After sending the ball flying back, Reno swiftly moved into position. With a powerful leap, he smashed it back with full force.
Boom! The sound echoed across the beach, startling everyone nearby.
Despite the Void energy enhancing the volleyball, the ball had withstood both Tony's and Reno's strikes without exploding.
Tony, seeing Reno's strike, braced himself, legs bent firmly to hold his stance as he absorbed the impact. The moment he made contact, a powerful shockwave surged through him, making every muscle vibrate. The sand beneath him erupted outward, scattering into the air from the sheer force of the collision.
Fortunately, Reno's focus was on speed rather than raw power. Even though Tony felt his hands burn from the impact, he managed to return the ball.
And so, they continued, each strike more powerful than the last, the court shaking from every blow. After exchanging five more volleys, the volleyball finally gave in to the relentless energy, bursting apart with a loud pop! just as Reno sent his last shot.
"Man, that was intense! How long have you been able to do this?" Reno asked with a wide grin, looking a bit surprised yet clearly enjoying himself.
"About half a year now," Tony replied, still catching his breath. "At first, I didn't have much Void energy to work with, so I didn't use it much. But after evolving so many times, it's become a bit more accessible."
"Though, to be honest, I wasn't sure what Void energy would do to the ball—turns out it works pretty well! Guess we found out together," Tony added with a laugh, clearly excited by the discovery.
The realization hit him hard. If he could amplify a volleyball with Void energy, what else could he enhance? His mind was already racing with ideas, imagining how this newfound power could revolutionize his tech—especially his Iron Man suits. Today's match had opened up an entirely new frontier for him.
"How much power did you use to enhance the ball?" Reno asked, clearly intrigued.
"About a fifth of my total energy. I wasn't holding back—I figured if the ball exploded, it exploded."
Tony shrugged, feeling the remaining Void energy within himself. This whole scenario had been a lucky coincidence. The fact that he couldn't rely on his Iron Man suit during the match had pushed him to tap into his internal power. And with Reno as a strong enough opponent to justify the risk, it all came together.
"You've still got room for improvement," Reno noted, a contemplative look on his face. "With enough practice, you'll be able to enhance the ball just enough to increase its power and durability for one shot, without overdoing it."
Tony nodded, acknowledging the truth in Reno's words. His control over the Void energy was still rough, but the potential was undeniable. Like a novice learning to wield a new tool, he just needed more time and practice to refine his technique.
"I'll practice more. This... This opens up some incredible possibilities for my tech. I could combine it with my inventions, maybe even create a whole new field—Void Tech." Tony's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Reno chuckled. "Void Tech, huh? I like the sound of that." Then he paused, curiosity getting the better of him. "But Tony, what made you decide to evolve in this direction? I mean, Void energy isn't exactly the first thing most people think of when they're trying to enhance themselves."
Tony hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "Let's just say... I had a hunch. Sometimes, you've got to take a chance and try something different."
Reno thought it over and nodded. "Fair enough. Your strength comes from your inventions, not your physical body, so it makes sense that you'd evolve differently."
Reno didn't seem to suspect the truth—that Tony had been inspired by the incredible abilities Harvey had displayed, powers that had left Tony fascinated by the possibilities of Void magic. Admitting that out loud, though, would be like riding on Harvey's coattails.
Most members of the Void Cult focused on enhancing their bodies, likely influenced by seeing Kael's raw physical strength when they first joined. His overwhelming power left a lasting impression. Lacey, on the other hand, had seen enough bounty hunters to know the importance of balancing power and speed. She was ruthless in her approach, evolving quickly to get to where she was now.
But now, with Tony showcasing the potential of Void energy, it was clear to everyone that there might be another core to Void evolution. Tony's raw power had already given them a glimpse of what could be achieved with the right approach.
Of course, there was still the awe-inspiring prospect of Void deities—massive, god-like beings who had evolved to such extremes that they dwarfed planets, capable of consuming entire worlds in a single bite. Their sheer size and strength made most conventional attacks seem laughably insignificant.
If that kind of monstrous physical strength were to be combined with Void energy, it was hard to imagine anyone or anything that could stand in their way.
"Well, the ball's blown up, so I guess I lost," Reno said with a smile as he walked over to Tony. "Let me treat you to a meal."
"You didn't lose, though! That was just one point," Tony replied, slightly embarrassed. He wasn't about to argue over the score but felt the need to clarify.
"Consider it a thank-you—for showing me something new. You've given us a glimpse of an exciting new path forward, and that's worth celebrating," Reno said, laughing as he clapped Tony on the shoulder.
"Now that's something I like to hear," Tony grinned, feeling a sense of camaraderie as they walked off together.