Observing that he wouldn't be left alone by the Gemheart clan heir, Orion was initially inclined to dismiss the proposal, as he had no reason to engage in any kind of battle, whether for fun or otherwise until he heard about the accompanying rewards.
Seeing Orion's contemplative expression from far below, Zephyrion quickly added, "If you're concerned about me keeping my promise, don't be. I stand here before everyone today, even in front of the King and the royal family, and I solemnly vow to Naka that I shall honour my promise, fulfilling it to the best of the Gemheart clan's abilities."
Not only Orion, but also the guests were taken aback by the Gemheart Clan Heir's desperation.
Regardless, after glancing at the King and Queen and seeing them nod in agreement, signifying that they bore witness to the Gemheart Clan heir's words, Orion saw no reason to decline Zephyrion's challenge.
Instead, he viewed it as an opportunity to gauge how much he had grown in power after creating his two containers and becoming a 1-star warrior.
Directing his strange energy into his legs, alongside his Vylkr energy to enable a leap onto the stage, Orion was just about to rise from his seat and spring forward when a firm hand abruptly seized his arm.
Turning to the side, he saw that it was Princess Crystalia, her eyes filled with anxiety as she nervously whispered, "Be careful, I don't trust him."
Orion responded with a solemn nod. Observing as Princess Crystalia released his arm and reciprocated the gesture, he drew in a deep breath and then propelled himself into the sky with an explosive burst of energy.
Due to the substantial height from which Orion had descended, his entrance was both amazing and commanding. Consequently, all eyes were now riveted on him as he touched down on the stage with a resounding "BOOM!"
Orion surveyed the stage beneath his feet, pondering that it was sturdier than he had initially anticipated.
Zephyrion narrowed his eyes at Orion, inwardly snorting at the fact that his opponent had executed the same jump he had previously done.
Nevertheless, as he observed Orion displaying a certain level of strength, just as they had suspected, he promptly cleared his throat and remarked, "Alright, since you're ready, you can go ahead and strike first."
Recognizing that the aim was to gauge the mysterious outsider's prowess, Zephyrion extended an invitation to Orion to make the first move.
Preparing himself, Orion channelled the strange energy coursing within him, alongside the lingering Vylkr energy remnants. As he settled into a combat stance, he asked, "Are you ready?" Deciding to begin cautiously, he prepared to test his opponent's defences with a measured fist strike, not entirely certain of his current level of strength.
"Of course, I'm ready. Go ahead and give it your best shot," Zephyrion replied with a smirk.
"Alright," Orion nodded in response. Suddenly, he lunged forward, his fist directed straight at Zephyrion's chin. Observing the punch coming his way, Zephyrion lightly scoffed as he swiftly sidestepped, evading the attack.
However, because he had only moved aside, Orion abruptly halted his advance, pivoting to the side while clenching his left hand into a fist, which he hurled towards Zephyrion's face once more.
Observing this, Zephyrion felt a hint of irritation that Orion seemed to be exclusively targeting his handsome face. Nonetheless, he underestimated Orion's speed, causing his guard to drop momentarily.
In response, Zephyrion activated the Gemheart clan's speciality, "Body Resonance," to communicate that Orion's efforts were in vain and to compel him to reveal more of his abilities if he wanted to succeed.
"BAMM!!" Orion's fist landed a solid blow. The smirk on Zephyrion's face faltered as he had not expected Orion's punch to hit with such force, shaking his body before he could fully absorb the impact. Stumbling backwards, he tried to regain his composure as Orion swiftly repositioned himself.
With his right hand, Orion aimed another punch directly at Zephyrion's face. Before Zephyrion could understand what was happening, the sound of the wind being torn apart by Orion's fist echoed in his ears. He had little time to react...
"BAMMM!!" The fist tore through his defences, and an incomprehensible sound of bones cracking and breaking apart echoed loudly across the stage.
The sound resonated throughout the grand amphitheatre, so distinct that it felt as though it was splitting the bones of everyone present.
Zephyrion was sent hurtling backward, spinning a full one hundred and eighty degrees in mid-air before he crashed heavily onto the ground.
His body continued to rotate, completing a full three-hundred-and-sixty-degree spin before finally coming to a halt.
After witnessing Zephyrion effortlessly dodge his first punch and somewhat absorb his second, Orion had only slightly amplified his strength for the third strike.
When he saw the thick, vibrant crimson blood on his fists, he grimaced and shook his hand to remove the wet sensation, staining the golden-veined, crystal-clear stage beneath him.
Orion then focused his gaze on Zephyrion, who was clutching a broken and bloodied jaw with one hand while trying to rise with the other.
A strained smile appeared on Orion's lips as he uttered apologetically, "Sorry if I had known you couldn't absorb that punch, I wouldn't have added more strength to it."
"GASSPSS!!" Gasps rippled through the guests as they observed the unfolding scene and registered the words that had just escaped Orion's lips.
They had been attentive witnesses to the entire altercation, noting how Orion had steadily gained momentum after his first two punches missed their mark.
Thus, it wasn't entirely implausible to consider that he might be right.
However, as they shifted their gaze toward the bloodied Gemheart Clan Heir, who was now struggling to rise, they couldn't help but question whether it was indeed just a fraction of the young man's strength that had caused such devastating damage.
After all, they were discussing the Gemheart Clan Heir, the most promising young Prismerion in the entire Gemheart Clan, someone eligible to ascend to the throne in just a few years.
