A boy of only seventeen years was fearlessly battling one of the strongest human warriors on equal footing.
Whispered murmurs spread among the crowd, with some acknowledging Layla's keen eye for choosing such a formidable partner. Others cursed the old man under their breath, resenting his interference in the young couple's lives.
Yet, there were those who secretly delighted in witnessing Rio's struggles, as they couldn't bear the thought of the boy laying claim to their beloved goddess. Their hearts filled with satisfaction each time Rio was overwhelmed by the old man's superior strength.
The battle raged on, with the air crackling from the sheer force of their powerful attacks. Rio's breathing grew heavier as the clashes took their toll on his body. Sweat drenched his clothes, and fresh wounds decorated his skin, evidence of the ferocity of their fight.
Despite the pain and exhaustion, the boy refused to back down. His steady resolve to get back his Layla fueled him, pushing him beyond his limits.
The old man, however, remained largely unscathed, his experience and higher realm of power allowing him to evade and counter Rio's onslaught with practiced ease. But even he could feel the strain of their prolonged battle, his once steady breaths now punctuated by occasional pants.
'I have to end this battle quickly, or I won't be able to hold out much longer.'
Rio's mind raced as he considered his options, finally deciding to employ his most powerful battle art technique.
Having recently reached the Heavenly realm in spiritual energy, he was better at charging his battle art techniques than ever before. He focused his mana, preparing to combine his [Overload Destroyer] with [Obliteration of Heaven].
He channeled ten percent of his mana into a blue sphere – which was a lot more than the eighty percent he had used to cast [Heaven Destroyer] during his battle with Layla when he was only at the black stage.
Without hesitation, Rio sent the blue sphere, aiming it directly at the old man. However, just as the blue sphere vanished and reappeared, the devastating force was about to strike. The old man nimbly dodged the blow with almost casual ease as if he had an eye on his back.
The powerful blue sphere continued its trajectory, the sheer force of its energy causing a massive explosion in the distance.
*Boom!!!*
As the dust settled, the once majestic buildings of the Havenglow shelter lay in ruins, displaying the destructive power of Rio's [Heaven Destroyer] technique.
The crowd gasped in shock, their eyes wide as they took in the extent of the devastation.
Yet, amidst the chaos, Rio with a disappointed expression, and the old man with an arrogant look remained locked in their fierce battle, neither willing to concede defeat.
The two Havenglow family members, one old and one young, continued their fierce duel, moving with the speed of lightning as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an eerie glow upon the battlefield. Spectators watched in awe as the two fighters clashed, their figures mere blurs to the onlookers below.
After thousands of clashes, Rio's body ached from the relentless barrage of attacks. Each blow from the old man left a fresh bruise or cut in its wake, and blood trickled from his wounds, staining his once-pristine clothes. His once-steady breaths now came in ragged gasps, his lungs screaming for air.
The old man, too, began to feel the effects of their protracted battle. Sweat poured down his brow, and his once composed expression now contorted with exertion.
As the hours passed, the intensity of their fight only grew, the air around them crackling with electric energy. Rio's movements became more desperate, each swing of his silver-bloom king sword fueled by his steady resolve to save Layla.
The old man's eyes flashed with surprise and perhaps even a hint of admiration as Rio continued to push himself, refusing to give in to his injuries and exhaustion.
Their mighty struggle seemed to defy the very laws of nature, the sky above them alive with a dazzling display of lightning and thunder. The ground trembled beneath the might of their battle, and the air was thick with the tension of their unyielding wills.
The onlookers below watched in awe, captivated by the ferocity and beauty of their clash. They could hardly believe that a boy of Rio's age could stand up to such an experienced and powerful warrior like Ambrose Havenglow.
As the battle continued, Rio's body became heavily battered, with each new clash leaving a fresh injury upon his already bruised and bloodied form. His once agile movements were now hindered by the relentless pain that coursed through his veins, yet he persisted for his Layla.
He failed to land a single [Heaven Destroyer] on the old man, and he even tried other battle art techniques, but the old man was too experienced to be caught by his attacks. He sighed as he realized this person was the strongest enemy he had ever fought and was in a league far above him.
It would be different if Rio had the upper hand of having higher physical power, but underestimating the old man while having 14 less physical power than him caused the boy to lose badly.
The old man, his voice laced with a hint of admiration, couldn't help but taunt Rio. "You're certainly a stubborn one, but this is where it all ends for you," he said.
Rio gritted his teeth, ignoring the stinging pain that coursed through his body, and responded defiantly, "I won't back down, not now, not ever."
Their eyes remained locked in a fierce gaze, both unwilling to give an inch in the battle of wills.
Rio's stubborn determination to fight for Layla, even in the face of defeat, left a deep impression on the old man. Despite his dislike for the boy, the old man couldn't help but feel a grudging respect for the boy's unyielding spirit, which only made him more frustrated with the situation.
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Edited By: TheWhiteSnow
