Caine laughed as he leapt into the air, qi coursing through his veins, merging with his blood as it followed a complex sequence of patterns. In an instant, he unleashed a martial art.
[Blight Art: Addition.]
A wave of silver light crashed against a golden one, exploding into a multicolored storm of chaotic qi.
Bloodied but unyielding, Soran soared out from the swirling cloud of energy, slashing wildly from a distance. Each swing released arcs of qi, hurtling toward Caine with tremendous speed.
BOOM! BANG!
In a flash, Caine zipped through the oncoming arcs, closing the gap between them in the blink of an eye. With a sweeping motion, his leg took Soran's off balance, and the butt of his spear slammed into Soran's gut, driving the air from his lungs. Spinning around the pole of his weapon, Caine's blade glided through the air, leaving another gash in Soran's chest.
In that moment, fear and rage swirled in Soran's chest, and whatever pride he held evaporated.
Though Soran stood just a step away from the Sage realm, possessing much more than mere qi and physical prowess, he had refused to utilize his full strength out of stubborn pride.
But now...
SHING!
Soran's body hardened into metal, his wounds healing instantly. His hair transformed into a blazing mane of white qi flames, and arcs of lightning crackled around him.
"Little bastard…"
His sword shattered, reforming a moment later into a weapon of fire and lightning. Runes danced around him, the stone platform quaking as his aura surged, multiplying in intensity.
Caine retreated, sweat beading on his forehead as an oppressive wave of heat from Soran's new form hit him.
He sighed, dispelling his spear. Raising his arms, he closed his eyes, slipping into the role of a maestro once again.
At the sight, Zao shook his head and sighed softly. 'Poor fella.'
Atmospheric qi swirled around Caine in intricate patterns, elemental forces manifesting alongside it. Around his wrists and ankles, a multitude of spell circles materialized.
Soran's instincts screamed at him, alerting him to danger. Reacting instantly, he moved with the speed of lightning, appearing in front of Caine. His sword split into three arcs—one formed from his real blade, and the others from pure elemental control.
The elemental blades of lightning and fire stacked atop his real one, amplifying his power several times over. But still...
"[Fade.]"
In an instant, all the qi in Soran's body dissipated. His face paled, and he violently spat out blood as he stumbled back. A moment later, a massive fist of fire crashed down from above, crushing him without mercy.
His body was driven into the platform, bones shattering along with his pride. A complex array of spell circles hovered above him, resonating with Caine's will as all the qi in the forest responded.
"[Final Fanta-...]"
Caine's words trailed off as Zao gently patted his back, speaking softly. "That's enough, young master. You've won."
Zao flipped his palm, revealing two pills—one gold, the other white. Handing the golden one to Caine, he tossed the white pill toward Soran's crumpled form.
"Here you go, sir Soran. This will heal you completely," Zao said with a smile, waving his hand to form a portal beside him. "Let's head back, young master."
"Mm."
Without another word, the two departed, leaving Soran alone with his turbulent emotions—a mixture of shock, fear, rage, and disappointment that gnawed at his mind.
"They said I'd lose but…" he muttered, swallowing the pill. "I didn't think it'd be by this much."
As emerald and white qi surged through his body, rapidly healing his injuries, a sudden figure appeared beside him. An old man with a bitter smile.
The old man knelt beside Soran, placing a hand on his chest.
"Kiddo, I told you you'd lose," the man chuckled. "The Velios aren't to be trifled with, especially their main line."
Soran sat up, his face void of expression. "You sent me here… to fail. To break me."
"No," the man said, shaking his head. "I sent you here to humble you. Your arrogance had grown too deep. Only someone like him could bring you back to reality."
He sighed before continuing. "Son, remember this: your heaven is his earth. That boy is merely a mortal, barely aware of the true nature of the world. And yet, he brought you to your knees."
"If you had continued on your path, you wouldn't have even been worthy to serve him, let alone hope to catch up."
"I did this for you, brat."
Soran stood up, tearing off his armor, a deep scowl on his face as he ripped open a portal and stepped through.
"Whatever you say, old man."
***
Hours after his spar with Soran, Caine sat across from Zao in a lavish restaurant. Both were dressed in robes of fine silk, seated on one of the highest floors of the building. Before them lay a feast fit for kings.
Zao quietly ate his meal—a traditional Zavian steak with everwood mashed potatoes, topped with a drizzle of obsidian mushroom gravy. Caine, on the other hand, opted for a simple bowl of noodles.
"What's your plan, young master?" Zao asked between bites.
Caine set his bowl down and wiped his mouth. "After my coming-of-age ceremony, it will mostly be a race. A race for the clan's throne. I doubt anyone can truly stand in my way, but I'm sure someone will try."
Caine's world, known as the Five Brilliant Sky, was divided into six continents.
He was currently in the northern continent, which was governed by his family's faction—the Timeless Alliance.
The Timeless Alliance was an alliance of Human Clans, ruled by the Velios Royal Clan, with five Heavenly Clans beneath them.
The Celestis Clan, The Relana Clan, The Azanthiel Clan, The Stormborne Clan, and The Thyrn Clan.
Below the Royal Clan and the five Heavenly Clans were thousands of minor subordinate clans, but their relevance was minimal.
Oddly enough, despite being the most powerful clan on the continent and the rulers of the alliance, the Velios Clan consisted of only three individuals.
Zao, Caine, and one other mysterious figure.
After the disappearance of Caine's parents years ago, he had been left in Zao's care, alone.