Jake looked at Kieran who seemed brimming with boundless energy. 

He could already tell that Kieran was at [Realm-3 Stage-7]

He didn't know whether to sigh or to laugh at himself.

Why did it seem like every enemy he fought with was blessed with abundant energy?

He always thought that his energy levels were top tier, but lately, he had been having doubts about it.

Focusing back on the looming battle, Jake activated his [Akashic Eye]. Based on his experimentations, he could last at least an hour with a fully active eye.

Jake nodded at Kaleyx and walked to Kieran, trying to cut him off from whatever he was charging.

He erupted with his own energy as he threw a fast punch at Kieran.

*Boom!*

The punch was blocked effortlessly by Kieran. 

A tremor swam through Jake's body as he forcefully understood Kieran's strength.

Kieran's firm grip on his hand made it impossible for Jake to distance himself from the latter.

'[Lightning Charge]....' chanted Jake.

His body exploded with streaks of lightning, that swam around his skin.

Suddenly, he found himself in possession of a greater strength and speed.

However, he still couldn't escape Kieran's grip.

*Dun* *Dun*

Sighing, Jake's body pulsed with more and more streaks of blue lightning as he seemed to be about to explode.

*Dun* *Dun* *Dun* *Dun*

When the pulsation reached its peak, Jake discharged a barrier of lightning that tore apart anything it touched. Even Kieran was not spared from this as he was thrown away by the lightning eruption.

Immediately afterward, Jake felt a wave of weakiness brush his body.

He looked at his hand and could see a hand mark on it. No doubt it was caused by Kieran's insanely strong grip.

'F*ckery,' sighed Jake.

He brought out his sword and quickly entered the [Weapon Syncrohnization State].

His entire world turned to a shade of white and black, with strings attaching every living being in the vicinity.

There was one particular one that tingled vibrantly. Jake knew it was Kieran.

Not wasting time to think, Jake dashed to Kieran's location.

With his [Akashic Eye] and his weapon state, he could see a massive kick coming his way, but he wasn't bothered.

Using his insane reflex, he ducked just in time and slashed at Kieran.

*Clang!*

It was unknown whether it was due to his own body or a hidden chest armor, but when Jake slashed, he felt a chattering sound that jingled his body.

A sound then came out which resembled the clashing of two metals.

This caught Jake off-guard, but he managed to dodge the next attack that came his way.

He went low for a leg sweep but found himself not possessing enough strength to sweep Kieran off his feet.

Twisting his body, Jake jumped high in the air and kneed Kieran's head. 

He had used his full power for that and was a bit happy that blood rushed out of Kieran's nose following the attack.

This was a sign that this block of metal wasn't impenetrable.

Sadly, before he could balance himself, Kieran finally adjusted to Jake's insane speed and plunged a punch, also with his full strength, into his chest.

*Boom!*

This sent Jake flying to the forest as he left broken trees in his trail.

He only stopped when he reached a nearby water body.

Instantly, Jake materialized his [Sky Steps] behind him and twisted in the air to balance himself horizontally on it. 

After that, he used the momentum to softly jump to the water body.

'The lake,' sighed Jake.

He had noticed the presence of a lake close by but didn't realize it was this big.

If an uneducated person saw this, they might think it was a sea or something, due to its boundless size.

"So, how was it?" asked a loud voice beside him.

He looked sideways and saw Kaleyx grinning at his sorry state.

He wasn't sad that she didn't help him. This was their agreement. Jake was testing Kieran's power.

"He possesses the greatest strength I have ever seen. It is immensely higher than the base strength of a [Realm-3] warrior," divulged Jake.

"Anyone that cut put you in this state with just body strength alone deserves attention," frowned Kaleyx.

"Not just that. He is collected and offers no weak point. However, if I were to go all out, I'm sure to defeat him, but that just based on what I've seen. He has not used the power of elements at all, and his energy is too large," explained Jake.

The two of them could already see Kieran walking out of the trail that Jake left.

Jake sighed, "Also, it appears that this was what he wanted."

"Hmmmm. Humor me."

"He was setting the stage," quipped Jake.

Being someone that liked setting the stage, Jake could tell when someone was doing the same.

Kaleyx cocked her head at Jake, "So, together?"

"I'm afraid so."

This was all she needed as she burst out with her own dark-silver energy.

She materialized her beloved daggers and kept playing with them, waiting for Kieran to step on the lake.

Meanwhile, she managed to hear a piece of shocking information from Jake, "If I'm right. The source of his strength is a bloodline. Not just that, he possesses a [Water Spirit Physique]. There is a possibility of him hiding something else."

After having time to cool down, Jake could decipher every secret of Kieran with his [Akashic Eye].

"Balderdash! Could he be any more blessed?" cursed Kaleyx.

They watched as with each step Kieran's height grew. 

In no time, Kieran became half as tall as a regular tree and his cloth tore apart.

His skin turned green as it changed to that of a plated skin, resembling that of an ant. His legs grew thinner and his arms became more compact, boasting an impossible level of strength

True to this transformation theme, two small antennas extended out of his head.

His eyes became completely black as it marked the end of his transformation, his bloodline transformation!

The water surrounding him sung in his favor. Every step he took on the lake felt too easy like he was stepping on land.

With the surge of water around him marking the activation of his physique, Jake knew that Kieran was looking to end everything.

So, he calmed his mind and prepared himself for another round of battle!