"Strength isn't measured by raw power, but by how far one is willing to go."
1. The Semi-Finals – An Inevitable Conclusion
The semi-finals were nothing more than formality.
✔ Joshua's opponent was strong—a high 4-star—but the gap between them was absolute.
✔ The match ended in less than a minute, Joshua barely exerting himself.
✔ His movement was efficient, his strikes surgical.
[Victory – Joshua Lim Advances to the Finals!]
The crowd erupted, but Joshua barely reacted.
He had one goal left.
And now—he only had to wait for his opponent.
2. Zhao Feng's Match – The Rival Refuses to Fall
✔ Zhao Feng's semi-final was far more brutal.
✔ His opponent, a powerful mage, forced him into a high-level magic duel.
✔ But Zhao Feng's fire overwhelmed everything.
The battle ended with a massive explosion, fire roaring across the battlefield.
[Victory – Zhao Feng Advances to the Finals!]
As the flames faded, Zhao Feng slowly turned toward Joshua.
And Joshua, calm as always, met his gaze.
There were no words.
Just a silent understanding.
3. The Confrontation Before the Battle
During the break, as Joshua rested in the waiting area, Zhao Feng approached him.
His eyes burned with determination.
"Enjoy your last moments as the star, Joshua. After this match—Sung En will be mine."
Joshua exhaled, shaking his head.
"She's not a prize to be won, Zhao Feng."
Zhao Feng scowled.
"Don't act like you don't care. You act so above it all, but we both know you want her too."
Joshua's expression remained calm—but his words were sharp.
"I do have feelings for her. But I value her feelings more than my own."
"Even if either of us wins, it's not up to us. It's up to her whether she truly accepts us or not."
For a moment, Zhao Feng had no response.
Because deep down—he knew Joshua was right.
And neither of them realized…
Sung En was listening from the shadows.
Her heart pounded in her chest.
"Idiot."
She finally acknowledged it.
She had fallen for Joshua.
4. The Finals Begin – A Pressure That Shook the World
The arena was deafening as both finalists stepped onto the battlefield.
✔ Joshua Lim—The Hybrid, The Prodigy, The Unstoppable Storm.
✔ Zhao Feng—The Fire Tyrant, The Noble Prodigy, The Challenger.
The moment they locked eyes, they both understood.
There would be no holding back.
And then—Joshua exhaled.
✔ A wave of suffocating Aura erupted from his body.
✔ The entire battlefield trembled under the sheer force of his presence.
✔ Even the audience felt it, some gripping their seats as if the air had grown heavy.
In the VIP stands, Sung En's father and the noble hunters' eyes widened in shock.
"He… was holding back this much?"
One of the elite hunters clenched his fists.
"This isn't just 4-star Aura… his control is monstrous."
Even Sung En's father, normally composed, whispered in disbelief.
"I knew he was hiding his strength… but not to this extent."
5. The Fire That Refuses to Be Extinguished
For a brief second, Zhao Feng hesitated.
The pressure was unlike anything he had ever faced.
But then—his pride burned through his fear.
With a furious roar, he ignited his strongest flames.
✔ A barrage of fireballs rained down like meteors.
✔ Blazing lances shot forward, spearing through the air.
✔ A massive inferno roared, engulfing the entire battlefield.
The crowd gasped, shielding their eyes from the blinding flames.
But when the fire cleared—Joshua still stood.
Unscathed.
Unbothered.
And his smirk remained.
"That all?"
6. The Unstoppable Force Moves
Joshua rolled his shoulders, stepping forward.
✔ With a flicker of movement, he vanished—then reappeared right in front of Zhao Feng.
✔ His dagger gleamed, slicing through the air with terrifying speed.
✔ Zhao Feng barely dodged, but Joshua was already attacking again.
For the first time in the tournament—Zhao Feng was on the defensive.
The arena held its breath.
Because everyone realized…
Joshua wasn't just fighting to win.
He was fighting to end this quickly.
7. The Breaking Point – The Birth of Blue Flames
Zhao Feng gritted his teeth.
Joshua was too fast. Too precise. Too relentless.
His body was covered in minor cuts, exhaustion creeping in.
"No…"
"I can't lose like this."
"I won't lose to him."
Then—something ignited inside him.
✔ His flames turned from red to deep blue.
✔ The heat around him intensified, the battlefield warping from the sheer energy.
✔ For the first time—Joshua took a step back.
The crowd gasped.
"What is that?!"
"His flames… changed color!"
Joshua narrowed his eyes.
"Blue flames…?"
"So, he's finally awakened something real."
A slow grin spread across his face.
"Now that's more like it."
Zhao Feng roared, his new flames surging toward Joshua.
And Joshua—finally got serious.