A grin spread across Elara’s face, though it didn’t belong to her.

The perceptive Blood Demon in control of her body observed that its opponent would just heal from all damage sustained, then become even stronger.

"So that’s why they call you the Riot Valkyrie," the hoarse, layered voice echoed, almost amused.

Kaela wiped blood from her mouth with the back of her hand.

"You catching on already?" she shot back, rolling her shoulders as purple energy flared around her like a storm. "You’re gonna have to do better than that."

They clashed again: faster, harder, and more violent.

Kaela’s ability wasn’t subtle or elegant.

It was one that escalated; simply put, the longer the fight continued, the worse it became for her opponent. Her strength built up, her speed increased, and her movements sharpened.

Inversely, her erratic and unpredictable movements that were almost feral were becoming more refined and technical. She was slowly transforming from a monster into a warrior, a true Valkyrie.

Pain didn’t slow her down; it only pushed her forward.

As for the demon, it adapted quickly and effortlessly, the red energy wrapping around its body like a living flame.

It was fluid, ever-changing.

One moment she was using it to reinforce her limbs and enhance her strikes; the next it extended outward and formed blades, spikes, and other constructs.

There seemed to be infinite uses of that ominous mana.

Forming a jagged spear of crimson energy mid-swing, she flung it forward like a javelin.

It was so powerful it would have shot through a series of walls with ease, piercing everything in its path. Yet the Riot Valkyrie caught it barehanded and spun, throwing it straight back at Elara.

The Blood Demon disappeared, the spear shooting through the arena walls instead, while she appeared behind her opponent.

Kaela reacted instantly, driving her fist straight into Elara’s ribs.

Boom!

The demon slid back, but instantly followed up the attack it sustained with one of its own.

A red blade lashed out.

Kaela twisted mid-motion, letting it carve across her side instead of something vital.

Blood sprayed, and her grin widened.

"You’re getting faster," she said, almost impressed.

Red and purple clashed again.

And again.

And again.

Each time it did, they both seemed to grow stronger or unleash more of their abilities. But as the power of their attacks increased, so did the destruction they caused, with many who were trying to get away becoming collateral damage.

Meanwhile, in the stands, Ethan watched intently.

Even as chaos unfolded around him, even as people screamed and pushed past him, even as debris crashed nearby, his eyes remained locked onto the fight.

His sharp, hawk-like vision was struggling to keep up, which was a testament to how fast the two A Ranks were. But even so, he was able to make a series of observations.

’The way they wield their respective energies is actually quite similar. And while Elara has a wider range of abilities, Kaela’s recovery and relentless style make her a difficult opponent. At this rate...’

He wasn’t sure who would come out on top, but he just hoped neither got hurt too badly, especially not Elara.

Swoosh!

There was a gust of energy, and the pink-haired speedster joined him once again.

"You’re welcome for speaking to that announcer guy. And who do you think is going to win? How do you even know the two of them to begin with? What’s your name, too? Do you want to fight as well? Are you really an E Rank?"

She asked more questions than Ethan could count in a second.

’I guess her mouth moves as fast as her legs do.’

He turned his head, seeing that she was barely out of breath despite just blitzing around the stadium. And in her hand she had a drink and a hot dog, chomping on it casually.

"You talk way too fast," he muttered.

Before she could respond, another voice cut in.

"This is exactly what I was trying to avoid!"

Ethan glanced over, and up behind him was the small woman he had referred to as "barrier bitch". Impressively, she was descending from the VIP lounge on a series of invisible steps formed from the same mysterious substance she produced the barriers with.

Her messy bun was half falling apart, and her hazel eyes were wide with panic.

"There’s no barrier concealing this place or constricting them! Do you have any idea how bad that is?! I can’t contain this. Hell, I couldn’t even at full strength!"

She pointed toward the arena, where another explosion of red and purple energy tore through the ground.

"Those two aren’t normal A Ranks - they’re monsters! If they go all out, this entire place is gone!"

Ethan looked back at the fight, unfazed.

"You’re not wrong," he admitted casually. "But it’s not like we can do anything about it."

The pink-haired girl tilted her head, watching with interest.

"I think this is amazing," she said simply, having already demolished her snack.

The barrier woman stared at her like she was insane.

"Amazing?! People have and are going to die in the crossfire!"

She was right - there were dozens already who had been crushed amidst the chaos.

But that didn’t stop them.

There was another impact, one so powerful it shook the entire stadium and sent the three of them hurtling backwards. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Ethan flipped and landed gracefully.

’Yeah... this is getting out of hand.’

His gaze sharpened, focusing below.

Kaela and the demon stood apart for a brief moment, both smiling and wanting more.

"You’re fun," Kaela admitted, snapping her arm back into place as purple energy flared violently around her.

The demon tilted its head.

"You’re crazy," it replied. "I like that."

Then they vanished again.

The next clash split the air itself as the surrounding chaos continued, the stadium around them crumbling piece by piece.

’It’s only a matter of time before the Association shows up,’ Ethan thought calmly.

But even knowing that, even understanding the danger, he couldn’t look away.

’That is what true power is.’

Today he had seen it all, from D Ranks, to C Ranks, in which he was included, then B Ranks, and now A Ranks.

’What’s next, S Ranks?’ he joked to himself.

Little did he know that he was exactly right about what was next...