Chapter 291: Lily VS Rio: Eyes Meet, Hearts Beat

As the girl observed him effortlessly overpower her hydra using his ancient Lion battle art technique, she couldn't shake the feeling that she would be defeated if she didn't employ her most powerful move.

'I must do this.'

With a serene sigh, Lily clasped her hands together, preparing to unleash her icy dragon. She knew this was the key to securing her victory.

The massive, twenty-five-meter-long creature surged forward, a fearsome howl tearing through the air as it made its way toward Rio.

She felt bad for the boy, for she knew the sheer power of her battle art technique could gravely injure him. But deep down, she understood she had no choice; she had to win this battle, even if it meant defying her own mother and harming Rio.

As the colossal dragon barreled towards the boy, she caught sight of the small, blue sphere in his hand.

'Can his small attack truly withstand the force of Ice Dragon's Rage technique? I need to be prepared to stop my battle art technique when I'm sure of his defeat, to ensure he doesn't lose his life.'

She found it difficult to comprehend how such a seemingly small strike could counter the immense power of her icy dragon.

But as the two forces collided, a shockwave of immense power erupted, swallowing up her ice dragon and leaving Lily stunned, Her eyes widened, and she felt a momentary pang of fear.

The girl knew she would be severely injured by this attack and resigned herself to leaving her fate in the hands of the heavens.

However, in that split second, she saw the boy vanish from his position, only to reappear directly in front of her. She could hardly believe what she was witnessing; Rio had managed to counter her attack and was now putting himself in harm's way to protect her from the impending explosion.

'Is he an idiot???'

Her heart raced as he wrapped his arms around her, shielding her from the blast. Their eyes locked, and she was captivated by the affection and adoration she saw in his gaze. It was a look she could not comprehend, especially given that they were opponents in the heat of battle.

As the [Heaven's Destroyer] detonated, the girl felt the shockwave reverberating through her body, but Rio's embrace provided her with an unexpected sense of safety and comfort. The chaos of the battle seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them, locked in a world of their own.

As the dust settled and the debris cleared, Lily found herself standing in the devastated arena, as she separated from Rio.

The girl looked at him, she saw his mask cracked, ready to crumble and reveal his face. Her heart raced her emotions a whirlwind of confusion, concern, and something else she couldn't quite identify.

Why had he saved her when she had tried to injure him so severely?

Why was he looking at her with such affection when they were supposed to be enemies?

These questions swirled in her mind, and she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something deeper at play, something that connected them beyond the arena and the battle they had just fought.

She found herself irresistibly captivated by the depth of emotion in his gaze. However, soon her attention was drawn to a small detail - his sea-green irises.

As her eyes started to tear up for no reason, she silently mumbled to herself, "These eyes..."

A mixture of fear and bliss stirred within her, causing her heart to tremble. As she pieced together his eyes, name, and age, she realized that everything seemed to align with her growing suspicion. His foolish actions only further confirmed her thoughts.

Her eyes welled up with more tears as she stared at him.

Suddenly, his mask disintegrated, revealing his bloodied face. Blood trickled from the corner of his lips, yet the sight of him only made her heart swell with emotion.

Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably as she reached out to gently cradle his cheeks in her hands, her voice filled with love and longing, softly murmuring, "Rio... My Rio..."

With a tender, foolish smile, the boy lost himself in her loving gaze, their eyes locking in a shared moment of overwhelming emotion brimming with intense love.

As the girl gazed into Rio's eyes, her heart swelled with emotions too strong to contain.

An irresistible force drew her closer, and she found herself standing on her tiptoes, her lips reaching for his forehead. The tender press of her lips against his skin was a loving caress, a gentle manifestation of their rekindled connection.

From his forehead, her lips traced a path to his eyes, bestowing another delicate kiss upon each eyelid, as if to soothe away the pain of their long separation. Lastly, her lips found his cheeks, the soft pressure conveying her joy and relief at their reunion.

Throughout this tender exchange, her tears flowed uncontrollably, a shimmering cascade reflecting the overwhelming emotions surging within her. Her actions were imbued with a sense of urgency, as though she feared their precious moment would be all too fleeting.

Rio, his eyes glistening with the unshed tears of his own, raised a hand to her cheek, his fingertips gently brushing away the damp trails left by her tears. His touch was as tender as a whisper, a delicate balm to her overflowing emotions.

In response to her loving gestures, Rio leaned in, his own heart filled with longing. With tender care, he pressed his lips to her forehead, bestowing a gentle kiss that spoke of his deep yearning and affection for her.

At that moment, their love and yearning for each other seemed to fill the very air around them, as if announcing to everyone the depths of their bond and the intensity of their craving for each other's touch.

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