After a brief exchange, the two combatants slipped back into battle stance. This time, Mort altered his strategy. He no longer relied on wide-spread flames but instead concentrated his energy, forming dozens of fireballs roughly the size of fists, each hovering around him, ready to strike with pinpoint precision.
"True Flame: Thousand-Kill Sparks!"
At Mort's command, the fireballs seemed alive, each locking onto a different part of Rowan's body and attacking from multiple angles. Their speed was astonishing, and they adjusted instantaneously to Rowan's movements, making it nearly impossible to dodge them all.
Rowan quickly assessed the situation. His Metallic Storm could block some attacks, but against such precise strikes, it was insufficient, and the sheer number of fireballs made intercepting all of them impossible.
At this critical moment, Rowan remembered a key concept he had learned during training with Rowan energy counteraction. Different types of law-based energy interact with each other, and if harnessed correctly, one could even use an opponent's energy to strengthen oneself.
Rowan formed intricate hand seals, channeling both his psychic power and Metal Law energy. "Psychomantic Metal Form: Energy Reversal!"
A golden wave of energy radiated from Rowan's body, forming a special energy field. The fireballs entering this field slowed dramatically, some freezing mid-air as if bound by an invisible force.
"This is…" Mort muttered in surprise, clearly unprepared for such a development.
Rowan did not explain. He intensified the energy output, and the restrained fireballs began to tremble. Gradually, they changed direction, turning back toward Mort himself.
"Energy counteraction," Rowan, observing from the stands, explained, voice tinged with awe and respect. "Rowan has combined his psychic abilities with the Metal Law to create a field capable of capturing and rebounding energy. The difficulty of this technique is immense it requires a profound understanding of energy itself."
Mort had no choice but to abandon offense temporarily and focus entirely on defense. He quickly formed his seals. "True Flame: Phoenix Rebirth!"
A layer of orange-red flames enveloped Mort, forming the image of a phoenix. The rebounding fireballs struck the flames, leaving no harm; instead, they were absorbed, intensifying the phoenix's glow and making its form more vivid.
"Useless," Mort's voice echoed from within the fiery figure, laced with confidence. "My flames absorb any fire-based energy, only making me stronger."
Rowan's expression did not falter; a faint smile played at the corners of his mouth. "Who said I only know how to reflect your flames?"
With that, he deactivated the energy reversal field and thrust both hands forward. "Psychomantic Metal Form: Metal Insight!"
An invisible wave of energy shot from Rowan's hands toward Mort's phoenix flames. Though unseen, it disrupted the structure of the fire, causing the phoenix to flicker violently.
"What… what have you done?" Mort gasped as his phoenix faltered.
"The Metal Law is not just about controlling metal," Rowan explained calmly. "At its core, it is the manipulation of material structure. Through Metal Insight, I analyzed and disrupted the energy structure of your flames, destabilizing them."
The revelation left both Mort and the spectators in stunned silence.
"I never expected Rowan's understanding of the Metal Law to reach this level," Rowan remarked, admiration clear in his voice. "This is no longer simple technique; this is comprehension of the law's essence itself."
Mort's phoenix finally collapsed, scattering into countless fiery sparks. He himself paled slightly, the energy backlash evident in the strain of his expression. Yet as a prodigy of the Crimson Empire, his strength of will and resolve remained formidable.
"Interesting. Very interesting," Mort's voice deepened, tinged with danger. "It seems I must now unleash my true strength."
With that, Mort crossed his hands in front of his chest and then thrust them outward. "Fire Law: True Flame Unity!"
A tremendous surge of energy burst from Mort, instantly raising the arena's temperature. Even those in the stands felt the heat radiating from the center. His body underwent a transformation skin glowing a molten red, eyes burning like twin fireballs, and most striking of all, two pairs of wings formed entirely from pure flame behind him.
"This is…" Rowan's expression tightened. "One of the highest realms of Fire Law: Flame Avatar. He has fully merged with fire, acquiring near-elemental characteristics."
Rowan felt the unprecedented pressure. Mort's aura had completely changed, emanating the raw power of the law itself. Yet he did not waver; if anything, his resolve to win burned brighter.
"In that case, I will show no restraint either," Rowan declared, forming seals with both hands as golden light enveloped his body. "Psychomantic Metal Form: Origin of Metal!"
Rowan's body underwent a profound transformation. His skin took on a metallic sheen, unlike his previous armor; even his hair became fine metallic strands, swaying gently in the wind. Most astonishing were his eyes, now pure gold, sparkling with intelligence and precision.
This was Rowan's ultimate comprehension of the Metal Law Origin of Metal fully integrating himself into the law's essence, granting him unprecedented control.
The two law avatars faced each other at the arena's center, fire and metal poised for impact. Tens of thousands of spectators held their breath, every movement measured, afraid to miss a single moment of the spectacle.
Mort's flame avatar resembled a god of the underworld, warping the air around him with its heat. Each step left a scorching footprint on the arena floor, his four fiery wings radiating suffocating heat pure Fire Law made manifest.
Rowan's metallic avatar stood like an ancient war god, emanating restrained but immense power. Every movement was precise, fluid, and deliberate, reflecting metal's inherent accuracy. Around him, countless metallic particles floated like stars, forming a dazzling metallic nebula.
"My true flame can melt any metal," Mort's voice rumbled, raspy from the flames, "and your metallic form, no matter how strong, will inevitably succumb."
Rowan did not respond immediately. His golden eyes analyzed Mort silently. Then, with calm authority, he spoke. His voice carried the weight of metal itself, echoing across the arena.
"Fire can indeed melt metal, that is natural. But you have overlooked one thing the essence of the Metal Law is not merely controlling metal, but mastering material structure itself."
Mort sneered. "Theories are fine, but nothing beats the test of actual battle. Let's see which is stronger your metal or my true flame!"
With that, Mort surged forward at a staggering speed, covering the distance between them almost instantly. His hands transformed into two massive flaming swords, descending with lethal force.
"True Flame: Inferno Slash!"
The blades screamed through the air, the heat so intense the arena seemed to shudder.
Rowan did not evade or block directly. Instead, he raised his right hand, palm upward, and quietly commanded:
"Metallic Nebula: Gravitation."
All the metallic particles surrounding him converged into a ten-centimeter sphere in his palm. As the flaming swords descended, the sphere erupted with radiant gold light, forming a protective shield enveloping Rowan completely.
"Boom!"
The swords collided with the golden shield in a deafening blast, sending ripples of energy outward. To the shock of all, the shield remained intact, untouched by the inferno.
"How is this possible?" Mort's eyes widened. "My flames should have melted any metal!"
Rowan's golden gaze gleamed with insight. "Ordinary metal would indeed melt. But my Metallic Nebula transcends conventional limits. Through the Metal Law, I have restructured its molecules, creating a new form of metal with a melting point high enough to withstand your flames."
The spectators were awestruck, and Rowan's admiration was evident.
"Rowan's understanding has reached a whole new level," Rowan commented. "He no longer merely applies the Metal Law superficially. He manipulates material at its essence a mastery approaching the stage of law completion."
Raiden's eyes widened in shock. "So this means Rowan can create entirely new metals?"
Rowan nodded. "Not only that. He can reconstruct metals at the molecular level, altering their physical properties. In battle, the potential applications are limitless."
Despite his initial setback, Mort's fighting spirit only intensified. He took a step back, rapidly forming hand seals in front of his chest, wings of flame unfurling like a phoenix ready to take flight.
"True Flame: Phoenix Rebirth Inferno!"
Mort's body transformed into a massive fire phoenix, wings spread wide, emitting a deafening cry. This phoenix, much larger than before, occupied nearly a quarter of the arena, its heat causing the energy dome to warp slightly.
The fire phoenix dove toward Rowan, an unstoppable force of pure will, condensing Mort's complete understanding and mastery of Fire Law into a single attack.
Rowan knew that defense alone would not suffice. He had to unleash his full strength.
"Metallic Nebula: Golden Dragon Ascends!"
All metallic particles around him converged instantly, forming a colossal golden dragon. Its scales shone brilliantly, its eyes gleamed like twin stars, and every detail was lifelike.
Rowan stood atop the dragon's head, the core and commander of this immense energy construct.
The golden dragon clashed with the fire phoenix midair. The collision of two law avatars created a storm of unprecedented energy. Fire and metal intertwined at the arena's center, sending shockwaves across the stands.
The dragon's claws and fangs tore at the phoenix's form, while the phoenix seared the dragon's scales with intense heat. Though appearing tangible, both were manifestations of law energy, representing each fighter's understanding and control of their respective laws.
"This is unbelievable!" the commentator exclaimed. "We are witnessing history! Two young masters of law, demonstrating comprehension far beyond their years!"
Even in the history of Virtual Universe Corporation's Challenge Matches, such a confrontation was rare. Manifesting the laws to this degree typically required decades, even centuries, of cultivation.
The battle intensified. The energy dome trembled slightly as the system struggled to stabilize it. Mort's flame avatar flickered, wings brightening and dimming as energy reserves neared their limit.
Rowan's metallic avatar also showed strain. The golden dragon slowed slightly, and its brilliance dimmed. Both fighters were locked in a grueling test of endurance and willpower.
Suddenly, Mort shifted tactics. The fire phoenix disintegrated into countless small fireballs, attacking Rowan from all directions.
This was a risky move he relinquished control of his phoenix to focus all energy on this final strike. Success would defeat Rowan; failure would leave him drained and vulnerable.
Rowan remained composed. He formed seals, and the golden dragon dissolved into the metallic nebula, reorganizing into layered defensive barriers surrounding him.