Level Up Legacy

His irises shook as he realized that each attack struck his weak points, instantly killing him. At that moment, the emperor\'s body was covered with goosebumps, and his hair stood with fear.

"Last flames?" muttered the emperor as he forced a smile to overshadow his fear. "That name… and that blessing… you are using what years you have left to live as a price. You damn maniac. You plan to die!"

"That has never been a secret," said Lyle as he materialized behind the emperor, his hand clinching the Mantra Sword tightly. "You are the weak human, emperor. Stealing can only grant you pseudo-strength, but it can never match mine."

"You borrowed strength too, damn hypocrite," said the emperor as he gritted his teeth and jumped away in fear. His hair has turned disheveled as his life force reignited. "If not for that woman, I would have killed you a million times."

"The one I borrowed is only necessary to restrain my strength," said Lyle as green flames covered his body. "If not, then I might burn the world to ashes."

As he announced those domineering words, his flames flared like the last explosion before a candle went out. The emperor staggered back in fear before looking behind him with dread. His expression sought out someone from the void, and a sigh answered him.

"You are still too immature, Joseph," said a voice from the void as the barrier rippled and cracks started spreading across space. "Despite wielding unparalleled strength, your technique is still lacking."

Although the newcomer spoke softly, his voice penetrated the arena with authority. Cracks spread across the sky, making the mana-less zone shake. However, Lyle never restrained his attack and stomped on the ground hard enough to cause a ripple across the pavement.

"This is the end," said Lyle as he bolted forward, his body creating a sonic bomb that deafened the crowd. His body turned into a mirage that could be seen through as it reached the emperor\'s neck.

Shaken to the core, Joseph the Strategic couldn\'t even move in time to save himself. The sword struck his neck, passing through it and severing his head to send it flying. However, Lyle did not stop and attacked again, hitting his heart.

Lyle attacked the emperor repeatedly, making sure that he wouldn\'t regenerate. However, as his hundredth attack was about to land, it was caught by two fingers. His strength dissipated as Lyle felt like he had struck a mountain, forcing him to snap out of his rage and jump backward.

"You are not bad, kid. I would rather have you for a son than this useless failure," said the old man who appeared beside the Light Emperor. His head was bald, and wrinkles covered his face, but his body was lined with muscles. "However, I cannot let you end my bloodline here."

"…who are you?" asked Lyle, although he already knew the answer. The old man in front of him looked like a colossal mountain rather than a human, even though no mana could be felt from him.

"Am I that old that people have forgotten how I look?" said the old man with a smile as he pulled on his beard. "It matters not. I never fight someone unless I tell them my name, so the world knows who defeated them. My name is Osian Voldor, the Invincible."

"People assumed that you were dead."

"It gives me more time to seek higher realms," said Osian as he cupped his hands behind his back. "I admire your resolve, kid. I do. However, I cannot let you kill my son. He still has a mission to fulfill."

"And when did I ask for permission?"

"Haha," Osian laughed before he squinted his eyes at Lyle. "I wasn\'t requesting it either. I wanted this day to be a good learning experience for my son, but it seems he is still unfit for battle."

"You might end up dying here, old man," said Lyle as his flames flickered. "It might\'ve been wiser to hide and watch this tragedy than become a part of it."

"Is that so?" said Osian with a smile as he raised his hand. "Would you act this arrogant without mana? That little armor of yours is impressive, but it cannot protect you from me. Even that astral flame of yours… shall disappear."

Osian clenched his fist while aiming it at Lyle, but nothing changed. A few seconds passed as the crowd watched with confusion, which Osian soon felt. Lyle stood there without a hint of distress, and his flames were still ablaze.

"How can this be ineffective?" muttered Osian with confusion as he tried again, but nothing changed. "No one in this world can stand against my ability, not even the creator himself."

"I was wondering about that too earlier, too," said Lyle as he raised his hand and clenched it. "I don\'t feel any different than usual, and it might not be the armor. Tell me, Osian. How can you use mana inside this barrier?"

"…"

Osian was silent as Lyle took off his armor and turned his hand into a gale of wind. He smiled at the familiar feeling before turning toward Osian.

"As I figured, the stealer of elements cannot steal from his blood," said Lyle with a disgusted smile. "I truly wish this isn\'t the reason, but even if it is, it can be the irony that kills you."

"Are you saying that my blood runs through your veins?" asked Osian with confusion. "Are you Joseph\'s bastard son?"

"I would have killed myself long ago if I was," said Lyle as he let go of his armor, dropping it on the ground. Then, he started walking forward while raising his sword. "I am the forgotten daughter\'s son."

"Forgotten?" muttered Osian with confusion as Lyle rushed toward him. "Even if you have your mana, I can still crush you."

Osian was not bluffing as he used his fist to strike empty air, but it was more than an intimidating gesture. The world broke like glass and fell apart as the plaza collapsed. Lyle jumped over the destruction, flying toward Osian.

The ground beneath them started to disintegrate into nothingness before being sucked into Osian\'s fist. Then, he used his other fist to strike at Lyle to send him flying.

Lyle felt like a mountain had struck him, and the pressure coming from the attack slammed him to the tilting ground. Osian started absorbing everything around him as he bolted toward Lyle, kicking his chest and pinning him.

"Who is going to save you now, kid?"

Lyle found himself unable to turn into flames, as the foot holding him down acted like a black hole that sucked him inward. He struggled as he was being crushed under the colossal foot.

At that moment, radiant light exploded from the execution platform, which also tilted. Osian frowned as he turned toward it to find golden light had covered the plaza.

"Is the creator here?" muttered Osian with confusion. "That cannot be. Cassius is guarding the exit, so we should have more time even if he breaks out of prison."

The golden light from a distance didn\'t seem threatening but healing. Osian stared into the distance with confusion, allowing Lyle to use whatever strength he had to break free and turn into the wind.

The execution platform was now tilted sideways as a giant crater appeared in the middle of the plaza. The rebels and fallen beings all fell victim to the destruction and had to reposition themselves atop the destruction.

Lyle rematerialized in the middle of the crater, his chest heaving to breathe in air. As he stared at the platform, he saw Ai basking in golden light with Layla floating beside her. His lips trembled before he pressed them together.

"That woman holds a part of the creator\'s powers," said Osian as he descended a distance away from him. "However, not even the creator can use his powers here. How can she…?"

As if to answer his confusion, abilities flared up left and right as mana reappeared within the plaza. The rebels cheered as their strength returned and resumed their fight against the fallen beings, finally starting to push them back.

"Your family has more enemies than you think, Osian," said Lyle as he stared at the scene. "There will always be people working against you from the shadows."

The barrier started flickering as the arrays were disturbed. Osian stared at the change before a smile appeared on his face. Then, he stretched his body as he took a stance.

"It seems I need to end this now."