Atticus's Odyssey: Reincarnated Into A Playground

Chapter 1330: Heat

"Atticus Ravenstein. Do you accept the challenged terms? On the event of your loss, you will lose your life. On the event of his loss, he will lose his."

All eyes turned to Atticus next. Now, everything lay in his hands. There was no way he would be so stupid... right?

"I accept."

Eyes shot wide in shock. He had actually dared...

"This idiot is too foolish. He should just get on his knees and offer his life," one from the Redflame faction said, shaking his head.

"It’s too late for that. With the Burning in effect, his death is assured," another said.

"At least he would save the lives of his people," the first shrugged.

A Burning was meant to be thorough. Its main purpose was to send a message to the plane, that the Redflames were not to be messed with.

After dealing with the god, their world and people would not be spared. They burned everything into ashes.

Many from the Redflames shook their heads. Atticus had just sealed his fate, and that of his people. Regardless, their flames rose to the heavens, the temperature rising.

"Burn him!"

"Roast him alive, Baron Kale!"

"Scorch his pride!"

"Let the flames purify his arrogance!"

"Turn him to cinders!"

"Make him beg before ash takes him!"

Despite the obvious results, the Redflames were roused. Seeing their enemies burn was a thing of joy.

A clap cut through the excitement.

"The terms have been accepted by both gods," the furry creature said, turning towards Kale. "Baron Kale Gladeflame. Are you ready?"

"I am."

It turned towards Atticus.

"God Atticus Ravenstein. Are you ready?"

"I am." Atticus’ response had no pause.

The furry creature gave a moment to glance around the audience.

A silence like no other descended upon the entire arena. Many were on the edge of their seats, waiting patiently for it to give the word to begin.

The expectations were high. Many expected a one hit battle, a clash of their wills, and Kale would overwhelm the child.

While others wanted Kale to take his time. Put the child in his place, show him how the middle planes operated, and then kill him.

Whichever happened though, the excitement was at its peak.

"Begin—!"

"Scorch Blaze!"

The furry creature’s word had barely dropped when Kale’s shout tore through the air. His figure erupted in a blaze of roaring flames.

The flames wrapped around every inch of his body like a compressed storm. The temperature rose to unimaginable heights.

"He used it!"

The eyes of many Redflame members in the crowd shot wide. Many who had wanted him to take his time visibly let out a sigh.

He had just used a Baron ranked Redflame Will Art!

It was an art that used the limits of one’s will to fuel their flames. Anyone with a weaker will who came in contact with the flames would turn into ashes.

The battle was over, not that they had expected anything else to happen. Atticus’ flames stood no chance against a Baron ranked will with fifteen gathered worlds under his belt.

As everyone waited for the inevitable, they glanced towards Atticus, expecting to see him cowering in the face of overwhelming might.

But their relaxed gaze only narrowed.

One could only become a Baron after combining at least five Baron ranked worlds. Kale had achieved thrice that amount. Many in the audience were also Barons in their own right.

They could feel the heat coming from Kale’s flames. Those who weren’t of the Redflames path had already begun to sweat.

As the closest to him, a person who wasn’t even a Baron, the heat should have caused Atticus’ body to be drenched in sweat even with the full power of his will protecting him.

But Atticus hadn’t even activated his will. And yet, there wasn’t a single bead of sweat on him.

He just stood there, unfazed, despite the scorching furnace in front of him.

Just... what was going on?

Kale’s eyes had long since narrowed. He had noticed this oddity even before the crowd. Surrounding him were the hottest flames he could muster, and yet they seemed to have no effect on Atticus?

’True will...’ his mind began to race. It had been centuries since a true willer appeared, but while they were known to have more powerful wills than others, it should never be to this extent, especially for an ascending god. The lower planes were never a suitable place to train your will.

’It doesn’t matter. It’ll be different when I make contact.’ He resolved. But his gaze sharpened as Atticus’ body suddenly moved.

’He’s coming?’

He watched, shocked, as Atticus began walking towards him with calm steps. A red glow suddenly radiated from him, spreading out to encase his figure like a cloak.

Kale frowned. ’He’s withstanding the heat,’ he realized. Atticus had gotten so close, yet he didn’t seem affected by the flames.

’Embergaze.’

Kale’s gaze flashed red as he tried to scan the area. He could see that Atticus wasn’t using any art. Only his will surrounded his body!

Kale’s expression darkened as he realized,

’He’s more than I expected!’ More than any of them had expected.

’I have to attack.’

His eyes flared, about to unleash his next move, when Atticus suddenly paused.

Kale met his eyes, and time seemed to slow.

A pair of golden eyes stared back at him, and he could swear it was the most bare he had ever felt in his life.

The realization hit him like a wrecking ball. The child god was dangerous!

"Wait—!"

Atticus moved before Kale could finish speaking.

He erased the distance between them, leaving a trail of searing embers in his wake.

Kale found an iron grip clamping against his neck in the next moment.

He was off the ground before he could even realize, trembling eyes staring down at Atticus.

How the hell did he touch his flames without burning!?

Kale snapped out of his thoughts, about to activate another art... when Atticus’ will finally flared.

In an instant, Kale watched, incredulous, as his flame was overwhelmed.

Then, he felt a heat the likes of which he had never felt before slam against his body.