Levi's thoughts raced as he processed the information. Ashen R. Volaris had the title of Main Character, accompanied by the number 2 beside it. "So, this is the reason why there's a number beside Kael's title," he mused, a mix of confusion and intrigue swirling within him. It became clear that there were multiple main characters in this story.
"But the real question is," he continued silently, "do all of these guys simp for the Main Female Lead or some other character?" The thought nagged at him. He couldn't help but wonder how the dynamics of this world were structured.
When Levi looked at Selene A. Lysander, everything about the story's structure clicked into place. It became clear that there were multiple characters, each with their own heroines. The realization dawned on him as he observed Selene's Eternal Frost Physique, similar to how Kael possessed the Boundless Darkness Physique. Ashen, too, had his own designation—Eternal Flames Physique.
A thought nagged at him. "I don't know why, but I can't shake the feeling that all of this is somehow connected to the gods," he pondered. "Did the gods bless them with these powers? If so, what purpose do they serve?" The questions lingered in his mind, weaving a web of intrigue.
As Levi wrestled with his thoughts, the announcer's voice boomed across the arena, snapping him back to reality.
"The match begins!"
On stage, Ashen and Selene took their positions, standing across from each other, hands empty, their expressions a mix of determination and rivalry.
The instant the announcer's voice faded, the stage transformed. In one swift moment, the ground divided, each half taking on the nature of its occupant's element.
Ashen's side erupted in flames, fire surging around him in fierce, twisting tendrils. The heat was palpable, yet his clothes, his skin—untouched, unharmed, as though the fire were a part of him. The flames danced close, but not a single spark dared to harm him.
On the opposite side, Selene stood enveloped in an icy aura, her entire body radiating a frigid chill. Each breath she exhaled sent out crystalline ice particles, suspended in the air around her like a frozen mist. Her expression was as steady as the ice itself, a calm, glacial expression.
Ashen lifted his right hand, his gaze never leaving Selene. The flames surrounding him shifted, drawn toward his open palm in a swift, spiraling motion. In seconds, the fire condensed, shaping itself into the form of a sword—its blade flickering and alive, a weapon forged from pure flame.
Ashen gripped the hilt, the sword's fiery blade crackling with heat.
On the other side...
Selene raised her hand, her expression cool and steady. The frost swirling around her coalesced, flowing toward her palm like a river of ice. Within moments, the frost solidified, forming a blade of pure, glistening ice—sharp, cold, and unwavering. She wrapped her fingers around the hilt, the icy weapon gleaming in her grip.
The moment the announcer's voice faded, the stage erupted in chaos. Ashen charged forward, igniting the ground beneath him, trailing fire as he swung his sword. Selene met his advance with poise, sidestepping gracefully, her icy blade dancing in the air.
The moment their swords collided, fire and ice erupted around them, creating a fierce spectacle that captivated the audience. The air shimmered with heat on Ashen's side, while a chilling mist enveloped Selene, defining their elemental domains. Each strike reverberated through the arena, the ground trembling beneath the weight of their powers.
Ashen lunged forward, his fiery sword sweeping in a wide arc. Selene countered with a precise thrust, her icy blade meeting his with a sharp clang. The impact sent shockwaves through the stage, splintering the surface and leaving cracks that glowed with residual heat and frost. The contrasting elements fought for dominance, fire curling toward ice, while shards of frost defended against the onslaught.
They danced around each other, their movements fluid yet powerful. Ashen's fiery strikes ignited patches of the arena, flames licking at the edges of the ice that surrounded Selene. She retaliated with swift, precise strikes, her sword leaving a trail of frost that momentarily froze the very air they breathed.
With every clash, the stage quaked beneath their feet, the audience entranced by the raw display of power. Ashen's fire roared like a wild beast, while Selene's ice shimmered with deadly elegance.
In a moment of fierce concentration, Ashen unleashed a torrent of flames, a wave of heat surging toward Selene. Unfazed, she stood firm, her gaze unwavering as she summoned a blizzard. The cold air swirled violently around her, forming an icy tempest that countered his inferno. As the two elemental forces collided, the arena was engulfed in a dense fog, obscuring everything in a swirling mist.
Slowly, the fog began to dissipate, revealing the stage to see that it became a battleground divided by their elements—one side ablaze with Ashen's fire, the other encased in Selene's frost.
As the blizzard met the flames, the arena shuddered, the two forces clashing with an intensity that sent shockwaves through the spectators. Ashen, fueled by determination, surged forward, his fiery sword cutting through the mist like a comet. Selene countered deftly, her icy blade a graceful dance of frost and precision, each strike a testament to her mastery.
With each exchange, the ground beneath them cracked, fissures forming as fire and ice battled for dominance. Ashen's flames flickered higher, swirling around him in a fierce display of power. In response, Selene summoned a wall of ice, but Ashen was relentless, breaking through with a fierce thrust, his sword igniting the air around them.
As the duel reached its climax, Ashen focused all his energy into one final strike. With a fierce battle cry, he unleashed a wave of fire that surged forward, overwhelming Selene's defenses. The arena was illuminated by a blinding light as fire consumed ice in a spectacular explosion, sending shards of frost flying into the air.
When the dust settled, Ashen stood tall, breathing heavily but victorious. Selene lay on the ground, her icy aura flickering out, conceding the match.
"See, I told you I would defeat you. You didn't believe it—fire can dominate anything." Ashen's voice was filled with triumph, a smirk dancing on his lips as he looked down at Selene, who was regaining her breath after the intense battle.
Selene met his gaze, a mixture of respect and irritation flashing in her eyes. "You fought well, Ashen. But don't get too cocky; it's just one match."
Ashen turned toward Nick, the referee, a hint of impatience in his voice. "Sir, you didn't announce the winner."
Nick blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the sudden shift in focus. Clearing his throat, he stepped forward, raising his hand to silence the crowd.
"The match goes to Ashen R. Volaris of the Reverent Clan!"