Conquering The Novel

The lively echoes from the previous match slowly faded away, and a serene quietness settled over the Elemental Colosseum as it transformed into an enchanting garden, bursting with lush greenery, colorful flowers, and serene ponds reflecting the gentle sunlight.

Ares and Joshua stepped onto the stage, emanating distinct energies. Ares portrayed determination, hinting at hidden strength beneath his calm exterior, his eyes shimmering with untapped power. Opposite him stood Joshua, renowned as the Wind Whisperer, radiating confidence and calmness, seemingly attuned to the unseen forces surrounding him.

"I never expected to face you in the finals," Joshua remarked with a sly smile, attempting to provoke Ares. "But defeating me? That's another story altogether."

Ares remained silent, his gaze seemingly elsewhere, lost in contemplation. He paid no heed to Joshua's attempts to instigate him.

'Argh! Is this bastard ignoring me?' Joshua grew frustrated, a vein throbbing on his forehead. 'Let's see if he can maintain that composed demeanor.'

"Just because you won the last match using some weird tricks doesn't mean you deserve Fiona," Joshua exclaimed, his calm demeanor fading. "I've pursued her for six years, starting from our joint hunter training sessions. Someone like you, with no potential, has no right to be with her..." he continued, his words filled with resentment.

Haaa~

A heavy sigh escaped Ares, signaling his weariness towards Joshua's words. '...I might have unraveled it. The... method to break free from this illusion or whatever this might be.' He contemplated inwardly, shifting his attention towards Fiona, Eris, and Cynthia seated among the audience.

'This feels strangely similar to that clichéd skill, where you confront your past filled with regrets. As you navigate through those regrets, you get lost in believing it's reality, trapping yourself indefinitely.' His mind grappled with the inexplicable circumstances surrounding the current illusion, seeking a way out.

...Yet, a plan to break free began taking shape in his thoughts.

Meanwhile, the announcer's voice reverberated through the arena, fueling the excitement for the impending clash between Ares and Joshua. "Ladies and gentlemen, brace yourselves for the ultimate showdown between Ares from the United States and Joshua from England! Who will emerge victorious? Let's find out!"

The audience buzzed with anticipation, eagerly awaiting the final clash between these formidable contenders, while Cynthia and Fiona watched, intrigued by the hidden strength they sensed within Ares after his previous match.

"You dare ignore me! I'll demonstrate our power difference right now!" Joshua erupted, his fury evident.

The announcer's voice rang out once more, declaring, "As both participants appear ready, let the final battle... Begin!"

Beep—

As the match commenced, the ground vibrated under their feet, enveloping both Ares and Joshua in vibrant, swirling energies, cocooning them in a dazzling spectacle of light.

The serene garden vanished instantly, replaced by a tempestuous arena characterized by swirling winds and stormy skies—an impressive testament to Joshua and Ares's mastery over the elements.

"I will make you regret ignoring me," Joshua exclaimed, his voice lost in the roar of the storm.

Amidst the whirling tempest, Ares stood resolute, facing the storm summoned by Joshua. His unwavering gaze pierced through the turmoil.

In stark contrast, Joshua seemed serene amid the chaotic storm, as if it were a familiar friend swirling around him, a comforting embrace in the midst of turmoil.

While the tempest raged and Joshua remained at the storm's epicenter, Ares stood firm, undeterred by the swirling winds.

"...I've already killed you once, and I don't need to torment you again," Ares stated calmly, summoning a shimmering sword that materialized out of thin air, emitting an otherworldly radiance.

The audience collectively gasped at the unexpected sight of Ares wielding a sword, contradicting their perception of him as a mage—an unexpected twist in their understanding.

'Is this arrogant bastard still underestimating me?' Joshua seethed, launching numerous wind blades at Ares in fury.

Swoosh— Swoosh— Swoosh

"Take that, you arrogant bastard!" Joshua's cry echoed.

As the wind blades and the storm bore down on him, time seemed to slow as Ares's eyes began to glow once more, his sword resonating with raw power, its energy pulsating in sync with his aura.

Raising the sword high, Ares channeled an overwhelming surge of energy into it.

"Fell Crescent!"

Ares uttered, his voice cutting through the howling winds.

SWISH—

He swung the sword with incredible force, slicing through the very heart of the storm. The blade glowed intensely, devouring the incoming wind blades along its path.

In an instant, the violent winds calmed, the skies cleared, and the chaotic environment conjured by Joshua vanished without a trace. Joshua stood frozen in disbelief, wide-eyed, as the sword's energy enveloped him in a blinding flash.

"A-Ah?"

CRACK!—

A brilliant explosion of light burst forth from the impact, illuminating the entire arena, and shattering even the barrier covering the stadium from Ares's astounding attack.

Shatter— Shatter—

"...."

As the radiance faded, Ares stood, his sword lowered, while Joshua had vanished without a trace, leaving not even a remnant behind. The ground bore immense marks from the force of the preceding attack.

'...Lia's craftsmanship is indeed amazing,' Ares mused, admiring the incredible power unleashed by his sword.

...?

"...H-Huh?"

"...."

After a momentary silence, the thunderous applause and gasps from the audience filled the arena after the remarkable conclusion of the match. Cynthia and Fiona, wide-eyed and amazed, struggled to comprehend the immense strength Ares had just demonstrated.

"W-Wait! What just happened? The match ended just like that?" The audience expressed their shock.

But soon, the announcer's voice quivered with excitement, "A-Ares... emerges victorious in an astonishing fashion! What an incredible match!" He remained visibly surprised by the magnitude of power on display.

Ares!

Ares!

Ares!

The audience cheered, while medics rushed to search for Joshua amidst the aftermath of the powerful clash.

As the crowd chanted Ares' name, Cynthia, Fiona, and Eris hurried towards him on the stage.

"C-Congratulations, Ares! That was incredible," Cynthia congratulated him, still trying to comprehend the unexpected turn of events. However, Fiona, standing beside her, remained silent, her head bowed in disbelief. She hadn't anticipated Ares prevailing over Joshua, especially not with such overwhelming power.

Eris, positioned behind Cynthia and Fiona, approached with an enigmatic smile.

"Ares, I—" Fiona began to speak, but in a blink, Ares disappeared from his spot, leaving behind a trail of blue light.

Swoosh—

Suddenly, he reappeared in front of Eris, brandishing his sword.

"Enough with that unsettling smile! The Eris I know wouldn't smirk like that," Ares exclaimed as he swung his sword toward her.

Clank—

!?

To his surprise, a sword materialized out of thin air in Eris's hand, and she skillfully deflected his strike at the last moment.

Their clash disrupted the very fabric of reality, causing glitches in their surroundings and prompting the illusion to crumble.

Ares launched the attack against Eris, realizing that confronting her might be the key to breaking free from this illusion, stemming from his deepest regret connected to her in his previous life.

...?

"...Is that from the Inventory?" Ares muttered, surprised, as he noticed the sword in Eris's hand seemingly materialize out of thin air, akin to how items manifested within his own inventory.

To be continued...