Head didn't seem disturbed and seemingly saw what happened in the storm of dust that rose from the arena.
When the dust settled, everyone was stunned to see Nova standing completely fine, but that wasn't all, the ground 1 meter around him was perfectly fine.
Something wasn't right as outside the 'safe zone' there was a long sword slash in the ground of about 5 meters in depth and 20 meters long.
Reus was sweating a little and was rooted on the spot seeing one of his most powerful attacks being completely nullified by Nova.
"How's this possible?" He was extremely confused.
"It's simple, how could an attack of 9 win against a defense of 10?" said Nova with a chuckle without actually explaining his game terms used.
Without saying anything Nova appeared in front of Reus and punched him with universal energy forcing him a few meters, but enough for Reus to leave what remained of the arena.
Seeing Nova win against Reus so easily and without any injury besides the cuts on his hand that already healed, there was a silence that spoke more that a thousand words in the colosseum.