The two of them stepped out of the preparation room and approached the arena entrance. Here, they would part ways: Rowan would head to the spectators' seats, while Rohan would enter the arena via the teleportation platform.
"See you in a moment," Rowan said with his final words of encouragement. "Show them your best."
Rohan nodded, watching Rowan leave before turning toward the glowing platform. The light was already flickering, ready to transport him to the center of the arena.
He closed his eyes and silently reviewed the key points and insights from the past days of training, calming his mind completely. When he opened them again, he was standing in the vast center of the arena.
The arena was circular, roughly two hundred meters in diameter, with towering stands capable of holding tens of thousands of spectators. The ground was laid with a specialized metallic material that could withstand tremendous energy impacts. At the center stood a slightly raised circular platform, designated as the main combat area. A semi-transparent energy dome covered the entire arena, protecting the audience while confining the combatants within the battle zone.
The atmosphere was electric, the tension palpable, as tens of thousands of eyes focused on the two figures at the center.
Across from Rohan, the teleportation platform revealed the figure of Mort Davidson. He was a young man of average build, around twenty-five, with hair the color of blazing fire and sharp golden eyes. He wore the distinctive red-and-black combat suit of the Crimson Empire, overlaid with a long robe etched with flame patterns. On his hands, he wore two red rings, amplifiers for his fire-based abilities.
Mort smiled slightly at Rohan and made a courteous gesture. "It's an honor to meet you, Rohan. I've heard you are the rising star from the Summer Universe, wielding both Metal Law and telekinetic abilities."
Rohan returned the gesture with the same courtesy. "Mort Davidson, the Flame Magician. Your reputation precedes you."
"Then let us give them a show," Mort said, his eyes gleaming with battle intent. "May the strongest prevail."
Above the arena, the holographic display projected the basic information and past records of both competitors, while the system began the countdown for the match.
"Round Four, Match Two: Rohan from the Summer Universe versus Mort Davidson of the Crimson Empire. Match duration: thirty minutes. Rules remain the same. Countdown: ten, nine, eight."
In the stands, Rowan, Raiden, and Hong had already taken their seats, all focused intently on the two fighters.
"Rohan looks calm," Raiden commented. "Compared to Round Three, his aura feels entirely different."
Rowan nodded. "These past few days of training have clearly elevated him not just in skill, but in mindset and understanding of the Laws."
"Three, two, one, begin!"
The system's voice echoed, and Mort immediately acted. His hands formed intricate seals at his chest. "Fire Law: Pyrotechnic Stage."
Suddenly, dozens of small pillars of flame erupted from the arena floor. They were not randomly placed but formed a complex formation that surrounded Rohan, trapping him at the center.
"This is Mort's signature opening," someone in the stands explained. "He establishes a field of fire first to restrict his opponent's movement while creating an advantageous battlefield for himself."
Rohan did not immediately break through the flames. Instead, he observed quietly, studying the layout and flow of energy. This was a strategy he had learned from Rowan always understand the opponent's traits before acting.
Mort did not allow Rohan much time. His hands moved again into a new configuration. "Fire Law: Pyrotechnic Showcase, Act One: Wildfire Sparks."
The pillars of flame erupted into countless small fireballs, assaulting Rohan from all directions. Though seemingly chaotic, each fireball targeted critical points in his defense.
At last, Rohan moved. He did not rely on telekinesis to control his black-patterned sword. Instead, he formed his own hand seals. "Metal Law: Metallic Shard Shield."
A swarm of fine metallic particles appeared around him, gathering quickly into a thin but resilient layer of metal armor. Most of the fireballs bounced harmlessly off, leaving only a few scorch marks where larger fireballs had struck.
"Interesting defensive technique," Mort remarked, a hint of surprise flashing across his face. "But you know fire melts metal."
He reshaped his hands again. "Fire Law: Pyrotechnic Showcase, Act Two: Dance of Molten Flames."
The deflected fireballs suddenly converged into fiery serpents, hotter than before, their color shifting from deep red to near-white. They twisted through the air and lunged at Rohan again.
Rohan's metallic shield could not hold under such intense heat. Small holes began to appear on its surface. Yet his expression remained calm. As the fire serpents approached, he waited for the perfect moment and then flicked his right hand. "Metal Law: Meteoric Shard Strike."
The metallic particles that had formed his shield erupted outward, transforming into countless sharp shards that collided with the fire serpents. The shards penetrated the serpents' structure, destabilizing their energy, and causing them to collapse.
Mort raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "Not bad. You've refined your control over Metal Law more than I expected."
Rohan did not respond verbally. Instead, he launched the first offensive. His right hand guided the black-patterned sword from its sheath like a streak of black lightning aimed at Mort's vital points.
Mort remained composed. He raised his right index finger lightly. "Fire Law: Pyrotechnic Showcase, Act Three: Flame Barrier."
An instant barrier of intense fire formed before him, blocking the sword's strike. The heat caused the blade to glow red where it contacted the flames.
Rohan quickly retracted the sword to prevent further damage. He did not attack directly again, choosing instead to move around the arena, searching for a better angle.
"Rohan is clever," Rowan observed from the stands. "He knows a head-on clash isn't wise, so he maneuvers to find his opponent's weakness."
Mort had clearly noticed the strategy. He formed new hand seals. "Fire Law: Pyrotechnic Showcase, Act Four: Inferno Chase."
The flame pillars vanished, replaced by countless fiery lines, seemingly alive, pursuing Rohan relentlessly.
Rohan shifted continuously, trying to evade, but the lines tracked him as if locked in place. Seeing the threat close in, he stopped and crossed his hands at his chest, then thrust them outward. "Metal Law: Adamantium Body!"