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Chapter 279: Against a male lead

As the arena hummed with anticipation, Varen Drakov stepped forward, his fiery presence casting a subtle heat into the already charged air. His eyes locked onto Lucavion, who stood with a posture so relaxed it bordered on insolent. The unaffiliated swordsman tilted his head slightly, his smirk curling into something sharper, almost mocking.

"Ready?" Lucavion asked, his voice light and playful, as though the match was a trivial amusement. He raised his blade slightly, the light glinting off its edge. "Should I go easy on you?"

Varen's eyes narrowed, his grip on his greatsword tightening. His voice cut through the tense atmosphere, cold and commanding. "Cease your words. We shall speak with our blades."

For a moment, Lucavion's smirk faltered, replaced by a flicker of something deeper—interest, perhaps even amusement. Then, it widened into a grin that was far more unhinged, a flash of teeth that carried a hint of madness. His aura shifted, growing darker, sharper, as though he had been waiting for this exact moment.

"Talking with swords…" Lucavion murmured, his voice low and almost reverent. His head tilted further, his expression teetering on the edge of something feral. "Who would have thought I'd hear that from someone else?"

With a deliberate slowness, Lucavion drew his blade, its steel gleaming with an almost ethereal sheen. The air around it seemed to distort faintly, a whisper of something otherworldly emanating from the edge. He twirled the blade once, the motion casual yet precise, and then pointed it toward Varen.

"If this is what you want," he said, his voice laced with mockery and excitement, "then I must comply, mustn't I?"

Varen's fiery aura surged in response, his stance firm as he raised his greatsword, its blade igniting with a silvery-red glow. The clash of their auras sent a ripple through the arena, the protective enchantments shimmering as they strained to contain the sheer force of the two warriors.

Lucavion's grin remained, his eyes alight with something dangerous. "Come, heir of the Silver Flame. Let's see if your flames can scorch the demon."

Varen didn't respond, his fiery mana flaring as he surged forward, his greatsword cleaving through the air with deadly intent. Lucavion stepped to meet him, his blade rising to intercept with a speed that defied logic.

The clash of their blades echoed like a thunderclap, the arena trembling under the weight of their first exchange. Sparks flew, fire and shadow intertwining in a deadly dance as the crowd erupted into a frenzy.

The battle had begun, and neither warrior intended to hold anything back.

*******

The clash began with a thunderous roar, Varen's greatsword cleaving downward in a diagonal arc. The silvery-red blade gleamed with fiery mana, cutting through the air with the force of a falling meteor. Lucavion leaned back just enough to avoid the edge, his body shifting with a fluid grace that spoke of instinct honed to perfection.

SWOOSH!

Lucavion's estoc darted forward, a quick thrust aimed at Varen's exposed shoulder. But Varen twisted his body, using the momentum of his missed swing to rotate his greatsword upward in a seamless arc, deflecting Lucavion's blade with a sharp clang.

The force of the parry sent Lucavion sliding back a step, but his smirk remained. "Good weight control," he remarked, spinning his estoc in his hand as he reset his stance.

Varen didn't respond, his fiery aura flaring as he stepped forward, his greatsword carving through the air in a horizontal slash. Lucavion ducked under the blade, the heat from the mana-infused strike grazing the top of his hair. He countered with a quick thrust at Varen's midsection, but Varen stepped to the side, using the weight of his greatsword to sweep it back in a brutal, low strike aimed at Lucavion's legs.

CLANG!

Lucavion's estoc met the greatsword in a downward block, the force of the collision vibrating through his arms. He slid his blade along the edge of Varen's sword, diverting the massive weapon's momentum upward, and then darted to the side, circling around his opponent.

The two fighters moved with stark contrasts. Varen's strikes were heavy and deliberate, each swing of his greatsword carrying the weight of his entire body behind it. He used his shoulders and hips to guide the blade, his movements calculated to make the most of the weapon's momentum. His stance was grounded, each step measured to maintain balance even as he unleashed devastating attacks.

Lucavion, on the other hand, was a blur of motion. He moved with an almost unnatural speed, his estoc flicking out in rapid, precise thrusts that forced Varen to stay on the defensive. His footwork was light, almost playful, his body twisting and turning as he weaved through Varen's strikes like a shadow dancing around a flame.

WHOOSH! SLAM!

Varen brought his greatsword down in a crushing overhead strike, the blade cutting through the air with a fiery glow. Lucavion sidestepped, the massive blade slamming into the ground with enough force to send shards of stone flying. Without missing a beat, Lucavion pivoted on his heel, his estoc darting toward Varen's side.

Varen shifted his grip, using the flat of his greatsword to block the thrust. The impact sent sparks flying as he twisted his weapon to trap Lucavion's blade against his own, attempting to disarm him. But Lucavion reacted instantly, twisting his estoc free with a flick of his wrist and darting backward to avoid the counterstrike.

"Impressive," Lucavion said, his voice light but carrying a hint of respect. "You handle that greatsword like it's an extension of yourself."

"And you're as irritating as I've heard," Varen replied coldly, stepping forward with a feint—his greatsword starting high before swinging low in a deceptive arc.

Lucavion saw through it, sidestepping once more and letting the blade graze past him. But Varen used the missed strike to pivot his entire body, spinning with the greatsword in a horizontal slash that forced Lucavion to lean back at an impossible angle to dodge. The blade passed mere inches from his chest, the heat of the fiery mana licking at his skin.

As Varen finished his rotation, Lucavion stepped into the opening, his estoc flashing in a quick thrust toward Varen's unguarded shoulder. But Varen, using the momentum of his spin, brought the hilt of his greatsword up to deflect the thrust, the clash of steel ringing out across the arena.

The crowd erupted into cheers as the two fighters separated briefly, their stances resetting. Both were breathing harder now, their bodies glistening with sweat as they measured each other once more.

Varen's aura flared again, the flames around his greatsword intensifying. He adjusted his grip, his knuckles tightening as he prepared for another assault. Lucavion's smirk widened, his eyes alight with excitement as he raised his estoc, his body loose and ready.

They surged toward each other, their blades meeting in a series of rapid, intricate clashes. Varen's greatsword came from high, low, and sweeping arcs, each strike carrying 'intent' and the power to shatter lesser defenses. Lucavion danced around the blows, his estoc darting in and out with precision, targeting the gaps in Varen's guard.

CLANG! SWOOSH! THRUST!

The clash continued, each strike and parry building a rhythm that resonated across the arena. Varen's focus deepened as he observed Lucavion's movements more keenly. Watching from a distance hadn't been enough to truly understand the way Lucavion fought, but now, as their blades clashed and sparks flew, the intricacies of his opponent's style became clearer.

'He doesn't commit to his attacks,' Varen thought, his mind racing as he began piecing together Lucavion's approach. 'He waits, forces his opponent to overextend, and uses precision and speed to punish them. He's toying with me, keeping me on edge… But there's no such thing as a perfect fighter.'

Lucavion's estoc darted in again, aiming for a gap near Varen's ribs. Varen twisted his body, allowing the blade to glance off the flat of his greatsword as he countered with a wide arc aimed at Lucavion's retreat. As expected, Lucavion avoided it with ease, stepping back and resetting his stance.

But this time, Varen didn't press forward. Instead, he channeled his fiery mana inward, letting it flow through his body, coiling around him like a serpent preparing to strike. His aura flared brighter, drawing gasps from the crowd as flames licked at his skin.

Lucavion noticed the change immediately, his smirk faltering for a fraction of a second. "Ah, something new?" he said lightly, though his eyes narrowed.

Without warning, Varen's head snapped forward, flames erupting from his mouth in a searing torrent. The sudden attack caught Lucavion off guard—Varen hadn't shown this move in any of his previous matches, and the unorthodox maneuver forced him into an immediate retreat.

The flames surged toward him, their intensity leaving no room for hesitation. Lucavion twisted his body, leaping to the side with a burst of speed, but the sheer force of the flames drove him into a precarious position near the arena's edge. The heat licked at his cloak, and for the first time, Lucavion's movements seemed reactive rather than controlled.

Varen didn't waste the opening. Channeling his mana into his legs, he propelled himself forward in a fiery blast, closing the gap between them in an instant. The momentum of his charge was overwhelming, his greatsword blazing as he swung it downward with the intent to end the fight in one decisive blow.

Lucavion's footing was compromised, his body off-balance from evading the flames. To the crowd, it seemed as though he had no chance of recovering in time.

But Lucavion, as always, thrived on the edge of chaos.

In a single, fluid motion, he planted his back foot and pivoted sharply, his estoc rising to meet Varen's descending blade. Using the momentum of his own rotation, Lucavion leaned into the strike, his blade connecting with Varen's greatsword at an angle that redirected the overwhelming force.

CLANG!

The impact sent a shockwave through the arena, but Lucavion used the recoil to twist his body further, spinning low as Varen's blade glanced past him. His recovery was seamless, almost impossibly smooth, as he turned the defensive maneuver into an offensive one. His estoc flashed out in a quick thrust aimed at Varen's unguarded thigh.

STAB!

The blade bit into Varen's leg, forcing him to step back with a grimace. Lucavion straightened, his smirk returning as he twirled his estoc and reset his stance.

"Clever," Lucavion said, his voice calm despite the faint singe marks on his cloak. "But it'll take more than a fire trick to catch me off guard twice."

Varen's eyes burned with fury and focus, his grip tightening on his greatsword as he adjusted his stance. He could feel the sting of Lucavion's blade in his leg, but the pain only sharpened his resolve.

The fight wasn't over—not yet. And Varen knew that if he wanted to win, he'd have to push beyond his limits.

Chapter 280: Against a male lead (2)

I stepped back, resetting my stance as Varen adjusted his grip on his greatsword. The sting of battle lingered in the air between us—sizzling heat, the faint metallic tang of blood, the crowd's distant roar. For a moment, my eyes lingered on him, watching as he steadied himself, his flames flaring like a second skin.

'Indeed, his swordsmanship is refined,' I thought, my smirk softening into something closer to contemplation. Each movement he made was deliberate, calculated—a clear reflection of the years he'd poured into his craft. There was no denying the discipline, the sheer effort etched into the way he wielded that blade.

But there was something else. Something more.

Even as I pressed him, testing the limits of his technique, I could see it—an evolution. In the way he adjusted, the way his strikes became sharper, more focused. He was learning, growing, adapting. Right here, in the heart of the fight, he was becoming stronger.

'This is the title of a main lead, huh?' The thought brought a flicker of amusement, and perhaps a sliver of respect, to my mind. Varen Drakov wasn't just a character crafted to endure hardship—he was built to rise above it, to thrive in it. His aura, his presence, the unwavering resolve in his eyes—there was a reason why he stood as one of the male leads.

Still, that didn't mean I'd make it easy for him.

My grip on the estoc tightened, and I tilted my head slightly, watching as Varen's fiery mana coiled around him like a living beast. The flames licked at his skin, his aura bright and intense, but his focus was sharper now, honed by the pain and pressure I'd forced on him.

'He's realizing it now, isn't he?' I mused, a faint grin tugging at my lips. 'The gap isn't just about strength—it's about how we use it.'

"Not bad," I said aloud, my voice carrying across the arena. I twirled my estoc lazily, the blade catching the sunlight in a dazzling arc. "You're starting to figure it out, aren't you? How to fight someone who doesn't play by the rules you're used to."

Varen didn't respond with words. Instead, his eyes narrowed, his stance shifting as he drew a deep breath. The flames around him surged, brighter and hotter, his mana compressing into a tighter, more focused flow.

'Good,' I thought, my grin widening. 'Show me more, Varen Drakov. Show me why you're the one they call the Silver Flame's heir.'

He surged forward, his greatsword blazing as it carved through the air with terrifying force. I stepped in to meet him, my estoc rising in a flicker of silver light.

The clash of steel rang out, a sharp, resonant note that echoed through the arena. And at that moment, as our blades locked and the air crackled with raw energy, I couldn't help but feel a thrill run through me.

This wasn't just a battle anymore. It was a conversation, a dialogue written in blood and steel. And Varen, for all his pride and fury, was proving himself a worthy partner in this deadly exchange.

'Let's see how far you're willing to go, male lead.' I thought, leaning into the fight with a feral gleam in my eye. 'Let's see how much you're willing to sacrifice to stand in my way.'

The moment the clash ended, I stepped forward, my estoc glowing faintly as the Flame of Equinox began to flicker to life, black flames licking along the blade's edge. Varen was steady, his stance firm, his fiery aura blazing brighter as if daring me to bring my best.

"Let's heat things up," I murmured, my smirk twisting into something sharper.

SWOOSH!

I darted forward, my blade flicking out toward Varen's chest, the black flames casting a shadowy hue over its gleaming edge. It was a deliberate feint, a shallow thrust meant to force his reaction. Varen's greatsword moved to intercept, its silvery-red glow flashing in a broad defensive sweep.

SLASH!

At the last moment, I twisted my wrist, angling the estoc downward and slipping under his block. The blade nicked the edge of his armor near his ribs, sending a spray of sparks as I disengaged, stepping out of range before his counter could follow through.

"ARghk!"

Varen growled, stepping in with a heavy horizontal slash, his greatsword carving a fiery arc through the air.

'A little late.'

SWOOSH!

I ducked low, feeling the heat of his mana-infused blade graze the top of my head as it passed.

SLASH!

Using the momentum of my crouch, I spun to his unguarded side, my estoc slashing in a low sweep aimed at the back of his knee. Black flames surged along the blade as it arced through the air, forcing him to shift his stance and twist his body to block with the flat of his sword.

CLANK!

The clash sent sparks flying, but I had already moved to my next attack.

With his balance momentarily shifted, I lunged upward, my estoc thrusting straight for his shoulder joint—the gap where his armor plates overlapped. My movement was quick, precise, and backed by the cold intensity of the Flame of Equinox.

Varen grunted as he leaned into the strike, deflecting it with a sharp pivot of his greatsword. The blade scraped against my estoc, forcing it to glance off, but the black flames lingered for a split second, singing the edge of his pauldron.

'Heh….Not bad….'

I didn't give him time to recover. Stepping in close, I turned my estoc sideways, the flat of the blade slamming against the hilt of his greatsword, disrupting his hold. Varen's eyes narrowed, and he instinctively stepped back to regain his footing, but I was already moving again.

THUD!

My left hand surged forward, cloaked in black flame, aiming a quick palm strike toward his midsection. Varen twisted, using his armor to absorb the brunt of the strike, but the force still staggered him slightly, giving me the advantage for the next move.

SLASH!

As he shifted back, his balance uneven, I stepped into his space once more. My estoc swung upward in a powerful diagonal slash, the black flames crackling with energy as they flared brighter.

The blade aimed for the seam of his armor near his collarbone, a calculated strike meant to force him into a purely defensive position.

CLANK!

Varen raised his greatsword to block, the clash of our blades resonating through the arena like a thunderclap.

The force of our clash sent me sliding back across the arena floor, the ground trembling beneath my feet. Sparks crackled in the air, black flames and silvery-red mana dissipating into the charged atmosphere. The crowd roared in approval, but I barely registered the noise. My focus was locked entirely on Varen.

He had been forced back as well, his footing unsteady for a brief moment, and I knew this was my chance to end the sequence decisively.

'Now.'

SWOOSH!

I surged forward, black flames coiling tightly around my estoc. Varen's greatsword was still mid-recovery, and though his stance was strong, his guard was just a touch too high.

STAB!

I aimed for the opening—a small gap in his side armor where his movement had pulled the plates apart.

SPURT!

My estoc struck true, the blade slicing through the exposed flesh. Black flames surged into the wound, searing as they went, forcing a grunt of pain from Varen as he staggered slightly to the side. Blood seeped from the cut, staining his silver-red armor, but he gritted his teeth and forced himself to remain steady.

SLASH!

Varen adjusted quickly, bringing his greatsword back up and unleashing a sudden horizontal slash. The fiery mana infused in his blade blazed brighter, the heat making the air shimmer. I sidestepped the initial sweep, my estoc raised defensively, but he wasn't finished.

Pivoting on his back foot, Varen followed through with another powerful arc, forcing me into a retreat. His focus had sharpened, and his recovery was swift. This wasn't someone who would crumble from a single injury.

He then stepped forward, his fiery aura surging around him like a living thing. His greatsword rose in a high arc, the flames blazing along its edge as he brought it down in a brutal overhead strike. I dodged to the side, but as the blade missed, I caught the faintest shift in his movement.

'A feint.'

The overhead swing turned into a deceptive sweep, aimed to catch me as I moved. But I had already anticipated it. My body twisted, my estoc flashing out to meet his blade at an angle that redirected its momentum upward. Varen growled in frustration as I used his own force to guide him into a vulnerable position.

With Varen's balance slightly compromised, I stepped in, black flames surging along my estoc. His left shoulder was exposed, his movements just off enough for me to take advantage. I thrust forward with precision, the blade biting into his armor at the joint.

The impact was enough to drive him back, the wound forcing him to stagger. Blood dripped from his shoulder, the injury deep enough to affect his swing. But before I could press further, Varen reacted with a desperate counter.

"Heh…."

"ROAR!"

BOOM!

Varen roared, his fiery mana surging explosively. Flames erupted outward in all directions, a shockwave of heat and fire that forced me to leap back immediately. The intense blaze singed the edge of my cloak, the heat licking at my skin even as I retreated.

The crowd gasped as the arena filled with fire, the protective enchantments straining to contain the raw power of Varen's blast. In the center of the inferno, his silhouette stood tall, his fiery aura burning brighter than ever, but I could see the strain in his movements, the way he clutched his injured shoulder.

'He's pushing himself,' I noted, resetting my stance as the flames began to recede. My estoc hummed faintly, the black flames of the Flame of Equinox coiling around the blade, calm and steady.

Varen's eyes met mine, and though his breathing was heavier, his determination hadn't wavered. He wasn't done yet. Not by a long shot.

"Not bad," I said, my voice carrying across the arena. "But desperation doesn't suit you, heir of the Silver Flame."

Varen's grip on his greatsword tightened, the flames around him surging once more. The fight wasn't over—and I intended to see just how far I could push him.

Chapter 281: Against a male lead (3)

"Not bad. But desperation doesn't suit you, heir of the Silver Flame."

I twirled my estoc lazily, letting the black flames dance along its edge like mischievous sprites. My smirk deepened as I tilted my head, watching Varen's fiery aura shimmer around him, the heat radiating off him in waves. The crowd was in a frenzy, their cheers and gasps feeding the charged atmosphere, but my attention was wholly on the man before me.

"You really are making this fun," I said my tone light and teasing. "But let's not stay on the defensive all the time, shall we? I'd hate for the crowd to think the heir of the Silver Flame can't handle a little pressure."

The faintest flicker crossed Varen's eyes—an ember of irritation, perhaps, or a spark of resolve igniting into a blaze. His grip on his greatsword tightened, the knuckles whitening, and for a moment, he said nothing. Then, his eyes locked onto mine, shining with a fiery intensity that sent a thrill racing through me.

"I shall do so," he said, his voice low but resonant, carrying the weight of his conviction.

His greatsword rose in a deliberate motion, the silvery-red flames along its edge roaring to life. The air around him shimmered as if the heat itself had become a living entity, coiling and twisting around him. Then, with a deep breath, he straightened, his voice calm yet thunderous as he declared, "From now on, I will no longer hold back."

The shift was immediate and profound. A fiery aura exploded outward from his body, the sheer force of it rattling the protective enchantments around the arena. The flames surged, bright and unrelenting, as though his very soul had been set alight. His eyes, already blazing, now burned with an intensity that seemed almost otherworldly, a reflection of the power welling up from deep within him.

I could feel it—no, I could sense it. The energy pouring from Varen's core wasn't just immense; it was purposeful, surging through his body like molten lava filling every crevice, strengthening him in ways that defied normal cultivation. It was raw, ferocious, and unyielding.

'Ah… so this is it,' I thought, my smirk widening as realization dawned. 'It's Ignis Ascension.'

The name surfaced from the depths of my memory, a state unique to Varen's character in the novel, even at the start.

Ignis Ascension—the pinnacle of his fiery abilities, a state where his mana concentrated so densely within him that it transformed his entire body into a conduit for flame.

It was a power born not just of strength, but of the unshakable resolve that defined him as a male lead.

I couldn't help but chuckle, low and amused. "Oh, so you're finally taking this seriously," I murmured, more to myself than to him. "This should be good."

Varen's fiery aura flared brighter, his greatsword radiating a heat that made the air shimmer like a mirage. The crowd seemed to hold its breath, their excitement palpable as the arena itself felt smaller, the heat closing in like a smothering blanket.

"You like to provoke, don't you?" Varen said, his voice calm yet edged with a new, dangerous determination. His eyes locked onto mine, the fire within them promising nothing less than a storm of destruction. "Then allow me to respond."

"Please do so."

"….."

He didn't reply with words.

Instead, he did move.

-SWOOSH!

Faster than before, with his greatsword cutting through the air with precision and power, it made even my reflexes strain to keep up. The blade gleamed, the silvery-red flames trailing behind it like a comet, and I stepped in to meet him, my estoc ready, the black flames flaring in response.

'Let's see it, Varen Drakov,' I thought, the thrill of the fight surging through me like lightning. 'Let's see just how far Ignis Ascension will take you.'

The shift in Varen's intensity was immediate. His aura flared, a fiery storm swirling around him as if the very air obeyed his will. His movements were sharper, faster, more deliberate. This wasn't the same Varen Drakov I had been toying with moments ago. Ignis Ascension had pushed him to the next level.

-SWOOSH!

The flames around Varen's greatsword roared to life as he swung it in a high arc, the blade descending with terrifying speed. Silvery-red flames trailed behind, creating an illusion of a meteor falling from the heavens. I stepped forward, meeting his strike head-on. My estoc flicked out, black flames twisting along its length as I angled it precisely against his blade.

CLANG!

The impact sent a shockwave through the arena, but I deflected the blow, redirecting the force away from me. The flames seared the air around us, but I remained unscathed, stepping back into a defensive stance.

Varen didn't hesitate. As his greatsword followed through from the first strike, he channeled his fiery mana outward, manipulating it into a crescent-shaped wave of flame that surged toward me with deadly intent. It was a ranged attack, but one that forced me to stay alert, as the flames curved unpredictably.

I pivoted sharply, my estoc flashing out to intercept. The black flames of the Flame of Equinox clashed with his fiery mana, dispersing the wave mid-flight. The residual heat grazed my arm, but I ignored it, my focus entirely on Varen, who was already closing in.

Varen spun on his heel, his greatsword arcing low in a sweeping motion that carried his full weight and momentum. Flames spiraled outward, making it impossible to dodge cleanly. His movement was fluid, his control over the range of his blade and the surrounding flames impeccable.

CRACK!

I twisted my body, angling my estoc to deflect the blade away from my legs. But the fiery energy trailing his strike caught me mid-spin, slamming into my side. The searing heat bit into my mana barrier, causing it to flicker and crack. Pain surged through my ribs, but I gritted my teeth and kept moving, unwilling to let him capitalize on the hit.

Varen lunged forward, the tip of his greatsword blazing as he aimed for my chest. His movements were precise, his speed nearly overwhelming, but I could see through the intent. It was a feint, the blade shifting mid-lunge to curve toward my left side.

CLANG!

I parried the strike cleanly, my estoc sliding along the flat of his greatsword to deflect it away. The flames hissed as they met the black fire surrounding my blade, and I stepped back into position, my breathing heavier now.

The crowd roared as Varen unleashed his full power. Channeling his fiery mana into his greatsword, he raised it high above his head, flames coiling and surging outward. The heat was suffocating, the energy crackling like a living thing. He brought the blade down in an overhead smash, the flames exploding outward as it descended.

BOOM!

I raised my estoc in a desperate block, but the sheer force of the attack overwhelmed me. The explosion of mana drove me back, the impact reverberating through my body as my barrier flickered dangerously. A sharp, burning pain lanced through my shoulder where the edge of his blade had grazed me, tearing into flesh.

I stumbled, my stance faltering for a brief moment.

'Indeed...This is not an opponent that I should take lightly.'

It had been a while since someone managed to take this much power out of me, but at the same time it was kind of fun.

Varen straightened, his fiery aura still blazing, but I could see the faintest signs of exertion in his stance. He had poured immense energy into that sequence, and while it had done damage, I was still standing.

I grinned, wiping a trickle of blood from my lip. "Not bad at all," I said, my voice calm despite the burning pain in my shoulder. "You've really turned up the heat."

Varen's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on his greatsword. This was far from over, and I couldn't help but feel a thrill coursing through me as I prepared to push back.

********

Varen's chest heaved as he steadied his breathing, the roaring flames surrounding him pulsing in rhythm with his heart. The arena echoed with the chants of the crowd, but their voices barely registered. His attention was locked entirely on Lucavion, the man who had once again defied the overwhelming might of his Ignis Ascension.

Varen flexed his fingers around the hilt of his greatsword, the heat of his mana coiling and surging through his veins. His fiery aura blazed brighter, but despite its intensity, there was a gnawing realization clawing at the edge of his mind.

'He's not falling.'

Lucavion stood opposite him, his posture as infuriatingly relaxed as it had been at the start of the match. His estoc rested lightly in his hand, black flames flickering along its length with an unsettling vitality. A faint smirk tugged at the corners of his lips, as though the entire fight was nothing more than a game.

For the first time, Varen felt something he hadn't experienced in years. Doubt.

'Ignis Ascension has always been enough,' he thought, his grip tightening. 'Enough to overpower any opponent, enough to break their resolve. But this man… he doesn't even look like he's using his full strength.'

He exhaled slowly, allowing the tension in his muscles to dissipate. The crowd's chants shifted, calling out both their names in an electric rhythm that vibrated through the arena. Despite the growing weight of the fight, a faint smile touched Varen's lips.

'No matter his methods, he's strong. Stronger than anyone I've faced in this tournament.'

Lucavion tilted his head slightly, his smirk widening as if he could sense Varen's thoughts. "What's the matter, heir of the Silver Flame?" he called out, his voice cutting through the noise like a blade. "Don't tell me you're finally feeling the pressure?"

Varen raised his greatsword, the flames along its edge roaring to life. His eyes burned with renewed determination as he stepped forward, his fiery aura swelling with unyielding resolve.

"Pressure." He repeated. "Maybe you are right. Maybe that was what I had been lacking."

"Oho? That is good then."

Lucavion repeated.

Then, it happened.

"Let's test you more."

Chapter 282: Against a male lead (4)

"Let's test you more."

Lucavion's smirk deepened, but this time there was a shadow of something else beneath it—something darker, more primal. His estoc shifted slightly in his grip, and for a brief moment, the arena seemed to be still. The air grew heavy, charged with a tension that made the crowd's cheers falter.

The black flames around Lucavion surged to life, no longer restrained by the casual flicks of his blade. They twisted and writhed like living shadows, their movements unnervingly chaotic. The temperature in the arena didn't rise—instead, it dropped, a biting chill settling over the space despite the flames' presence.

Varen's breath caught in his chest as an unfamiliar pressure washed over him. It was subtle at first, a faint weight pressing against his senses, but it quickly grew heavier, more oppressive. His fiery mana wavered slightly, flickering as though it, too, felt the weight of Lucavion's power.

'What… is this?' Varen thought, his heart pounding as a shiver ran down his spine. The sensation wasn't fear—not quite—but it was close. It was the instinctive recognition of something profoundly unnatural, something that didn't belong in this world.

Lucavion tilted his head again, his expression shifting. The playful arrogance was still there, but it was joined by a dangerous edge, a glint of something unhinged in his eyes. His smirk widened, exposing teeth that seemed sharper in the flickering light of his flames.

"Oh," he said softly, his voice carrying a chilling resonance that seemed to echo directly in Varen's mind. "You feel it, don't you?"

The black flames surged outward, tendrils of darkness licking at the edges of the arena. The enchantments flickered faintly, struggling to contain the energy emanating from Lucavion. The crowd gasped, their excitement giving way to a tense, uneasy silence.

"This," Lucavion continued, his voice low and almost reverent, "is what lies beyond your polished discipline. Beyond your inherited strength." He stepped forward, his movements fluid yet deliberate, the black flames coiling around his body like a protective shroud. "This is what it means to wield freedom."

Varen's grip on his greatsword tightened, his fiery aura flaring as he tried to push back against the oppressive energy. His body felt heavy, as though the weight of Lucavion's presence alone was enough to crush him.

'No,' Varen thought, shaking off the creeping doubt. 'This isn't fear. It's just… unexpected. I can still fight. I will fight.'

But even as he steadied himself, he couldn't ignore the voice in the back of his mind—the voice that whispered of danger, of a power that defied logic and understanding.

Lucavion raised his estoc, the black flames spiraling up its length in a mesmerizing dance. His smirk twisted into something almost feral as he locked eyes with Varen.

"You've shown me your flames," he said, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "Now let me show you mine."

SWOOSH!

Lucavion surged forward, his body a blur of motion as the black flames surrounding him coalesced into a spiraling shroud of energy. His estoc moved like a shadow, flickering and twisting with an unpredictable rhythm that seemed to defy logic. The crowd barely had time to react before the two warriors clashed in the center of the arena, the sound of their blades meeting ringing out like a thunderclap.

CLANG! SWOOSH!

Varen braced himself, his greatsword raised in a solid guard. His fiery mana surged, flaring brighter than before as he activated his art: [Flame of Eternal Zeal]. The silvery-red flames wrapped around his weapon burned with a relentless intensity, and his stance became more aggressive, the weight of his sword perfectly balanced with the momentum of his strikes.

Lucavion's [Flame of Equinox] responded in kind, the black flames swirling and writhing around him like living shadows. His estoc struck with precision, each thrust and slash aimed to probe Varen's defenses and exploit the smallest of gaps. But Varen wasn't the type to falter easily.

CLASH!

Varen swung his greatsword in a wide arc, the flames extending the reach of his blade in a crescent of fire. Lucavion leaned back, his body bending at an almost impossible angle as the fiery edge grazed past him. He countered with a rapid thrust aimed at Varen's ribs, his estoc flicking forward like a viper's fang.

SLAM!

Varen twisted his hips, using the flat of his greatsword to deflect the thrust. The force of the block sent Lucavion sliding back a step, but he used the momentum to pivot, his blade slashing upward in a diagonal arc. Varen ducked, the black flames grazing his shoulder as he shifted his footing to regain the advantage.

"[Infernal Spiral!]" Varen roared, spinning his greatsword in a full rotation. The flames around his weapon erupted outward in a fiery cyclone, forcing Lucavion to retreat. The crowd gasped as the firestorm consumed the space between them, the heat so intense that even the arena's enchantments shimmered under the strain.

Lucavion skidded to a halt at the edge of the flames, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Finally," he murmured, his voice low but audible in the tense silence. "You're starting to thrive under pressure."

He stepped forward, the black flames of [Flame of Equinox] surging as he raised his estoc. "But you're still too predictable."

SWOOSH!

Lucavion closed the distance in an instant, his speed almost supernatural. He ducked under Varen's horizontal slash, his estoc flicking upward in a feint before shifting into a low thrust aimed at Varen's knee. Varen reacted instinctively, planting his foot and twisting his body to avoid the strike while bringing his greatsword down in a crushing overhead slash.

CLANG!

Lucavion's estoc met the descending blade with a precise parry, the black flames flaring as the force of the clash sent sparks flying. He twisted his wrist, using the parry to redirect the greatsword's momentum, and spun to Varen's blind side.

[Poly Fang]

Lucavion intoned, his blade flashing in a rapid series of thrusts, each one aimed at vital points along Varen's torso and limbs.

Varen's flames surged in response, his aura flaring brighter as he activated another technique: "[Flamebound Shield!]" A barrier of fire erupted around him, deflecting Lucavion's attacks and forcing the swordsman to leap back.

Varen stepped forward, his greatsword igniting with a silvery-red blaze that seemed to grow with his every breath. His stance shifted, becoming more aggressive as he pressed the attack, his strikes faster and more precise. The weight of his greatsword, combined with the raw power of his flames, forced Lucavion to stay on the move, weaving through the onslaught like a shadow.

[Zealot's Arc!]

Varen moved his blade cleaving through the air in a sweeping diagonal strike. The flames trailing behind the blade formed an arc of fire that surged toward Lucavion.

SWOOSH!

Lucavion sidestepped, the black flames of [Flame of Equinox] coiling around him as he pivoted on his heel. He used the momentum of his dodge to launch into a counterattack, his estoc darting toward Varen's exposed flank.

[Equinox Rift!] Lucavion whispered, his blade cutting through the fiery arc and dispersing it with a burst of shadowy energy.

The force of the strike sent Varen stumbling back, his flames faltering for a brief moment.

Varen staggered back for only a moment, his greatsword steady in his grip despite the force of Lucavion's last counter. His chest heaved, his body drenched in sweat, but his fiery aura flared brighter than ever, the flames dancing around him with a renewed intensity.

'I can see now,' he thought, his mind racing as his instincts sharpened. The chaos of the fight—the relentless exchanges, the pressure of Lucavion's unrelenting presence—had finally pushed him past his limits. There was something guiding him now, a primal energy coursing through his veins, as though his movements were no longer entirely his own.

The flames surrounding him coalesced, shifting and twisting until they began to take shape. The crowd gasped as the fiery aura transformed, becoming the unmistakable silhouette of a dragon. The beast's head loomed over Varen's shoulders, its glowing eyes locked onto Lucavion, as if it were alive.

Lucavion's smirk faltered, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied the phenomenon. "Interesting," he murmured, his voice carrying a mix of intrigue and caution.

The dragon-shaped flames roared, and Varen's power surged to an entirely new level. The air around him vibrated with the weight of his mana, and the cracks in the arena floor deepened as the sheer intensity of his energy pressed outward. The enchantments protecting the audience shimmered, strained under the force of Varen's breakthrough.

'This… this is it,' Varen thought, his grip tightening on his greatsword. The fiery dragon above him seemed to roar in unison with his thoughts, and his body moved before his mind could fully register it.

BOOM!

In an instant, Varen closed the distance between them, the flames propelling him forward with explosive speed. The ground where he had stood cracked and burned, and before Lucavion could react, Varen was already upon him.

The crowd erupted in a mix of awe and disbelief as Varen's greatsword, blazing with the power of a dragon's breath, descended toward Lucavion with a force that seemed unstoppable.

Lucavion's body shifted, his instincts screaming at him to evade, but the sheer speed of Varen's newfound power left him no room to escape. The greatsword came down, its flames roaring as it aimed to cleave through him.

BOOM!

The impact shook the arena, a shockwave rippling outward as the ground beneath Lucavion shattered. Dust and flames obscured the battlefield, the audience held their breath in stunned silence.

When the dust began to settle, the silhouette of Varen standing tall in the center of the chaos came into view. His greatsword remained aloft, its flames crackling with power as the dragon's form roared above him, its fiery maw open in triumph.

The crowd erupted into cheers, unable to comprehend what they had just witnessed. Varen had broken through to the peak of 4-star, his power rivaling that of a 5-star for a fleeting moment. The sheer presence he now exuded was overwhelming.

But as the dust fully cleared, another figure became visible. Lucavion stood just beyond Varen's blade, his body slightly turned, his estoc raised in a defensive posture. His cloak was torn, the edges singed by the flames, and a shallow cut ran across his cheek, a single bead of blood trickling down.

Despite the chaos, Lucavion's smirk returned, his eyes glinting with a dangerous light. "That," he said, his voice steady despite the pressure bearing down on him, "was impressive."

The fight wasn't over. Not yet. And Lucavion was ready to show why he thrived under pressure.

Chapter 283: Against a male lead (5)

As I steadied my stance, my gaze locked onto Varen. His fiery aura had transformed into something primal, raw, and overwhelming. The dragon-shaped flames roared above him, their intensity palpable even from this distance. The ground beneath him cracked further with each step he took, his greatsword alight with an undeniable power that seemed to hum with its own will.

I exhaled slowly, feeling the faint sting of the cut on my cheek. A single bead of blood traced its path downward, but I barely noticed. My focus was entirely on Varen, on the sheer presence he now exuded.

'An epiphany in the middle of a fight,' I mused, my smirk softening into something closer to a grin. 'It really is like Valeria's moment back in her last match.'

The comparison was apt. Valeria had reached a similar breakthrough, pushing past her own limits to grasp something greater in the heat of battle. Watching her then, I'd felt a faint flicker of admiration for the sheer force of will it took to achieve that. And now, here was Varen, standing tall as another testament to the talent that the main cast seemed to possess.

'It's not surprising,' I thought, tilting my head slightly as I observed him. 'This is what makes them the main cast, after all. The story always bends in their favor, doesn't it?'

I wasn't bitter—far from it. If anything, I relished the challenge. They were built for this, sculpted by the narrative itself to rise above ordinary trials. And that made victories against them all the sweeter.

The crowd's cheers roared around us, their voices blending into a cacophony of awe and disbelief. But for me, everything else had faded into the background. All that remained was the fight, the thrill of facing an opponent who could push me to the edge.

'He's powerful now,' I acknowledged silently, my smirk sharpening into something feral. 'With this state, I'll need to push myself to the absolute maximum if I want to win this without revealing my [Starlight] mana core.'

The thought made my blood hum with excitement. A fight like this—one where the odds were steep, where I'd have to rely on every ounce of my skill, cunning, and willpower—was exactly what I thrived on. It wasn't just about victory; it was about the exhilaration of standing on the razor's edge, of dancing with chaos and bending it to my will.

'These odds…' I thought, my estoc shifting slightly in my grip as the black flames of [Flame of Equinox] coiled tighter around me. 'I like them.'

I took a single step forward, the movement deliberate, my eyes never leaving Varen. His fiery dragon flared in response, as if sensing the shift in my stance, the unspoken challenge in my gaze. His grip on his greatsword tightened, his stance firm, but I caught the faint flicker of something in his eyes—recognition, perhaps. An acknowledgment of the battle we were about to unleash.

"You've reached something, haven't you?" I said, my voice calm yet tinged with amusement. I twirled my estoc, the black flames licking at its edge like restless shadows. "But don't think for a second that I'm out of surprises."

Varen's only response was a sharp exhale, the dragon flames roaring as he raised his greatsword high. The weight of his mana pressed against me, heavy and unrelenting, but I welcomed it. This was what I'd been waiting for.

With a flick of my wrist, I raised my estoc, the black flames surging brighter in defiance of his fiery onslaught. My smirk widened, my pulse steady as I locked eyes with him.

"Come, heir of the Silver Flame," I murmured, my voice carrying across the arena. "Let's see who burns brighter."

SWOOSH!

The first clash came like a thunderstorm.

Varen charged forward, his fiery aura blazing brighter than ever, his greatsword cutting through the air with raw, destructive power. His dragon flames roared as if alive, each swing carrying the weight of his newfound strength. I met him head-on, my estoc flickering with the black flames of [Flame of Equinox], but the sheer force of his strikes made it impossible to stand firm.

-SLAM!

His greatsword came down in a diagonal slash, the fiery blade trailing flames that scorched the ground beneath us. I sidestepped, barely avoiding the impact, and countered with a thrust aimed at his ribs. Varen twisted his body, his greatsword sweeping upward to deflect my blade with a deafening clang. The force behind his swing sent me sliding back, my arms trembling from the impact.

Before I could regain my footing, he was on me again. A wide horizontal slash forced me to duck, the flames grazing my shoulder. Varen followed through with a pivot, his blade crashing down in a relentless overhead strike. I raised my estoc to parry, the black flames flaring in response.

CLANG!

The clash reverberated through my bones, and I was forced to leap back, the searing heat pressing against me like a wall.

'He's relentless,' I thought, adjusting my grip as I steadied my breath. The precision and power behind his attacks had evolved—each swing was deliberate, carrying not just strength but intent. This was a different Varen, one who had grasped something deeper in the heat of battle.

Varen surged forward again, his flames coiling around his greatsword in a fiery spiral. He feinted high, the flames trailing upward to obscure his movements, before switching to a sudden, brutal thrust aimed at my chest. I twisted my body, angling my estoc to deflect the strike, but the sheer force of the blow sent me reeling.

My back hit the ground, my breath leaving me in a sharp gasp as the heat of his aura pressed down on me.

SMASH!

I rolled to the side just as his blade crashed into the ground where I had fallen, molten cracks splintering out from the impact. Springing to my feet, I retaliated with a quick thrust aimed at his thigh, the black flames surging with precision. But Varen anticipated it, his greatsword sweeping in an arc to knock my blade aside. The flames surrounding him surged outward, forcing me to retreat once again.

SLASH! SWIRL!

This time, his attack came with even greater speed. The dragon flames surged around him as he moved, his greatsword carving through the air with lethal efficiency. I ducked under the first swing and sidestepped the second, but the third came faster than I could react.

The edge of his blade grazed my side, cutting through my barrier and biting into flesh. A sharp pain flared as blood seeped from the wound, but I gritted my teeth and pushed on.

The crowd's roars became a dull hum in the background as my focus sharpened. Varen's relentless assault pushed me to the edge, each strike forcing me to dig deeper into my reserves. My arms ached, my chest heaved, but my smirk remained, even as blood dripped from my side.

'This isn't just about matching his strength.'

I knew.

'I need to understand him.'

I steadied my breathing, letting the black flames of [Flame of Equinox] swirl more freely around me. They responded to my intent, coiling like serpents waiting to strike, and I began to focus—not on the overwhelming force of Varen's attacks, but on the rhythm behind them.

As Varen lunged again, his greatsword blazing with silvery-red flames, I began to see it—not with my eyes, but with my instincts. Each movement of his blade carried a rhythm, a purpose. His strikes were no longer just random swings—they were deliberate, each one part of a greater pattern.

The dragon flames weren't just an extension of his mana; they were alive, responding to the intent behind his strikes. His greatsword moved not just with power but with precision, each motion calculated to force me into a disadvantage. The fire wasn't wild—it was disciplined, refined, a reflection of the man wielding it.

'So, like him.'

This was his sword.

Right now he was talking with the sword. The words were not being spilled.

SLASH! SWIRL!

The rhythm of Varen's strikes intensified, each movement blending seamlessly into the next, his greatsword carving arcs of silvery-red fire through the air. The dragon flames surged with every swing, coiling and lashing out like an extension of his will. The heat was suffocating, oppressive, and yet there was an undeniable elegance in the chaos he commanded.

Every swing spoke to his intent, his unwavering control. The fire was his, obeying his every command, moving as though it were alive—because it was. His mana, his emotions, his very essence burned within those flames, shaping them, refining them. Each strike was deliberate, the fire responding with disciplined ferocity.

It wasn't just his sword moving; it was his voice, his will. In this moment, every swing was a word, every strike a sentence, every surge of flame a declaration. He wasn't merely fighting me. He was showing me who he was.

'He's talking to me.'

The fire roared again, a feral growl as his greatsword swept downward, forcing me to twist away. I evaded, narrowly avoiding the next strike, and watched as the dragon flames coiled back around him, like a predator circling for the kill.

But then, amidst the disciplined chaos, there was something he was missing.

'In this world, can everything be tamed?'

The fire was beautiful in its control, in the way it responded to Varen's every whim. But there was something else—a tightness, a rigidness. As I continued to dance around his attacks, my mind wandered to the broader truth behind his flames.

'Is control everything?'

From one perspective, mastery over something as wild as fire was admirable. It spoke to his discipline, his refusal to yield to chaos. But from another…

'Doesn't seeking more and more control mean you're scared of leaving things to the flow?'

I smiled faintly, sidestepping another slash and feeling the heat lick at my skin. Varen's relentless need to dictate every flicker of flame, every movement, was as much a strength as it was a flaw. And I knew why.

Lira.