Ralph was barely conscious, bloodied and burnt, his breath shallow and ragged. His lips trembled as he fought to stay awake—just long enough to speak.
"Be careful… he…" Ralph began, but the rest of his warning never came. His body gave out, and he slipped into unconsciousness.
"Don't push yourself," Michael said quickly, kneeling beside him.
"Rest, idiot," Torren added. "You've done enough."
They both stood, turning their furious gazes toward the cloaked figure who still stood near the unconscious bodies, watching them with an expression of mild amusement.
Michael's fists clenched. "Tell us your name," he demanded, voice low with fury.
Torren stepped beside him. "You owe us that much, at least."
The cloaked man tilted his head slightly as if considering their request. Then, with a slow motion, he reached up and pulled back his hood.
"My name is Adam," he said with a cold smile.
The name hung in the air like a curse. The forest around them seemed to fall silent. Michael and Torren stood frozen for a moment, eyes locked on the man who had brought down nearly every contender in the trial.
And now, it was their turn.
"I'm Michael," Michael said, stepping forward, eyes blazing with fury.
"Torren," Torren said, his voice low but steady.
Without hesitation, Michael activated his technique. His hands glowed bright orange, the heat radiating off them in waves. His arms shifted in hue, turning a molten shade that pulsed with raw energy.
Adam's eyes widened slightly. "He's using that technique!? That's..."
But his initial alarm quickly faded, replaced by a thoughtful frown.
"Wait... orange? And only on the hands? Isn't that technique supposed to turn the entire body bright blue? A forbidden one, no less. Hmph... Perhaps he doesn't fully understand it yet. Or maybe I don't know everything about it. Either way, this version works to my advantage."
Meanwhile, Torren stomped his foot forward. The ground beneath Adam shuddered. Cracks split the earth, and from them erupted square-formed stone serpents—twisting, grinding, and writhing as they surged toward their target.
"Adam's the target," Torren said flatly. "Focus."
The real battle had begun.
Adam barely had time to react. One of the serpents snapped at his legs as Michael darted in with blazing fists, forcing him on the defensive.
Dodging left, then right, Adam chuckled low in his throat. "Interesting… you two are actually pushing me."
His voice was calm, almost amused, but the feral grin spreading across his face betrayed his thrill. Each moment, each attack, made that twisted smile grow.
And still, he hadn't used his magic.
But as Michael and Torren pressed in, inch by inch, forcing him back—Adam's fingers twitched.
The forest held its breath.
Michael narrowed his eyes at Adam's growing grin. Something about it twisted his stomach.
"I don't like that smile," he muttered, pulling back.
Torren, caught off guard, shouted, "Why are you backing off?!"
Michael raised a hand. "Just watch."
Adam's eyebrows lifted in curiosity. He didn't expect retreat—not now. He shifted slightly, unsure.
Michael took a breath, deactivating his previous technique. The glow faded from his hands.
"It's time to end this," he said calmly.
Adam tilted his head, confused.
Michael brought a single finger up to his lips and summoned a small flame—just a flicker—at its tip. He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again with sharp focus.
Adam scoffed. "What do you think that'll do? You'll never get close enough to touch me."
Torren swallowed hard, unsure of what Michael was planning but said nothing. He could only hope this would work.
Michael aimed that single flame directly at Adam… and blew.
The flame exploded forward with a roar—no longer a flicker but a colossal wave of fire with massive reach and overwhelming heat. It surged toward Adam, catching him completely off-guard.
Adam barely had time to gasp before it engulfed him. The heat was intense, and the sheer force of it sent him flying backward.
When the fire cleared, Adam lay on the ground—his cloak scorched, his body burned, and he was completely unconscious.
Michael stood frozen, breath heavy, eyes wide. "I… did it?"
Torren slowly stepped forward, staring in disbelief. "What the hell was that?"
Michael turned slightly, still stunned. "It's a technique I've been working on… but this was the first time I used it fully."
Torren nodded slowly, eyes drifting to Adam's motionless body. "Well… it worked."
Then he asked, "What's it called?"
Michael paused. "It has a name… I just didn't say it aloud."
Torren smirked faintly. "Then, after what it just did, I think that name's earned."
For a moment, the clearing was still. Birds had gone silent. Even the wind seemed to hush.
Then, ever so slightly, one of Adam's fingers twitched.
The one wearing the ring.