As the dust settled, the crowd held its breath, waiting to see if Xavier had withstood the onslaught of explosions from Miraxis. To their utter amazement, there he was—crouched on one knee, sword in hand, his head bowed but unwavering.
"Astonishing!" the commentator exclaimed, hardly believing his own words. "Klay Worthmore has endured Miraxis's nuclear onslaught head-on and appears nearly unscathed!" The crowd erupted, cheering with unrestrained excitement.
In the stands, Anastasia released a deep sigh of relief, her earlier dread that Xavier wouldn't survive now giving way to a slight smile. Alcmena chuckled at her reaction, amused by her worry.
On the battlefield, Miraxis raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "Well, I'm speechless, kid. Didn't think you'd make it through that. Keep getting up, will you? Give the crowd a show."
Xavier didn't respond, his eyes hidden beneath the Visors of Time that slipped from his face. He caught them just before they hit the ground, carefully tucking them away in a small pouch. Slowly, his intense red eyes faded to their usual cosmic blue, a deep aura emanating from him and filling the stage. He smirked. "Big talk for someone whose entire personality is built on biceps and good looks."
Miraxis clicked his tongue, his eyes flashing with malice as his crimson aura clashed with Xavier's. "Let's see how long you keep that mouth running."
He extended a finger toward Xavier, summoning a legion of mirages that charged at him with blinding speed.
Xavier raised his vector shield just in time, bracing against the fury of attacks from Miraxis's clones. Each blow landed with an explosive force that sent tremors through his weakened shield.
I can barely manage this, Xavier thought, straining to maintain the shield's integrity. It's not what it used to be. I can conjure it, yes, but it's too unstable to deflect their attacks.
A harsh crack splintered across the shield's surface, jolting Xavier's focus. This wasn't his true vector shield—this one could shatter if hit hard enough. And Miraxis's clones were determined to test its limits.
As the barrier splintered, one clone surged forward, seizing Xavier's lower torso in a vice grip while another clone lunged, their deadly fist aimed straight for his heart. Xavier twisted his body just in time, the edge of the attack grazing his cheek and drawing a thin line of blood.
Not now, he thought, tightening his grip on his blade, his heart pounding. This shield can't fail!
Without a moment to spare, Xavier unleashed his Regokinesis Blade technique, slicing clean through one of the clone's arms in a sweeping, swift arc. The crowd erupted in awe as the commentator's voice echoed above the din. "Unbelievable! Klay Worthmore has landed a crippling blow on Miraxis's supposedly invulnerable clone!"
The arena thundered with excitement, and Xavier took the surge of energy, his aura intensifying, amplifying his movements as he attacked. Finally, he thought, his heart racing. I can actually hurt him.
Seizing this newfound edge, Xavier unleashed his "Multi-directional Echo" technique, a relentless flurry of slashes that shattered through the clones, sending fragments of energy spiraling across the field. He could feel the blade singing in his grip, pulsing with each successful strike.
Miraxis narrowed his eyes, a smirk curling on his lips despite the strain. "Well, well," he growled, his pride bruised yet intrigued. "Didn't think you'd land even one blow, let alone dismantle them like this."
Xavier's smirk matched his opponent's. "Maybe turn up the difficulty a little," he taunted, voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him. "It's getting way too easy to handle these half-baked clones."
With his eyes blazing with rage, Miraxis growled, "I hope you don't come to regret those words."
In a snap of his fingers, a legion of clones swarmed toward Xavier, who barely had time to react, startled by the sheer number hurtling at him. He was forced into a fierce defense, his blade a blur as he desperately countered the relentless assault. Watching from a distance, Miraxis's scowl deepened, frustration flickering in his gaze.
This boy… he's making it look like these clones are actually beatable, Miraxis thought. I won't be humiliated here—not in front of all these spectators. Especially not in front of him. His eyes darted to a shadowy figure observing from above, the black-haired man he couldn't afford to disappoint.
With a sharp stomp, Miraxis drove his hand into the ground, tearing a massive chunk of earth free. With a powerful heave, he launched it directly at Xavier, who was still battling the mirages with everything he had.
In the midst of parrying one clone's strike, Xavier's senses screamed as he noticed the massive chunk of earth hurtling toward him. Instinct took over; his cosmic blue eyes glowed intensely as they assessed the incoming threat. In a split second, he calculated its trajectory, speed, and force.
Xavier turned to face the projectile, pointing his blade at it. As the earth neared the tip of his sword, he thrust forward with precision. In that instant of contact, Xavier manipulated the vectors tied to the massive chunk, halting it in mid-air with a subtle shift of his power. It hung suspended for a moment, defying gravity.
Xavier smirked, casting a confident glance at Miraxis. "Nice try, you titan." With a steady breath, he shifted the chunk's vector direction, redirecting it back toward Miraxis at a far greater speed than before, amplifying the force behind it.
The enormous projectile shot toward Miraxis with deadly precision, slicing through the air like a missile. Miraxis barely had time to react, his eyes widening as he brought his fists up and smashed the earth into rubble before it could reach him. Fragments rained around him, but his expression betrayed his shock.
Did he… did he just stop that boulder in midair and redirect it? Miraxis thought, struggling to process what he'd just seen.
Xavier chuckled, his grin wide as he taunted, "Just because I can't automatically reflect attacks with my vector shield anymore doesn't mean I can't still redirect them by hand."
Miraxis let out a cold laugh, shaking off his surprise. "I may have underestimated you, child. But let's make one thing clear." His voice deepened, his aura swelling around him like a crimson storm. "A divine being like me… can never be defeated by the likes of you."
Clenching his fist, Miraxis restored every injury his clones had sustained, commanding them to swarm Xavier and pin him down.
The clones obeyed instantly, launching themselves at Xavier, their combined weight pressing him from all sides. He struggled, but the overwhelming mass of bodies left him immobilized, barely able to breathe as they formed a crushing dome around him.
The crowd gasped, stunned by the maneuver, while the commentator exclaimed, "Wow! How is Klay Worthmore going to escape this?!" But Xavier remained still, making no visible attempt to free himself.
Watching with concern, Alcmena telepathically reached out. "What on earth are you doing, Xavier? Don't tell me you've given up! Was all that talk about winning just empty bravado?"
Xavier sighed. "I don't know what you expect from me, facing someone wielding a red-stage ethereal core."
Alcmena clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Listen, kid. I get it. Normally, fighting someone a core stage above is nearly impossible—especially with the power of a red stage or higher. But Miraxis admitted he only recently awakened his red-stage core. That means he hasn't yet adjusted to the new strength and energy coursing through him."
Xavier's eyes widened, a glimmer of hope flickering within. "So… there's a slim chance?"
"Exactly," Alcmena's voice softened, yet remained commanding. "I didn't choose a quitter to be my vessel. Now get up and prove your worth. Besides, Lady Anastasia is worried sick about you."
A confident smile returned to Xavier's face. "No need to worry, master. I don't give up that easily. I was just taking my time… to figure out how to take down that force of nature."
"Sure you were," Alcmena replied, pride lacing his tone. "Now, make your move."
But before Xavier could act, Miraxis's clones began to glow ominously, their forms brightening in unison. In an instant, they detonated around him, triggering an explosion that shook the entire arena. The blast wave was so intense it sent spectators reeling.
The commentator's voice echoed in astonishment. "The Imperator of Arrogance, Miraxis, has detonated every one of his clones at point-blank range! Could this be the end for Klay Worthmore?"
As the smoke and flames cleared, Miraxis stood, arms crossed, watching the blazing remains. Slowly, a figure emerged from the inferno, golden light reflecting faintly off his hair. Xavier strode forward, his features shadowed by the flames, his hair slightly lengthened and his aura pulsing with renewed energy.
If I hadn't activated my vector shield to absorb most of that blast… and RealmHeart to temper the injuries… I'd be gone, Xavier thought, picking up his steel sword with a firm grip.
Seeing him alive, Miraxis's smirk returned. "You've made it this far," he sneered, "but it's time to end this before things get worse for you."
Xavier met his gaze with a challenging smile. "I'd love to see you try, muscle head."
In an instant, Miraxis dashed forward, closing the distance between them with terrifying speed. He swung a massive fist, and Xavier barely raised his sword in time, the force of the punch sending a powerful burst of air ripping across the battlefield.
Seizing the moment, Xavier channeled energy into his blade, activating the Regokinesis Blade technique as he delivered a devastating horizontal slash across Miraxis's chest. The impact left a deep, bleeding gash, and the entire stadium erupted with wild cheers.
He's incredibly fast for his size, Xavier thought, heart pounding. Just like that beast, I faced at the Forest Crown Hunt… though this one is beyond stronger and deadlier.
Seeing the gash on his chest, Miraxis grinned, lunging forward with a bare-handed, vertical strike that Xavier barely managed to block. The sheer power behind the blow forced him to his knees, his body straining against the force.
Miraxis wasted no time, driving his knee into Xavier's gut. Pain exploded through Xavier's torso as he was launched into the air, only for Miraxis to appear behind him in an instant, slamming him back down to the ground with a brutal punch.
Xavier lay crumpled on the ground, coughing up blood as he struggled to reach his sword. Miraxis strolled over, planting a heavy foot on Xavier's hand to hold him down. "Pathetic," he taunted. "Your lack of physical prowess is… disappointing, to say the least."
Xavier looked up with a strained smile. "Not everyone's born with brute strength. I've always been physically weaker than most—part of a condition I share with my sister. But she taught me to use my powers and swordsmanship to overcome that."
Miraxis raised an eyebrow, amused. "That explains it," he sneered, as if Xavier's resilience were nothing more than a curiosity.
Seizing the moment, Xavier swiftly wrenched his hand free, grabbing his sword and slashing vertically in a feint that Miraxis dodged. But this strike was a mere setup for his true attack. A dark, chaotic aura engulfed Xavier's blade, its energy crackling ominously as he prepared his signature move, Stasis Oblivion.
Sensing the threat, Miraxis attempted to step back, but Xavier thrust out his free hand. "Not so fast!" he shouted, activating Astral Sovereignty, Black Star Authority: Oblivion Grip. A massive, gravitational hand formed in midair, grabbing Miraxis and anchoring him in place.
Xavier's aura intensified as he unleashed Stasis Oblivion straight at Miraxis, who, in a desperate move, summoned a legion of clones to shield himself from the oncoming devastation. The attack collided with the clones, igniting a blinding explosion that reduced the entire arena to rubble, shaking the Colosseum to its core.
As the dust settled, the crowd held their breath, eager to see the aftermath. When Miraxis emerged, the right side of his face and his arm were scarred and bloodied from the blast, much to the spectators' astonishment.
"Oh, my days!" the commentator exclaimed. "Klay Worthmore has managed to push Miraxis further than anyone thought possible!"
Not giving Xavier a moment to celebrate, Miraxis lunged, delivering an uppercut that shattered Xavier's sword into shards. Xavier narrowly dodged another swing, twisting mid-air and using his broken blade to slash Miraxis's fist, leaving a deep cut down his left arm.
Landing, Xavier stabbed his broken sword into Miraxis's lower back, shouting, "Black Star Authority: Gravitational Downfall!" Instantly, a crushing gravitational force as dense as Jupiter's atmosphere filled the Colosseum, forcing everyone to the ground. Only Lady Anastasia, Alcmena, and the mysterious black-haired spectator remained unaffected by the sudden, intense gravity.
Miraxis, struggling under the immense weight, dropped to his knees, gritting his teeth. He glared at Xavier, defiant. Summoning every ounce of his strength, his body blazed with a crimson aura, forcing him upright against the gravitational field.
With a swift, brutal jab, Miraxis drove his colossal fist into Xavier, the impact powerful enough to knock him out cold. As the gravity field dissipated, Miraxis stood tall, brushing dust from his shoulders, and arrogantly declared himself the victor.
But before the crowd could react, they froze in stunned silence. To everyone's shock—including Miraxis—Xavier, bruised and bloodied, staggered to his feet, refusing to stay down. His pain was evident, but so was his determination, and he faced Miraxis with unwavering resolve.
"How?" Miraxis muttered, utterly dumbfounded as Xavier staggered back to his feet.
Xavier didn't respond directly, only murmuring to himself, "I'm not done yet..."
Miraxis strolled forward, backhanding Xavier with enough force to send him sprawling across the arena floor. "Stay down, kid. You've proved your worth," he warned, his voice edged with frustration. "This is the last mercy I can afford you. Don't make this worse."
But as Miraxis turned away, Xavier once again rose, battered but unyielding, repeating, "I'm not done yet…"
Miraxis's patience snapped. He whirled back to face Xavier, seething. "What a foolish choice, child!"
Before he could finish, Xavier hurled his broken shield at him. Miraxis easily dodged, scoffing, "Was that supposed to do something?"
In the instant Miraxis's gaze shifted Xavier seized his moment. Using the shield as a diversion, he teleported behind his opponent, his presence amplified as he activated RealmHeart. His appearance sharpened, his aura intensifying as he raised his right arm, his voice a murmur charged with purpose, "Black Star Authority: Quantum Blackhole."
In a single, devastating moment, a small black hole materialized in Xavier's palm, collapsing on itself and igniting an implosion that obliterated the arena. The protective force field surrounding the battlefield shattered, and a shockwave surged through Saint Petersburg itself.
As the dust settled, the arena fell silent. Xavier stood, weary but resolute, over a now-severely injured Miraxis, his broken shield still clutched in hand. The remnants of Miraxis's pride faltered as he gazed up at Xavier, sensing a monstrous aura emanating from him, a presence like that of a dragon—a manifestation of Alcmena's fierce legacy.
For the first time in ages, Miraxis felt fear.
As his vision faded, the announcer's voice echoed across the stadium, declaring Xavier the victor. The crowd exploded in applause.
"I'm so happy the Young Master won!" Anastasia breathed, her relief evident.
Alcmena chuckled awkwardly, thinking to himself As if you weren't ready to annihilate Miraxis yourself for just grazing him…
Breathing heavily, Xavier staggered toward Miraxis, his vision blurring as he mumbled, "Hey… are you… okay?" His strength finally gave out, and he collapsed beside his fallen opponent.
As the crowd cheered Xavier's name, the mysterious black-haired man at the edge of the arena turned, a pleased smile on his face. Stronger than I expected, Xavier, he thought as he walked away.
With a hardened expression, he continued his thoughts. With you now within my reach, I'm closer to bringing that wicked-hearted bastard, Percival, down… and reclaiming what is rightfully mine.