Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

Rain's surprise deepened as he observed the enemy's swift evasion and subsequent change in aura. The shift from a dark aura to a fiery red one caught Rain off guard once more. It was becoming increasingly evident that these adversaries were holding back some of their techniques, revealing their true strength only when necessary.

The transformation in aura seemed to signify a shift in the enemy's approach – a warning that he was prepared to escalate the intensity of the battle. Rain couldn't help but acknowledge the enemy's proficiency and adaptability in combat tactics, making him even more cautious about the battle that lay ahead.

"His whole presence seemed a lot more powerful all of a sudden… aside from high-level healing magic, can they do this?" Rain thought.

Rain assumed that it was a technique that he would learn eventually if he kept focusing on the martial path, but he didn't want to wait. He will have to force the enemy to show that again.

"No impulse. Some wide attacks should do the trick…" Rain thought.

While Rain wanted to make the enemy show that technique again, he needed to make things a bit more equal… he also wanted to make the enemy pay for his arrogance.

Rain charged once again and tried to punch the enemy's stomach, but the guy kept moving backward and avoiding the hits by a thin margin. Rain insisted for a while, but soon he got pissed and impatient.

In the next moment, Rain tried to punch the face of the enemy, but the guy just twitched his head to the side and avoided the hit. But soon, his aura changed when he felt Rain's mana acting again.

The enemy jumped to the side, but then an explosion of wind made his head dizzy as a weird sound echoed in his head. In the next moment, Rain kicked the enemy's stomach, but he blocked the attack before jumping backward.

The enemy's astonishment was palpable, likely stemming from an assumption that Rain's abilities were limited to earth magic alone. This surprise grew even more pronounced when the enemy suddenly lost all auditory cues from his left side, replaced by an eerie void that heightened his unease.

Capitalizing on this moment of vulnerability, Rain seized the opportunity to disrupt the enemy's equilibrium. With a powerful explosion of wind magic, he targeted the enemy's eardrums, disorienting him and throwing off his balance. The enemy found himself momentarily incapacitated, struggling to comprehend the sudden loss of his senses.

Without giving the enemy a chance to recover, Rain charged forward. His assault was swift and relentless, a determined advance that exploited the enemy's momentary weakness. The unexpected combination of tactics left the enemy struggling to regain his footing…

Before Rain could even attack, the enemy used that technique again… aside from the change in aura, Rain could see it clearly. The body of the enemy began to bulge, and its muscles grew alongside the popping veins.

Rain had initially suspected that the enemy's secret technique was somehow tied to mana manipulation. However, as the battle unfolded, it became evident that their true focus was on channeling mana into healing their wounds and enhancing their resilience.

This revelation provided a valuable insight: the enemy's strength did not rely on an additional layer of complex magic, meaning that Rain wouldn't need to excessively drain his mana reserves to keep up with their abilities; he also wouldn't increase the mana output when he tries to learn it…

Understanding this dynamic was a critical advantage for Rain. It meant he could continue to engage the enemy without undue concern about escalating his mana consumption. Instead of engaging in an energy-draining magical arms race, he could focus on maximizing the efficiency of his own techniques and exploiting the enemy's vulnerabilities.

The enemy tried to punch Rain, but he used Impulse to the side and made the enemy punch the air. The lack of balance that the enemy was experiencing helped a bit, and Rain targeted the other eardrum as well with another explosion of wind.

Unfortunately, the enemy reacted in time to protect his other ear… Still, Rain hit the ribcage of the enemy with all his might using Iron Fists, Crushing Blow, and with the help of Impulse as well. While the enemy was suffering, Rain kept using Impulse even without moving from the spot… which increased the power of the attack.

The enemy quickly turned and kicked Rain with a roundhouse kick… and while Rain blocked it with his arms, he felt them going numb while he was sent flying into the distance and spinning in the air.

Rain only landed fifty meters away, much to his surprise, and he felt that his arms were about to break. He saw the enemy charging at him again as if that wasn't enough. He was finally showing his true colors… or perhaps that technique made him more wild.

"That works as well…" Rain thought.

With lightning speed, Rain formed sturdy barriers of earth around his arms, intercepting the enemy general's thunderous strikes. The clash of their forces created shockwaves that rippled through the battleground. Unfazed by Rain's defenses, the enemy's attacks were like relentless tempests, hammering against Rain's fortified barriers.

Amidst the chaos, Rain's earlier actions had caused the rain to halt around him, creating a surreal bubble of stillness. But the enemy's onslaught was so potent that even the ground beneath them seemed to quiver, water droplets recoiling from the intensity of the impacts.

Each collision between their forces generated a fierce exchange of energy. Rain felt his own body being pushed back, his feet digging into the wet ground as he resisted the opposing force. He was propelled ten meters backward with every strike, his form streaking through the battlefield like a comet.

As he was pushed toward the heart of the conflict, Rain's companions, Reca and Jori, became distant blurs amidst the swirling fray. The battleground itself seemed to transform, becoming a vortex of clashing elements and unrestrained power.