After that exchange, House got serious. This man named Ryan Matthews, a Lightning Element Midgod, really had attack power and speed on par with his own.
"Again!"
Seeing that House was getting fired up, Matthews once again unleashed the Profound Truths of Fusion Law with all his strength. Countless afterimages darted toward House at the center of the platform, slashing at him at incredible speed!
"Clang, clang—"
The audience could only hear the clash of weapons and the thunderous roar of the attacks. As a Seven-Star powerhouse, City Lord Avalon saw clearly as Matthews rapidly attacked House, who barely managed to defend himself.
"Whew—"
When he saw that even his strongest attack had no effect, Matthews stopped.
"I lost!"
House admired Matthews's attack power, remarkable for a Midgod, and shook his head. "I only won by luck!"
"The city lord wants to see you!"
Matthews thought for a moment, then agreed. "All right. I have friends with me, though!"
A Water Element God recorded Matthews's battle with House. Fights between Five-Star Fire Walkers were rare. When the recording was circulated, the alias Ryan—which Matthews had picked at random—was mistakenly spread as his given name, and Matthews became his surname.
When Avalon met Matthews, he smiled and praised him. "Ryan, you're very talented. How about working for me?"
Label still wanted to recruit the Matthews brothers into the Four Divine Beasts Clan, so she immediately spoke up. "No!"
Avalon had sensed the presence of someone from the Vermilion Bird Clan earlier, but since Label was only a Midgod, he hadn't paid her much attention. Now that she had spoken, he asked uncertainly, "You are...?"
"My name is Label."
Avalon thought for a moment before remembering that Label was the daughter of Tia Nemo, the Vermilion Bird Clan Chief.
"I was presumptuous."