Arin's long white hair fluttered as he stared at Kiara, who was standing in front of him.

Since the sword he bought with his points in the Academy had already broken from his fight with Vake, he was now holding the sword he got from Valtor in the shadow realm.

Kiara stared back at her brother, her purple eyes sharp. Her claws were elongated, and her shimmering scales caught the light like a deadly mosaic of violet and black.

"You know, we really don't have to fight," Kiara said, her sharp eyes narrowing for a second. "Mother just wants to speak with you, that's all."

Arin could sense the sincerity in her voice. But still... she was a dragon. Just because she sounded genuine didn't mean he was going to trust her. Especially not after the way she toyed with him back in the Academy.

He didn't reply.

Instead, he gripped the sword tighter and shifted his right foot back slightly, lowering his stance.

That alone was enough of a response.

It was clear to Kiara that Arin had made his decision.

"If you really want to fight her, then just be careful, Arin," Seraphine said softly in his mind.

Arin gave a single nod.

Kiara sighed, her tail flicking. "Alright then. You've made your decision."

Without giving her a chance to say another word, Arin surged forward.

BOOM!

He bolted toward Kiara like a launched projectile, his sword raised and gleaming.

'I should be able to overpower her with my physical capabilities—especially if I activate Overheat and the Aura Skill,' Arin thought, eyes locked on her.

As soon as he reached her, he swung his sword down with brutal force.

CLANG!

Sparks erupted as Kiara deflected the blade with her claws, redirecting it upwards in a flash of movement.

Without wasting a second, Arin activated one of the sword's abilities.

Dark energy oozed from the blade, twisting and condensing until long, black tentacles exploded outward.

The tendrils snaked toward Kiara and wrapped tightly around her arm.

Arin yanked his sword back, dragging her forward with a violent pull.

The moment she lurched toward him, he jumped and shot his right leg forward in a flying kick aimed straight at her head.

But Kiara tilted her head back just in time, evading the blow.

A bluish-purple energy pulsed from her hand and exploded outward, instantly disintegrating the tentacles that had bound her.

Arin flipped backward, landing lightly on his feet, his expression hidden beneath the mask.

"This... This doesn't feel right," he muttered under his breath.

"What? Fighting her?" Seraphine asked.

"No," Arin replied. "It's like... she's not even trying. Is she taking this seriously at all?"

He recalled how she didn't resist the pull of his tentacles at all—like she let him drag her.

"It's strange..." Arin whispered.

"What?" Kiara tilted her head, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Have you changed your mind?"

Arin narrowed his gaze.

He raised his hand, and instantly, water spikes and orbs formed in the air above him, swirling and glowing.

With a sharp command, they shot toward Kiara at breakneck speed.

But—

"She's not moving," Seraphine whispered, alarmed.

Kiara just stood there, unmoving, her eyes fixed on the incoming barrage.

And just as the attacks were about to make contact—

WHOOM!

They stopped mid-air.

Then... they dropped.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

The water projectiles splashed harmlessly to the ground.

Arin's brow furrowed. 'An invisible barrier?'

Kiara began walking forward, her steps measured, her gaze locked onto him like a predator.

"Get ready," she said. "Because from now on, you'll be on the defensive..."

The moment those words left her lips—

FLASH.

She vanished.

Arin's instincts screamed.

He turned and raised his sword just in time.

CLANG!

Kiara's claws crashed into the blade, and the impact sent Arin flying backwards.

BAM! BAM!

His body smashed into two trees in rapid succession before crashing to the ground with a grunt.

'Shit...!'

No time to think.

Arin pushed himself up, his breathing shallow—only to see Kiara already dashing toward him with frightening speed.

"There's only one thing I can do..."

He thrust his hand forward.

'Chaotic Ember.'

A purple flame roared to life above his palm and hurtled forward like a blazing meteor.

BOOM!

Kiara's eyes widened.

She skidded to a halt, and just as the flaming sphere reached her—

WHOOSH!

She swung her claws, slashing at the fireball.

BOOM!

The Chaotic Ember exploded mid-air, sending out a shockwave of purple energy that blew dust and leaves in every direction.

Kiara leaped back.

Her feet landed softly on the ground—but her arms and legs...

They were trembling.

"Wh... What the hell...? What is this feeling?" she whispered, her voice shaking.

There was no mistaking it.

Fear.

Real, paralyzing fear.

She stared at her shaking hands, her claws twitching involuntarily.

'That... that wasn't a normal fireball...'

Arin, watching her reaction, raised a brow.

'If this is how she reacts to the Chaotic Ember... then she really is a dragon. And the Chaos element really is a weakness to them.'

His lips curved into a grim smile behind the mask.

A plan formed instantly.

He summoned five more Chaotic Embers. The fireballs spun around him in a circle, their dark purple light casting eerie shadows.

He gripped his sword tightly and locked eyes with Kiara.

'With the Chaotic Embers around me, she shouldn't be able to come close. This is my chance.'

BOOM!

He launched forward.

Kiara had stopped trembling now. Her composure returned, but her eyes flickered the moment she saw the fireballs spinning around Arin.

Then she smiled.

Arin's eyes narrowed.

That smile wasn't comforting.

Kiara clenched her fists.

"That won't stop me..."

"Huh?" Arin muttered.

"Does she perhaps have a way of countering the Chaos element?" Seraphine asked.

'She might be bluffing. Doesn't matter. I'll give this everything I've got.'

He picked up speed, charging straight toward her.

But then—

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

An explosion of energy erupted behind him.

A voice whispered behind his ear.

"Your back is wide open..."

"Huh...?"