Both were in a coliseum with only the referee above watching the fight. As he prepared his magic, he remembered the phrase that all of the top ten most important of Shengtian had heard when they were gathered by the principal.
"Enrico Solcren Ferreira, that's the name you need to remember and the one our Empress wants you to test."
"Why, principal?"
"Don't ask questions, Liang, just do this mission and keep an eye on him whenever you meet him."
No one there knew the reason for the Empress's behavior. The only thing they knew was that they had to complete the mission, and all who were loyal would follow those words strictly — something their rank 5 seemed to have forgotten.
"Even if it's a test, that doesn't mean I want to lose, so I'm going all out."
Two jade dragons circled his body. One fused with Liang's right arm, and the other grew larger, acting as a guardian protecting its master. Enrico, not wanting to fall behind, began using an ability from his contract with Lunaris that enhanced his physical abilities by turning his blood into liquid magic temporarily.
'Mana Veins.'
Even though his blood had turned into mana, it still behaved like blood, pumping through his heart normally and flowing through his body. On the outside, there was no change, but inside, his blood shone with a vibrant red color.
"Elemental Clone."
His fire clone appeared beside him, initiating the battle as it moved first to attack. The jade dragon placed itself in front, trying to bite the clone, but it simply dispersed, passing through and attacking Liang directly.
"Jade Explosion."
Raising his arm fused with the dragon, he gathered magic in his palm and released a beam that pierced through the clone and went straight toward Enrico.
'Looks like he improved that attack.'
Switching places with his clone, which reformed behind Liang, Enrico created his bow and fired a flaming arrow at Liang's back. When it hit, Liang's body shattered into jade fragments.
'I know that technique.'
It was called Jade Glass, where Liang focused his gaze on a part of the battlefield and marked it. If he were hit, the spell would activate, teleporting him to the marked spot while leaving jade shards behind. For now, he could only use it once.
'And the place he marked is behind me.'
Raising his hand, he blocked a jade spear that Liang was gripping tightly. It was a good spell, but if you paid attention, Liang needed to focus his eyes on that spot for a second — enough time for Enrico to figure out the marked area.
"Seems I wasn't the only one watching the broadcasts."
"If I didn't, I'd be an idiot."
In the future, he would surely improve, but for now, it was easy to predict. Grabbing the spear tightly, Enrico slammed him into the ground with force.
'Now.'
Hearing Liang's thoughts, the dragon that had been hiding underground rose and bit Enrico's arm, leaving a wound. It wasn't deep due to his body's resistance, but it was a decent hit.
"Charged Boost!"
Kicking the jade dragon and shattering it, Enrico spun around, parrying another attempt to be pierced by a spear. Liang, already predicting it wouldn't work, had only used one arm — the other, fused with the second jade dragon, lifted and fired a concentrated green blast at Enrico's body.
Taking a few steps back from the damage, Enrico activated his fire ring, gaining more percentage. Stomping the ground, he created several fire lines in the shape of spiderwebs. Liang tried to move immediately but felt trapped — looking down, he saw his feet being covered by several lines.
"Line Explosion!"
Enrico clenched his fist, and the entire area filled with lines exploded, sending Liang flying upward.
'Strong, very strong — and smart too.'
His wounds were increasing, but his smile didn't fade, and Enrico was doing the same. Liang was having fun because he respected Enrico, especially after seeing how calm he acted during yesterday's event. Jun was a close friend and had been disappointed when he saw how he acted back then.
'Good thing it was Enrico who found him.'
Landing on the ground, he created another jade dragon that fused with his free arm. He had a feeling that if he kept fighting, something new would awaken.
[His magic is increasing.]
'Must be because he's about to unlock his unique ability.'
[That's not bad.]
'Definitely not, but that only makes me more excited — especially if I can adapt to it.'
With a growing, excited smile, Enrico dove headfirst into the danger surrounding Liang's body. Opening his eyes wide, Liang saw that his body was enveloped in a dark green aura.
[Unique Ability: Jade Warrior — First Ability: Jade Skin, forms and hardens the user's body. Second Ability: Offensive spells with mana lower than the user's are reflected.]
[That's powerful.]
Catching Enrico's punch with his palm, Liang pressed his other hand together, forming a sphere of concentrated green magic. Pointing it at Enrico, a surge of mana exploded around them, destroying the area where they stood.
Emerging from the explosion, Enrico landed atop the empty coliseum stands. Three jade dragons descended toward him, trying to devour him, but using his fire steps, he narrowly dodged with difficulty.
'Since I already know I can't use magic against him, I'll have to settle this with my fists.'
Seeing another green blast approaching just half a meter away, Enrico decided to take it head-on, protecting himself with mana. The attack was strong, sending him backward, with Liang chasing right after.
"You're pretty strong, but I'll win!"
"Ha! As if I'd let that happen!"
Improvising, Enrico created several fire lines three meters behind him. Kicking the ground and noticing his speed decrease, he used Charged Boost to strike the lines harder. Propelled backward, the lines stretched and slingshotted him straight toward a surprised Liang.
'I think you can take it, so I won't hold back!'
Clenching his fist, Enrico compressed the muscles in his right arm, and with all his strength, he delivered a punch to Liang's chest, making cracks appear across his jade-covered body.
"Not yet!"
Assuming a low stance with his fists above his waist, he unleashed a flurry of Zero Impact strikes with no magic, breaking all the jade skin away. With a smile of acceptance, Liang collapsed unconscious, having achieved his own form of evolution through that battle. Enrico crouched down to catch his breath after it all.
"Huff... huff... that was dangerous."
"Winner of the battle Enrico Solcren Ferreira."