Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Seeing Jack pick up his sword, Vahn's momentum exploded outward as his figure vanished from view. At this point, something like a starting bell was completely pointless. The only thing that had any meaning was the clash of wills and the weight of their blows. It was either move forward or risk having his own willpower suppressed, something Jack seemed to understand well...Not expecting the match to start so suddenly, the casters were still in the process of hyping up the crowd. They were completely caught off guard by the massive collision that occurred in the center of the Arena, forcing an oppressive silence over the crowd as Rakan and Vahn locked blades, gold and crimson violently colliding as a result of their tempestuous auras.Despite his height advantage and the size of his sword, Rakan wasn't able to secure any advantages in the first collision. Instead, he felt like a blade was being pressed to his throat just by staring at the katana in Vahn's hands. He was barely even able to react when the relatively thin blade suddenly cut through his own like butter, forcing him to bend backward as his trunk-like right leg raised to strike Vahn's flank.Seeing Jack dodge his attack, almost as if he had a very high rank of [Instinct], Vahn couldn't help squinting his eyes slightly. The angle of his sword changed in an instant, turning from an upward piercing motion to a downward arc as he attempted to cut into the man's left thigh. Dodging the kick was impossible at this point, so, rather than evade, he aimed for an internecine outcome. His katana completely ignored the thick aura of magical energy surrounding Jack's leg, slicing through the steel-like muscles and tendons with considerable ease as a momentous force slammed into his left side...From the perspective of the audience, they only saw Jack evade Vahn's slice before the latter was sent crashing like a meteor into the far wall. This caused them to cheer uproariously, but, before a chant could be started, many watched in horror as a shower of blood erupted from Rakan's leg. He didn't seem to be bothered by this in the slightest, but, in an instant, any illusions of his immortality had been shattered.A stark contrast to Rakan, whose white trousers had now been stained red, Vahn emerged from the cloud of debris without a scratch on him. Then, with a simple sweep of his blade, all of the dust and debris were cleared in an instant. This was an impressive display on its own, but, seemingly to prove just how sharp his sword was, a 100m long cut had been left in the reinforced stone behind him...Rather than display even a hint of fear, Rakan's smile only became more prominent as he remarked, "That is quite the blade you have there..." before vanishing from view.Caught in the moment when he was about to respond, Vahn's lips had barely parted when a heavy pressure appeared right behind him. He had severely underestimated Jack's speed, but, with several decades of experience, his body moved even without him willing it to. As a result, Jack's fist swept through the area where his head had been moment's prior, the wind pressure alone strong enough to rend flesh from bone...Ignoring the pain from his eardrum rupturing, Vahn 'flowed' around Jack's fist like a slow-moving stream around a rock. His sword seemed to move in slow-motion as he swept it in a smooth arc across the man's chest. To his surprise, there was very little feedback from this blow, causing Vahn's brows to rise slightly as Jack's figure became slightly illusory, much like an afterimage...Before the image faded completely, a fist larger than his face tore through Jack's chest, completely blocking Vahn's vision. Vahn's already raised brows attempted to rise higher, but, before the nerves could fire, it felt like the front of his skull had been smashed in as Jack's fist slammed into him. This was only the beginning, as, the moment the fist came into contact with his face, Vahn felt his body shudder as a result of tearing through space. Jack had used a skill similar to [Shundo] to force even more momentum into his punch, smashing him into the Arena floor with purely physical strength...As if a small-scale atomic bomb had been set off, a massive crimson explosion created a mushroom cloud that sent powerful shockwaves rippling across the Arena's protective barrier. At this point, the crowd had all but fallen silent, each member of the audience captivated by the scene below. Only a few, those closest to the barrier, had the wherewithal to question whether or not they were actually safe from harm...---Vahn was trying not to reveal his trump cards, specifically [Magia Erebea], but, after being smashed into the ground by Jack, he realized his hubris. He was well-aware of the fact that Jack was stronger than him, but he hadn't expected the man's strength to be so 'drastic'. His original intentions were to just enjoy the fight for a while before ultimately forfeiting the match and preserving the morale of the Hellas people. They were on the verge of war, so, if he defeated their champion too easily, it would severely hurt their pride...What Vahn hadn't accounted for was the fact that Jack was well-aware of the fact that he couldn't afford to lose. He might not be going all out, but the force behind his blows was enough to end the fight in an instant, at least against normal opponents. His own enjoyment was a secondary concern when his people's trust was on the line. If he fell here, everything he had been working for over the last few years would be undermined, irreversibly damaging his status as a symbol for the Hellasian people...---Though Vahn could understand Jack's will, as it was being directly transmitted from the man's fist to his face, his pride didn't allow him to simply give up without a fight. If he lost the match too quickly, his own legacy would be irreversibly damaged. He wanted to become a deterrent force that caused any who would harm others to second-guess their actions. A single decisive defeat would make this virtually impossible to achieve as people would have 'proof' that he wasn't indomitable...Unwilling to completely undermine his own goals just to elevate Jack's status, Vahn's aura exploded outward with even greater intensity than the previous explosion. He then buried both of his feet in the man's seemingly indestructible abdomen, forcing him back and causing blood to spurt from the cut across his chest. He hadn't been able to completely evade the previous slash, but, as if it didn't matter in the slightest, Jack's aura only surged with greater intensity as he shot forth a mass of pure magical energy from his palm.No longer intending to simply trade blows, Vahn's expression became serious as he cut swept aside the ball of magical energy before vanishing from sight. Jack might be fast, but his movement ability was nowhere near the SSS-Rank. His instincts might allow him to react to any kind of attack, but, in a contest of pure speed, Vahn was confident he could win. In fact, with his mastery over Space, even someone with the same degree of mastery would be hard-pressed to read his movements.Seeing Vahn disappear, Rakan brought up his arms in a defensive stance, his senses strained to the absolute limit. He could tell that his opponent was serious now, so, if he dropped his guard for even a moment, it might spell his end. Vahn's sword seemed to be able to cut through anything, and, no matter how much he tried to perceive its movements, all he saw was a flash of light and a feeling of being cut...As that thought crossed his mind, Rakan felt as if a blade was tracing across his left shoulder. Even before his brain finished processing this, he had already dodged to the right, barely evading what seemed to be a completely invisible attack. Then, causing his eyes to widen in shock, he suddenly felt as though a prison of blades had formed around him, severing any path of retreat...From the perspective of the audience, Vahn had appeared near the edge of the arena, his body slouched forward slightly with his katana sheathed at his side. At the same time, Rakan's figure had become a blur as he seemed to 'glitch' around the Arena. It was virtually impossible to follow his movements, but, everywhere the blue moved, move and more blood would mar the battlefield. It hadn't been too noticeable at first, but, after a few seconds had passed, even the people furthest in the back could understand what was happening.Like a tsunami sweeping over an island nation, a deathly silence overtook the Coliseum as a result of the oppressive atmosphere weighing down their hearts and minds. To them, Rakan was an ideal to aspire towards, an invincible figure that could freely roam even the Imperial Palace with impunity. He represented everything they could be, someone that had risen from nothing to the pinnacle like a meteor tearing through the sky. Now, however, that same figure was dyed red in his own blood, his speed gradually slowing down until he ultimately had to stop dodging entirely...Despite more than a hundred cuts across his body, Jack never ceased smiling for even a moment. There was a dark shadow cast over his eyes, but, like two blazing suns that illuminated the darkness, his golden eyes shone with unceasing vitality as he stared back at Vahn and mused, "Not bad at all. You may have made a mistake, though..."Remembering Jack's previous attempt to bait him with words, Vahn's figure simply vanished like a phantom. Immediately afterward, a flower of blood erupted from Jack's shoulder, causing the smile on his face to become more prominent as he added, "After losing so much blood, there is nothing weighing me down...!!"As if to prove his point, a thick crimson aura surrounded Jack's body as he completely vanished from view. It wasn't until nearly a second later that the area he was standing in erupted from the force of his movement. At nearly the exact same moment, another eruption occurred elsewhere, followed by a flickering golden light as Vahn's figure smashed into the Arena's barrier, sending a few massive cracks through its surface...Feeling as though every bone in his body was broken, Vahn coughed up a large volume of blood as he stared in awe at the man posing like a statue that had just thrown someone. There was a swirl of blood creating a small vortex around his fingers, his movement so swift it had produced a vacuum that persisted even after he had become stationary. As for where the blood had come from, the ten holes in Vahn's chest and abdomen were a fair assumption...Remembering Jack appear before him immediately after he completed his [Shundo], Vahn couldn't help but agree with the assessment that the man was a living cheat. He had enough blood to easily incapacitate someone twice his size, but, as if injuries meant nothing to him, Jack just kept going. It was truly amazing, as, not only did he use his magical energy to stitch together his severed tendons and muscles, but his heart had slowed to less than six beats per minute. He prioritized blood flow to the brain, cycling the bare minimum to keep his organs from shutting down as he manipulated his own body like a marionette...With a smile spreading across his own face, Vahn wiped away the blood from his lips as he said, "It might not mean anything to you, but know that you have earned my respect. If you can survive this next blow, you will have earned a new title..."Though he had yet to unlock his Bankai, Vahn could communicate his intent to Laev-tan without actually 'releasing' her. As a result, she happily transformed into her Shikai form, causing ripples to spread across the barrier as he jumped down to the Arena below.Since moving too much might break his concentration, Rakan continued to hold his pose, never losing his smile as he asked, "Oh? I'm quite fond of collecting titles. If you've got a good one, I'm willing to accept it..."Pleased by the fact that Jack seemed to have understood his intentions, Vahn smiled even wider as he answered, "It might sound silly, but, henceforth, you shall be known as Jack Rakan, the God of Perseverance...the person acknowledged by the Sage Dragon Emperor as an equal..."Finished with his words, Vahn's aura surged immensely as body instantly transformed into his half-dragon state. The release of his Zanpakuto had already caused his aura to multiply by ten times, so, with the increased pressure from his Huanglong transformation, the Coliseum, the barrier, and even Space itself began to tremble as brackish-crimson flames erupted to cover the sky. Visibility within the Arena decreased until the only thing visible was a swirling vortex that promised death...---Immediately after releasing what seemed to be an ultimate attack, Vahn's transformation shattered due to the strain he had placed on his mind and spirit. He would normally struggle to produce even a small amount of Laev-tan's flames, but, after consolidating energy over the last few weeks, energy he had intended to use for Fenrir's summoning, Vahn was able to fake it well. He hadn't been lying when he said Jack had won his respect, so, after apologizing to Fenrir in his heart, he decided to go 'all-out', at least from the perspective of the audience...With an uncommon amount of intelligence, Rakan had seen through Vahn's intentions the moment the latter's killing intent faded away. Others might not be able to sense it, but, as the person it had been directed toward, Rakan was extremely sensitive to such changes. As a result, he stopped trying to press the attack, waiting to see what Vahn had planned. After clashing with the man a few times, a certain degree of trust had been built between them, something that could only be achieved after two powerful wills had clashed against one another...After taking a few seconds to catch his breath, Vahn smiled wryly toward Rakan before saying, "Your love for this country is awe-inspiring. I'm not entirely sure what you have planned, but I can tell you are doing your best. Now that I've seen your power for myself, I'll leave this nation in your capable hands. When the Emperor asks, you can just tell him I went off to test some other people...when the time comes, we will undoubtedly meet again. I look forward to seeing how much you've grown by then..."Having said everything he intended to say, Vahn prepared to teleport away when Jack surprised him by asking, "What is your connection to the Dark Evangel? Are you a Dragonfolk or a descendent of the Ancient Dragons?"Finding it humorous that Jack was attempting to gather information even when his body was on the verge of breaking down completely, Vahn returned a smile as he said, "Just know you are most likely making a mistake in your assumptions. As for the latter part...well, let's just say there will come a time when that fellow bows his head to me. Now, no more questions. If you don't focus, there is a very real chance you will lose your life..."Just as he had throughout the entire battle, Jack merely smiled in response to Vahn's words, stating in a genial tone, "Until I have completed my objectives, I will continue pushing this body beyond its limits. You don't need to worry about me, bratty lizard..."Hearing Jack's method of addressing him, Vahn's expression froze for several seconds before his laughter began to echo in the surroundings. His figure then vanished from view, his laughter still echoing as the flames began to converge on Jack's location. It was an attack that, by all rights, had the potential to kill the man. Despite this, Vahn had no doubt in his mind that he would be seeing the rather brazen hero in the future...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Such speed, such power, such skill...is what I might be saying if I could see what was going on!','United States of Smash!','He ded, lol')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Seeing a reddish-black inferno sweeping through the Arena was enough to leave even the most die-hard fans of the Coliseum in stunned silence. To many, it was like witnessing the end of the world, and, if not for the hundreds of Mages reinforcing the barrier, those closest would have been feeling more than just an oppressive aura.From within one of the highly protected viewing booths that were reserved for members of the Imperial Family, one member of the audience was fretting more than the rest. More than almost anyone else in the Empire, she believed in Rakan's strength, so, seeing the massive vortex of flames, a layer of moisture had covered her eyes as she turned to the old man next to her and said, "You have to help him! Please...!"Hearing the earnest plea of the young girl, the old man stopped stroking his chin, turning to her with a gentle smile as he said, "That man will not die so easily, Princess. Have a little bit of faith. You know he would tease you if he saw you with tears in your eyes..."Despite his words, the old man, Vrixho Nagasha, felt that things weren't looking too good for Rakan. The flames swirling in the arena were unlike anything he had ever seen before, dealing magical, physical, and, most frighteningly of all, spiritual damage. Those who had suffered an attack on their spirit had a much harder time recovering than normal, and, in many cases, they could outright lose the will to live. It was one of the most painful experiences imaginable, not something you would ever expect to see from someone loved by the Spirits...Though her worries weren't abated, Theo used the back of her sleeve to wipe away the tears and snot from her face as she complained, "I'm not crying...that idiot doesn't even know the meaning of death...I would never worry about him..."As if in response to her words, the flames within the Arena rapidly contracted like an inverted explosion. Then, after converging for a few seconds, creating a fiery tornado that extended to the clouds above, they spontaneously dissipated. What she saw when the fire cleared left the deepest possible impression in Theo's, the audience's, and even Vrixho's hearts, as, near the very center of the Arena, Rakan, body still smoldering, could be seen holding up his fist with a smile on his face...---Seeing the charred-black man clinging to life with the fervor of an Asura, one member of the audience, accompanied by a woman with exceptionally long hair, couldn't help but smile as he mused, "The combination of Willpower and Fate is terrifying..."Though his appearance had changed quite drastically, with rathe a rather wild hairstyle, two pointed ears, and a bushy tail, the man was none other than Vahn. He hadn't actually left the Coliseum after his final attack as there were still a few things he intended to accomplish in the Capital. He was also genuinely curious about whether or not Rakan could survive, so, after a quick change of both appearance and aura, he doubled back to pick up Medusa and witness the man's moment of triumph directly.Having heard her Master's words, Medusa nodded her head in agreement, the venomous look in her eyes fading slightly as she remarked, "He has a long way to go before reaching Master's level, but he is closer than most. He will be useful in the future..."Finding his companion's words rather curious, Vahn raised his brow before giving her an inquisitive look out of the corner of his eye. She had become increasingly more calculating since her time in the Nasuverse, and, based on her words, it wasn't difficult to imagine she would gladly try and manipulate others on his behalf. This wasn't really necessary, of course, but it was something to keep in mind since it seemed like her personality was taking a slightly dangerous turn...Taking advantage of the fact most people had gone completely ballistic with their cheering, Vahn, closely accompanied by Medusa, alighted from the Coliseum. He had sensed both the Third Princess and her escort, so, while Jack was virtually on death's door, Vahn didn't have to worry about him. The Magical World even had a few methods to revive the recently deceased so there was little chance the indomitable man, wielder of a powerful fate, would succumb to the machinations of some corrupt Prince...Confident in his assessment, Vahn, disguised as a Vanargandr, made his way to one of the few places that had garnered his interest over the last few weeks: the Warrior's Theater. He didn't particularly care about signing up to become an Adventurer or a Mercenary, but, considering it was one of the best places to obtain information, stopping by was only sensible.Though he had a considerable amount of knowledge pertaining to the history of the Magical World, there were some things that were simply never mentioned in historical texts. It was all but impossible to find any accurate accounts regarding Cosmos Entelecheia and the Mage of the Beginning. His presence also irreversibly altered the flow of fate, so, even if he decided to simply watch things play out, there were absolutely no guarantees things would adhere to the original timeline.Even toward the end of his battle against Jack, Vahn could sense the man's strength gradually increasing. This battle would undoubtedly lead to him becoming demonstrably stronger than he should have been in the canon timeline so there was no way of knowing what he would be able to accomplish. He might even rise up to become Emperor in the future, though, based on what Vahn could tell, the man seemed to have more of a Martyr's mentality than that of an Emperor...---Passing through the doors of a building with a strangely bulbous structure, Vahn ignored the glances of the various Mercenaries and Adventurers within. The way he carried himself was more than enough to deter the majority from trying seeking trouble, and, despite her rather adorable appearance, Medusa's aura gave people the impression of staring into the maw of a snake that was about to sink its fangs into your neck.Seeing the two new faces, a man who looked like a bipedal bull wearing a bartending outfit craned his head to the side and asked, "Come to register or issue a bounty?"Drawing a considerable amount of attention to himself, Vahn dropped an open pouch onto the counter. It was filled to the brim with silver and platinum coins known as Drachma, one of the primary currencies within Mundus Magicus. The values fluctuated quite a bit, especially in the period of time preceding and following a war, but the basic value ranged from 1~10,000, increasing in increments of 10 from bronze, iron, silver, gold, and platinum.Seeing the shimmering pile of coins, the bull-faced man hardened his expression as he glared toward the greedier people in the bar before turning his gaze to Vahn and saying, "There is a fine line between boldness and stupidity...Even if you're confident in your strength, you would be remiss to underestimate the greed of the desperate. Now, out with it. Don't tell me you just came here to show off in front of your girl...?"Ignoring the man's comment about boldness and stupidity, Vahn plainly stated, "Give me all the information you have pertaining to the Dark Evangel and any A-Rank threats both local and abroad. I also want everything you have related to dungeons and ruins, specifically those that are more than a five-hundred-years old."Hearing the man ask about the Dark Evangel, the broker decided that Vahn was just another fool who would find an early death in their search for fame. These types appeared every now and again, but, as it had nothing to do with him, the broker deftly scooped up the coin purse and said, "Give me a few minutes. We'll have everything out to you after confirming whether or not this currency is legitimate."Towards the end of his words, the broker poured two shots of an expensive bourbon before leaving the bottle on the table, adding, "Special service." as he disappeared into the back of the establishment.Not worried about the drink being poisoned, Vahn threw back the shot in a single motion. As for Medusa, she tentatively smelled the aroma coming from the shot glass before poking her tongue out and almost immediately retracting it. As a Gorgon, she had an especially sensitive tongue so she had never been fond of alcohol, much less the poor-quality bourbon that had been brought out as a 'special service'.Finding Medusa's reaction adorable, Vahn smiled as he lightly ruffled her hair. Then, before the men walking up behind him could speak, he said, "Go easy on them..." in a tone that was audible to the entire room.From beneath the mantle concealing Medusa's hair and body, more than a dozen silvery-white snakes stuck out like bolts of lightning, striking the three ruffians before they could utter a single syllable. Their bodies were immediately paralyzed, dropping to the ground like sacks of potatoes. One was even unfortunate enough to land face-first, completely shattering his nose as blood began to pool beneath him.Though the three men weren't exactly the strongest among them, even the most powerful Mercenaries in the bar could barely see the afterimages of Medusa's attack. Some couldn't even tell what kind of attack she used, instantly quelling any desire they had to try their own luck.After scanning the bodies of the men and confirming their lives weren't in jeopardy, Vahn gave an approving nod before saying, "Well done. If possible, try and avoid killing unless you feel as though your life is in danger. I'd rather dirty my hands than see yours stained with the blood of fools..."Enjoying the caress of her Master, a happy smile spread across Medusa's face as she rubbed her head against his palm. She would have actually preferred to inflict the men with one of her more potent poisons, but, knowing her Master disliked 'unnecessary' cruelty, she did her best to restrain the urge. As for his comment about not killing unless her life was in danger, it wasn't something she would take to heart. If there was an enemy that deserved killing, such as those who insulted her Master, she would not hesitate to give them a miserable end...---With three paralyzed bodies serving as a deterrent, things were relatively peaceful until the bull-faced man returned. When he saw the trio collapsed on the ground, his face formed into a frown, but, instead of commenting on it, he just handed over a literal crate full of journals, scrolls, and a special kind of crystal that stored information of various bounties.Picking up the crystal, Vahn infused a thread of energy into it, smiling as he saw various three-dimensional monsters projected into thin air. It was a curious fusion of magic and technology, but, compared to the terminals developed by Da Vinci, it was a little lackluster. Still, it had all the information pertaining to the monster's ecology, known habitat, and, most importantly for aspiring Mercenaries, their bounties.After tossing the crystal into his Inventory, earning an inquisitive look from the broker, Vahn asked, "What about the information on the Dark Evangel? I heard she has been seen in this area?"Hearing Vahn's words, the bull-faced man dug into the crate full of documents, pulling out a dossier that was thicker than an encyclopedia as he explained, "This is everything pertaining to the Dark Evangel that has been collected over the last fifty years. You probably won't listen to my advice, but you shouldn't set your sights so high. Read through this information very carefully before you try and track down that monster. Thousands have walked this path before you, none accomplishing anything more than increasing the body count..."Vahn didn't appreciate the man referring to Eva as a monster, but, as that was generally how most people thought of her, he suppressed his animosity. Though the man had a muted grey aura, he gave off the impression of someone who hated seeing people waste their lives. Since his current appearance made him look relatively young, mostly to match Medusa, the broker's intentions could be considered benevolent.Forcing a smile, Vahn gave a polite nod to the broker before stowing the entire crate into his Inventory and saying, "I'll keep your words in mind. Don't worry, while the Dark Evangel is my penultimate goal, I don't imagine our paths would cross too soon. Thanks for the information. You can keep the change as my gratitude for the special service."Without waiting for the man's response, Vahn turned on his heels and casually made his way outside. He had completed his objective, so, after one last stop, he would depart the Capital and be on his way. Mundus Magicus might only be around a third the size of the Earth, but it was still a vast land with large regions of unexplored territory. If the opportunity presented, he would venture into some of the ancient ruins that dotted the landscape. Some of these places contained powerful relics, and, though they were likely worse than anything he could forge, it would still be useful to collect them.At this point in his ventures, Vahn's primary goal would be to increase his prestige and create a name for himself within the international community. There were quite a number of people who would be willing to grant him a favor if he handed over some lost relics from the ancient civilizations that had fallen into obscurity. Eva, in particular, liked to collect such things, so, at the very least, Vahn could begin preparing his apology in advance.Though he would like to assume everything will go smoothly, Vahn knew how prideful and cautious Eva could be. It took literal decades for her Memory Fragment to truly open up to him, and that was only after a few drastic actions on his part. The 'real' Eva was bound to be even more closed off than her counterpart in the orb, so, even with [Magia Erebea], she might not open up to him. Rather, there was a fair chance their first encounter would involve a great deal of bloodshed, even if he didn't put up any resistance at all.Shaking his head, Vahn decided there was no sense in worrying about his reunion with Eva until it had come to pass. Even if he had to suffer a bit, it was inconsequential compared to the thousands of years she had tolerated him. There was even a chance he could avoid a fight by simply allowing her to view his memories. Once he could convince her of his sincerity, it was only a matter of time before her icy facade began to melt away, revealing the lonely girl that desperately sought the companionship of others...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Birth of the God of Perseverance','When a currency has no meaning to you xD...','Eva is going to thrash this boy into next century')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Ever since the arrival of the man known as the Sage Dragon Emperor, attendance at the Coliseum had declined. Though it was gradually recovering, the loss of personnel and the rumors regarding the Dark Evangel were enough to keep most people indoors. Others had already been stockpiling supplies in preparation for the coming war, so, for the first time in years, attendance had decreased to fewer than 50,000 people.Fortunately for the weary Coliseum staff, on tenterhooks after nearly half their staff had either died or disappeared, things took a sudden and unexpected turn when the Sealing Corps, accompanied by a squadron of Imperial Guards, appeared. This would normally be a disastrous event, as it would tank their profits even further, but, much to their surprise, the two groups had arrived with the sole purpose of reinforcing the Coliseum's defenses. This was a much-needed stimulus, allowing them to recover some of the losses they had sustained after Vahn destroyed half their barrier.What the Coliseum personnel didn't expect was that immediately after the repairs were finished, an Imperial Decree was issued. This was both a blessing and a curse, as, immediately following the announcement, Coliseum attendance bounced back like never before. If not for the Imperial Guard anticipating a riot, they would have been completely overrun by the sheer volume of people trying to witness the historic moment with their own two eyes: the battle between the Eternal Champion, Jack Raken, and the Sage Dragon Emperor, Vahn Aldrnari Mason.Despite the impromptu nature of the event, more than three-hundred-thousand people had been crammed into the Coliseum stands. Everyone was gathered to witness the moment their Champion fought against the man whose name had recently started to circulate throughout the Capital. They knew it would be a climactic battle for the ages, and, with the presence of the Imperial Guard, it was obvious the Imperial Family was closely observing this affair as well. This further excited the citizens who had been fretting over the coming war, giving them a much-needed distraction from the worry that kept them awake late at night...---Even without being directly informed of his coming matchup, Vahn was well aware of the Empire's machinations. He didn't particularly mind, however, as he had been looking forward to facing one of the Record's strongest fighters, someone who would undoubtedly push the limits of his current capabilities.While waiting for the 'big reveal', Vahn idled about his room, enjoying the uncommonly affectionate Medusa's care. She was normally very clingy, and, if not for his physique, most of his bones would have been pulverized as a result of her fervor. Now, however, she had turned relatively docile, using her hair to gently caress his body as she pepped his neck and shoulders with kisses. It seemed to be a very 'possessive' display of affection, but, for reasons Vahn could only speculate, it made his heart feel even more excited for the coming battle...With less than an hour until the match was officially scheduled to begin, Vahn could sense someone approaching his room. Rather than a member of the Coliseum staff, however, it was a Hellasian man with a lean body, handsome features, and, most notably, venomous, disdain-filled eyes. He gave off the impression of someone that 'needed' to be elevated above others, the type of man who would not hesitate to order the execution of any who offended him.Even if he was blind, deaf, and dumb, Vahn would have been able to guess this man was the Second Prince of the Hellas Empire, Kacper Bashireia Herasu De Vesuperisujimia. As for why he was showing up now, Vahn didn't even have to guess the reason. He clearly wanted to rile him up in the hopes of killing or crippling Rakan, the man who had become the greatest thorn in his side...Without even bothering to knock, the entourage of the Second Prince opened the doors to Vahn's room, their expression fixed into perpetually alert scowls. One, a rather beautiful Hellasian woman, even stepped out in front of the rest, a hateful glare on her face as she exclaimed, "You are in the presence of His Imperial Highness! Get up and bow your heads!"Rather than comply, Vahn just stared at the woman as if she had completely lost her mind, sitting on the bed bare-chest as Medusa massaged him from behind. This caused her to clench her teeth in fury, but, before she could lash out, 'genial' laughter could be heard from behind before a soft and charismatic voice stated, "Stand down, Ruta. We have come here to express our goodwill, not seek trouble..."Before the voice had finished speaking, a handsome man appeared from between the large crowd of guards, his expression fixed in a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. As for the woman named Ruta, she quickly stepped off to the side, lowering her head at a steep angle as she said, "My most sincere apologies, Your Imperial Highness!"As if he were truly magnanimous, the Second Prince issued a light-hearted chuckle before giving his permission to raise her head. Then, turning his attention back to Vahn, his gaze very briefly flickered to Medusa before seemingly losing interest as he said, "Tales of-"Having no interest in the Second Prince's machinations, Vahn plainly stated, "You have five seconds to remove yourself from my sight. If you haven't fixed that snake-like nature of yours by the time of our next meeting, you will be spending the rest of your life in a wheelchair."Hearing Vahn's words, the guards surrounding the Second Prince seemed ready to lay down their lives at a moment's notice. The Second Prince, however, saw the countdown Vahn had been doing with his fingers, a cold sweat spreading out across his body. He knew that, even if Vahn was only half as strong as Rakan, it was more than enough to crush his entourage. As a result, he held up his hand even before his mind could fully process his options, stating, "Fall back! We did not come here to fight!"Without waiting for his entourage to comply, Kacper turned around on his heels and departed the room. There was a lot he wanted to say, but, seeing Vahn's countdown nearing completion, his fight or flight response had directed him toward the latter. His plans wouldn't amount to much if he was dead, so, rather than provoke a man bold enough to call himself an Emperor with an actual Empire, he began thinking about how he should punish his men for 'kicking' the proverbial hornet's nest...Rather than immediately follow after their Master, a few members of the Second Prince's entourage decided not to heed Vahn's warning. They stared in disdain with hands near their swords, practically daring him to take action. This was rather amusing, as, with the exception of the Ruta and the rather cold-looking woman who stuck close to the Second Prince, the strongest in the group had a BP of around 200.The moment Vahn's hand closed, denoting his countdown had completed, Medusa's hair formed a silver-white snake for each member foolish enough to ignore his warning. Then, before the Second Prince could order them to stop dallying, all eight people were turned to statues as beams of light impacted their bodies. Their armaments did absolutely nothing to protect them, leaving them stuck in a perpetual state of drawing their swords with taunting expressions on their faces...Seeing nearly half his entourage turned to stone, Kacper felt unbridled rage swelling up inside of him, both as a result of Medusa's actions and the foolishness of his own men. He internally vowed to have his revenge, but, knowing there was a vast disparity between himself and Vahn, he wasted no time in shouting, "We're leaving!"This time, none of the Second Prince's entourage dared dally, quickly falling into place around him as he sped away from the scene. With the exception of the cold-faced woman, none of them dared to even spare their former companions a second glance, fearing what fate would await them if they looked back for even a moment...---After watching the Second Prince's party retreat, Vahn briefly cast his gaze upon the statues that now littered the entrance of his room. Medusa hadn't killed them, but, if they were left in that state for too long, death was all but assured. This was a strange quirk of Petrification, and, at least in the Akamatsuverse, it was possible for some types to preserve their victims for decades. There had even been instances of Adventurers being returned to life after spending more than a hundred years as a stone statue within the various ruins that dotted Mundus Magicus...Shaking his head, Vahn decided not to worry about the fate of the thug-like individuals, turning to Medusa with a smile on his face. Her eyes were still glimmering with ferocity, but, seeing him turn around, she quickly reverted back to normal, returning a smile as she unhesitantly asked, "Why did you allow that man to leave? Would the world not be a better place without such disrespectful and arrogant people...?"Rather than refute Medusa's claim, Vahn nodded his head, stating, "Indeed...unfortunately, unless I intend to expand my Empire into this world, arbitrarily eliminating Aristocrats will cause too many problems. The Second Prince might be an arrogant fool, but he is also the rallying point for much of the Empire's corruption. If he were killed, those supporting him would branch out and spread their corruption to others. Unless he does something the people disdain, such as attempting a coup, it is not as simple as simply eliminating him..."Though he would not have hesitated to kill the Second Prince if the latter had ignored his warning, Vahn was the type that was compelled to take responsibility for his actions. If he one day decided to purge the Nobility, he would have little choice but to take over the Hellas Empire. It would be better to simply cripple the Second Prince and slowly eliminate the underground factions that caused the most discourse within the Empire, allowing the more 'righteous' criminal organizations to flourish in their stead.Remembering why he disdained politics, Vahn shook his head in exasperation before saying, "This is not our battlefield...our fight will take place on a much grander stage than a single Empire. Though I might lend a hand, the fate of the Hellas Empire can only be changed by the people and those they have placed their trust in..."Unless he completely eliminated the Nobles and began hand-picking representatives to govern, it would be very difficult to seize complete control over the Hellas Empire. The next best option was to either marry or support one of the candidates for the Throne, but, with no interest in playing the game of politics, Vahn would rather just become an existence that instills fear in the hearts of every disreputable Noble family. If he became strong enough, he could even act as a natural deterrent for war, becoming a literal God that meted out divine retribution to any country whose ambitions grew beyond their borders...Nodding his head in approval of his own thoughts, Vahn rose from the bed, allowing Medusa to help him dress. There was less than half an hour until his scheduled match but he could already feel Jack's aura surging like a tidal wave. The man's aura shone almost as brightly as a star, and, though there was a small amount of black near the very core, Vahn knew this was largely due to the [Magia Erebea]. The fact Jack was able to completely suppress this corruptive influence spoke highly of his character, and, if he had to make a guess, Vahn would be willing to bet the man had an Innate that was directly related to Willpower.Willpower and Intent seemed to be two of the most powerful forces within the Records, so, more often than not, anyone with strong Willpower was a force to be reckoned with. They had the fastest growth rates, and, under the right conditions, could even comprehend the Laws in a relatively short period of time. As a result, Vahn could feel the blood in his veins surging with excitement as every cell in his body seemed to writhe about in anticipation. His own Willpower was nothing to scoff at, so, regardless of the fight's outcome, he was guaranteed to experience a monstrous increase in his own strength...With this in mind, Vahn gave Medusa one last kiss before leaping off from the veranda, drawing a lot of attention to himself as he crashed like a meteor into the Arena below. There, already waiting for him, a mountain of a man was already waiting for him, his body largely concealed by an ornate mantle as he stood with a massive greatsword planted in the ground before him. He gave off a very solemn impression with his head slightly lowered, his eyes concealed by the shadow of his bangs and the red bandana firmly tied around his forehead.Seeing Jack from just a few hundred meters away, Vahn couldn't help but be impressed by the man. His aura was even more impressive than Heracles', giving the impression of a summitless mountain rather than a man. Vahn could even sense his power gradually increasing, tempered by the fervor of hundreds-of-thousands of people shouting his name. It was almost like he was a God, the shouts of his adoring fans giving him greater strength as a palpable aura of Fate permeated from his body...---Though every fiber of his being was compelling him to take the initiative to attack, Rakan's had full mastery over his emotions. He might pretend to be airheaded at times, but, were he to be given an actual IQ test, he would score somewhere in the 200 range. His true nature was hyperrational, and, though his thirst for battle was genuine, each of his fights had 'purpose'. He did not enjoy bullying the weak, nor did he harbor vendettas against those who were stronger than him. All that mattered to him was pushing forward, becoming an example for all those who would follow behind him...Raising his head, Rakan's golden eyes glimmered with an intense light as he stared at his opponent for the first time. He could feel the natural aura that lingered around Vahn, making it impossible to determine the man's actual strength. The closest thing he could approximate it to was looking at a storm brewing on the horizon while at sea. Though it seemed distant, almost untouchable, even the most experience Sea Captain would feel an existential dread when they saw the clouds sweeping in their direction...Having experienced his fair share of natural disasters, an eager smile spread across Rakan's face as he muttered, "I've always wanted to try diverting a hurricane..." while drawing his greatsword from the Arena floor...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Match of the Century','With Great Power comes Great Responsibility','A man with purpose will never find his courage lacking')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1542: Clash of Wills