Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

Explosive blasts of wind created a turbulent dance of bodies soaring through the air while the very earth quaked from the impact of their blows.

Rain's unwavering determination was palpable as he held his ground, his arms trembling with the strain of maintaining his defenses. The exhilaration of battle coursed through his veins, each clash of forces igniting his resolve further. Amidst the tumultuous whirlwind, Rain's grin was one of exhilaration, his spirit undeterred by the formidable opponent before him.

Their tumultuous clash carried them toward the heart of the battlefield, where the chaos was at its zenith. Amidst the cacophony of clashing weapons, shouting soldiers, and explosive spells, Rain and the enemy general seemed like a tempest within a tempest, a duel of titans that went unnoticed by the chaos around them.

In this central maelstrom, the frantic whirl of battle obscured their presence. Consumed by their own struggles, warriors on both sides failed to register the monumental confrontation between Rain and his adversary. The gusts of wind that accompanied their strikes began to knock back even the most resolute combatants, adding to the confusion and turmoil.

Rain's efforts were unwavering as he held his ground, his arms forming an unbreakable shield against the relentless barrage. Grunts of exertion mixed with the sounds of battle as he endured the onslaught, his steely determination shining through even in the midst of the storm. Every forceful clash reverberated through the air, a testament to the unyielding willpower of both combatants.

Rain endured the attacks for a while, but soon, the guards of dirt that he made began to crack, and he had to make his choice about his next step… he had two options: use all of his mana and fight without hiding his true strength or weaken the enemy a bit and save his mana.

When the enemy saw the pieces of earth falling, his fury exploded and then went to attack Rain's head with all his might… However, he stopped midway when something pierced his right arm.

The biting cold assaulted the enemy's senses as the blade of water materialized from Rain's very being. It was an astonishing sight, an edge of liquid that seemed to defy the laws of nature. As Rain lunged forward with determined force, the water blade followed suit, becoming a lethal extension of his will.

The blade cut through the enemy's ranks with frightening precision, carving a path of destruction through the battlefield. The enemy, caught off guard by Rain's unexpected attack, attempted to leap away to safety. Still, the water blade's reach was relentless. With a skillful twist of Rain's control, the blade expanded in size, its surface rippling and turning like a deadly, liquid tornado.

Trapped within the swirling vortex of the water blade, the enemy's attempts at healing were thwarted as the blade's currents disrupted his mana and concentration. Each rotation of the blade sent pulses of pain reverberating through his body.

The wound wasn't big since the natural magic resistance of the enemy added to the power of the secret technique to fight back against Rain's attack. Still, in the end, the enemy tried to raise his guard, but everything below his elbow wasn't obeying him, and it was bleeding a lot as well…

Amidst the maelstrom of conflict, Rain keenly observed the enemy's reactions. Despite the enemy's reputation for rapid healing, Rain noticed that this time, the wounds inflicted by his waterblade remained untouched by any regenerative magic. It was an unexpected twist, one that filled Rain with a sense of both opportunity and uncertainty.

In that charged moment, Rain's mind raced with possibilities. The realization that the enemy's secret technique might hinder his ability to heal was a significant revelation. It was as if the enemy's mastery over his own body was locked away, concealed by the activation of his enigmatic skills.

This new knowledge added a layer of strategy to the battle, forcing Rain to reevaluate his tactics on the fly.

Rain's instincts sharpened as he recognized the potential advantage this offered. It was a rare window of vulnerability in the enemy's formidable defenses.

"As expected, it has a bunch of weaknesses… but I want it," Rain said and then charged toward the enemy.

The enemy fixed his stance by slightly moving to his left side and then blocked Rain's punch. Even with a single arm, his guard didn't flinch at all.

With determination fueling his every move, Rain charged toward the enemy general, fists blazing with intent. The clash was imminent, a collision of wills and strength. However, to Rain's surprise, the general didn't attempt to retreat; instead, he stood his ground, a stoic figure unyielding in the face of Rain's onslaught.

Rain's punches rained down, each one aimed with precision and intent to break through the general's defenses. Yet, despite Rain's efforts, the general's single arm acted as an impenetrable shield, effortlessly blocking each strike. Frustration coursed through Rain as his attacks met a seemingly immovable obstacle.

In his mind, Rain was racing to find a weak point, a chink in the general's body that he could exploit. He attempted to concentrate his blows on a single spot, aiming to concentrate the force and create an opening.

"We are in the middle of the battlefield… he doesn't want to show his soldiers himself being overwhelmed; that would disrupt their morale… but what is he waiting for?" Rain wondered.

Growing impatient with the enigmatic stance of his foe, Rain's resolve solidified. He refused to be a pawn in the general's waiting game any longer. With a calculated move, he feigned a surge of mana, hoping to provoke the enemy into action. In response, the general's stance shifted ever so slightly, his anticipation evident.

Seizing the moment, Rain surged forward, delivering a swift attack aimed at catching the general off guard. But the seasoned adversary wasn't so easily fooled. In a swift motion, the general thwarted Rain's assault, deflecting the blow with a well-placed block. Unexpectedly, the enemy responded with a decisive headbutt, a calculated move that caught Rain by surprise.