Steam shot up as the fire and water collided, covering part of the arena in a thick cloud.

Dreamer squinted. "That neutralized both attacks. They're really reading each other now."

Before the steam could settle, Maxwell dashed through it—lightning flashing across his body. He swung down with a heavy overhead strike, fire trailing behind his blade.

Rhys barely blocked.

The impact pushed him back again.

"That's the third time Maxwell's forced Rhys off-balance," Fate noted. "Rhys can't let him control the tempo."

But Rhys recovered fast.

He stepped forward and unleashed Whirlwind Slash, a spinning strike boosted by wind mana. The air itself seemed to twist around his blade as he pushed the steam away and aimed directly at Maxwell.

Maxwell crossed his arms in front of himself and took the hit head-on. Wind blades cut across his uniform, leaving shallow marks.

"Oof—that one landed solid," Dreamer said. "Rhys's wind attacks hit harder than they look."

Maxwell shook off the damage with a sharp breath, then pointed his sword at Rhys again.

Lightning flickered.

Fire rose around him again.

"He's charging another burst," Fate said.

Rhys saw it too.

He lowered his stance and focused. His sword lit up with all four of his elements—water, fire, wind, and light—mixing unevenly but strongly.

Puddle floated behind him, gathering both light and dark mana in her small hands, watching Maxwell closely.

Maxwell sprinted in.

This time Rhys didn't wait.

He stepped forward first and unleashed Swift Cut, the wind-boosted slash snapping through the air with surprising speed.

Maxwell parried it—barely.

But Rhys followed it immediately.

Vertical Slash.

Water Blade.

Fireball shot at point-blank range.

Maxwell blocked the first two—but the Fireball hit his sword and exploded in his face, sending him stumbling backward.

"Big combo from Rhys!" Dreamer shouted. "That's the pressure he needed!"

Maxwell wiped soot from his cheek, breathing harder now. The earlier confidence in his eyes shifted into something sharper—focus, maybe even concern.

"Alright… no more holding back," he muttered.

His aura burst outward—fire rising, lightning crawling across his entire body.

Fate leaned closer to his mic. "This is Maxwell's real speed state. Rhys needs to be ready."

But Rhys wasn't backing down.

He lifted his sword again, and this time the multi-element glow around it grew stronger and steadier.

Puddle raised both hands, her spells ready.

The two fighters locked eyes across the arena.

Dreamer tightened his grip on the desk. "Here comes another clash."

Maxwell dashed.

Rhys charged.

Both of them moved faster than before—almost at the same instant.

They swung.

And the arena shook again as their blades met right in the center.

Fate leaned forward. "That clash was huge. Both of them put a lot of strength behind that swing."

The fighters were pushed apart by the force. Dust and small bits of stone scattered across the arena floor.

Maxwell didn't slow down.

He dashed forward again—lightning jumping off his arms. His movement was so fast it looked like he teleported.

Rhys reacted just in time. He brought up Mana Shield as Maxwell's flaming strike slammed against it. The shield cracked, but it held for a moment before shattering.

"That's bad," Fate said. "Rhys can't take too many hits like that. Maxwell's in full power mode now."

But Rhys didn't freeze.

He stepped back and used Magic Missile. Several small glowing shots fired quickly toward Maxwell.

Maxwell dodged most of them, but two hit his side. Tiny bursts of mana exploded against him.

"Good choice," Fate said. "Magic Missile is fast. It forced Maxwell to slow down."

Rhys didn't stop.

He followed up with a fast Water Jet Slash, using the extra reach to force Maxwell to move again.

Maxwell jumped over the attack and flipped in the air, sending a blast of fire downward.

Rhys rolled aside. The fire hit the arena and left a small crater.

"He's mixing both elements nonstop," Fate said. "Fire for power, lightning for speed. Rhys has to match that or break his rhythm."

Puddle flew closer to Rhys's shoulder.

"Light Shield!" she shouted.

A soft glow wrapped around Rhys's body.

Maxwell landed and instantly rushed forward again.

Their swords met in another clash—metal grinding, sparks flying.

Rhys pushed back with everything he had. His blade glowed with swirling colors—fire, water, wind, and light all mixed together.

Maxwell's sword burned with bright flame and crackled with lightning.

Both of them yelled as they pushed harder—

—and their blades finally slipped apart.

They both staggered back.

Dreamer tapped the desk. "They're getting tired. They've been going full power for a while now."

"But neither wants to slow down," Fate added. "One clean hit could decide the match."

Maxwell raised his sword again, breathing heavily but smiling. "Come on, Rhys! Don't tell me you're done!"

Rhys pointed his blade at him, panting. "Not even close."

Puddle floated behind him, her eyes glowing brighter. "Rhys, I'm ready!"

Fate nodded. "Puddle's preparing a spell. Rhys might try another combo."

The arena grew quiet again as the two fighters steadied their footing.

Maxwell crouched slightly.

Rhys tightened his grip.

Fate spoke quickly. "This is it. Both of them are getting ready for another all-out clash."

Maxwell burst forward first.

A streak of lightning shot across the floor as he closed the distance in an instant. Fire wrapped around his sword, heating the air around him.

Rhys rushed in too, matching his speed with wind boosting his steps.

They met in the middle again.

Their swords collided with a loud bang, sending another shockwave across the arena.

"This is getting dangerous," Fate said. "Both of them are putting everything into every hit."

Maxwell didn't back away. He slid his foot forward and tried to push through Rhys's guard with pure strength.

Rhys held on, gritting his teeth.

Puddle lifted her hands. "Shadow Tendrils!"

Dark vines shot across the ground and wrapped around Maxwell's ankles. He stumbled for half a second.

That was all Rhys needed.

He stepped in and used Swift Cut, the fast wind slash hitting Maxwell on the shoulder.

Maxwell hissed in pain and broke the tendrils with a burst of lightning.

Dreamer pointed at the screen. "That's the first solid hit Rhys has gotten in a while."

Maxwell shook off the pain and glared. "Fine. Then take this!"

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