My SSS-Rank Innate skill: Infinite Adaptation core

Then, without taking a single step back, Nova raised his sword and met the overwhelming attack head-on.

BOOOOOOM!!!!

A deafening explosion of light and force erupted across the platform. The ground beneath Nova’s feet cracked and sank as a massive shockwave blasted outward in every direction.

The protective formations around the arena flared brightly as they struggled to contain the residual energy. For a moment, the entire Colosseum was drowned in pure, blinding radiance.

The audience — and even many experts — were left completely stunned. The pressure behind that attack had far exceeded what a low-level King Realm expert should be capable of. Was this truly the power of someone still within that realm?

Liam floated calmly in the air as the blinding radiance and dust gradually began to fade. The Colosseum fell into a deathly silence. Everyone waited for the result.

When the dust fully cleared, the sight that greeted them shocked every single person present.

A large portion of the platform had been reduced to rubble by the force of the attack. Yet Nova still stood there, perfectly fine.

The only damage he had suffered was that the clothes on his upper body had been completely burned away, leaving his muscular frame fully exposed.

Almost every woman in the Colosseum unconsciously swallowed.

More shocking than his appearance, however, was the simple fact that nothing had happened to him. He did not look exhausted in the slightest. If anything, he looked mildly disappointed.

”Am I dreaming...?”

”He survived that attack... and only his upper clothes burned?”

”Fuck... what a monster!”

Even Vaorak, Lyra, and Draeven were visibly shocked. They turned toward Aurora.

She had been right. But how? Did he possess a special physique or bloodline? Their senses should have detected something if that were the case.

Nova now appeared even more mysterious to them. At the same time, they could not help but praise the sheer strength he had displayed at such a young age.

He was clearly on a completely different level. If they ever learned the full truth of his power, they would likely cough blood on the spot.

In the high seats, Darius sat completely dumbfounded. Across the entire continent, countless experts and powerhouses watching the broadcast shared the same expression of pure shock.

Nova looked up at Liam.

The Everhart youth was clearly exhausted after nearly depleting all of his mana. He had been certain that attack would kill Nova.

Now, his eyes were wide with trauma as he stared downward. Everything he had gained — all the power, all the praise, the title of number one genius — suddenly felt empty.

It would not be wrong to call Liam a true genius. Yet he had forgotten a simple truth of the world: there is always something greater waiting beyond what one can see.

There is always a bigger fish in the ocean. You simply have not found it yet.

{You traumatized the poor guy... hehehe.}

Liya’s amused voice echoed in Nova’s mind. He shook his head slightly and muttered toward Liam:

”What a shame...”

In the next second, Nova vanished.

His speed was so extreme that most of the audience could not even track the movement. He reappeared directly behind Liam and delivered a tightly controlled slap.

The force behind it was tremendous, yet not lethal. Liam’s body was sent flying like a ragdoll, crashing into the already shattered platform with enough impact to crack it further.

He coughed out a mouthful of blood as pain flooded his body, leaving him completely unable to move.

Nova hovered in the air above him, looking down with a clearly disappointed expression as he finished his earlier words:

”Your attack couldn’t even scratch me.”

It was true. There was not a single mark on Nova’s body. The Colosseum remained silent. No one knew what to say.

Nova turned his gaze toward Slickmouth and waited for the official announcement. Slickmouth, however, looked back at him and spoke carefully:

[He has not conceded.]

Nova let out a quiet sigh.

Looking down, he saw that Liam had already fainted. Without further hesitation, Nova took out his sword and casually threw it downward.

The blade pierced straight through Liam’s body, embedding itself deep into the cracked platform and finishing him.

The protective formation immediately activated and removed Liam from the arena.

Nova looked back at Slickmouth. For some reason, the announcer felt a sudden chill under that gaze and quickly swallowed before focusing on his duty.

[LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!! WE HAVE OUR CHAMPION OF THIS YEAR’S EMPIRE’S GRAND YOUTH TOURNAMENT!!]

[CHAMPION — NOVA VALENCREST!!!]

The moment the words left Slickmouth’s mouth, the entire Colosseum exploded back into life. Thunderous cheers shook the structure as the audience roared with excitement.

Bai Chen shouted the loudest, cheering wildly for his junior brother. Across the entire Human Continent, people celebrated the young man who now stood shirtless on the ruined platform, his powerful, well-defined muscles fully on display.

Countless women immediately made him the subject of their fantasies. Many would struggle to sleep that night without thinking of the image of him standing there like that.

Asia and Rieka both clapped and cheered for their husband. Celine, seated beside them, also applauded. For some reason, she knew he would eventually win the tournament.

Jenna excitedly shouted for her son, her baby, while several nobles quickly surrounded her and Edward — momentarily forgetting that the couple were still considered commoners. Theodore soon joined them as well.

Nyxara and Velena remained a short distance away, both smiling as they watched Nova stand there with a calm, confident expression — looking every bit the dashing hero he was.

Nyxara’s heart fluttered; she wanted nothing more than to pounce on her husband at that very moment.

Maria watched Nova carefully. Once again, he had managed to surprise her. He appeared even more mysterious now.

She knew better than almost anyone just how powerful Liam’s final attack had been — the purity of that light energy had nearly reached her own level.

That brat from her family had already been considered a true genius for attaining such a degree of refinement without any divine blessing.

Yet even that devastating attack had failed to leave a single scratch on Nova’s body.

For a brief moment, Maria’s mind went blank. Then she made a decision — one that, for now, only she knew.

Nearby, Darius summoned one of the royal guards and questioned him in a low voice.

”You are certain about his background?”

”Yes, my lord,” the guard answered respectfully. ”He is just a commoner. His father, Edward Valencrest, is only a vice commander in Duke Theodore’s knight order.

His mother, Jenna Valencrest, is also a commoner with no special bloodline or background.”

”I see. You may go.” The guard nodded and left.

On the high platform, Vaorak spoke thoughtfully.

”We have a genius among us who is quite mysterious. I wonder if he would be interested in joining us... and leaving his race behind.”

Lyra shook her head slightly.

”I don’t think so. That guy is full of pride and arrogance. He does not look like someone who can be lured by greed.”

Vaorak let out a quiet sigh.”What a pity. If only we had someone like him on our continent.”

”It won’t hurt to try, will it?” Draeven said. ”I definitely want to recruit him... I wonder if the Human Emperor already knows about this boy.”

Vaorak’s expression carried a hint of disappointment. ”Who knows? He and your brother have been quite silent for the past few years.

Down in the arena, Slickmouth’s voice rang out once more.

[Now, I would like to call all five winners onto the arena to receive their rewards and officially conclude the tournament!]

Nova made his way toward the winners’ section while the ruined platform was being cleared for the ending ceremony. Yet a faint sense of unease lingered in his mind as he thought about the quest.

What does that mean...? The tournament is already over. Just as he was about to dig deeper into the thought—

BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!

A massive explosion suddenly resounded across the capital.

**

───────────────────────────

[A/N]

Sigh... writing this tournament arc really took a lot out of me, but there are even bigger events coming up...Sigh. I’d really appreciate a little motivation from my dear readers to keep me going!

Thanks for reading...