Conquering The Novel

As the echoes of Joshua's victorious battle slowly subsided, the Elemental Colosseum underwent a transformation once again. The vibrant forest and raging streams of the previous battleground dissolved into scattered fragments of light, surrendering to an entirely new landscape.

A majestic desert unfolded before the audience's eyes, vast dunes stretching as far as the eye could see, illuminated by the golden rays of an artificial sun. It was a stark contrast from the lush terrain before, a testament to the Elemental Colosseum's versatility.

With measured grace, the contenders of Group B began to traverse the arena, each embodying their nation's pride and prowess. A diverse tapestry of talent, their monikers hinted at their unique abilities and origins.

The crowd's excitement was palpable, mixed with a sense of anticipation. Another thrilling spectacle was about to unfold, this time in the harsh and unfriendly desert.

In the spectator stands, Fiona leaned forward, her gaze fixed on the unfolding scene. The unspoken query lingered in her mind: how would Ares measure up against this formidable lineup of opponents?

"...Ares," she murmured softly, her tone tinged with worry and uncertainty.

The Group B battle was on the brink of commencement, and the world held its breath, eagerly anticipating the emergence of the brightest star in this challenging desert arena.

***

Amidst the sandy expanse of the battlefield, Group B's contenders assumed their positions with determination etched across their faces. Their gazes were locked onto their opponents, unwavering and focused, ready to unleash their unique abilities upon the challenging terrain.

The announcer's voice reverberated through the stadium, commanding the attention of all, "Ladies and gentlemen, let the electrifying clash of Group B begin!"

With that emphatic declaration, the battlefield sprang into action:

Beep!—

The contenders wasted no time; each moved with precision and purpose. Dmitri conjured icy constructs, Haruki charged his blade with electricity, Maximilian laid strategic traps, Chandra manipulated dancing flames, Elena blended into the shadows, Isabella harnessed primal energy, and Natasha summoned tempestuous winds.

In the midst of the orchestrated chaos, Ares stood as the unwavering center. His eyes, glowing with a radiant azure hue, meticulously assessed the initial moves of every participant. His expression remained calm yet determined, hinting at the immense power he was about to unleash.

In a hushed yet commanding tone, he uttered a single word that resonated through the air.

"DOMAIN."

Swoosh!—

At that command, a remarkable transformation surged from Ares, enveloping the entire battleground in a radiant blue semicircular beam. Within this mystical domain, Ares held a seemingly divine authority, shaping a reality attuned to his will.

His speed ascended to unimaginable levels, rendering the movements of the other contenders sluggish, like statues in a realm detached from reality.

In this apparent standstill, Ares emanated an aura of unparalleled might, a testament to his absolute dominion over his extraordinary domain.

'...So, this is the true potential of my domain,' Ares pondered as he surveyed the frozen tableau before him.

Dmitri's icy constructs hovered frozen in mid-air, Haruki's crackling blade paused in an arc of impending doom, and Maximilian's meticulous formations halted in intricate patterns.

Chandra's fiery strokes, previously a vivid display of crimson and gold, had turned into static blurs. Elena's elusive form was ensnared within her very shadows, Isabella's flourishing desert flora remained suspended in a state of mid-bloom, and Natasha's turbulent tempest was silenced in a startling calm.

"Alright, let's end this," Ares muttered, his voice cutting through the eerie stillness.

In that suspended moment, crackling electric energy gathered around his right hand as he invoked his spell.

"Divine Thunderstorm!"

The air crackled with anticipation as electricity coalesced around him, intensifying with each passing second. The azure aura of his domain pulsed with a brilliant glow, drawing power from the very core of the arena. Lightning danced between his fingers, growing more vibrant and volatile with each passing moment.

With a swift, decisive motion, he unleashed the pent-up energy in a monumental surge.

KABOOM!—

An electrifying explosion erupted from Ares's hand, a tempest of pure energy that engulfed every participant in its ferocious grip. The shockwave reverberated through the suspended tableau, a force of nature that defied comprehension.

The thunderstorm surged through each participant's form, freezing them in suspended animation, rendering them powerless to resist. The entire scene unfolded within an instant, even before the echoing beep that had signaled the match's start had a chance to fade.

!!

Dmitri's constructs shattered into a glittering storm, Haruki's menacing blade vanished, and Maximilian's formations crumbled. Chandra's flames dispersed into sparks, Elena's elusive shadows faded away, Isabella's desert flora withered, and Natasha's tempestuous storm dissipated into thunderous echoes.

!?

In a matter of mere moments, the match concluded. The audience, still reeling from the abruptness of it all, could hardly process the spectacle that had unfolded before their eyes.

Thudle—

The deafening explosion of Ares' overwhelming attack continued to echo in their ears, and the very sands of the desert arena bore the vivid marks of an electrifying cataclysm.

!?

An awed hush settled upon the Elemental Colosseum, leaving the entire world's collective breath stolen by the breathtaking display of power.

As the final echoes of the electrical eruption and the settling sands filled the arena, Ares stood victorious amidst the remnants of the vanquished participants.

Beep!—

'...It's been a while since I've unleashed magic of this magnitude,' Ares reflected. 'Since my transmigration, some of my most potent spells remained sealed, limiting me to only basic abilities... Until now.'

!!

With the arena still trembling from the aftermath of his astonishing victory, Ares calmly departed from the battlefield, leaving behind a sea of mesmerized onlookers.

Amidst the uproarious applause and gasps of astonishment from the crowd, the announcer's voice, tinged with disbelief, echoed once more, as if reaffirming the incredible outcome of the match.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I-I don't believe my eyes, but it's true! Ares, representing the United States, has emerged victorious in Group B! What we just witnessed was nothing short of...of...a marvel!"

The announcer's words reverberated throughout the Elemental Colosseum, echoing the sentiments of the entire audience.

"...."

Watching in awe, Cynthia and Fiona grappled with the magnitude of Ares' newfound abilities.

"W-What? What just happened? Did... Did he defeat them all with a single spell?" Fiona's voice trembled, her eyes wide in confusion. "I-I didn't even see him cast it! Spells that potent usually require a lot of time and incantation, don't they?

How did he unleash such immense power the moment the match began?" The bewilderment in her voice was palpable.

Cynthia's gaze fixated on the protective barrier enclosing the arena, her brow furrowed in puzzlement. "...Indeed, even the most skilled mages need time to cast such spells. It's confounding... and that power, it's unimaginable!" Her eyes narrowed as they observed the crack that marred the magical barrier.

'That's Archmage Sullian's barrier, one of the most powerful mages globally. How could it be shattered by a spell from a mere teenager?' A bead of sweat formed on her forehead as her thoughts raced.

Eris, on the other hand, wore a mysterious smile that hinted at foreknowledge. Her eyes glowed with anticipation as she focused on Ares's departing figure.

Nevertheless, with that, the Group B match came to an abrupt close, a spectacle of unprecedented brevity that would resonate throughout the ages, forever etching its memory into the annals of the Elemental Colosseum. The audience now eagerly anticipated the grand finale, where Ares would clash with Joshua.

To be continued...