The arena trembled under the combined weight of blue and crimson energy. Vemy Lula's chest heaved, wings of Azure Dominion stretching wide, shards of spectral energy circling his body. His slender frame, lithe curves, and deadly aura glowed with a beauty that was almost hypnotic, but the air itself screamed danger.
Aruto Samaki lay across the floor, crimson aura flickering weakly, gasping for breath. Yet he raised his head, eyes sharp. "You've… grown stronger," he admitted, voice ragged. "But don't think this ends here."
Vemy's silver-blue hair shimmered as he adjusted his stance. He could feel the pulse of the fifth ring, energy moving in tandem with his heartbeat. Every movement was lethal, every motion a perfect blend of grace and raw destructive power.
The ground shook, and a shadow fell over the arena. Lula Adiventure had arrived fully, his dark aura swirling with hints of blue and black fire. "Enough of these petty displays," he said, voice calm, but the pressure of his presence nearly suffocated the spectators. "The Crown Rings are mine to claim. And you…" His gaze locked on Vemy. "…will either submit or burn with your arrogance."
Vemy's lips curled into a cold smile. "I don't submit. I burn. I rise. I am the Blue Inferno."
With a roar, Vemy surged forward, spectral figure fully materialized behind him, blades spinning and slicing through the air. Aruto attempted to rise, but Vemy's Azure Dominion aura flared, forcing him to kneel under the overwhelming energy. Sparks of blue fire danced along Vemy's lithe curves, body tense with lethal precision.
Lula chuckled softly, stepping forward with ease. Shadows twisted around his form, coiling like serpents of darkness. His aura collided with Vemy's, and the shockwave sent stone flying in every direction.
"You've awakened the fifth ring," Lula said, eyes narrowing. "Clever. But raw power without control is nothing."
Vemy's aura surged in response. The Azure Manifestation blades extended further, slicing arcs of energy that formed a protective barrier around him. Every strike from Lula's shadow fire was countered, parried, or deflected with deadly accuracy.
The clash escalated into chaos. Blue flames and black fire collided, shaking the arena as energy explosions rocked the stone floor. Vemy moved like liquid, his body twisting and flowing in ways both deadly and hypnotically beautiful. Every motion emphasized his male/feminine allure, his deadly grace, and the terrifying potential of his Azure Path.
Aruto struggled to regain footing, crimson aura flickering wildly. "Vemy… watch out!"
But Vemy was beyond caution. With a roar, he channeled the fifth ring fully, merging his aura with the spectral manifestation. A massive wave of blue energy erupted outward, pushing Aruto back and forcing Lula Adiventure to step carefully to maintain control. The arena itself seemed to bend under the intensity.
"This… is my path!" Vemy shouted, aura blazing brighter than ever. "Azure Dominion! Manifest your power!"
The spectral figure extended its massive blade in tandem with Vemy's own strikes, creating a double barrage of energy that tore through the shadows, forcing Lula to counter with a vortex of dark flame. Sparks collided, air warped, and the ground cracked beneath the sheer force of their powers.
Sweat and blood mixed with the aura surrounding Vemy, but he smiled fiercely. Every transformation, every ring, every moment of pain had led to this. He was not just a student anymore—he was the Blue Inferno, rising with destructive beauty that could awe and terrify all at once.
Lula's eyes narrowed. "You are strong… stronger than I expected. But strength alone won't protect you from the Crown."
Vemy's chest heaved, energy flaring violently. "Then I'll fight for it! I'll rise through every ring, break every limit, and burn everything in my path if I have to!"
The arena erupted into light and fire as blue and black energy collided again, shaking the foundations of the Aether Circle. This was only the beginning.
And deep inside, Vemy could feel the sixth ring stirring, whispering promise and danger.
The Blue Inferno had truly risen.