The grains of sand were like droplets of oil ignited by flame, instantly spreading through the spinning sand pillar as streaks of red light flickered across its surface. The flames coiling around the pillar rose higher and higher. Crimson fire and golden sand intertwined, spiraling upward above the stage, gradually forming a magnificent fire tornado that exuded overwhelming momentum.
The sand mixed within the tornado was heated by the flames until it glowed, blending with the rising smoke and refracting orange-red and dark yellow hues beneath the stage lights. Waves of heat spread outward along with the spinning vortex, carrying a scorching pressure that felt as if it could devour everything in the next second, leaving all who witnessed it shaken to the core.
"Wooow"
A chorus of astonished cries erupted from the audience. Even those in the front rows could feel the searing heat rushing toward them, instinctively leaning back in their seats. Yet their eyes remained locked onto the blazing pillar at the center of the stage, filled with tension and anticipation.
At that moment, a yellow aura shimmered around Tyrantrum's body as the Sandstorm move surged once more. Fine grains of sand, drawn by an invisible force, layered themselves over its form. They condensed into a solid shell, forming a dense sand armor that tightly wrapped around its body, as if it had donned a heavy suit of sand-forged plate armor.
In the next instant, amid the audience's sharp gasps, Tyrantrum threw its head back and let out a furious roar, then pushed off the stage floor with its powerful hind legs. Its massive body shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, charging straight into the raging fire and sand tornado.
"It… it went in?"
A spectator instinctively covered their mouth, their heart leaping into their throat as their fists clenched in anxiety.
The livestream chat exploded at once:
"Damn! What is Tyrantrum trying to do?! That fire tornado looks terrifying!"
"What is the streamer even planning? This is driving me crazy!"
"I'm worried, but why does this feel so exciting at the same time?"
At the side of the stage, Larvesta's body glowed with an increasingly intense red light as it watched Tyrantrum rush into the vortex. It seemed as if boundless energy had been poured into it. The flames it exhaled surged several times over, until its entire body radiated a near-blinding crimson glow.
Overheat was unleashed at full power.
An ever-growing torrent of flames poured continuously into the fire and sand tornado, making the already violent energy even more turbulent. The vortex spun faster and faster, and the outer sand grains were scorched into a dark red hue that sent chills down one's spine.
Everyone held their breath, staring fixedly at the spinning inferno. Their gazes were filled with both concern and curiosity as they could not help but imagine what was happening to Tyrantrum inside.
At the judges' table, Nurse Joy's eyes carried a trace of worry, her hands unconsciously clenched into fists. Mr. Sukizo frowned slightly, his fingers lightly tapping the tabletop as he pondered Tyrantrum's intention. Yumiko narrowed her eyes, her gaze behind her lenses locked onto the center of the fire and sand tornado, as if trying to pierce through the flames and dust to see what lay within.
After an unknown stretch of time, Larvesta's flames gradually subsided as Overheat began to fade. Its body trembled slightly, clearly having expended a great deal of energy.
As the flames weakened, the fire and sand tornado in the arena also began to dissipate like a receding tide. Smoke and dust slowly settled, like a curtain being drawn back to reveal the scene at the center of the stage.
When the final wisp of smoke cleared, everyone froze in shock.
Standing quietly at the center of the stage was a Tyrantrum statue formed entirely from solidified sand.
The statue was incredibly lifelike, perfectly replicating Tyrantrum's imposing stance. Its thick hind legs were firmly planted on the ground, its muscular contours clearly defined. Its head was raised high as if letting out a silent roar, overlooking all beneath it.
But there was one striking difference. The crown-like protrusion on the statue's head was more than twice its usual size. In front of this crown, there was an additional curved bulge shaped like a seat. Its edges bore scorched black patterns left by flames, as if it had been deliberately crafted into a throne for someone, exuding an air of solemn grandeur and nobility.
Larvesta carefully clung to the rough surface of the sand statue with its six tiny black legs, climbing upward step by step. Its chubby body squeezed itself onto the "throne," barely curling into the curved indentation. Only its small head remained exposed at the front, its bright eyes blinking curiously as it looked down at the stunned audience below.
Then, a red glow emerged from Larvesta's body. The five small horns on its head gently swayed, and tiny flames began to flicker from their tips. At first, they were only faint sparks, but they gradually grew stronger, until they burst into a string of fireworks-like flames above the throne.
The flames exploded into countless shimmering points of light that drifted down slowly, as if crowning the statue itself.
Even more astonishing, as the flames burned, the throne gradually became somewhat translucent. At the same time, a red glow began to spread across Tyrantrum's statue. The once solidified sand grains seemed to be reawakened, beginning to flow once more.
Crack, crack—
The crisp sound of breaking echoed clearly throughout the silent venue. Starting from the feet, the statue's outer shell began to peel away piece by piece, revealing the real Tyrantrum beneath.
Its body glistened under the lights with a moist sheen, completely unharmed, and there was even a hint of pride in its eyes.
Yet the massive crown throne atop its head did not shatter along with the statue's shell. It remained firmly attached to Tyrantrum's head.
Larvesta rested steadily upon the throne, its tiny head slightly raised, like a small king standing at the pinnacle of power.
As the red glow faded from Larvesta's body, the throne's temperature gradually cooled. The scorched black coloration receded, revealing a faintly glass-like texture. Under the lights of the arena, it refracted a crystalline brilliance, adding an even greater sense of elegance and nobility.
Larvesta struggled to climb out of the throne, then spat out a strand of tough silk.
String Shot was activated.
The silk gently wrapped around Theo's waist, and with a firm pull, Larvesta slowly guided him up to the throne where it had just been seated.
Theo followed the motion and sat down upon the throne, placing his hands lightly on the armrests at either side, his calm gaze looking down upon the audience below.
At that moment, he, together with Larvesta beside the throne and Tyrantrum beneath it, formed a striking tableau.
It was as if a king, alongside his partners, was receiving the gaze of all.
Seeing this, Larvesta excitedly darted behind the throne, and its five horns once again burst forth with flames. This time, the fire intertwined in midair to form a brilliant web of flames, like a magnificent curtain draped over the throne, making the entire scene appear even more solemn and majestic.
Tyrantrum cooperated by lifting its head and letting out a thunderous roar that left the audience below stunned, yet filled them with an instinctive sense of awe.
When Tyrantrum's roar gradually subsided and Larvesta's flames slowly calmed, Theo rose from the throne. Facing the audience and the judges, he slowly clenched his right fist and placed it over his chest, then gave a slight bow in salute.
(End of Chapter)
TN: Damnnnn…