The moment the match began, the atmosphere inside the arena changed completely.
Unlike Kael's previous opponents, Seraphine didn't rush forward immediately.
Instead, she calmly lifted her hand.
Lightning gathered instantly.
Bright blue energy crackled through the air.
"Lightning Step."
Her body vanished.
Kael's eyes widened slightly.
She appeared directly above him.
"Thunder Strike!"
A bolt of lightning shot downward.
Kael reacted instantly.
"Origin Step!"
His body flashed sideways just as the lightning slammed into the ground.
BOOM!
The arena floor exploded with sparks and shattered stone.
The audience gasped.
"That was fast!"
Seraphine landed lightly on the ground.
Her expression remained calm.
"Good reflexes."
Kael studied her carefully.
Her movement technique was similar to his Origin Step, but powered by lightning Aether.
Fast.
Very fast.
But speed alone wouldn't decide the battle.
Kael stepped forward.
Golden energy flowed through his arms.
"Origin Strike."
His punch shot forward.
Seraphine didn't block.
Instead, lightning burst from her feet as she slid sideways.
His attack missed by inches.
She countered immediately.
"Thunder Palm!"
Electricity surged toward his chest.
Kael crossed his arms.
BOOM!
The lightning strike pushed him several steps backward.
His arms tingled from the energy.
Seraphine smiled slightly.
"That energy of yours is strong."
"But your defense is still physical."
Lightning sparks danced between her fingers again.
"Let's see how long you can handle this."
Kael exhaled slowly.
Inside his chest, the Origin Core spun faster.
Golden energy spread through every muscle.
The ground beneath his feet cracked slightly.
Seraphine's eyes sharpened.
"Oh?"
"You're getting serious."
Kael lifted his head.
"Of course."
Golden light flickered faintly in his eyes.
"This fight deserves it."
Around them, the arena air trembled as Origin Energy and Lightning Aether clashed.
And deep beneath the Iron Flame Sect, within ancient ruins buried for centuries
A massive stone gate slowly began to glow.
Ancient symbols lit up one by one.
A forgotten mechanism awakened.
A voice older than the sect itself echoed through the darkness.
"The bearer of Origin…"
"…has arrived."