Chereads / Aeon Enigma / Chapter 53 - CHAPTER 53: Ethereal Clash

Chapter 53 - CHAPTER 53: Ethereal Clash

The verbal exchange between Ryouichi, Haruka, and Enishi reverberated in the charged atmosphere, each word carrying the weight of their conflicting ideologies. Amidst the tension, Haruka asserted, "Only Sakura stands a chance against me and Enishi." Ryouichi's defiance, a testament to his unwavering belief in the strength of their candidates, clashed with Haruka's calculated acknowledgment of Sakura's unique prowess.

"Why are you so obsessed with Sakura?" Ryouichi questioned, a subtle undercurrent of skepticism coloring his words. Haruka, however, remained composed in his response. "I'm not. I'm just saying that she's the only one who can achieve something against me and Enishi." The assertion lingered, a statement that held the power to shift the dynamics of their ongoing confrontation.

Ryouichi, unwilling to concede, reiterated his belief in the strength of their chosen candidates. "You two are powerful, but you'll never be anywhere near the power of our strongest candidates!" The declaration, a resolute stand against the perceived dominance of Haruka and Enishi, echoed through the confrontation.

As Yuki and Kaito prepared to launch their attacks, a sudden disruption unfolded. Enishi, a master of swift movements, vanished from their view, reappearing behind Ryouichi with the intention of delivering a decisive blow. In the blink of an eye, the impending strike was halted by an unexpected intervention.

Sakura, acting with unparalleled speed and instinct, teleported Ryouichi out of harm's way. Her quick thinking spared Ryouichi from the imminent danger, showcasing the strategic advantage of her abilities. The abrupt shift in positioning left Enishi's intended target replaced by a void, leaving him momentarily disoriented.

The tension within the confrontation reached a temporary lull as the participants recalibrated their strategies. Sakura's intervention, though successful, hinted at the complexities and uncertainties of the unfolding conflict. As the group stood in a momentary respite, the unspoken acknowledgment of the formidable adversaries they faced lingered, shrouding the air with a sense of trepidation. The ongoing battle was not just a clash of physical prowess but a test of wits, strategy, and the delicate balance between offense and defense in the realm of Enes.

The tension in the confrontation reached a critical point as Enishi, seemingly uninterested in the ongoing discourse, let out a sigh, expressing his boredom with the situation. The question lingered in the air – would he take matters into his own hands, or would he seek Haruka's assistance? Haruka, displaying a demeanor of calculated consideration, inquired about Enishi's intentions.

"Are you going to defeat them, or do you want my assistance?" Haruka queried, presenting the choice between solo dominance or a combined effort. Enishi, with an air of nonchalance, replied, "It's fine. I can always just cut them to shreds." The statement, laced with a casual brutality, left Ryouichi, Yuki, Kaito, and Aria perplexed. Sakura, however, felt a growing suspicion solidify in her mind.

Haruka, in an unexpected turn, redirected his attention to Kaito and Aria, delivering a statement that carried an implicit critique of their current mentors. "Kaito, Aria... You two deserve to be trained by greater people than the ones you're currently with." The words hung in the air, challenging the foundation of their existing allegiances. Kaito and Aria, standing behind Ryouichi and Yuki, exchanged glances, their convictions momentarily shaken.

Enishi, observing the unfolding dynamics, muttered to himself, "Foolish," dismissing the perceived potential in their opponents. Sakura, sensing the gravity of the situation, issued a warning to Haruka. "Stop this, or I'll have to fight you myself!" The declaration, though laced with determination, also carried a note of reluctance – an acknowledgment of the challenges that lay ahead.

As the confrontation stood at a precipice, the characters grappled with the complexities of alliances, loyalties, and the looming threat posed by Haruka and Enishi. The unspoken revelation in Sakura's mind hovered, a silent acknowledgment of a yet undisclosed truth about the formidable duo – Haruka and Enishi possess...!

As Sakura unleashed the might of her Ethereal Artificer Nature Enes tier ability, the ground beneath Haruka and Enishi trembled violently. Earth spikes erupted with ferocious speed, tearing through the terrain and wreaking havoc in their vicinity. The attack, focused and potent, sought to engulf the enigmatic duo in a barrage of relentless force. Haruka, however, met Sakura's challenge with a smug smirk, seemingly unfazed by the impending onslaught. Enishi, on the other hand, remained apathetic, his boredom evident in his stillness.

In response to Sakura's Earth-centric assault, Haruka invoked the power of Ethereal Artificer Nature Enes tier ability infused with Fire. A breathtaking display unfolded as colossal fireballs, each measuring an impressive 950 meters in width and over a kilometer in length, materialized in the air. The fiery orbs descended upon the landscape, causing explosions that resonated with unparalleled intensity. The ensuing heat surpassed imagination, soaring to a searing temperature of 2,350 degrees Celsius.

Undeterred, Sakura harnessed the might of Earth once more, creating three pairs of colossal walls. Each layer, towering several hundred meters in height, extending over a kilometer in width, and boasting a thickness of about 100 meters, was a testament to her formidable abilities. The first two layers, however, succumbed to the overwhelming forces within two seconds of their creation. The final wall valiantly withstood the onslaught until nearly the very end, defiant in the face of destruction, but eventually, even its resilience crumbled under the relentless assault.

As the chaos unfolded, Kaito and Aria found themselves perspiring profusely, the oppressive heat taking a toll on their endurance. Ryouichi and Yuki, seasoned by experience, weathered the discomfort with relative ease. Sakura, the architect of this elemental showdown, remained composed despite the taxing effort. Enishi, standing amidst the turmoil, exhibited a remarkable disinterest in the spectacle, further adding to the enigma that surrounded him.

The battleground bore the scars of the clash, with remnants of the formidable walls and fading echoes of the fiery inferno lingering in the air. Haruka and Enishi, though seemingly unaffected by the display of power, continued to stand as inscrutable adversaries. The outcome of this ethereal confrontation remained uncertain, shrouded in the evolving dynamics of elemental prowess and unwavering determination.