Their auras clashed in the air. Celeron’s flared violently, exploding outward and causing the trees around them to burst apart under the pressure. Arzael’s, on the other hand, did not erupt so wildly, but it was heavy, so suffocating that anyone nearby would be drenched in cold sweat.
After locking eyes for a while, Celeron spoke first. "If you can defeat my next form, then I’ll tell you about that emperor’s son you mentioned." His lips curled into a daring smile, his spiked red hair bristling with surging energy.
"No matter how many times your hair changes form, I’ll still defeat you," Arzael replied, smiling beneath his hood.
"Heh, your words always cut deep, boy." Celeron chuckled, then slammed his foot into the ground, splitting it apart.
A far greater aura burst from his body, shaking the entire simulated forest. The sheer pressure hurled Arzael several meters back, though he quickly regained his balance.
"WRAAAAAAHHHHH!"
Celeron’s hair shifted once more, from blazing red to crimson-black, his spikes standing sharper than ever.
’Shit... how many transformations does he have?’ Arzael thought.
As Celeron charged his strength, Arzael darted forward to attack. Yet, just before his fist could connect with Celeron’s face, it froze midair, stopped entirely by the overwhelming force of Celeron’s aura. Arzael quickly leapt back to his position.
’Even my punch can be stopped like this?’
When the charging was complete, Celeron glanced at Arzael again and grinned. "Are you ready, kid?"
At that very moment, the proctor’s voice rang out across the skies of the simulated world. "Woooahhh! Look at that, folks! Lord Celeron is even using his Super Extra Enchanted Form!!!"
Arzael stood silent, unmoving, before an idea sparked in his mind.
He opened his system interface and bought something from the Infernal Exchange.
[Warhammer Purchased: -800SS]
At once, he equipped his new weapon.
[Inventory Accessed]
[Warhammer Equipped]
Arzael reached into the empty space before him. The void tore open, and a massive hammer emerged into his hand.
’Light enough,’ he thought.
Celeron stared at him, puzzled but still grinning mockingly. "Oh? So you’re an Enchantment and Specialization type, huh?"
The words weren’t just for show. He was genuinely baffled. Arzael’s physical strength alone was terrifying, but adding a Specialization magic on top of that made him nearly incomprehensible.
Arzael simply nodded. "Something like that."
Celeron chuckled. "Very well then, let’s continue."
Both vanished in an instant, their blows colliding, hammer against fist. The force cracked the earth beneath their feet.
They retreated, then clashed again. This time, Arzael was slower; Celeron’s punch slammed into his shoulder blade.
BRUAKK!
Arzael was sent flying, but he quickly twisted midair to regain balance.
[Pain Conversion Active: +78% ATK] [30 EXP]
Power surged through his body. He shot forward like a cannon, raising the hammer and layering it with another skill.
[Ignite Weapon Active]
Hellfire engulfed the hammer’s head, blazing fiercely. Celeron had yet to realize its danger.
Arzael swung down vertically with brutal force—
BUUMMM!
Celeron blocked with his bare hand, but the hellfire seared his skin. He immediately retreated, gritting his teeth.
’That fire... it burns and pierces. This isn’t ordinary flame.’
He fixed his gaze on Arzael and asked seriously, "That fire... it’s not normal. And you... you’re far too mysterious. Are you truly a examinee?"
"I am."
The short answer made Celeron smirk faintly. "Then show me your face if you want me to believe you."
"Oh ho? What for? Don’t tell me... you’re gay?" Arzael mocked, grinning beneath his hood, this time even more tauntingly. "Besides, that wasn’t part of our agreement, was it?"
"You’re not just strong—you’re infuriating as well." Without warning, Celeron dashed forward, the ground shattering beneath his feet.
This time, he didn’t punch. He seized Arzael’s hammer and dragged him across the ground. Arzael was pulled for several meters before Celeron hurled him into a massive boulder, shattering it to pieces. Before Arzael could regain his footing, Celeron appeared behind him and kicked his back, sending him flying once more.
"Hoohhh! This is turning into the best fight of the year!" the proctor shouted.
Arzael’s body finally skidded to a halt. He stood, muttering under his breath, "This pain... feels good."
Celeron approached casually, hands at his side. "I hope none of your bones are broken, boy."
Arzael didn’t answer. Instead, he bit his thumb and unleashed one of his familiar skills.
His blood hardened, forming crimson projectiles around him. With a single sweep of his hand, they shot toward Celeron.
"Oh? So now you can use blood magic too?" Celeron sneered, dodging swiftly. But while distracted, Arzael appeared behind him, swinging the flaming warhammer.
Celeron had anticipated it. He twisted, dodging just in time.
"Cheap tricks won’t work on me, boy," he said, grinning wickedly.
"Oh? Is that so?" Arzael’s eyes glimmered as his lips curled.
Without warning, he hurled his warhammer straight at Celeron.
Celeron scoffed. "Didn’t you hear me, kid?" ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ N()velFire.net
But Arzael only smirked. His body vanished.
"—Shadow Step."
In the blink of an eye, he appeared behind Celeron. Still focused on the flying hammer, Celeron didn’t notice the real threat.
A brutal punch slammed into his face, jerking his head sideways and launching him straight into the path of the flaming hammer.
BOOOOMMM!
The impact detonated, splitting the earth in all directions.
"Woaahhh?! What just happened?!" the proctor cried.
As the smoke cleared, Celeron was still standing, though blood streamed down his face and burn marks scarred his skin. Beside him, the hammer lay embedded deep in the cracked ground.
Arzael walked toward him calmly. "Well then, Hero-Class S... do you consider this my victory?" he asked, retrieving his weapon and returning it to his inventory.
[Warhammer Restored]
Celeron gave no answer at first. After a moment, he finally muttered, "Not yet." Then suddenly, he struck at Arzael, only to be blocked and sent flying back dozens of meters.
"Shit."
Arzael sprinted off at full speed, Celeron relentlessly in pursuit. He parried each strike as best he could, but their chase was so fast and chaotic that even the swarm orbs lost track of them entirely.
Far from their starting point, Arzael finally struck back with a heavy, precise blow that sent Celeron staggering, barely keeping his balance.
"Hey, if you want to fight me to the death, answer my question first..." Arzael said, wiping the blood from his lip. His tone carried no fear.
"You... are truly impressive, boy. I’ll admit it," Celeron said, breath ragged, his body trembling from the battle.
Suddenly, a white silhouette appeared behind the trees. From the shadow came a cold, and echoing voice:
"—Mana Burst."