3 The level of an elite-level Dragon-type Pokémon

The evening settled in gently, with the twilight casting its orange hues over Cinnabar Island. The trainers' gathering in the arena unfolded as planned, featuring lively exchanges about recent battles and shared advice among participants. Once the meeting concluded, I headed outside, where Jordan awaited our battle.

The starlight faintly illuminated the arena, creating a mystical atmosphere. All around the arena, red and orange eyes with reptilian pupils fixed on us from stone pillars, emitting low growls.

Jordan stood ready, his determined gaze fixed on me. "Sir, I'm ready to take on the challenge. This time, you won't have it as easy."

I smiled at him, then put my hand to my mouth to whistle.

SSIIIIIIIIIII

A shrill sound echoed in the arena, silencing all the surrounding dragons, their eyes fixed on the person who had just whistled.

FLAP FLAP

The sound of wings flapping was heard. One of the Pokémon perched on a pillar rose and descended to join me.

"AAAltaaa." An Altaria with a gentle expression landed in the arena. It was Mavis.

"Flygon, show them our training," Jordan commanded. A formidable Flygon emerged from its Poké Ball, impressive but still slightly inferior to Zero in terms of dominating the air, muscular presence, or even the beauty of the Pokémon.

"No need for chit-chat. Let's begin. Mavis, use Moonblast!"

Mavis unfolded her majestic wings and began to glow with a soft radiance.

The luminous sphere took shape in front of Mavis, then swiftly headed towards Flygon, infused with fairy power. Moonblast, super effective against dragons, hit Flygon head-on, dealing considerable damage.

Jordan reacted quickly but still a bit too late. "Flygon, protect yourself with Protect!" Flygon gritted its teeth and formed a protective shield, minimizing the impact of Moonblast, but it was evident that it was already in difficulty.

"Cotton Guard."

Mavis halted her fairy-type attack and followed up with Cotton Guard to further strengthen her defense. Soft and protective cotton surrounded Mavis, creating an additional barrier.

"Flygon, Dragon Dance! Increase your speed and counter with Dragon Claw!" commanded Jordan. Flygon performed the Dragon Dance, boosting its speed, then charged towards Mavis with a Dragon Claw, leaving a trail of dust behind. However, Mavis skillfully dodged the attack and found herself behind Flygon, just above him.

"Dragon Pulse, embed him in the ground," I ordered. No need to let Flygon reorient towards us.

Mavis responded with a devastating Dragon Pulse. Draconic energies swirled around Altaria, then concentrated into a powerful beam that struck Flygon. The damage caused by the attack was significant, crushing him into the ground, further compromising Flygon's resistance.

Jordan, unwilling to give up, attempted a counterattack. "Flygon, use Rock Slide!"

Flygon rose to its feet to face the disdainful gaze of Mavis, who had ascended higher into the sky. Although naturally gentle, Mavis had adopted some traits from the other wild Pokémon that make up my team. Rocks rose into the air before falling violently onto Mavis. However, despite being a super effective hit, thanks to Cotton Guard, she easily absorbed the damage with reinforced defense and gracefully flew as if nothing had happened.

"We won't back down. Ice Beam!"

"Flygon, Dragon Claw."

"The icy beam shot out from her mouth, hitting Flygon head-on. The impact was so intense that Flygon cried out in pain, but it clung to its last strand of consciousness before charging at Mavis and striking her with a Dragon Claw. Mavis, affected, recoiled slightly from the impact, then unleashed a Dragon Pulse, pinning Flygon to the ground and rendering it incapacitated. Victorious but still sporting an air of disdain, she descended elegantly to the ground.

"Altariaaa." Mavis sought a hug as a reward for the effort she had to exert to defeat her opponent, without sparing a glance at Jordan's Flygon.

I gently took her in my arms, acknowledging her bravery. However, once the emotions of the battle dissipated, I turned to Flygon, lying on the ground. Jordan, his trainer, looked at him with an expression mixed with disappointment for not being able to land any significant blows and concern for his condition. Mavis, carefree, continued to savor her victory.

"Mavis, stay focused. When an opponent is in front of you, you must show respect," I explained gently, stroking her neck. She turned to look at Jordan, displaying a contemptuous look for a few seconds before showing affection towards me.

I sighed at her disdainful attitude.

"Jordan, send out your second Pokémon, and you, Mavis, get back into position." I saw Jordan in deep thought about his choice of the second Pokémon before looking at me with determination.

"All right, Exeggutor, go!" A tall, bipedal Pokémon that resembled a coconut tree appeared. Exeggutor had three pale yellow heads resembling coconuts, each displaying a different facial expression.

"Mavis, Ice Beam."

Mavis, faithful to my orders, unleashed another Ice Beam towards Exeggutor. However, this plant Pokémon wouldn't go down so easily. Jordan had evidently prepared Exeggutor for this confrontation.

"Exeggutor, dodge, use Double Team, then use Trick Room to disrupt her attacks!"

Exeggutor multiplied into about twenty Exeggutors, causing the Ice Beam to miss. The three heads of Exeggutor emitted strange waves, creating a distortion in the space around him. Mavis's attacks seemed slightly altered, making their precision more difficult.

"Now, use Light Screen to strengthen your defense!"

Exeggutor emitted a protective glow, forming a light wall around him. Mavis shattered all the other reflections with Exeggutor's Ice Beam, but the real one remained untouched.

"Calm Mind, Exeggutor, strengthen your mind!"

Taking advantage of Mavis being distracted by the reflections, Exeggutor focused its psychic energy, strengthening its mental resistance, allowing for an increase in its special attack and defense. Mavis began to show signs of frustration at the tenacity of Exeggutor and her inability to land a hit.

"Keep going, Mavis, don't let yourself be destabilized. Ice Beam!"

Mavis tried Ice Beam again, but Exeggutor, benefiting from the protection of its Light Screen, managed to dodge the attack this time, using the distortion to run at an incredible speed. Jordan smiled, seeing that his Pokémon was holding its own against Mavis's assault.

"Exeggutor, use Psychic!"

Exeggutor came to a sudden stop, leaving marks on the ground, then focused on Mavis. Its eyes shone with intense psychic light, and it released a powerful mental wave towards my Altaria. Mavis, disturbed by the previous Distortion, was hit by the psychic attack and was controlled in the air before being thrown to the ground.

"Mavis, pull yourself together," I told her as she got up with a flap of her wings, looking annoyed at having dirtied them.

Jordan seized the opportunity. "Ancient Power, Exeggutor!"

Exeggutor released ancient energy, summoning stones surrounded by mysterious energy. Mavis, still under the effects of Distortion, struggled to anticipate the attack and was hit head-on.

Despite the difficulties, Mavis regained her determination when the effects of the distortion disappeared. "Mavis, focus! Use Dragon Pulse!"

Mavis, determined to regain control of the battle, concentrated powerful draconic energy. Energies swirled around her, forming a devastating Dragon Pulse. The attack charged towards Exeggutor, tearing through the air with its imposing force, but its power was reduced thanks to the support of Light Screen.

Exeggutor, though resilient, couldn't dodge this attack. The Dragon Pulse hit him head-on, sending him backward. The three heads of Exeggutor expressed momentary surprise, destabilized by the power of the attack despite its prepared defense.

"Mavis, don't stop! Follow up with Ice Beam!"

Mavis, still in motion, unleashed a quick and precise Ice Beam. The icy attack struck Exeggutor with deadly accuracy, taking advantage of its previous weaknesses, freezing it to the ground. The combined effects of Dragon Pulse and Ice Beam significantly weakened Exeggutor, with its feet stuck, preventing it from moving.

Aware of the situation, Jordan grew concerned. "Exeggutor, hold on! Use Protect!"

Exeggutor tried to reinforce its defense with Protect, but the combined power of Mavis's attacks was too great. Mavis continued to attack relentlessly, giving Exeggutor no respite and leaving it breathless.

"Take advantage of the fact that he's stuck. Cotton Guard, Mavis, strengthen your defense for the next opponent and finish him with Outrage!"

"Exeggutor, Psychic, get out of there!"

Following my orders, Mavis surrounded her body with protective fluffy cotton using Cotton Guard. She observed Exeggutor from the air, then blue flames enveloped her, her eyes turned red, and she rushed towards Exeggutor.

Exeggutor finally managed to break free from the ice, but he saw Altaria moving quickly in his direction.

"Exeggutor, Protect!" Jordan gritted his teeth before making a radical decision.

Exeggutor summoned a green protective bubble around him, shielding him from Altaria's first blow, which saw dust flying around them, demonstrating the power of the received impact. However, this shelter wouldn't last long. Once the second blow landed on the shield, Altaria paused slightly in her movements.

"Now, Exeggutor, Explosion!" Exeggutor canceled Protect, taking advantage of the brief moment of pause in Mavis's movements, then approached and exploded.

The explosion tore through the air, enveloping Mavis and Exeggutor in a whirlwind of destructive power. Debris flew in all directions, momentarily obscuring the view of the scene. The smoke began to dissipate, revealing the extent of the damage.

Exeggutor, exhausted by the effort, lay on the ground, evidently unable to continue the battle. Mavis, though affected by the explosion, still stood, showing indomitable determination. The cotton of Cotton Guard had partially protected her from the damage, and the explosion had awakened her from her Outrage attack.

"You fought well, Exeggutor. Come back." Exeggutor glowed red and disappeared into its Poké Ball.

Mavis looked at Jordan with a more serious and slightly annoyed expression.

"Well, Mavis, it seems you're starting to acknowledge me," he smiled in a somewhat bitter manner.

"Come on, Altaria, this time, we'll get it."

An Altaria appeared, signaling a battle between two Altaria.

Jordan's new Altaria emerged gracefully, spreading its majestic wings, albeit slightly smaller. On Mavis's side, she seemed ready to take on the challenge, a mix of affection and determination in her gaze.

"Altaria, let's use a different strategy this time. Go for Dragon Pulse!" Jordan confidently commanded.

The new Altaria focused draconic energy, swirling it around with its wings before sending a powerful Dragon Pulse toward Mavis.

"You're bold, Jordan, using Mavis's son against her. Mavis, show him what a real Dragon Pulse is!" I chuckled before giving my own command in response.

Mavis skillfully dodged the opponent's Dragon Pulse, showcasing impressive agility and speed. She then countered with her own more potent Dragon Pulse, creating an explosion of draconic energies on Jordan's Altaria, despite it being her son. In a battle, all bets are off, and she would crush him as needed.

Jordan smiled, appreciating the dynamics of the battle. "Not bad at all. Altaria, let's use Moonblast now!"

The opposing Altaria emerged from the smoke caused by the explosion, gained altitude, and prepared to unleash a powerful Moonblast, exploiting Mavis's weakness.

This Altaria is impressive, shrugging off a super-effective hit as if it was nothing. However, I know Mavis is stronger.

"Mavis, use Ice Beam to counter!" Mavis reacted instantly, releasing a beam of ice toward the incoming Moonblast.

The battlefield illuminated by the brilliance of light and ice created by the collision of attacks was a breathtaking sight. The pink crystal formed by the mixture of Moonblast and Ice Beam reflected the light from the eyes of the surrounding dragons, creating a unique yet unsettling atmosphere for them.

The dragons around the arena seemed restless, uneasy about this fairy energy spreading. Their reptilian eyes expressed discomfort with the pink light piercing through the darkness. However, this did not impact the course of the battle between Mavis and the opposing Altaria.

The clash of attacks had created a shockwave that slowly dissipated, revealing the two Pokémon in the middle of the arena.

Both Altaria, Mavis, and the opposing Altaria, were high in the sky, ready to engage in an intense aerial battle. The wind whistled around them, adding a dynamic dimension to their duel in the starry skies.

Determined, Mavis flapped her majestic wings, releasing a piercing cry that echoed in the night air. The opposing Altaria, responding with equal determination, spread its fluffy wings and prepared for the assault.

"Continue with Dragon Claw, Mavis, don't let them catch their breath!" I shouted.

"You too, Altaria," Jordan responded immediately.

Mavis dove towards the opposing Altaria, draconic claws shining with a powerful green glow. The opposing Altaria, not to be outdone, rushed toward Mavis, ready for the showdown. The two Pokémon engaged in an aerial ballet, exchanging Dragon Claw attacks with agility.

Their claws clashed, creating bright sparks in the starry night. The cries of the two Altaria echoed, each seeking to gain the upper hand over the other. Mavis dominated the duel, but the opposing Altaria resisted well, avoiding being hit even once.

"Suddenly, Dragon Tail," I announced, preventing the tight struggle from dragging on.

Mavis turned around, using Dragon Tail to strike the opposing Altaria directly from behind. The opposing Altaria staggered for a moment but retaliated with a similar attack that Mavis unfortunately dodged. The two Pokémon, agile in the air, continued to fiercely clash.

"Now, Ice Beam, Mavis!" I ordered.

"Dodge, then use Flamethrower," said Jordan.

Mavis opened her beak, unleashing a powerful beam of ice towards the opposing Altaria. The icy attack cut through the air, but the opposing Altaria skillfully dodged by performing an aerial spin.

In response, the opposing Altaria unleashed a Flamethrower, projecting fiery flames towards Mavis. However, Mavis agilely dodged by performing a series of graceful movements in the air.

"Dragon Pulse, Mavis."

"Brave Bird."

The two Pokémon, determined not to let the other gain the upper hand, faced each other in the night sky. The Dragon Pulse and Brave Bird attacks were triggered simultaneously, creating a dazzling display of draconic power and speed.

The aerial battle between the two Altaria reached its climax, with powerful attacks, skillful evasions, and unwavering determination. The dragon spectators observed the celestial spectacle in silence, witnessing this fierce battle between two mighty and majestic flying dragons.

"All right, this battle is dragging on, Mavis. Stop playing around, Dazzling Gleam, burst mode," I commanded, admiring her airborne combat and acrobatics that made the battle beautiful to watch but also seemingly endless.

Altaria pouted for a moment, then nodded. Suddenly, the atmosphere around Altaria changed. Its eyes sharpened, a blue spark of electrical energy escaped its eyes, and a wild aura began to emanate from it. Some dragons roared with excitement, including a certain Salamence eager to witness the spectacle that would follow.

"Don't let it happen, use Brave Bird, Altaria," Jordan ordered, determined not to let Mavis act, giving a quick command.

Mavis's eyes gleamed with a manic, wild light as she prepared for the next phase of the battle. A dazzling gleam of devastating intensity erupted in front of her, transforming into a deadly shower of luminous shards. Without hesitation, Mavis unleashed this almost lethal burst of energy on Altaria.

The dazzling gleam shards struck Altaria with unprecedented violence, tearing through the air around them. Each impact was like an explosion of power, ripping feathers and pulverizing Altaria's remaining energy. The sky became a canvas of luminous flashes, emphasizing the cruelty of this aerial duel.

Altaria, already weakened, was now trapped, attempting to gain distance from Mavis but caught in a devastating storm of energy. The cries of Altaria were drowned in the roar of the dazzling gleam shards piercing the darkness. Feathers scattered in all directions, forming a cloud of luminous debris around the battle.

"Altaria, snap out of it, dodge!" Jordan ordered, swinging his arm anxiously.

Mavis, in a macabre dance through the rain of light, ruthlessly continued her assault. The back, wings, head, belly—every part of Altaria's body was precisely targeted. If Mavis found herself in an angle preventing her from reaching a particular body part, she effortlessly moved to get a better aim.

Her silhouette had turned into an avenging angelic shadow, dominated by the fury of the dazzling gleam shards that tore through the enemy Altaria mercilessly, not allowing it even a few seconds to stabilize in the air.

The surrounding dragons became silent spectators, seemingly blinking in awe at this brutal display of power.

Altaria, in the grip of unspeakable agony, plummeted heavily toward the ground, leaving behind only a mass of shredded feathers and a striking silhouette of vulnerability.

Mavis finally stopped, descending slowly, her eyes still glowing with a wild light, ready for Jordan's last Pokémon. Jordan stood there, gaping, faced with the unexpected devastation that Mavis had inflicted on his Pokémon.

"You only have your Starter left, if I'm not mistaken. I'll be waiting for you," I smiled, revealing the power of an elite-level Pokémon. All around, the dragons roared in encouragement to Altaria; the demonstrated power was awe-inspiring.

In reality, Mavis surpassed elite-level Pokémon, although she was still slightly below a champion-level Pokémon. However, with good commands, she could win, even against an opponent of that caliber—it all depended on me.

"You fought well, Altaria, come back." A red light enveloped the struggling Altaria and then disappeared.

"You're right, I only have my Starter left. Charizard, I choose you." The massive and muscular body of Charizard was revealed, displaying an imposing silhouette. Its wings, dragon-like, were red with membranes connecting to its forelimbs, adorned with sharp claws. Its head was crowned with pointed horns rising on each side of its face, and its piercing blue eyes conveyed intelligence and determination. A persistent flame burned at the end of its tail, adding a spectacular touch to its already intimidating appearance.

"Hey, Charizard, I hope you're ready to get trounced." I smiled, ready to finish this and go to bed. It was a good fight, but now that I've asked Mavis to be serious, she won't leave that state until all opponents are knocked out.

He snorted at my remark but quickly focused on Altaria, feeling a heavy pressure from it.

I'm quite proud of myself. This state, which I've almost managed to induce in each of my Pokémon from Team A, is called "The Zone." I drew inspiration from Kuroko no Basket for this. During my journey, I practiced some sports where I would get so focused that I wouldn't think about anything else. It made me laugh, or I'd crack a joke to myself about entering "The Zone," and that's when it clicked.

I gaze at Mavis, immersed in The Zone, her heightened senses capturing every nuance of her surroundings. It's time to show them what it means to be a true monster.

"Charizard, Flare Blitz!" Jordan commands, opting for an immediate aggressive approach, not wanting to give Mavis the chance to understand what's coming.

In response, Charizard ignites with a fiery aura, preparing for the charge. The power of the attack is palpable in the air, and even in her state of maximum concentration, Mavis begins to feel the intensity of the imminent assault.

"As soon as he approaches, evade, tire him out by making him chain attacks, stay close to his moves but don't get hit," I have confidence in Mavis—even at close quarters, she won't get hit.

Mavis remains calm. Her wings beat with calculated precision, adjusting her position in the air. In The Zone, she anticipates every movement, every subtle fluctuation in the atmosphere. My orders resonate in her mind, a determined echo guiding her in this deadly dance.

Charizard launches itself, a trail of flames behind it, charging towards Mavis with uncontrollable ferocity. The impact is brutal, but Mavis, in a display of superior grace, evades with disconcerting agility. The flames graze her feathers, but her concentration remains unshaken.

In this superhuman mental state, Mavis seems to dance with the flames, dodging each assault with almost supernatural precision. Her flight becomes a hypnotic ballet, a demonstration of grace and total mastery. As Charizard continues its attacks, Mavis unveils her true power in The Zone. Charizard's strikes slow down, and the flames around him begin to diminish as he becomes slightly winded—a risk of using such a massive attack early in the battle.

"Good, Dragon Claw," I smile as I command.

In a burst of determination, Mavis, immersed in The Zone, releases brutal and overwhelming aggression. Charizard, still recovering from its previous attack, suddenly finds itself overwhelmed by Mavis's fury.

"Altaria!" roars Mavis, her eyes glowing with a wild gleam. She swoops down on Charizard with lightning speed, unleashing a series of fierce attacks. The Dragon Claws fall like razor-sharp blades, tearing through the air with dazzling swiftness. Charizard endures the attacks, unable to avoid them, being too close to her.

"Charizard, Dragon Breath, get away from her," Jordan orders, trying to regain control of the situation as he realizes he's starting to lose ground.

Charizard absorbed the blows and then exhaled blue flames, forcing Mavis to step back to avoid getting hit.

Now that Mavis has distanced herself, continuing with physical attacks is pointless. "Dazzling Gleam, Mavis," I command, my eyes fixed on the battlefield, trying to anticipate Charizard's next move.

Without giving Charizard any respite, Mavis, just a short distance away, follows up with a devastating Dazzling Gleam. Luminous shards shoot in all directions, ruthlessly targeting Charizard. The explosions of light create a dazzling halo around the duel, bearing witness to Mavis's incredible power, determined to crush her opponent without any compromise.

The battlefield was enveloped in a dazzling light as Mavis's magical shards rained down on Charizard with unparalleled intensity. The bursts of light created an almost surreal spectacle, marking the fierce battle between the two Pokémon.

"Flare Blitz, don't let her finish you, Charizard!" Jordan shouted with all his might, trying to think of a way to disrupt Mavis's rhythm.

Charizard, despite the constant pressure, showed remarkable resilience. Flames covered him, partially eclipsing the Dazzling Gleam targeting him, and he demonstrated resistance by striking down each approaching attack. Every movement of Charizard was calculated, every dodge demonstrated his exceptional agility, and every explosion showcased his strength and determination to fight.

However, Mavis's unstoppable power persisted. The dazzling gleam left trails of light in its wake, shaking Charizard despite his tenacious defense. The battle reached its climax, each attack becoming a duel between sheer brute force and fierce determination.

Eventually, after an intense exchange, Charizard showed signs of fatigue. The flames on his tail flickered slightly, revealing the exhaustion of his energy reserves. Mavis, on the other hand, still seemed ready for more, her wings beating with impressive regularity.

"It's time to finish this, Hyper Beam," I shaped my hands like a gun, aimed at the opposing Charizard, and bang.

"Altariaaa!" Mavis roared one last time, unleashing a final Hyper Beam. The light engulfed Charizard, marking the end of the battle. When the brightness subsided, Charizard, exhausted, collapsed to the ground.

As Charizard tried to get up, Mavis, in a state of ultra-aggressiveness, prepared for what came next. Her gaze allowed no room for mercy, and she was ready to crush her opponent without the slightest hesitation. Charizard, though powerful, found himself overwhelmed by Mavis's relentless fury, revealing the true nature of this unleashed dragoness in The Zone.

"Mavis, calm down." I stepped onto the battlefield and clapped once to awaken Mavis from her trance. The blue electric spark around her eyes dissipated, and she turned her gaze toward me. She was slightly out of breath, not because the battle had tired her, but because using The Zone was extremely taxing, even for Pokémon. Utilizing 100% of their physical abilities pushed to the maximum is extremely demanding.

"You fought well. You deserve a well-earned rest." I gently stroked her neck, an action she particularly enjoyed, before recalling her into her Pokéball.

"It seems you've lost, Jordan," I commented as I approached him.

"It appears so, yes." Jordan approached his Charizard. I did the same to attend to the Pokémon at his side; its right eye was closed, and its wing was burnt. It couldn't get back up, proof of the brutality of my Pokémon's attacks.

"Well, it seems Mavis didn't hold back." A bitter smile appeared on Jordan's face as he looked at his Charizard, in a sorry state, on the verge of falling unconscious.

"Yes, your Altaria and Charizard will likely need at least a week, if not more, of rest. The only ones who came out relatively unscathed are your Flygon and Exeggutor. Mavis didn't have to go all out at the beginning of the battle." I looked at the poor Charizard, completely crushed, though in my mind, I felt a sense of satisfaction at the victory.

"I don't know if they'd be happy to hear you say that," Jordan caressed his Charizard before recalling it into its Pokéball.

"Thank you, sir, for this battle." Jordan extended his hand for a handshake.

"I've already told you to call me Azurion." I shook his hand, giving him a sideways glance. This guy was four years older than me, and he called me "sir." It was strange. At the very least, he could call me "young master"; that would make me feel special.

"Sir, do you have any advice for me? The fact that I still can't defeat any of your Pokémon means I'm still far from reaching the required level."

"So, you seek advice from the Grand Master that I am. It seems, with your eyes, you can recognize Mount Tai," I said, rubbing my imaginary Chinese beard.

He looked at me, not at all fazed, as if making jokes only I understood was a normal thing.

"Well, first and foremost, as a Dragon-type specialist, I'd advise you to teach your Pokémon a diverse set of moves. This will enable them to adapt to different situations and catch opponents off guard. A good mix of physical and special moves can make a difference in a battle," I paused, thinking about how to explain it more precisely.

"You see, Dragon-type Pokémon are extremely powerful. Every move they possess can be a source of destruction." He nodded.

"For other specialists, it's better to have between 4 and 5 moves that your Pokémon masters perfectly. But for Dragon-type specialists, it's different. Every move your Pokémon learns will be extremely powerful and effective with very little training. So, teach it as many moves as it can handle, even if it's just a bit. For other types, being good everywhere but excellent nowhere is a bad idea, but for Dragon-type, it's a different story," I looked at him with realization.

"Today, facing you, I used quite a few moves. Ice Beam was effective against almost all your Pokémon. I paired it with a Fairy-type move, and the rest was superfluous, I could have done without it. Having a different array of choices allows you to maximize the abilities of Dragon-types. It's one of our most significant advantages," I said, smiling.

As my advice lingered in the night air, a sudden crash shook the arena. An explosion rang out, followed by a shockwave that trembled the ground beneath our feet. The glowing red aftermath briefly illuminated the surrounding darkness, creating a tense atmosphere.

"What's happening?" Jordan asked, his gaze scanning the horizon for answers.

Thick smoke rose from a specific point in the arena, drawing the attention of nearby civilians. Some residents emerged from their homes to observe the scene, displaying knowing smiles before returning indoors.

While I looked at a part of my arena engulfed in budding flames with a neutral expression, Jordan burst into laughter, aware of the identity of the perpetrator of this incident.

"It seems the old man is back," I murmured, exchanging a significant look with Jordan. We both knew who we were dealing with.