The Grand Imperial Arena no longer resembled a battlefield prepared for an academy tournament.

It looked like the aftermath of a war between ancient rulers.

Massive fractures spread through the reinforced blackstone floor like spiderwebs carved by divine punishment. Rivers of molten stone glowed beneath shattered terrain, illuminating the arena in pulses of crimson and gold. The air itself trembled beneath unbearable heat, distorted by colliding waves of solar fire and sovereign flame that continuously devoured one another across the battlefield.

Above the arena, the barrier formations groaned under pressure.

Layer after layer of translucent defensive arrays shimmered overhead while imperial elders stood around the perimeter with raised hands, pouring spiritual energy into the failing structures. Ancient runes rotated desperately across the massive crystal pillars surrounding the arena, each one vibrating violently whenever another explosion erupted below.

And despite all of that—

The battle continued escalating.

The tens of thousands gathered within the arena could no longer speak casually. Earlier excitement and cheering had faded completely. Even the loudest nobles had fallen silent now, watching the battlefield with widened eyes and tense expressions.

Because what unfolded before them no longer resembled a normal semi-final.

This was a clash between monsters.

At the center of the burning battlefield, the Flame Sovereign Pup slowly stepped forward through the sea of crimson-gold fire.

Compared to the Golden War Lion and Lion’s partially fused draconic form, the Pup still appeared small.

Tiny, even.

And yet—

No one in the arena dared underestimate it anymore.

Not after the white-gold flame.

Not after the arena barriers cracked.

Not after the imperial prince himself had been forced backward publicly.

Every movement of the Flame Sovereign Pup now carried terrifying pressure.

The flames surrounding its body no longer behaved like ordinary elemental fire.

They moved with intention.

With authority.

With will.

Crimson-gold fire spiraled around the small beast like living ribbons of sunlight and molten magma fused together. Every step it took melted the reinforced arena floor beneath its paws. Ancient-looking flame patterns spread naturally behind it, appearing and disappearing within the burning terrain like forgotten runes awakening after centuries of slumber.

Its ember-like eyes glowed calmly.

Ancient.

Proud.

Absolute.

The moment its gaze lifted toward Lion, even the roaring battlefield seemed to quiet slightly.

Around the arena, countless spectators felt an instinctive chill despite the overwhelming heat.

"What... is happening to that beast?"

A young noble muttered the words unconsciously while gripping the railing before him tightly.

Beside him, an older beast master stared toward the battlefield with visible disbelief.

"It’s not just growing stronger," the man said slowly, his voice heavy with tension. "The battlefield itself is changing around it."

Elsewhere, several fire-attributed beasts among the audience lowered their heads instinctively.

Not out of fear.

Out of submission.

The sight alone caused another ripple of unease to spread through the crowd.

High above the arena, inside the imperial viewing platform, several elders exchanged grim expressions.

One elderly official narrowed his eyes as he observed the spreading crimson flames below.

"The flame hierarchy difference is becoming obvious now," he muttered.

Another elder frowned deeply.

"The Solar Drake’s fire is being suppressed instinctively. That shouldn’t be possible unless the opposing flame possesses superior authority."

"And yet it is happening."

Silence followed.

Because every one of them understood what that implied.

The Flame Sovereign Pup’s flames existed on a higher level.

Not simply stronger.

Superior.

On the battlefield itself, Lion felt it more clearly than anyone.

Golden flames wrapped around his partially fused body, but unlike earlier, those flames flickered unevenly now. Tiny distortions spread through the draconic energy coating his arms and shoulders whenever sovereign fire approached.

The Solar Drake fusion had begun destabilizing.

And Lion hated that feeling.

For the first time since the battle began, something was suppressing him directly.

Golden fire exploded outward around his body again as he stepped forward through the burning terrain. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

His expression remained composed, but the cold sharpness in his eyes intensified visibly.

"So," Lion said slowly, his voice carrying faint draconic resonance, "your beast finally decided to stop pretending."

Aether stood several meters away within the spreading sea of sovereign flames.

His black coat fluttered lightly from the pressure waves moving through the battlefield. Beneath the hidden locket at his chest, the Heaven Eye remained active, countless golden analysis threads moving across his vision continuously.

Energy flow.

Flame density.

Fusion instability.

Battlefield pressure.

Every variable unfolded within his calculations.

And the result became increasingly clear.

The Sovereign Flame was beginning to dominate the battlefield naturally.

Aether’s gaze remained calm as he answered.

"It was never pretending."

The Flame Sovereign Pup growled softly beside him.

The sound itself carried pressure.

Lion smiled faintly at that.

Not mockingly.

Excitedly.

"Good," he said. "Then show me how far that pride can truly go."

The next instant—

Golden draconic wings erupted behind him violently.

BOOOOM!!

Lion vanished from sight.

The battlefield exploded as his fist crashed through the space where Aether had stood moments earlier. Solar fire detonated outward in a spiraling shockwave that tore apart scorched terrain and launched molten debris into the air.

But Aether had already moved.

The Heaven Eye predicted the attack trajectory before Lion accelerated.

Crimson-gold fire swirled around Aether’s feet as he shifted sideways with precise timing. Simultaneously, the Flame Sovereign Pup lunged forward.

Its small body blurred through the burning battlefield.

Then—

CLAAAAANG!!

Golden claws collided against sovereign flame.

The Golden War Lion roared as it slammed downward with terrifying force, its massive claws igniting with royal golden energy. The impact shattered nearby terrain instantly.

But this time—

The Flame Sovereign Pup did not retreat.

Not even slightly.

Instead, crimson-gold fire erupted outward from its body in circular waves, colliding directly against the Golden War Lion’s pressure.

The air distorted violently.

Heatwaves exploded across the battlefield.

Then the impossible happened.

The Golden War Lion was pushed backward.

Its massive paws tore trenches through the reinforced arena floor as it slid several meters across the battlefield before stabilizing itself with an enraged roar.

The crowd erupted instantly.

"He pushed the Golden War Lion back again!"

"That’s Lion’s enhanced beast!"

"How is that tiny creature matching it head-on?!"

The arena shook with endless noise.

Even seasoned military officers watching from distant platforms looked visibly disturbed now.

Because everyone understood something terrifying.

The Flame Sovereign Pup wasn’t relying solely on explosive attacks anymore.

It was beginning to dominate the battlefield naturally.

And then—

The flames changed again.

The spreading sovereign fire across the arena suddenly stopped moving chaotically.

Aether noticed it first.

The Heaven Eye immediately accelerated analysis.

The countless crimson-gold flames scattered throughout the battlefield began stabilizing into patterns. Circular currents formed naturally around the Flame Sovereign Pup, rotating slowly like massive flaming rings.

Ancient-looking symbols appeared briefly within the burning terrain.

Then vanished.

Then reappeared elsewhere.

The air pressure shifted instantly.

The atmosphere became suffocating.

The crowd slowly quieted.

Because everyone felt it.

The battlefield no longer belonged equally to both sides.

It had become someone else’s territory.

Crimson-gold flames expanded outward across the shattered arena floor in smooth, controlled waves until nearly half the battlefield had transformed into a sea of sovereign fire.

The Flame Sovereign Pup stood at the center of it all.

Calm.

Majestic.

Absolute.

And suddenly—

Every flame inside that region moved according to its will.

Liora’s eyes widened.

"He created... a domain?"

Even the Moondream Hare stared at the battlefield in visible shock, its silver eyes reflecting the endless crimson-gold fire surrounding them.

Domains.

That word alone carried enormous weight.

Even primitive domains were abilities typically associated with far higher-level beasts.

Yet somehow—

The Flame Sovereign Pup had achieved one already.

A primitive Sovereign Flame Domain.

Within the burning territory, the battlefield transformed completely.

Enemy flames weakened gradually.

Sovereign fire intensified continuously.

Movement patterns became easier for Aether to predict through the Heaven Eye.

Most importantly—

Lion’s solar flames weakened slightly every second they remained inside the domain.

The suppression wasn’t explosive.

It was relentless.

Steady.

Natural.

Like a ruler standing above lesser flames by birthright alone.

Lion immediately noticed the difference.

Golden draconic fire around his arms flickered again.

Tiny cracks spread across portions of the fusion armor coating his right shoulder.

Not physical damage.

Resonance strain.

The Solar Drake’s energy flow had begun destabilizing further under prolonged sovereign suppression.

And that realization finally disturbed even Lion slightly.

His eyes narrowed sharply.

"So this is your answer."

Crimson-gold flames reflected in his glowing golden pupils.

"Interesting."

Then he attacked again.

Golden fire exploded outward as Lion surged through the domain with terrifying speed. Solar energy spiraled around his fists while the Golden War Lion charged simultaneously from the side.

Perfect synchronization.

A double assault designed to overwhelm through raw pressure.

But Aether had already adapted.

"Left."

His calm voice echoed softly.

The Flame Sovereign Pup moved instantly.

A condensed wall of sovereign flame erupted from the battlefield itself, intercepting the Golden War Lion directly. At the same time, tiny fragments of white-gold flame appeared around Lion’s attack trajectory.

Small.

Precise.

Deadly.

Lion’s instincts screamed danger immediately.

He shifted sideways mid-charge.

A fraction too late.

One miniature white-gold burst grazed his draconic armor.

SSSSHHHHH!!

Golden energy disintegrated instantly at the contact point.

Lion’s eyes sharpened.

That white-gold flame again.

Unlike the massive earlier attack, these smaller fragments carried less destructive burden for Aether while retaining terrifying penetration power.

And within the Sovereign Flame Domain—

Their precision increased dramatically.

Aether had changed tactics entirely.

No reckless all-out collision.

Controlled pressure.

Calculated suppression.

Battlefield domination.

The realization made Lion smile slowly despite the growing strain on his fusion.

"Good," he murmured.

His voice carried genuine excitement now.

"Very good."

Elsewhere across the battlefield, Skygate Academy finally regained momentum.

Valen burst into loud laughter as sovereign flames disrupted the enemy formation restrictions around him.

"There it is!"

Titancrest Fangbear roared thunderously before slamming both massive fists into the ground. Shockwaves erupted outward through empowered sovereign flames, smashing directly into the Crimson Battle Ape and forcing Rhyss backward.

The battlefield pressure shifted.

Liora immediately seized the opportunity.

"Moondream Hare!"

Silver spatial distortions spread across the arena once more as her beast regained battlefield mobility. Teleportation paths reopened through the sovereign flames, allowing her to destabilize Velka’s formation control repeatedly.

The Chainmist Spider’s silver chains melted rapidly whenever sovereign fire touched them.

Velka gritted her teeth visibly.

"This domain is interfering with everything!"

Cassian’s Crystal Feather Hawk attempted aerial suppression from above, but even the skies inside the domain had become unstable. Rising heatwaves and flame currents distorted visibility continuously.

For the first time since Lion’s fusion—

The Imperial Royal Team lost battlefield control.

Deep beneath the arena, inside hidden observation chambers concealed beneath ancient stone walls, cloaked figures watched silently through dozens of projection crystals.

No one spoke casually anymore.

Every screen displayed the Sovereign Flame Domain repeatedly from different angles.

The pressure inside the chamber itself felt heavy.

Finally, one figure broke the silence.

"He’s developing too quickly."

Another nodded slowly.

"That beast’s evolution speed exceeds all predictions."

"If he reaches higher realms..."

The sentence trailed off unfinished.

Because nobody wanted to say the implication aloud.

Containment later might become impossible.

The cloaked leader stood motionless before the central projection crystal, staring at Aether without blinking.

Then his cold voice echoed through the chamber.

"Prepare emergency acquisition protocols."

Several figures stiffened immediately.

One hesitated before speaking carefully.

"Inside the Imperial City?"

"Yes."

The answer came instantly.

"If an opportunity appears during or after this match..."

The leader’s eyes narrowed beneath the hood.

"We take him immediately."

Silence followed.

No one questioned the order again.

Because now—

The risk of waiting had become greater than the danger of acting.

Back on the battlefield, Lion exhaled slowly.

The draconic armor covering his body flickered unevenly again.

Fusion strain worsening.

But instead of frustration—

Excitement burned within him.

Real excitement.

This battle had surpassed expectation completely.

For years, every opponent had eventually collapsed beneath overwhelming royal pressure.

But Aether continued adapting.

Continued evolving mid-battle.

Continued forcing Lion further.

And somewhere deep inside—

Lion loved that feeling.

Golden fire erupted violently around him once more as he lifted both hands toward the sky.

"This..."

The Golden War Lion roared simultaneously beside him.

Solar energy spiraled upward like a rising miniature sun.

"...is finally worthy of me."

The atmosphere changed instantly.

Aether’s eyes narrowed.

Danger.

The Heaven Eye accelerated calculations rapidly.

Golden flame spirals formed overhead, gathering enormous amounts of solar energy into a single point above the battlefield.

Lion had stopped attempting gradual suppression.

He was preparing a decisive attack.

A total breakthrough.

The Sovereign Flame Domain trembled under the gathering pressure.

Even the barrier formations surrounding the arena vibrated violently now.

The crowd collectively held its breath.

Aether slowly lowered his stance.

The Flame Sovereign Pup mirrored him immediately.

Crimson-gold fire condensed throughout the entire domain while countless tiny white-gold fragments stabilized within the burning territory.

The Spirit Fairy floated quietly behind him, glowing softly as soul-energy threads spread toward the Flame Sovereign Pup once more.

Careful synchronization.

Controlled reinforcement.

And deep within the shadows behind Aether—

The Fallen Succubus watched silently.

Smiling.

Her crimson eyes gleamed with dangerous amusement as she observed the battlefield reaching its breaking point.

Because she could feel it clearly now.

The battle stood on the edge.

One wrong move—

One failed synchronization—

One uncontrolled eruption—

And everything hidden until now might finally spill into the open.

Above the shattered battlefield, golden draconic energy gathered overhead like a blazing artificial sun.

Below, the Sovereign Flame Domain burned endlessly across molten terrain.

The crowd remained frozen in tense silence.

Barrier formations trembled continuously.

And at the center of the burning arena—

Aether and Lion prepared for another catastrophic collision.

One carrying sovereign flame.

The other wielding imperial solar power.

Both refusing to yield.

Both unwilling to retreat.

As the pressure between them rose higher and higher—

Even the empire itself seemed to hold its breath.