The air in Mira's Nexus arena was electric, every spectator's gaze fixed on the ring where John stood, his aura blazing in vivid red, laced with shadowy wisps that crackled like embers caught in a dark storm. His transformation had created an intensity that no one could ignore—powerful yet volatile, each pulse of energy radiating out and dissipating into the air as if his body could barely contain the force within.For most of the audience, the sheer ferocity of the transformation was awe-inspiring. But from the shadows in the stands, Callista watched the display with only mild interest, her lips curling into an amused smile. This power—it was impressive, but it was also raw and fleeting.Benji, observing from his vantage point, leaned forward, his gaze intent. "This... this is something new." His voice was low, almost reverent. But his concern was evident, noticing the wildness in John's aura as it poured from him in turbulent waves. It won't last, he thought, noting the reckless way energy escaped John's form.Across the ring, Collin's smirk had morphed into a look of interest mixed with caution. He was clearly intrigued by this shift, but there was a calculation in his eyes as he assessed John's new form. "Well, John, looks like you've finally decided to bring out the big guns," he sneered, though his tone lacked the usual mockery. "But do you even know how to control that?"John didn't respond; instead, he lowered his stance, his crimson eyes focused solely on Collin. Every nerve in his body felt alight, his movements faster and sharper, his energy control heightened. For the first time, he felt as if he could truly match Collin's strength. He charged forward, each step echoing through the Nexus as the ground beneath him seemed to ignite in his wake.Collin barely had time to react as John launched into a flurry of attacks, his fists blazing with red energy. The strikes came faster than Collin expected, each one carrying enough force to make him stagger, barely managing to deflect and dodge.The crowd gasped as John's newfound speed sent him nearly blurring across the arena, his movements enhanced by the powerful aura surging around him. He landed a solid hit to Collin's side, sending him skidding back, but Collin regained his balance quickly, his own golden-brown aura flaring in response."Not bad, John," Collin remarked, gritting his teeth. "But you're not the only one who's evolved." His tone was colder, and his movements shifted as he retaliated, lunging at John with a brutal kick aimed at his ribs.John managed to block it, though the force sent a tremor up his arm. They exchanged blows, each strike now laced with power as energy crackled in every impact. John's red aura and Collin's golden-brown collided like fire and earth, sending shockwaves through the arena."Is he... actually holding his own?" Alex murmured from the stands, his eyes wide with surprise.Anne's gaze remained fixed on the ring, both worry and awe evident in her expression. "It's... incredible, but..." She trailed off, her eyes narrowing as she noticed the way John's aura flared wildly, as though the energy inside him were fighting to escape.Benji's expression mirrored her concern. "He's burning too fast," he muttered. "At this rate, he'll be exhausted in minutes." He shook his head slightly, watching each burst of red energy spill out around John. It's too soon, he thought. If only he'd had more time to understand this power.In the ring, Collin seemed to pick up on John's unstable energy as well. He narrowed his eyes, a calculating gleam flickering across them. "Power means nothing if you can't control it," he taunted, his smirk returning as he sidestepped one of John's attacks. He countered with a swift elbow strike, landing hard against John's shoulder and sending him off balance.But John was relentless. He gritted his teeth, ignoring the strain that pulsed through his muscles, and redirected his energy into a powerful uppercut that barely missed Collin's jaw. His movements became erratic as the sheer force of his aura seemed to push him beyond his natural limits."Keep going, John!" Alex shouted from the stands, fists clenched in support.Beside him, Gordon's expression was uncharacteristically quiet, watching John with a mix of jealousy and doubt. He hadn't missed the darkness within John's energy—a reminder of the path he himself had touched in desperation. He's stronger, Gordon thought, clenching his fists. But if even John can barely control this...Collin, sensing John's fatigue, launched himself at him with renewed vigor. "Let's see how long you can keep up, Will!" He pushed John back, blow after blow, each one testing the limits of John's energy.John's breaths came heavier now, his vision blurring slightly as he fought to maintain control. Every strike, every movement felt as if it pulled more and more from the core of his energy reserves. The red aura around him flickered, but he held on, focusing everything he had into one final surge."I'm not... done yet!" John shouted, his aura flaring as he charged at Collin with one last burst of power, hoping to catch him off guard.But Collin was ready. Just as John moved in, Collin sidestepped gracefully, and in a swift, fluid motion, brought his knee up, driving it into John's midsection with enough force to knock the wind out of him. The red aura around John wavered, and he stumbled back, his energy beginning to fade as exhaustion took its toll.Collin smirked, watching as John's form faltered, the powerful aura dimming. "Guess you weren't ready after all," he said, his tone dripping with satisfaction.But John didn't yield. Even as his energy ebbed, he clenched his fists, his eyes burning with determination. He forced himself to his feet, breathing heavily but standing tall.Benji leaned forward, fists clenched as he watched John struggle to stay in the fight. "Come on, John... find that strength," he whispered, hoping that somehow, some way, John could push through.From her spot in the crowd, Callista watched the scene with a bemused smile, her gaze unwavering. "Let's see just how much you can handle," she murmured to herself, her eyes gleaming with an unsettling interest.In the ring, John drew in a shuddering breath, forcing his body to obey. This was more than a match now—it was a test of his very will.