The audience stood in stunned silence, witnessing the unexpected development. As the cloud of dust dissipated, they saw Lily tenderly kissing Rio's face, her concern and tears evident. Their intimacy suggested a deep bond, akin to that of lovers.
Nyla, too, was dazed by the scene unfolding before her, yet something clicked in her mind, and a soft smile blossomed on her lips.
Verdant leaves, seemingly born from the very air itself, began to gracefully swirl around the boy's back. Like a tender, living tapestry, they enveloped his wounded form, weaving themselves over the burnt skin. As they made contact, a faint, soothing glow emanated from each leaf, and Rio's injuries began to heal at an astonishing pace.
Earlier, when the attack had detonated, Eve had been prepared to protect them both, no matter how the situation unfolded. Just as the explosion threatened to engulf the pair and harm her beloved boy, numerous strong vines emerged from the ground, shielding them from the brunt of the blast. Although the girl couldn't ensure their complete safety, her efforts had been enough to save them both.
Meanwhile, oblivious to the international broadcast and the countless eyes upon them, including the country of Dhovrix race, who watched the live telecast with astonishment, the couple only had eyes for each other.
Was this meant to be a romantic show or a tournament?
However, the audience's shock only intensified as the scene unfolded.
Gradually, Rio's hands tenderly found their way to Lily's slender waist, gently drawing her closer to him. Their eyes locked, conveying a depth of emotion that words could never express.
In that instant, their lips met in a delicate, affectionate embrace, setting their hearts ablaze with a fire that burned brightly within their very souls.
Rio savored the familiar sensation, a treasured memory of his first kiss, etched deeply within the core of his being.
As their lips intertwined in a loving dance of warmth and serenity, they both became enveloped in an all-consuming tide of bliss. This magical moment seemed to transport them to another realm, where only they existed, lost in each other's embrace.
Their kiss was evidence of their unspoken love, a connection that bridged the chasm between two souls. In that momentary instant, their hearts melded together, resonating with the same passionate intensity, and becoming one unified force of boundless affection.
As the world around them appeared to fade into oblivion, they remained engrossed in their tender exchange, immersed in the shared closeness that revealed the profound depths of their connection.
Time itself seemed to pause, surrendering to the power of their loving embrace, allowing them to lose themselves in the warmth and solace of each other's arms.
In this suspended moment, they found sanctuary, a haven where the outside world ceased to exist, and only their love mattered.
As they kissed, a cascade of emotions swelled within them, washing over their hearts like a tidal wave of love and longing. Glistening tears welled up in their eyes, threatening to spill over as they continued to explore the depths of one another's souls. They continued to share their warmth and sweetness, along with the salty taste of the tears that they tasted on each other's lips.
In this moment of pure, unadulterated bliss, the two lovers felt as if they were standing at the very edge of eternity, their hearts brimming with the kind of joy that could only come from the union of two souls destined to be together.
The heavens above seemed to smile upon them, bestowing upon them a sense of completeness and fulfillment that surpassed even their wildest dreams.
In each other's embrace, they found solace and an answer to their yearning, their love a beacon of hope and happiness in a world that often seemed filled with darkness and despair.
Deep down, they knew this moment marked one of the happiest times of their lives. Overwhelmed with gratitude and joy, they felt as if the higher beings above had blessed them with everything their hearts could ever desire.
Locked in each other's embrace, the girl couldn't help but marvel at the mysterious forces of the universe that had brought them here, for she couldn't comprehend how her Rio was the same Rio who had broken her own record.
Didn't her grandfather seal his memories and innate talent?
Why would he allow Aliyah Havenglow to adopt him when the old man hated him?
Questions swirled in her mind, but she didn't want to address them just yet. Her longing for the boy was too intense, and all she wanted was to drink in the sight of him and quench her thirst, her yearning for him overwhelming her.
Rio felt the same, though one question lingered in his mind, "Didn't she say she was adopted? Wasn't her name Layla?"
Yet, for now, they chose to set their questions aside, lost in the love and connection they shared in that unforgettable moment.
As the couple remained lost in their tender embrace, their loving kiss a manifestation of the yearning in their hearts, the referee's voice intruded upon their moment, "I must remind you that this match is being broadcasted live, and I must ask that you continue the fight."
Though the duo heard the referee's words, they seemed to exist in a world of their own, unaffected by the reminder. The referee, feeling helpless, could only watch as their sweet connection continued to unfold.
After another minute, the couple finally broke their kiss.
Lily's mana-enchanted voice turned to the referee and declared, "I accept defeat..."
Her words echoed throughout the arena, giving the already astonished audience yet another reason for their disbelief. They knew that if Rio hadn't saved the girl, she would have undoubtedly lost, and the same outcome would have occurred.
However, for her to step forward and willingly accept defeat was an entirely new concept that they had never considered.
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[SnowNote]
* Read this again, and it will make more sense: "The memory of love, at first sight, flooded his mind, and he felt as if he had fallen for her at that very moment."
* Your questions are welcome in the comment box (except for spoilers; I will answer everything).
* I have one more request: please don't mention this chapter and Layla's arrival in the Novel's Official Discord Server.
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