A Man Like None Other (Jared Chance) novel Chapter 5413

"Jared..." Yuliana breathed his name, the syllables trembling on the edge of a warning.

Yuliana stepped in front of Jared, slim shoulders squared against danger. She understood his power, yet Oronin's mastery of space nascence lurked like a hidden blade. If that fiend sealed them inside his private dimension, rescue would be impossible—entering would mean surrendering their lives.

"Trust me. I've got this." Jared's smile was small, confident, and meant for her alone.

Across the courtyard, Aurelius caught the look passing between the two and instantly pieced together exactly what had transpired.

That molten gaze—the one lovers shared after shattering their final restraint—needed no interpreter.

Infinides watched them and sighed. Jared scattered affection like wildflower seeds; the old abbot could no longer shield every disciple from his charm.

Flaxseed shuffled close, voice a conspiratorial rasp. "Jared, if you're set on facing Oronin, want me to sneak you a couple of charms?"

"No need," Jared said, laughter rumbling low. "That punk's not worth dirty tricks."

"All right, suit yourself—but stay alive." Flaxseed's grin turned wicked. "So ... you and Yuliana—are you two, you know, involved? Those eyes of hers say things."

"No. We haven't crossed the last line."

Jared shook his head, though color bloomed at his ears.

"Can't be." Flaxseed's disbelief was absolute. "She looks at you like she already belongs to you—and you to her."

"Seriously, nothing yet," Jared muttered, rubbing his neck. "Well... I might have, uh, kissed her somewhere intimate."

"D*mn." Flaxseed froze, then thrust up a thumb. "You play wild. Respect."

"If you're so eager to die, hurry up," Oronin called, patience fraying. He tapped a boot, spatial energy fizzing like warped glass around him.

Jared strode forward, a cold smile carving his face. "I usually avoid hitting kids, but today, that doesn't apply."

Jared moved too fast for the naked eye. Golden after-images laced the arena, weaving an airtight net of light that folded in on Oronin from every angle.

"How can anyone move so fast?"

Perched halfway up the slope, Leonel blurted, "Jared's footwork isn't a hair slower than Oronin's!"

Yuliana's fingers knotted in the hem of her robe. Worry shimmered in her eyes, yet beneath it lived an unshakable faith—she had witnessed Jared's power and knew recklessness was never his vice.

Aurelius stroked his beard; despair drained from his cheeks, replaced by a cautious spark of hope. "The boy was hiding deeper than we guessed. Perhaps he truly can topple Oronin."

Inside the dust-choked ring, Oronin dodged dozens of blows before one grazing fist clipped his shoulder.

Liquid gold spiritual energy knifed into his flesh. He grunted, staggered two steps, and the struck fabric charred into a smoking hole while the sour scent of burnt cloth curled in the air.