Seraphine's eyes widened slightly.
"Faster…?"
Kael reappeared beside her instantly.
The speed was different this time.
Not just movement.
It felt like a short teleportation.
Seraphine jumped backward.
"What was that technique?"
Kael flexed his fingers.
He could feel the difference clearly.
"Origin Flash."
The evolved form of Origin Step.
Instead of simply increasing his speed, it allowed him to burst through space in short distances.
The crowd erupted with shock.
"He just got faster again!"
"Did he evolve another technique mid-battle?!"
Seraphine laughed softly.
"This is getting interesting."
Lightning surged around her again.
"Then I'll respond properly."
She lifted one hand toward the sky.
Thunder roared above the arena barrier.
Dark clouds formed rapidly.
The atmosphere became heavy.
Several disciples gasped.
"She's using that technique already?!"
Kael felt the pressure instantly.
Seraphine pointed toward him.
"Thunderfall."
A massive bolt of lightning descended from the sky.
Kael activated Origin Flash.
His body vanished.
The lightning struck the arena floor.
BOOOOOOM!
The explosion shook the entire stadium.
Stone shattered.
Smoke filled the battlefield.
But Kael had already reappeared behind her.
Golden energy gathered around his fist.
"Origin Strike."
Seraphine sensed it instantly.
Lightning exploded around her body as she turned.
"Lightning Guard!"
BOOM!
The clash of Origin Energy and Lightning Aether sent shockwaves across the arena.
Both fighters slid backward.
For the first time.
Both of them were breathing heavier.
The crowd had gone completely silent.
This was no longer a simple tournament match.
It was a battle between two rising monsters.
High above the arena, the elders watched with serious expressions.
One elder whispered quietly.
"These two…"
"They may become the strongest generation this sect has ever seen."
Meanwhile, far below the arena…
The ancient stone gate deep beneath the Iron Flame Sect opened slightly.
Golden light seeped through the cracks.
A long sleeping guardian slowly awakened.
"The Origin bearer…"
"…has come."