Magnus clenched his fist tightly, his eyes glowing an intense white. Like the other race paragons, he did nothing. It would be futile.
A frown appeared on both Luminous and Thorne's faces. Though they truly didn't like the boy, they were bound by contract to do everything in their power to protect him.
Should his life be in danger, they might have to go on a rampage here—an action that would surely spell their doom.
Seraphina gently placed a hand on Magnus's shoulder. The apexes' display of strength had been overwhelming, but unfortunately, there was no time to reflect on it. The current situation was far more pressing.
"It's not your fault," she said softly.
But Magnus's fist only clenched tighter.
No matter what anyone said, he had been the one to ask Atticus to participate in the Nexus. He had great faith in the boy's abilities, but life was full of uncertainties, and this situation only served to prove that fact.
As he stared at the large blank screen, Magnus made a silent vow.
If his boy's life was in danger, even if he had to pierce the very fabric of reality, he would reach him.
He would not lose another.
…
The world had gone utterly quiet.
Aside from the paragons, the masses were still unaware of the situation.
From the coliseum to the human domain and to every corner of the races' domains watching the Nexus, there was only silence.
A group of teenagers had destroyed an entire planet.
This thought echoed endlessly in everyone's mind. It was as though they were all struggling to comprehend the sheer absurdity of it.
They had known the apexes were strong, but this was beyond comprehension.
Even the Ravenstein estate and the White Omen Division at the academy were silent. Everyone who knew Atticus was overwhelmed by a wave of shock.
This was power on an entirely different level.
Soon, however, doubt began to creep through the human domain. The screen remained blank, and considering the force of that explosion, could their apex—a human—really have survived?
Though he had demonstrated overwhelming strength and reached the center just as quickly as the others, the humans couldn't help but feel uncertainty. They were too used to disappointment.
Perhaps the reason their screen was still blank was because their apex had lost?
But that soon changed. Suddenly, the screen flickered.
A figure appeared on the screen—calm, steady.
With piercing eyes and a flawless face, as though carved by the gods, a black suit clung to his frame like a second skin, and his snowy white hair flowed backward as if caught in an invisible breeze.
His attire had changed, but there was no mistaking that face.
Atticus Ravenstein.
It took a moment, as though the entire human domain was waiting to process what they were seeing.
And in the next moment, they erupted into a deafening cheer that shook the entire domain.
People leaped from their seats, roaring at the top of their lungs.
WOAHHHHHH!!!
Their apex was still in the Nexus!
And best of all—there wasn't a single scratch on him.
All acrossw Eldoralth, similar scenes played out. Every race cheered the moment their apex appeared on screen.
The competition had only just begun!
….
The heat was scorching. As soon as he could, Atticus opened his eyes and quickly scanned his surroundings.
He was in some sort of fiery world—Hell.
Molten rivers snaked through the jagged terrain, and the distant rumbling of volcanic activity reached his ears, as geysers of lava sporadically shot up into the sky.
The air was thick with smoke and ash, making the sky above glow an ominous red.
'This is the second part of the event—huh?'
Atticus' thoughts were suddenly interrupted as he felt something encroaching on his mind. 'This again? Ah, so this was their plan...'
It all made sense now. The superior apexes had decided to turn the Verietega Nexus into a death match. Upon entering this world, Atticus had immediately noticed that a set of rules governed it.
No one could die.
So how did they plan to turn this into a death match? The question had crossed his mind.
But now he was getting his answer. Someone was trying to impose a rule change on him. The rules of this world were being altered. However, compared to the paragon who formed this dimension, this person's will was still lacking.
For the change to take effect, Atticus would have to accept it first.
'It's the Dimensari apex. But it looks like his will is lower or equal to mine. If I refuse, I'd be transported outside. But...'
Atticus's eyes became icy. He still believed this was the best opportunity to end everything once and for all.
He took a look at the new rule change:
- You cannot give up or surrender. Any losses automatically mean death.
Atticus took a deep breath and accepted.
…
In another location within the labyrinth, where the land was completely barren, Carion Valarius, the apex of the Dimensari race, narrowed his eyes.
'The humans?'
He was shocked. Carion had initiated the rule change not only to commence their death match but also to gauge which apexes posed a threat.
Aside from the Transmutari race's apex, the superior races had all resisted his will and needed to agree to the terms first. He had expected the mid and lower races to be unable to resist. Yet, out of them, one had.
The human apex.
"Atticus Ravenstein, huh..." Carion muttered to himself.
---
After accepting the rule change, Atticus inspected himself once again and confirmed that he wasn't being limited in any way.
Now it was time to plan his next move.
'Who's my opponent?'
He gazed ahead and took note of the towering mountain with rivers of lava pouring down its slopes like growing veins.
'Up there.'
Atticus's hand moved to his katana. His breath was steady, his gaze calm as geysers of fire erupted around him.
Without hesitation, he surged forward, the molten landscape cracking under his speed as he raced up the mountain.
Soon enough, Atticus reached the peak, his gaze turning cold as his eyes landed on his opponent.
Draktharion Ignisyth, the apex of the Dragon race.