The moment Kael spoke those words, the expressions of everyone present shifted dramatically.
The newcomers wore a mix of emotions—shock, disbelief, anger, confusion, sneers—all flashing across their faces in quick succession. Clearly, none of them agreed with Kael's declaration.
Kael was strong. Exceptionally strong. Far beyond what these Sacred Council recruits had anticipated. But that didn't mean he was powerful enough to take them all on at once!
These dozen or so newcomers, handpicked by the Sacred Council, were all at least Level 7 in strength. None of them believed that even a master of domains like Kael could defeat them all in a combined assault.
On the platform, Zorath the Silent watched with amusement flickering in his hollow eye sockets. Kael was beginning to seize control of the battle—it was clear he was now steering the course of this fight.
Earlier, Kael had defeated two Sacred Council members with just two spells. Though the others were now wary of him, many still refused to back down. For them, the benefits of fighting Kael outweighed the risks.
But now, Kael was taking the initiative—no, dominating it. He wanted to rule this battle!
One against more than a dozen!
From this moment on, Kael had complete control over the rhythm of the match. Though challenging so many at once might seem arrogant, the sheer intensity in his eyes left no room for doubt. His overwhelming presence cast an invisible shadow over his opponents, instilling a sense of dread they hadn't even realized was creeping in.
The host hesitated, glancing at Zorath the Silent for guidance. Kael's actions had derailed the original plan, leaving him unsure how to proceed.
"Proceed."
Zorath the Silent gave a slight nod from the stands, granting permission.
Neither Amelia nor Ethan showed any concern for Kael. Even if he was fighting alone against a group, they knew he was more than capable of holding his own—at the very least, he could ensure his own safety.
"Come on, then!" Kael beckoned with a provocative gesture. If these fools refused to learn their lesson, he'd just have to use them as whetstones to sharpen his skills further!
Seeing Zorath the Silent's approval, the group's eyes gleamed with anticipation. Some exchanged glances, schemes brewing beneath the surface, before stepping onto the platform together.
The dozen or so newcomers wore solemn expressions, their killing intent palpable, their auras imposing. They, too, sought to seize the initiative and overwhelm Kael with sheer presence.
Unfortunately, Kael remained utterly unfazed. His gaze swept over them, instantly discerning that only two or three among the group were truly worth his attention.
These few were all near the peak of Level 7—and all of them were mages, making them easy to identify.
"Dax, first among this year's Sacred Council recruits!" declared one of the Level 7 peak mages, performing a formal mage's salute.
"Cade, second among this year's recruits!" Another stepped forward from the crowd, his eyes sharp as lightning, gripping a long staff that he held horizontally before him—its weight seemingly cumbersome.
"Lance, Sacred Council recruit." The third simply announced his name, his gaze flickering with wariness as he regarded Kael as a formidable threat.
"Begin!"
The moment the host's voice fell, Kael moved. This time, he wasn't waiting for them to strike first—he took the offensive himself!
"Domain—Thunder!" Kael roared.
Crackling arcs of lightning erupted from his body, violet electricity surging violently, sending a wave of terror through the crowd.
"Lightning! Damn it, lightning!" The recruits recoiled in shock. The sheer intimidation of thunder surpassed even Kael's icy flames. Purple currents sizzled around him, wreathing his entire form like a storm god descending. The air trembled, the ground quaked, and a tempestuous wind howled across the arena.
They recognized this power—yet none had ever heard of anyone wielding lightning like this. Was this why the Sacred Council's higher-ups valued Kael so highly?
But so what? Even if Kael commanded lightning and wielded a domain, they still outnumbered him over a dozen to one!
Three warriors charged at the forefront, their movements locking onto Kael's position. The earth shuddered beneath their momentum as they tore through the air with a deafening whoosh, their bodies launching like cannonballs straight toward him.
Kael felt the crushing pressure in the air—these warriors were seasoned and formidable. Had he not mastered his domain, he might have been forced to rely on Blink to evade. But now?
Things were entirely different.
"Domain—Restraint!" Kael's gaze swept coldly across the battlefield, his stance unwavering. Instead of dodging, he unleashed the full might of his domain!
Instantly, the three charging warriors were suppressed. A collective grunt escaped their lips as their momentum—once explosive as cannonballs—was abruptly frozen mid-air, their bodies suspended in an eerie, unnatural stasis.
The power of domain restraint!
The moment these three entered Kael's domain, their fates were sealed within his grasp. The domain's force locked their bodies in place, rendering them utterly immobile.
"Thunder's Wrath!" Kael roared, his staff flashing through the air. Lightning erupted with apocalyptic fury, tearing through the battlefield with deafening thunderclaps that shook the entire arena.
The thunderous assault struck with overwhelming speed and power, dominating the three warriors. Even if they had wished to evade, the domain's grip held them fast—not a single muscle could twitch.
BOOM.
The deafening impact sent the warriors flying backward, blood spraying from their mouths. Crimson streaks bloomed across their skin as wounds split open, saturating the air with the metallic tang of blood.
Even with the Sacred Council's advanced healing, these three would need at least three to four months to recover. Kael had held back from killing blows—but he had made sure the lesson would stick.
If these fools weren't taught a brutal lesson now, they'd keep thinking him weak!
With the warriors eliminated in seconds, only the mages remained. Kael's eyes gleamed as his domain abruptly expanded, ensnaring every last opponent within its reach.
From the moment the battle began, several mages had already been chanting incantations. Yet just as their spells neared completion, Kael's voice cut through like a blade:
"Mana Disruption!"
His mastery over spellcasting had grown swifter, his movements now a blur. After deftly dodging a volley of spells, he completed his own incantation in a flash.
His staff flicked forward, unleashing a pulse of white radiance. Two mages—mid-cast—were struck head-on.
THUD. THUD.
Their faces paled, their spirits crumbling as their mana spiraled into chaos.
Without pause, Kael's gaze locked onto the remaining mages. His domain surged violently, his body now sheathed in a crackling armor of lightning—a living shield akin to the sturdiest defensive magic.
Spells rained down upon him, a storm of fire, ice, and arcane fury. Yet each attack shattered harmlessly against the lightning barrier and his domain's oppressive force.
Kael stood unscathed.
"Damn it, we can't even scratch him!" Dax's eyes flickered with disbelief, his voice laced with shock. A dozen of them had attacked simultaneously, yet not a single hair on Kael's head had been harmed!
"It's over."
Kael's voice was calm, almost indifferent. As lightning crackled around him once more, effortlessly deflecting every last attack, he finally launched his counterstrike.
His domain expanded violently, thunder surging forth like a tidal wave. A gale-force wind erupted alongside the storm, sparks exploding mid-air as the lightning carved through everything in its path.
BOOM!
The heavens themselves seemed to split apart as divine wrath descended—violet streaks of lightning tore through the sky, the air compressing violently under its pressure. Not a single opponent within Kael's vicinity escaped the judgment of thunder.
The strikes were too fast, too merciless. Before any could react, their bodies were sent flying, convulsing under the storm's fury.
A thousand bolts rained down, the earth trembling as if the God of Thunder himself had roared in rage.
In the span of a single breath, the entire training ground became a sea of lightning. Those still standing were struck down without exception, collapsing to the ground with blood spraying from their lips—their eyes wide with horrified realization.
This man... this Kael... was utterly terrifying.