Chapter 452: Is that even legal?
(Lewis Hamilton Arena, The Battlefield, Leo’s POV)
*BOOM*
The instant Veyr vanished, Leo’s heart skipped a beat.
The very air around him warped from the sheer pressure of compressed mana, as a blinding silver arc erupted toward him from the distance, tearing across the battlefield like a blade forged from the wrath of heaven itself.
’That’s it... he’s using it—’
[Final Slash]
’I can take this on, right?’
Leo questioned himself, as the attack came at him with an incredible strength that he did not expect from an opponent only a single tier higher than him.
[Celestial Veil]
Leo’s fingers clenched instinctively, as his breath sharpened.
An invisible shimmer flared to life around his body, forming a dome of translucent armor that glowed with powerful energy.
*KABOOM*
The moment Veyr’s slash connected, the impact was deafening.
The entire arena shook as Leo was consumed in a silvery storm, the crowd gasping as dust and debris kicked up around the epicenter of the collision.
His [Celestial Veil] held strong at first, its radiant surface absorbing the brunt of the energy with an almost arrogant confidence.
But then, fractures began to form.
Tiny at first.
Hairline, splinter-thin.
Then wider.
And wider.
And wider still.
’Well fuck, this is undoubtedly the strongest attack I’ve ever faced—’ Leo gritted his teeth as his knees bent under the pressure. ’The barrier won’t hold...’
*SHATTER*
The barrier exploded in a brilliant burst of energy, shards of mana scattering in every direction like broken glass, as the lingering edge of [Final Slash] surged forward, hungry and unrelenting.
From across the field, Veyr’s eyes gleamed.
He saw the shield break.
He saw Leo defenseless.
He saw victory.
His lips curled with manic excitement. "It’s over!"
As above the arena, in the VIP stands, the Fourth Elder also mirrored the same emotion.
"It’s over.... I’ve seen the boy split entire mountains with this move, Skyshard is going to be torn in half—" The Fourth Elder said, as he leaned forward and gripped the arena railing with excitement, ready to jump into the battlefield and celebrate with Veyr once the fight was over.
Only to be stunned, when the silver light did not pierce Leo’s chest.
As at that moment, his smile froze.
Somehow, Veyr’s most powerful attack did not slice open Leo’s skull or sever his limbs.
Instead—
*CLANG*
A flash of white light rippled across Leo’s collarbone as his indestructible necklace reacted, activating its hidden function.
The necklace cast a hardened shield of indestructible metal around his upper torso like a second skin, as despite the attack’s best efforts, it failed to penetrate through the divine metal.
In the end, the remnant wave of [Final Slash] was stopped dead in its tracks, unable to land a scratch on Leo.
Nor form a dent in his armor.
.
.
.
The dust slowly settled.
The light dimmed.
The audience sat frozen in stunned disbelief.
Veyr blinked twice, confusion blooming across his face as the weight of the scene fully sank in. "No. That’s not... you shouldn’t be..."
His fists clenched.
His anger flared.
"You should be down on the floor choking on your own blood, what the fuck did you use to stop that? What is that liquid metal travelling across your body? Referee, is that even legal?" he asked Max, who only nodded in approval, that it was indeed legal, as Veyr let out a frustrated sigh.
*Sigh*
"More tricks Cuz, Disgusting fucking tricks.... I had nothing against you coming into this fight, but I can’t help but hate the way you fight," Veyr said, as Leo didn’t answer immediately.
He just exhaled.
His skin was drenched in sweat. His arms ached. His knees still shook from absorbing the brunt of the attack, but he was alive, and still very much in this fight.
’That was too close... The attack could have easily shattered my collarbone with how strong it was.
Thankfully I reduced its force using [Celestial Veil] or else I’d be toast.’
His eyes narrowed as he raised his gaze toward Veyr.
"You seem disappointed," Leo said at last, his voice calm, though there was a slight rasp in it.
"But they seem to love it." He said, as he pointed towards the crowd, who erupted in cheers.
*UPROAR*
The shockwave of noise slammed into the stadium walls, louder than before, as thousands of spectators jumped to their feet, shouting in disbelief and awe.
"WAYY TO GO SKYSHARD!"
"WHAT A FIGHT! MORE! SHOW US MORE!"
"How did Skyshard block that move?"
Even the commentators were at a loss.
"I—uh—Ladies and Gentlemen, I’m struggling to process what just happened," Dana stammered, eyes wide.
"That... that was [Final Slash], a move ranked as one of the strongest offensive attacks within the Cult’s inventory, and Leo somehow survived it unharmed.
By Lord, what is this kid made of?" Joe added, voice hushed in disbelief.
Veyr stared at Leo with wide, bloodshot eyes, his breathing ragged, heart pounding like a war drum.
That attack was supposed to be his ultimate move, his finishing strike, the fruit of a month of relentless training, but now it was ruined.
He had poured everything into that blow, and yet Leo still stood.
Still alive.
Still fighting.
And worst of all... he looked calm.
"Well, I’ve got to give it to you, when I came into this fight, I did not expect you to last so long against me.
But now that you are.... I can’t help but feel absolutely delighted!
Hahaha .... This is how it’s supposed to be.
Come on Cuz, show me what else you got!" Veyr said, as he clapped his chest with his free hand and encouraged Leo to keep pulling such moves.
A weaker willed opponent would have mentally crumbled when facing an opponent as frustrating as Leo.
However, Veyr was not a weak man.
Arrogant as he was, he wasn’t a coward, nor someone that shied away from a fight, and hence when Leo proved to be a worthy opponent, he was the first one to be glad.