Kane stood amidst the resounding applause and enthusiastic chants from the audience, his eyes shifting left and right as he basked in the attention. Despite the echoing sounds around him, his thoughts remained unaffected until his gaze met Rowan's. At that moment, something within him froze.

The sight of Rowan's eyes stirred a multitude of wavering thoughts within Kane. Despite it being their first meeting, he couldn't shake the feeling that something about Rowan was... alarming.

Rowan too felt the same way when their gaze met, to the two standing on stage there were no noises, no applauses, nothing…

Nothing around them matters besides the one in front of them.

The announcer's enthusiastic shout signaled the start of the match, yet the two contestants stood unbothered, their focus solely on each other.

While many in the audience were perplexed by their actions, those who had experienced it knew all too well what it meant, especially the members of the 4 Pillars.

“They’re in a battle trance!” Said K, his voice came in a knowing tone.

“What?” Davis expressed his confusion

K with a cunning smile, spoke with a gentle gaze, “Have you ever heard the saying that goes: strength recognizes strength?”

Davis, with a questionable expression, focuses on Rowan and Kane from within K's inner mind, “I have heard of something similar before, but why are you bringing that up?”

K continues with an excited smirk, “Let's say it like this then there is another saying I like to use and that is: A mountain can’t contain 2 tigers!”

Leaning back, K sat with regal ease as he continued, “Let's just say those tigers have finally met after not knowing of each other existence for so long”

K then poses a question, “Tell me Davis, what do you think will happen next?” His voice dripping with malice as he giggles with sinister intent

After that, K closed his eyes and hummed a soothing melody. His relaxed demeanor conveyed to Davis that he wasn't worried about Rowan. Davis understood K's methods well enough to find some reassurance in his calm behavior, although he couldn't help but feel a lingering sense of concern.

All of a sudden, the two lunge at each other without warning. Their attack cancels one another perfectly. As the battle progressed the two snapped back from their trance but their relentless attack continued.

Davis started to catch on, he watched in serenity. But as he spectates the ongoing battle one question pops up in his mind.

Davis with a solemn expression, questions K with a serious tone, “So then, what causes it?”

K stopped his humming as he replied with a confused smile, “Excusez moi?”

Davis confused by K's words replied, “What?” to which K replied in the same manner, “What?”

A moment of silence passes by…

“Y-You know the thing, the umm… the trance thing!” Davis spoke, his expression shifting from understanding to its usual state of confusion as his mind scrambled for an answer.

K's pupils dilated in realization, as he laughed at themselves, “OH that, hahaha* my friend that was a good one!”

Davis too laughed, his voice almost incoherent because of his laughter, “SO? What causes the trance to appear?”

K replied immediately, "No clue!" He adjusted himself to a comfortable sitting position before turning his attention back to the ongoing battle in front.

Caught off guard by the sudden response, Davis raised an eyebrow but continued with his questioning, this time with a mixed feeling of anger and annoyance, “Come again? What do you mean by No Clue?”

K without hesitation replied with his usual joyous smile, “By no clue I mean I don’t know”

Davis smirked at K and, with a mocking tone, said, “Wow, the great K doesn't know what causes people to have a trance. I thought you knew everything about everything.”

K remained unbothered by his words, his body sitting comfortably. However, deep down, K was rather annoyed by Davis's provocation. It was evident by the twitchiness of his eye and the forced smile on his lips.

“I know everything that I know, but I don't know what I don't,” K replied calmly, his tone betraying none of the irritation he felt.

Davis rolled his eyes and smirked as he said in a mocking voice, “Sure, Mr. Oxigence.”

K's vein popped out as he corrected him. “It's oxygen, and don't ever call me that again, you pompous little...” He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing in a calmer voice, “Annoying brat.”

K turned his attention back to the fight with bitterness, feeling the sting of losing a verbal dispute with a human for the first time. Meanwhile, Davis did the same, wearing a big smile on his face to showcase his victory in the exchange

Back at the arena, Kane and Rowan were done warming up as well, with one last glance at each other the 2 nodded, and with that, their fight had truly begun.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Kane created distance by creating a wall of Ice separating the arena into 2. Rowan with a simple swing of his blade broke the wall down with ease.

Rowan with his blade in hand moves at an unimaginable speed before arriving in front of Kane in a mere second, his sword comes for Kane's throat like a raging bull.

BOOM*

An explosion of Kane Frosty's mana created a considerable distance between the two. Kane found himself unable to react as Rowan's movements surpassed the speed of his eyes. His earlier counterattack had been nothing more than a reaction driven by instinct.

Half of Kane's body was covered in ice slowly melting away as he too was affected by such a close-range explosion. For the first time in his life, Kane felt a sense of worry about facing someone. His mind was rattled by their earlier exchange, leaving him uncertain and vulnerable.

Rowan appeared completely unfazed by the situation. His face showed no reaction whatsoever as if he had been drained of all emotion.

“K you’re seeing this?” Davis with worrisome eyes said

“Yes, I did. I’m not sure what it’s yet, but I have an unproven theory that might explain Rowan's strange behavior and strength” K responded with a not-so-confident answer

Rowan raises his blade at Kane, his eyes are lifeless as he looks at Kane. Sensing danger Kane reacted by throwing everything he had at Rowan.

Ice Magic Spear*

Ice Magic Frost Spike*

Ice Magic Ice Queen Breath*

Each of Kane's attacks was rendered useless by Rowan's unreasonably high aura, Ice Queen Breath was able to encapsulate Rowan in a block of ice. But Rowan broke free almost instantly before retaliating.

Horizontal Slash*

A wall of aura rushed at Kane, cutting through anything in its path. In response, Kane used his mana to create three layers of barrier to shield himself. The first two barriers were shattered like glass under the force of Rowan's attack, but the final barrier managed to dissipate the impact just in time to protect Kane.

Rowan disappeared from his spot and reappeared behind Kane, Rowan swung with his sword imbued with aura causing a deep cut on Kane’s back. Feeling the pain, and knowing that Rowan was close to him, Kane activated his skill

Ice Magic Ice King Throne*

The space around them shifted into a familiar throne room, Kane disappeared in an instant leaving Rowan baffled on the spot. An ice spike as long as a house pillar burst through the ground and was aiming for Rowan but missed.

Soon, many more barriers appeared wherever Rowan went. Kane stood breathless in front of the throne, his wounds frozen in ice to stop the bleeding. He knew it was only a matter of time before he lost, so he created two giant ice golems to deal with Rowan while he began casting a spell.

Rowan had a bit of a hard time because of the golems which were reinforced by the Ice King Throne magic making them harder and stronger than usual.

When he finished with the golems the air around them was pulled violently, Rowan saw a large amount of mana being gathered by Kane into a spell.

“Rowan, I presume? I know we just met, but you're the first person I've met who could make me like this. Well, you're the second,” Kane spoke, his voice strained from exertion. “So here is my gift to you. I learned it from watching a friend of mine,” Kane added, smiling happily despite the circumstances.

A large amount of mana glowed brightly before coalescing into a giant dragon made of ice. It stared down at its creator and then at Rowan before letting out a deafening roar that reverberated throughout the throne room.

“My gift to you,” Kane said with a satisfied smile

Staring down the giant life-like dragon, Rowan was unfazed, his unyielding eyes coincided with his determined smile as he gripped his sword tightly.

Rowan then remembered what K said in the restaurant, with the confidence of a king he shouted, “Then bring it on, Kane”

Kane smiled proudly as his greatest creation yet rushed toward Rowan with the malice and animosity of a real dragon. Meanwhile, Rowan closed his eyes and smiled serenely. Bringing his sword in front of him, his aura began to glow with a golden light, emanating a sense of unwavering resolve.

K, who had been puzzled by Rowan's strength, finally realized the source of his power and smiled in amazement. “So that's your secret, eh?” he remarked. “I'm impressed. I never would've thought that there was still a living being that would have the Heavenly God physique”

Rowan reopened his eyes, and with a powerful swing, he obliterated the incoming dragon into oblivion, along with the space around them, bringing them back to the arena in a flash of light.

The crowd was stunned by the display, their gazes shifting back and forth between the defeated Kane and the unscathed Rowan. This sense of shock extended even to the members of the 4 Pillars and everyone watching from outside the stadium.

The reaction of the on-looker toward the ridiculous situation was utter shock and curiosity, the announcer came to his senses and reported with a hazy voice.

“T-the winner i-is Rowan Ashford” and with that, the crowd went wild. Rowan rushes to see Kane's vital and after confirming he’s okay with the physician he smiles

“Is the Heavenly God physique that powerful?” Davis asked, his words were full of joy

“Of course, it is, it is what gives Hercules his strength” K's carefree demeanor faltered, replaced by a flicker of concern in his eyes as he observed the unfolding events

“And what with the frown Mr. Oxygen? Isn’t this a good thing? Since he’s our friend” Davis expresses his happiness for Rowan

“For starter, call me that again and mute you for a whole week, did you forget? we’re going up against him next.” K said as he got up from his seat

Rowan's display of power captivated many people, the Empire was flooded with many urgent messages asking them about their final battle. Seeing an opportunity the king told the announcer to postpone the final match until tomorrow afternoon.

Each member of the 4 Pillars shared the same thought, “We need him on our side, no matter what,” as ordered by the patriarch. While they would have loved to recruit him immediately, they were constrained by the fact that Rowan was a student of the Celestial Academy.

Rowan found K waiting for him at the entrance and was thrilled. Seeing this K thought to himself, “Thankfully Rowan is a simple-minded person”

“Rowan, I would love to go up against you today but since the battle is postponed I thought that we should at least get something to eat” K's friendly smile and cheerful attitude return

Rowan complied without a hint of hesitation, “Let’s go, Davis, I’m starving”

Laughing out loud K mentioned, “Oh you wouldn’t mind if I bring my pet along for the ride would you? I assure you she’s a lovely little thing”

“Not at all I love dog” Rowan replied with a cheery smile

The two went on like usual, unfazed by the prospect of facing each other the next day for the grand prize. Their exchange of laughter and stories grew brighter with each passing moment as if the looming competition was nothing more than a distant thought.