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### Chapter 32: The Epic Battle and the Devilish Monarch
Kalki fought the Infernal Goliath with controlled fury, each strike precise and measured to maintain the balance of power. The beast, a towering mass of molten metal and fiery rock, met his attacks with equal ferocity, its molten breath and iron-clad hide proving formidable. The battlefield shook with their clashes, each blow sending shockwaves through the rocky landscape.
Nearby, Rook and Alex watched the battle with growing excitement. The raw power displayed by Kalki was awe-inspiring. Unable to contain their enthusiasm, the two boys charged into the fray, launching their own attacks against the epic beast. Kalki noticed them joining the fight, a devilish smile spreading across his face. He recognized their potential and knew their presence would add an interesting twist to the battle.
Rook, the third son of the Emperor, wielded a massive halberd, his strikes heavy and precise. Alex, a commoner with peak second-order cultivation and metal kai affinity, complemented Rook's attacks with swift, precise movements and rapid strikes. The synergy between them was impressive, their attacks coordinated as if they had been training together for years. Kalki, even while restricting his power, was still stronger than both combined, but he relished the challenge.
The Infernal Goliath roared in rage, thrashing wildly as it faced the combined assault. Kalki used **Tempest's Embrace** to create a protective vortex around them, shielding Rook and Alex from the beast's molten breath. Rook lunged forward, his halberd glowing with a blue aura, and struck the beast's flank, causing it to stagger. Alex followed up with a rapid series of strikes, his fists encased in metallic energy.
"Did you see that? They're working together like clockwork!" whispered one student.
"Yeah, but Monarch's still on another level," another replied, eyes wide with awe.
Ember stood among the students, her eyes fixed on the battle. She watched Kalki with intense curiosity, noting his incredible control and the sheer power he was keeping in check. The whispers of "Monarch" around her only heightened her interest.
Suddenly, Kalki decided it was time to end the battle. He summoned **Meteor Storm**, raining down a barrage of flaming projectiles on the Infernal Goliath. The ground trembled as the meteors struck, creating explosions that echoed through the rift. The beast let out a final, deafening roar before collapsing, its body severely wounded.
Not content to leave the battle unfinished, Kalki gathered his strength, summoning a massive meteorite. This was no ordinary attack; it was a colossal, burning mass that seemed to tear the sky apart as it descended. The ground around them quaked violently, and the very air seemed to vibrate with the sheer force of the impending impact.
"Look at that thing! It's gigantic!" gasped a student, voice trembling with awe and fear.
"He's using that much power? What kind of monster is Monarch?" another student whispered, unable to tear their eyes away.
Leslie and Flint, watching from a distance, felt a mixture of shock and disbelief. Leslie watched the scene with an opened mouth, while Flint's usual smirk faded into a look of genuine concern.
"This... this is beyond anything I've ever seen," Leslie muttered, her voice barely audible.
"He's not just strong; he's terrifying," Flint added, his tone uncharacteristically serious.
Rook and Alex, however, were thrilled. Their faces lit up with a devilish glee, eager to face such overwhelming strength. The prospect of battling someone like Kalki, who could summon such destructive power, filled them with a dark excitement.
With a thunderous impact, the meteorite struck the Infernal Goliath, obliterating it in a massive explosion of fire and debris. The ground was scorched black, and the surrounding area was left in ruins. The epic beast was no more, its remains disintegrated into essence that Kalki swiftly absorbed.
The students were left in stunned silence, their minds struggling to process the sheer display of power they had witnessed.
"Monarch... he's on a completely different level," one student whispered, their voice filled with a mix of fear and respect.
As the essence flowed into Kalki, he felt the surge of power within him. He knew what was coming next. Rook and Alex attacked him without warning, their intentions clear. Kalki had anticipated this and was prepared.
With a devilish smile, Kalki's aura shifted, darkening as he embraced his more ruthless nature. His eyes gleamed with excitement as he engaged Rook and Alex. The students watching felt a chill, seeing Kalki's demonic transformation.
Rook and Alex's attacks were well-coordinated, each movement complementing the other. Rook's powerful halberd swings forced Kalki to dodge while Alex's rapid strikes aimed to exploit any openings. Kalki initially found their synchronized attacks challenging but quickly adapted.
Using **Inferno Stride**, Kalki moved with blazing speed, leaving trails of fire in his wake. He countered Rook's halberd with **Blazing Slash**, the searing flames cutting through the weapon's arc. Alex came in with a flurry of punches, but Kalki deflected them with **Ember Shield**, the protective barrier scorching Alex's fists.
"Is this really happening? He's fighting both of them at once!" a student exclaimed, eyes wide with amazement.
"No one's ever stood up to Rook and Alex together like this," another added, voice filled with awe.
Kalki's power surged as he used **Flame Tempest Fist**, combining wind and fire to create devastating shockwaves. The ground shook with each impact, and the air crackled with energy. Despite their best efforts, Rook and Alex were gradually overwhelmed by Kalki's relentless onslaught.
Finally, with a powerful combination of **Meteor Storm** and **Tempest's Embrace**, Kalki unleashed a barrage of fiery projectiles and a colossal vortex of wind. The combined force shattered Rook's defenses and knocked Alex off his feet, leaving them both defeated and breathless on the ground.
The students were left in stunned silence, their minds struggling to process the sheer display of power they had witnessed.
"Demon Monarch," one student whispered, their voice filled with a mix of fear and respect.
As Kalki stood over the defeated Rook and Alex, his aura slowly returned to normal. The devilish smile remained, a testament to the thrilling challenge he had just enjoyed. The legend of the Monarch had only just begun, and those who witnessed this battle would never forget it.
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Kalki, after defeating Rook and Alex, turned his attention back to the fallen Infernal Goliath. He observed the epic essence emanating from the beast, noting its distinct characteristics. Unlike lower-tier essences, which were small, spherical, and contained about 10% of a beast's power, the epic essence had a unique shape that reflected the Infernal Goliath's formidable form. This essence, glowing intensely, held approximately 30% of the beast's immense power.
Just as Kalki finished observing and storing the epic essence in his dimensional pocket, Ember arrived, having used all her skills to reach him. She watched in frustration as Kalki, not wanting to reveal more of his abilities, immediately left the battlefield, disappearing with a burst of speed and power.
Leslie approached her brother, Rook, who was still recovering from the battle. "Rook, why did you even think of battling someone like him? He's way beyond our level," she said, her voice tinged with worry.
Rook, not fond of her questioning tone, responded coldly, "Mind your own business, Leslie. We fought because it was necessary." He turned and walked away, joined by Alex and Alice.
Ember stood in the aftermath, her emotions a mix of disappointment and determination. She had hoped to meet the Monarch, but he had vanished before she could reach him. From that day forward, both common and noble students were consumed with curiosity about the Monarch, determined to uncover his identity during the rest of the entrance exam and even outside of it.
Kalki found refuge in a secluded cave, sitting down to examine the epic essence. The essence took the form of a large, glowing sphere, radiating with the distinctive characteristics of the Infernal Goliath. It was both awe-inspiring and consumable, a testament to the beast's formidable power. Kalki carefully stored the epic essence in his dimensional pocket, knowing it would be invaluable for his future plans.
Recognizing the need to accumulate wealth to maintain his noble status, Kalki spent the remaining days of the exam hunting beasts. He targeted only those that were harmful to humans and other natural beasts, avoiding unnecessary bloodshed. His efficiency and precision ensured he survived all seven days without drawing excessive attention.
On the eighth day, the instructor's voice echoed through the semi-dimensional rift, signaling the end of the exam. "All students, gather at the exit point. The exam has concluded."
This year, 6,000 students qualified, a significant increase from the usual 4,000 to 4,500, largely due to the Monarch's actions. The unqualified students, though exhausted and disheartened, had survived due to Kalki's strategic elimination of the most dangerous beasts. The qualified students, including those who had witnessed Kalki's power, were filled with a mix of relief and admiration.
As the students exited the rift, the legend of the Monarch grew, his identity still shrouded in mystery. Kalki, having successfully hidden his true power and intentions, was ready for the next challenges that awaited him at Arcane Nexus University.