CHAPTER 59: FIRE VS LIGHTNING

It was then that it happened. Time seemed to freeze as Nero’s entire being was suddenly enveloped in blazing crimson flames, the fire reaching even his sword. His body was encased in a brilliant inferno, the flames licking at him with fierce intensity, illuminating his form in a radiant glow. The crimson fire swirled around him, creating an aura of power that was both mesmerizing and terrifying, casting flickering shadows that danced across the arena.

"What?" Barak froze, unable to comprehend what he was witnessing. A deadly silence enveloped the classroom, the shock palpable among all present. No one had seen this coming; the intensity of the moment left every single person in stunned disbelief.

"You didn’t disappoint me." Balrog was the first to snap out of his shock, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Nero’s ability to wield a Law didn’t surprise him in the least; he had anticipated this development, though the speed of it left him momentarily taken aback. What puzzled him was why Nero had awakened the Law of Fire instead of the Law of Lightning, which was inherent to the Raizen family from which he hailed. This choice must have stemmed from his mother’s lineage. Balrog even entertained the thought that Nero might eventually awaken a second Law, the Law of Lightning, making him the first dual Laws user. He shook his head, dispelling the absurdity of the idea.

Meanwhile, various cadets expressed their disbelief, still reeling from the shock.

"This is so unexpected! To think he would finally be able to use a Law, but why the Law of Fire instead of Lightning?" Azalea remarked, deep in thought. Glancing beside her, she was startled to see the princess behaving strangely; Elreth’s face was flushed, as if filled with heat, and there was a dangerous glint in her eyes. Azalea instinctively distanced herself.

’She has gone mad this time.’

Inside, Elreth was feeling ecstatic. To think Nero would be blessed with the same Law as her thrilled her, but what excited her even more was his complete mastery over it. This must have been his first time using it, yet the way he handled the flames suggested a deep understanding of the Law. While others might not notice the details, she could immediately detect it as soon as Nero unleashed the Law of Fire. Her excitement surged; once more, she reaffirmed her desire to have him. He was a real diamond, too priceless to be left for anyone else.

"Go, go, go for it, my friend!" Adam shouted excitedly. Though he hadn’t expected this, he was determined to support his friend.

Some of the cadets whispered among themselves, speculating that Nero had hidden his abilities well, able to wield the Law of Fire all along but choosing now to reveal it for dramatic effect.

Back in the arena, Barak struggled to believe what he was seeing. How was this possible? Hadn’t Nero been unable to use a Law? How could he suddenly wield one now? Above all, why the Law of Fire? Questions flooded Barak’s mind, but he decided now wasn’t the time to dwell on these uncertainties. He had a match to win. Focusing his gaze on the blazing Nero, he moved; both knew it was time to determine the victor. He would win—nothing would change that, not even Nero’s newfound ability to use a Law.

Nero’s expression remained unreadable, but his desire to completely crush Barak burned within him like the very flames he wielded. While he wasn’t a master swordsman, it didn’t matter; he planned to overpower Barak with his superior physique and complete mastery over the Law of Fire.

As the two warriors squared off, the tension in the arena was palpable. Barak, crackling with golden lightning, stood poised and ready, while Nero, enveloped in blazing crimson flames, radiated an aura of fierce determination.

With a sudden burst of movement, the two clashed.

Boom!

An explosion echoed through the arena with every strike, the force of their blades colliding creating shockwaves that rippled through the ground. Barak displayed his full strength, attempting to overpower Nero with his exceptional swordsmanship and mastery of the Law of Lightning. He darted forward, his sword slashing through the air like a lightning bolt, aiming for Nero’s midsection with a flurry of quick, precise strikes.

Nero, however, was unfazed. He moved with fluid grace, countering Barak’s blows with deft parries and strategic dodges. The heat radiating from his body intensified with each movement, the crimson flames swirling around him like a protective barrier. While Barak may have surpassed him in swordsmanship and the manipulation of the Law of Lightning, he couldn’t hope to surpass Nero’s raw power and the ferocity of his flames.

With each clash of their swords, the arena trembled, pieces of stone and debris flying in every direction. Barak’s attacks were relentless, each strike aimed to find a weakness in Nero’s defenses, but each time he found himself met with a wall of flame. Nero met Barak’s assault with counterattacks of his own, using the heat of the flames to create a scorching barrier that deterred Barak’s advances.

As the fight raged on, it became clear that Barak was struggling to keep up. The golden lightning crackling around him was impressive, but it paled in comparison to the intensity of the flames that cloaked Nero. With a sudden surge of energy, Barak unleashed a powerful downward strike, a move intended to break through Nero’s defenses, but Nero sidestepped, his body a blur of motion.

"Is that all you’ve got?" Nero taunted, his voice steady and confident as he retaliated with a powerful thrust of his own. Flames erupted from his sword, creating a fiery arc that aimed straight for Barak.

Barak barely managed to evade the attack, the heat of the flames singeing the edges of his clothes. He gritted his teeth, frustration growing as he realized that despite his skills, he was being outmatched. With renewed determination, he focused all his energy into a final, desperate assault.

Summoning the full might of the Law of Lightning, Barak charged forward, lightning arcing from his body as he prepared to unleash a devastating strike. His sword glowed with an electric sheen, crackling with energy as he swung it down toward Nero with all his strength.

But just as the strike was about to connect, Nero countered with a surge of flames, enveloping himself in a blazing inferno. The two forces collided, creating a blinding explosion that sent shockwaves through the arena. The ground beneath them shattered, sending rocks and debris flying in all directions.

When the smoke cleared, Nero stood tall, unharmed and radiating power. Barak, on the other hand, was on his knees, panting heavily, his confidence shattered. The golden lightning flickered around him, but it was weak now, barely holding its form.

"Your strength is impressive, Barak," Nero said, his voice calm yet commanding. "But it’s not enough to defeat me."

With that, Nero launched himself forward, the flames around him flaring to life as he unleashed a series of powerful strikes. Each blow landed with a resounding thud, pushing Barak further back until he found himself cornered against the shattered arena walls.

Barak tried to fight back, but his movements were sluggish, weighed down by exhaustion and defeat. Each strike from Nero was like a hammer, relentless and unforgiving. The once-proud warrior could feel his confidence evaporating with each blow, the reality of his situation sinking in.

Finally, with one last, devastating strike, Nero brought his sword down with all his might. The flames erupted in a spectacular display, engulfing Barak in a vortex of heat and light. The arena was filled with the sound of roaring flames and the crackling of energy as the two forces collided one final time.

When the smoke cleared, Barak lay on the ground, defeated, his body battered and his spirit crushed. Nero stood over him, the flames still flickering around him, a testament to his power and mastery of the Law of Fire.

"You were pathetic, all that scheming for just this, I’m a little bit disappointed, you will live in my shadow from now on," Nero said, he didn’t bother hiding his disdain.

Barak’s will was further crushed, he wouldn’t easily come back from this.

As the spectators watched in awe, the reality of what had just transpired settled over the arena. Nero had emerged victorious. A natural outcome, most of them thought.