The Grand Arena fell silent as Kael and Lorian Hale faced each other.
The final match of the outer disciple bracket had drawn enormous attention.
Even many Inner Disciples leaned forward with interest.
Two rising fighters stood in the center of the battlefield.
One was the long standing top outer disciple, Lorian Hale.
The other was the mysterious newcomer Kael Veyron.
The referee stepped back.
"Begin!"
The moment the signal was given, both fighters moved.
Lorian dashed forward first.
His body moved like flowing water as Aether energy surrounded him in a swirling blue aura.
"Waterstep Technique!"
His speed increased dramatically.
In an instant he appeared beside Kael, his palm thrusting toward Kael's ribs.
Kael reacted instantly.
"Origin Rush!"
His body blurred forward, barely avoiding the strike.
Lorian smiled.
"Good reflexes."
He spun and attacked again, launching a rapid sequence of palm strikes and kicks.
Each attack carried controlled Aether energy.
Kael blocked several hits but felt the force behind them.
"Strong," Kael admitted internally.
Lorian wasn't like the other outer disciples.
He was precise.
Experienced.
And very fast.
The crowd watched intensely as the two fighters exchanged blows.
Shockwaves rippled across the arena floor.
Stone cracked beneath their feet.
Lorian stepped back suddenly.
Then his aura flared brighter.
"I didn't expect to use this today…"
Water-like energy swirled around his arms.
"Tidal Palm Technique!"
He slammed both palms forward.
A wave of compressed Aether energy surged toward Kael like a rushing river.
The spectators gasped.
"That's his strongest technique!"
Kael's eyes sharpened.
Instead of dodging
He stepped forward.
The Origin Core inside his chest spun faster.
Energy gathered in his fist.
"Origin Strike."
BOOM!
His punch collided directly with the incoming energy wave.
The impact exploded across the arena.
Dust clouds burst outward.
The protective barrier around the arena flickered slightly from the force.
When the dust cleared
Both fighters stood their ground.
Lorian's eyes widened slightly.
"You… broke through my Tidal Palm?"
Kael cracked his knuckles calmly.
"You hit hard."
Lorian smiled.
"So do you."
Then both fighters charged again.
The real battle had only just begun.