The grand tournament of Imperium Hero Academy was reaching its climax, with the deafening cheers of thousands of spectators filling the arena. The massive battlefield trembled with excitement as students followed every movement closely. The sharp scent of ozone lingered in the air. Giant screens overlooking the battlefield displayed every motion in detail, while the names announced through booming speakers echoed throughout the arena. Some spectators screamed Rex's name in support, while Liora's team relied on her strategic brilliance.
Max, Aria, and Lucy had taken their seats in the stands, watching the field intently.
Aria crossed her arms, her gaze locked onto the two figures in the arena. "Rex's opponent uses magnetic waves. This won't be an easy matchup."
Max raised an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity on his face. "Rex is ambitious but often impulsive. Liora, on the other hand, seems like a more strategic thinker."
Lucy, feeling slightly annoyed by how closely Max and Aria were talking, inserted herself into the conversation. "But Rex isn't just anyone; he's one of the strongest in our class and your closest friend." As she said his name, her eyes unconsciously drifted toward Max's face. Rex and Max… They always challenge each other. But what about me? Can I really grow strong enough to stand among them? Among warriors like Max and Rex… is my strength truly enough?
Max gave a small smile. "Yeah, Rex is strong, but strength alone isn't enough. Without strategy, it's just raw material."
The way Max and Aria talk so naturally… so comfortably… Has he never spoken to me like that? Or am I just overthinking it? Lucy wondered.
The battle was about to begin, and all eyes were on the stage.
"Rex's powers are destructive but uncontrolled. I can turn his anger into my advantage," Liora thought, strengthening her magnetic field.
At that moment, the referee took his place in the arena, raising his hands. "Get ready… Let the match begin!"
Liora's eyes flashed sharply. As she swiped her hands through the air, the electromagnetic field around her began to vibrate. She was rapidly analyzing Rex's attacks in her mind. His power was impressive, but most of his moves were driven by rage. I can set a trap. If I misdirect his lightning to the wrong point, I can expose him.
Metal fragments, grains of sand, and dust particles around the arena lifted into the air, forming a glowing mist charged with static electricity.
Rex tensed his muscles, electric currents crackling around his body. "STORM FIST!" he roared, launching forward.
His fist cut through the air with terrifying speed, but the moment it struck Liora's magnetic shield, its energy was absorbed and dissipated. The lightning waves were nullified by the electromagnetic field.
Max narrowed his eyes. "Rex's lightning is dispersing. He can't focus his energy because of the magnetic field."
Aria nodded. "Liora isn't just using her power; she's applying a strategy against Rex's fighting style. Straightforward attacks won't work."
Rex gritted his teeth and leaped back. "Come on, I need more than that!"
"Incredible! Rex's attacks aren't working!" a student shouted. Everyone was surprised by how the fight was unfolding.
Liora's eyes gleamed with a dim glow. She extended her hands forward, lifting metal shards into the air before launching them at high speed. These electrically charged projectiles sliced through the atmosphere, leaving behind the sharp scent of ozone.
Max narrowed his eyes. "I don't know if Rex has noticed, but Liora's field is vibrating. If he finds the weak point, he can win."
Rex dodged swiftly, but a few metal shards struck his body. A sharp burning sensation rippled across his skin as he clenched his teeth. His eyes scanned the battlefield—then, he noticed something.
"I'm trying to break the magnetic field, but it's not working... But wait! The energy waves are oscillating in a rhythm. It's a pattern. If I disrupt that rhythm, the field will destabilize and create an opening. Some points must be weaker! That's where I need to strike!"
His heartbeat quickened. He pushed aside all the pressure he had felt until now and focused on his breathing. If he made a mistake, Liora wouldn't hesitate to take him down in an instant. "I can do this. Come on, Rex, focus!"
"THERE IT IS!" Rex roared. Instead of concentrating his energy for an attack, he tried to disrupt Liora's field. By manipulating the surrounding storm currents, he created a counter-rotating air current. Violent winds shook the magnetic field, distorting its vibrations.
Liora's eyes widened in shock. "Impossible…! My field… is destabilizing? No… No! This can't be happening!" Her eyes widened with fear. Everything was under my control. The plan was flawless. But now, as the magnetic waves tremble chaotically, Rex's storm is tearing my field apart."My legs are shaking... But why? Is this… fear?"
The spectators held their breath. The air crackled with static electricity, signaling that the next move would decide the battle. For a split second, the balance of the electromagnetic field wavered. This was the opening Rex had been waiting for!
"Get ready, Liora!" Rex clenched his fists, his body vibrating with electricity. "I AM ZEUS! STORM STRIKE!"
Lightning surged around his body, slamming into the ground and generating a high-voltage discharge in the air. A bolt of lightning shot from Rex's fist, striking directly into Liora's field. The electrical currents penetrated through the weak points, disrupting the entire system. Liora raised her arms to defend herself, but it was too late—her balance was already lost.
A massive bolt of lightning illuminated the arena. A brief silence… then, the sight of Liora kneeling on the ground.
The referee raised his hand amidst the stunned silence. "The winner of the match… REX!"
The arena exploded into a roar of cheers. As the crowd erupted with shouts, Rex took a deep breath and looked at his opponent. Liora was panting, but there was a glimmer of admiration in her eyes. "You exposed my weakest moment. Next time, it won't be this easy."
Rex extended his hand. "Then I'll just get stronger! I'll always be here to defeat you!"
Liora smirked slightly as she shook Rex's hand. As they exited the arena, Rex turned to Max in the stands and called out, "Don't you dare lose! I'll defeat you and become champion! Did you see that? EVERYONE KNOWS WHO THE LIGHTNING KING IS NOW!"
Max chuckled and nodded at Rex's bold declaration.
Lucy turned her gaze to Max, thinking to herself: "Max and Rex… They're both unbelievably strong, constantly pushing each other forward. I have to keep up. Otherwise… I'll always be left behind."
The referee's voice echoed throughout the arena.
"For the final elimination match, I call upon LUCY AND AURORA!"