The Grand Arena was completely silent.
Cracks spread across the arena floor where Kael's Enhanced Origin Pulse had erupted moments earlier.
Across from him stood Lorian Hale, breathing slightly heavier than before. The disruption of his Raging Current Form had clearly affected his Aether control.
Yet his eyes still burned with determination.
"So that's your hidden technique," Lorian said calmly.
Kael rolled his shoulders.
"Something like that."
The referee remained still at the edge of the arena, watching carefully. Neither fighter had been declared the winner yet.
The battle wasn't over.
Lorian exhaled slowly.
Then something surprising happened.
He sheathed the swirling Aether around his arms.
The aggressive aura surrounding him faded slightly.
Kael frowned.
"You're giving up?"
Lorian smiled.
"Not exactly."
He raised his right hand again.
But this time the energy forming there felt… different.
Denser.
Sharper.
The water like Aether condensed into a spinning sphere in his palm.
"This technique isn't something I use in normal matches," Lorian said.
"Because it drains nearly all my energy."
The crowd leaned forward.
Even the Inner Disciples grew quiet.
High above the arena, Elder Taron's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So he's using that technique…"
Lorian stepped forward.
"Kael."
"This is my strongest attack."
The spinning sphere of water energy began expanding rapidly.
"Ocean Breaker Palm!"
With a powerful motion, Lorian thrust the sphere forward.
The energy exploded outward into a massive wave of compressed Aether that surged across the arena.
The ground trembled.
The protective barrier flickered violently.
Kael felt the pressure instantly.
"This is different…"
The attack was far stronger than anything Lorian had used earlier.
If Kael tried to dodge
The wave would still hit him.
He had only one option.
Face it head-on.
Inside his chest, the Origin Core spun faster.
Energy surged through every muscle in his body.
Kael clenched his fist.
"Origin Body."
His muscles hardened.
Then he stepped forward.
"Origin Strike!"
BOOOOOOM!
His fist collided directly with the incoming wave.
The explosion shook the entire arena.
A massive cloud of dust erupted upward, hiding both fighters from view.
The crowd gasped.
For several seconds
Nothing could be seen.
Then the dust slowly began clearing.
Two figures appeared in the center of the battlefield.
Lorian stood on one knee.
His energy was completely drained.
Kael stood several meters away, breathing heavily but still upright.
The referee raised his hand.
"Winner…"
"Kael Veyron!"
The arena exploded with cheers and shock.
The mysterious newcomer had just defeated the strongest outer disciple.