Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

"You…" Seadrei opened his eyes widely when he saw Rain arriving in the throne room.

When Seadrei locked eyes with Rain, a profound realization reached him. He witnessed an unmistakable resolve in Rain's gaze, a resolute determination that transcended mere thoughts. In that moment, Seadrei discerned something monumental had occurred—Rain had just made a life-altering decision. He was going to reach a turning point…

The intensity in Rain's eyes spoke volumes, conveying an unwavering commitment. They held the fierce determination of someone prepared to stake everything on his forthcoming actions.

"It looks like you made your choice, but even though you aren't going to back down, you feel uneasy about it," Seadrei said. "Given the circumstances, I suppose this isn't unexpected."

"We have come up with our plan and I have come to share it with you," Rain said. "You won't like it, but we can settle our differences in the way you want after this."

When Rain revealed their plan to Seadrei, the expression on Seadrei's face transformed as anticipated. His face darkened considerably, marked by a visible grimness that suggested his reservations or concerns about Rain's plan.

However, despite the initial reaction, Seadrei exhibited a surprising difference in his demeanor from previous encounters. While the gravity of the situation brought a grimness to his features, there was a newfound sense of openness in his stance. He seemed more inclined to listen, displaying a level of rationality and receptiveness that was previously absent.

"... I believe that I have a good grasp of the situation, and I would understand if anyone else had reached the same decision," Seadrei said. "Still, I believed that you still would find a solution… I suppose I was wrong when I thought that you had higher potential than me. This is disappointing."

"I guess so, are you going to fight directly the enemies without a care then?" Rain asked.

"I am the guardian of the seas, for as long as I have this spear, I will protect it and my people," Seadrei said.

"By protecting you will dash ahead and die without accomplishing anything and then let others follow you to death?" Rain asked.

"... Excuse me?" Seadrei said after his eyebrows twitched.

"I will fight as well, but we have to fight considering the possibility that we will lose," Rain said. "With that in mind, we have to evacuate those who can't fight or shouldn't fight to somewhere safe, until they have the chance to protect themselves."

"Thinking like that is the same as assuming defeat before even fighting, we don't do that here," Seadrei said

"I suppose so, it is hard for you guys to be logical at times like this, since you think that it doesn't matter if you die by fighting," Rain said. "Still, I know that my kids and those who can't fight will soon die after me if I did stupidly. With that in mind, I am preparing this plan and I will need the sea folk as well to retreat and hide with them while the others fight.

Since only words can't convince you, I will show you that your strategy is stupid. I will defeat you in the ocean while you use that spear. I am still weaker than you and you will have all the advantages that you can have. Once you will lose, you should realize how things are."

Seadrei, upon hearing Rain's words, found himself perplexed by what seemed to be an almost irrational proposition. To him, the timing for a fight appeared utterly stupid. He couldn't discern any valid reason to engage in a confrontation at such a critical moment. The thought of battle amidst the ongoing turmoil didn't make sense in Seadrei's mind.

In Seadrei's head, Rain's potential growth over the next decade or so seemed inevitable. He acknowledged the possibility that Rain could surpass him in strength given time, considering Rain's determined training regime and relentless pursuit of strength.

However, Seadrei's assessment didn't account for crucial factors such as the Emperor's Spear and the innate advantage he had due to his affinity with the ocean.
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"... It seems that the situation got the better of you," Seadrei said while frowning.@@novelbin@@

"It is fine, just choose a place that we can fight, I am in a hurry so we don't have time to waste," Rain said.

"You see in a state that I can't trust you with the safety of my daughter and granddaughter," Seadrei said.

"I guess you want to fight here, then," Rain shrugged.

Rain summoned his ice armor and his guards also turned into blades… the temperature around immediately changed and Seadrei also felt Rain's determination to fight, he wasn't joking and he wouldn't treat that like a joke as well.

In the next moment, the wind sphere surrounding Rain disappeared and he kicked the floor of the castle while using Impulse and swung his fist and ice blade to impale Seadrei's throat. He blocked the attack with his spear, but soon was pushed backward and then the throne broke before he collided against the wall of the throne room.

"Cease this stupidity!" Seadrei said.

"There is no other choice, you say that you understand my decision, but you aren't taking it seriously enough," Rain said and then raised his other arm.

Rain attacked with the other ice blade and Seadrei moved his head to the side and avoided the hit, but he wall behind him was shattered to smithereens. At the same time, the water around him began to freeze…

Without another choice, Seadrei controlled the water around and pushed Rain away, but soon he stopped… Rain used as much power to fight Seadrei's control over water, which made him frown in surprise.

"I got something from the dragons, this ring makes me absorb the mana around at a high rate," Rain said while raising his left hand. "It won't last forever, but it will be helpful enough, to the point that I don't have to use my Seals against you."