Max smiled faintly, his tone calm. "Then do your best."
Alex's grin widened, his confidence unshaken. "Don't mind if I do."
Without hesitation, Alex sprinted toward Max, flames igniting around his hands and forming into two blazing swords. The air rippled with heat as he neared, slashing down in a crisscross motion aimed directly at Max.
Max stood firm, his expression unchanging as he released his Level 1 Flame Aura.
A sudden surge of intense, fiery intent erupted from Max's body, radiating outward like a wave. The force of his aura created a small shockwave that sent the dust and leaves swirling in the air.
The shockwave hit Alex mid-swing, the sheer force of it hurling him backward like a ragdoll. His flaming swords dissipated as he tumbled across the ground, eventually coming to a stop with a grunt of effort.
Alex coughed, picking himself up slowly. His expression wavered between shock and disbelief. "What the hell was that?" he muttered, his confidence visibly shaken.
