Seeing Drake charging at him like a unstoppable bull, Ethan hurriedly activated his newly evolved skill [Berserker's Might]. His eyes turned red, feeling a primal rage from deep within, increasing his power by a notch. He felt almost invincible, even though it was just a illusion.
His strength increased tremendously. Each of his steps caused the hard stone ground to crack a bit. Even the magical enchantment was beginning to lose its effect.
Drake's eyes widened slightly as he sensed the surge of power emanating from Ethan. The other clan members watching from the sidelines murmured in astonishment, taken aback by the sudden display of raw strength.
Ethan didn't wait for Drake to close the distance. He lunged forward with explosive speed, his fists glowing with power. With [Berserker's Might] enhancing his physical capabilities, he felt an almost supernatural force behind his movements.
Drake, despite his rock-hard transformation, barely managed to block Ethan's first punch. The impact sent a shockwave through the training ground, causing a few spectators to stumble back. Ethan didn't let up. He followed with a rapid series of strikes, each one fueled by the primal rage coursing through him.
Drake attempted to counter with a powerful swing of his own, but Ethan's heightened senses and reflexes allowed him to dodge and weave effortlessly. It was clear that the tables had turned, and the once-confident noble was now on the defensive.
"Impressive," Drake's mother whispered to her husband, her eyes fixed on the intense battle. "That commoner boy is more powerful than I thought."
Aria's uncle nodded, equally surprised. "Indeed. He's no ordinary opponent. Otherwise, why would General Leon choose him?"
Ethan pressed his advantage, using the full extent of [Berserker's Might]. He could feel the strain on his body, but the rush of power was intoxicating. He knew he had to end this quickly before the skill's effects wore off.
Drake, recognizing the shift in power, stomped hard on the ground spreading shockwaves nearby. The ground shook, and a wave of force radiated out from him, causing Ethan to stumble.
Drake seized the opportunity, launching a counterattack with renewed vigor. He threw a punch with his rock-hardened spiky fist, landing a solid hit on Ethan's side. The impact was like being hit by a boulder, and Ethan felt the air rush out of his lungs.
Ethan gritted his teeth, refusing to back down. He had one last move to play. Summoning the last reserves of his strength, he prepared to use his last card of collision.
"Inferno Leap!"
With a roar, Ethan leaped into the air, flames trailing behind him. He targeted Drake, who stood his ground, bracing for impact. The two collided with explosive force, the flames of Ethan's attack engulfing them both.
The clash was booming, shaking the entire training ground. Spectators shielded their eyes from the blinding light and scorching heat. When the dust settled, both Ethan and Drake lay on the ground, battered and burned but not severely injured.
Ethan struggled to move, his body aching all over because of weakness state. He had given everything he had in that final attack. He looked over at Drake, who was equally injured but still conscious, his rock-hard transformation cracking and crumbling away.
Drake's father, Astrid Silvermoon, rushed forward, his face a mask of concern. He knelt beside his son, carefully lifting him. "Drake, are you alright?" he asked, his voice trembling with nervousness.
Drake coughed, wincing in pain. "I'll be fine, father," he managed to say. "Just a little... Burned."
Astrid looked up at Ethan, his expression hard to decipher. "You're a formidable opponent, Ethan. My son has learned a valuable lesson today." he said nothing else.
Ethan nodded weakly, barely able to keep his eyes open. The pain was overwhelming, and he felt his consciousness slipping.
Aria ran to Ethan's side, her face pale with worry. "Ethan! Stay with me!" she cried, gently lifting his head. "You're going to be okay. Just hang on."
With the help of other clan members, Aria carefully lifted Ethan, supporting his weight as they moved him to a more secure location. She could see the extent of his injuries and knew he needed immediate medical attention.
As they left the training ground, Drake's mother approached her husband. "That boy is so strong, are you sure Aria and the boy should not be together?," she asked softly. "Perhaps, he would be the next Transcendental of our kingdom? I am not belittling my son, or anything. It's just, you see that boy's level, barely 10. And he had such power and mysterious skills."
Astrid nodded. "Yes, he has potential. But It's not for me to decide alone. Aria's father needs to decide for himself, then the elders."
Aria led Ethan to the mansion's infirmary, where the clan's healers quickly began tending to his wounds. She stayed by his side, her heart aching at the sight of him in such pain.
"You did it, Ethan," she whispered, holding his hand. "You proved yourself today."
Ethan managed a weak smile, his eyes fluttering open. "Thanks, Aria," he said softly. "I managed somehow." Although, he realized he had overdone it a little. The skills drawback was taking a toll on his body, as if each cell had gone out of energy.
The side effect of Berserker's Might kicked in, making him feebly weak.
Aria squeezed his hand gently. "Rest now. You need to recover before you could anything else."
As Ethan drifted into a much-needed sleep, Aria sat beside him, her thoughts racing.
Meanwhile, back in the training ground, Drake was being carried away by his father. The pain of his injuries was a stark reminder of his defeat, but it also fueled his resolve. He would train harder, become stronger. He would not be bested again. At the same time he felt a little admiration growing for the commoner boy who defeated him.
"Ethan, was it? We will meet again soon." Drake murmured looking back at the training ground.
Although the winner was not clear, it was a defeat to him as he was in advantage from the Start.
As the clan members dispersed, the echoes of the fierce battle lingered in the air. It was a day that none of them would soon forget.
The result of the battle spread throughout the clan mansion leaving everyone awestruck. They couldn't believe that one of their genius had been defeated by a commoner brat. On top of that, he was just at level 10.