As soon as the test was declared over, the doors of the training hall opened, and the heirs began to emerge one by one. Saruto and his friends walked out together. Moments later, Ryan approached Saruto and said, "Saruto! How about we try a real fight? The four of us. Let's see who truly has the strongest Asterazine."
Saruto stopped and looked at him calmly, while Ryan continued enthusiastically, "Just because you've used Asterazine for so long doesn't mean yours is the strongest."
Kyle and Lucien exchanged a quick glance, then nodded in agreement.
"Good idea… but where?" Kyle said with a slight smile.
"If we fight here," Lucien added coolly, "the Master will step in within seconds and end everything, as usual."
A mysterious smile spread across Saruto's face, and he said in a low but confident voice, "Then why don't we fight in my world?"
Ryan frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I can transport you to my world, and we'll fight there," Saruto replied, turning to face them.
A brief silence followed, then Ryan burst out laughing. "Great! Do it right away!" he exclaimed without hesitation.
The four of them drew closer. Saruto reached out, and a sphere of dark energy formed, enveloping them all. He began to fill it with power, and in an instant, the sphere shrunk, as if swallowing them whole. When they opened their eyes, they found themselves in another world. A dark sky punctuated by faint cracks of light, a black expanse stretching endlessly. Ryan froze. "This is crazy… this is your world?!" he exclaimed in astonishment.
Kyle stared silently at the horizon, while Lucien was the most composed of them all; he had already set foot in this world. "Well… who will fight whom?" Saruto broke the silence.
Without a moment's hesitation, Ryan declared, "I'm against you, Saruto."
Then he turned to the others: "Kyle vs. Lucien."
Everyone agreed. Saruto and Ryan stepped into an open arena, while Kyle and Lucien retreated to the back, ready to observe and judge… and intervene if the fight got out of hand.
Saruto and Ryan's auras shot out simultaneously, filling the space with pressure and whipping around them with a fierce gust of wind. Lucien raised his hand, then lowered it sharply: "Go!"
In a flash, the two were lunging at each other. Their fists clashed, and a massive shockwave ripped through the ground beneath them. They didn't stop, but continued exchanging blows, each punch blocked or dodged by a split second. Saruto surprised Ryan with a direct punch to the face, sending him flying backward. Then he lunged at him, grabbed his leg, and slammed him to the ground with full force. The impact was deafening, and a huge crater formed.
Saruto didn't give his opponent a chance. He instantly moved on top of him and unleashed a barrage of punches. Ryan was powerless to defend himself, so under the pressure, he was forced to open his mouth, unleashing a massive fireball directly at Saruto.
Saruto raised an arm for cover and backed away. At that moment, Ryan sprang to his feet, forming his swords covered in dragon scales, and charged at his opponent. Saruto formed his swords in turn, and the weapons clashed, sending sparks of energy flying in every direction. Kyle and Lucien watched in silence, their eyes wide with amazement at the sheer power of the two men.
Suddenly, Ryan stepped back and began to envelop his swords in aura, infusing them with his energy. He assumed a fighting stance and swung his swords, sending a tremendous wave of energy crashing towards Saruto.
Sensing the danger, Saruto enveloped his swords in aura and deflected the attack, but it sent him violently reeling back. Ryan seized the opportunity, swiftly moving behind him and striking with his sword. The area exploded, and a thick cloud of dust rose, covering everything in its path.
Kyle closed his eyes as Lucien focused on sensing the energies.
"They're fine..." Lucien said quietly.
But suddenly, their eyes widened as Saruto and Rhyne's energies surged to a terrifying level. The smoke cleared. Rhyne emerged with enormous dragon wings, while Saruto, clad in Level 2 Armor, had entered Level 3 Dark Awakening.
Rhyne's sword was embedded in Saruto's shoulder... but Saruto's hand gripped it tightly.
Saruto delivered a powerful punch to Rhyne's face, sending him flying. He yanked the sword from his shoulder, blood spurting out. "You almost cut my throat, Rhyne," he said, smiling through the pain. "If it weren't for the armor and my last-minute change of direction."
Rhyne stood up, wiping the blood from his mouth, and laughed. "And you almost cut my chest... if it weren't for my wings blocking your attack."
"Are you two trying to kill each other, you idiots?!" Kyle and Lucien yelled simultaneously.
Saruto and Ryan exchanged a look, then burst out laughing. "If there's no risk... what's the point of fighting?" Ryan said.
Saruto nodded in agreement. They resumed their fighting stances. "Shall we continue, Ryan?" Saruto said in a low voice.
Ryan smiled and spread his wings wide. "Yes, let's go... let's continue."