Chapter 328
Chapter Title: Surpassing Limits
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328
“What? What was that?”
“A tidal wave?”
“Good heavens…!”
Cries of astonishment erupted from the spectator stands.
In response, the commentator, Runba, shouted in excitement.
-Aaaaaah! A tidal wave! Leo Flove! He created a tidal wave using spirit arts! Is he insane?!
-What did you just say, Runba Tes?
-Gah! P-Professor Halind… I mean, that was just… *click*!
The broadcast from Runba, who had let out a profanity-laced exclamation without realizing it, was cut off.
At the commentary desk, Runba was prostrate on the floor with his head down, while Halind berated him with an icy expression.
Hark, who had heard Runba’s commentary, let out a hollow laugh.
“Don’t tell me he’s formed a contract with the Great Water Spirit?”
“He hasn’t formed a contract with the Great Water Spirit. If he had, he wouldn’t have gone through the trouble of creating a tidal wave with the water from Lake Lumeria. The power of the Great Water Spirit alone would have been enough to create the water needed for a tidal wave.”
Ril explained.
“Oh? So he’s not as amazing as I thought.”
“He is amazing! In a way, what he did is more difficult than contracting with the Great Water Spirit!”
Ril, clenching her fists, waved her hands frantically as she continued her explanation.
“He formed temporary contracts with the countless water spirits living in Lake Lumeria in an instant to create that tidal wave! That’s an incredible feat of spirit arts! Ah! I want to have an in-depth conversation with Leo about spirit arts right this instant.”
“Our cute little Ril is all excited.”
Elena smiled faintly.
“He completely changed the battlefield… What could he be planning, to go through such trouble to alter the terrain?”
Aina asked, her eyes fixed on the screen. Hark answered with a nonchalant tone.
“He probably intends to summon a Phantasmal Beast that can display immense power on a flooded battlefield.”
“A Phantasmal Beast that can display immense power on a flooded battlefield! Could he be planning to summon Pegasus?!”
Ril shouted, her face flushed with excitement.
“You think the Three Great Phantasmal Beasts are just anyone’s pet?”
Just as Hark shook his head.
*Flash-! Kra-ka-ka-ka-koom-!*
A bolt of pure white lightning struck down.
As the Phantasmal Beast known as the Pure White Illusion appeared along with it, Hark’s jaw dropped.
Elena twirled a strand of her hair and said.
“At this point… Leo must be a total nightmare for the second-years, don’t you think?”
***
*Bubble-bubble-bubble-!*
Karl flailed about after falling into the water.
Eliza’s Phantasmal Beast, the Delphinus named Ruri, appeared before him.
*Squeak-*
Seeing the Delphinus, Karl thrashed his arms and legs wildly.
*Squeak-!*
The Delphinus bit onto the hem of Karl’s clothes and dragged him to the surface.
“*Gasp!* Th-thanks.”
In response to Karl’s thanks, the Delphinus let out a series of chirps, *squeak- squeak-!*, and dived back underwater.
Having barely made it to the surface, Karl hurriedly cast a spell to levitate his body and looked up at the sky.
There, he spotted Leo riding a pure white horse and let out a hollow laugh.
‘…He actually summoned Pegasus, too?’
When Karl had heard that Leo had summoned a fairy.
He had wondered if perhaps Leo had managed to contract all Three Great Phantasmal Beasts.
Logically, it was a near-impossible feat.
‘But Leo has always defied common sense.’
He had planned his strategy assuming the worst of the worst.
‘He changed the battlefield to his advantage.’
In truth, Karl knew well that Leo wasn’t affected by the battlefield.
On land, on water, or in the sky.
Leo could exert 100% of his combat prowess anywhere.
The ones affected by the terrain were Chloe and Chen Xia.
And the students from the other dorms who had been attacking Glory’s base.
Karl turned his head to look at Glory’s base.
‘Capturing the base has become impossible.’
The moment the surrounding area was flooded.
The students of Harmony and Noble had lost their ground.
Of course, there would be students who were stronger in underwater combat, and others who were largely unaffected by the water.
But at the very least, the students who specialized in land-based combat now faced significant difficulties.
Unlike the combined forces of Harmony and Noble, Glory still had the massive advantage of their barrier.
In addition to that…
‘Celia and Duran.’
The advantageous matchups they had held against Chloe and Chen Xia.
That advantage was certain to shift in Chloe and Chen Xia’s favor the moment the battle moved underwater.
Chloe, who wielded ice magic, and Chen Xia, a possessor of water-attribute Aura.
Celia’s power would be halved in underwater combat.
Furthermore, Chloe had gained an offensive tool she could freeze at will: ‘water.’
Not only that, but Chen Xia was one of the strongest second-year students in underwater combat.
‘He orchestrated and created this entire situation by himself.’
It could only be described as marvelous.
‘Amazing, Leo.’
As if he never had any limits.
He always pulled off incredible feats as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Because he knew that all too well.
He had anticipated this, their most desperate situation, just in case.
Karl’s eyes glinted.
‘That’s why… I came prepared!’
***
Seeing the flooded battlefield, Celia let out a hollow laugh.
She had a good guess as to whose work this was.
“Really… he’s my cousin, but this is just too much.”
Every time she steeled her resolve to stand up and chase after him, he would widen the gap between them once more.
The spark that had just been rekindled felt like it was about to be extinguished again.
*Woooooosh-*
Celia readjusted her grip on Flame Storm.
A powerful heat shimmered from Flame Storm, which had regained its pristine blade shape.
‘Still… I can’t let myself break.’
*Fwoosh-*
Her drenched body dried rapidly.
‘It’s always been this way, hasn’t it?’
Celia’s eyes shone brightly.
‘I’ve walked my own path.’
She had vowed to become a great knight who would not be found wanting before her great ancestors.
A knight who would surpass them.
‘I just have to keep doing that.’
“You’re back to the Celia I know.”
Chloe, levitating with Fly magic, landed on the surface of the water with a smile.
*Tap-!*
The water Chloe stepped on froze, creating a platform for her to stand on.
The Harmony and Noble students flailing in the water flinched.
“Hey! Get out of the water, quick!”
“Chloe’s magic is coming!”
*Plink-*
Chloe dipped the tip of her staff into the water and chanted.
“World of Ice.”
*C-c-c-c-c-c-c-c-c-crack-!*
The water instantly froze, spreading out from Chloe as the epicenter.
The students who had been desperately trying to escape the water were frozen solid, all receiving a death verdict.
*Tak-!*
Chloe looked at Celia with her blue eyes and said.
“You’re next, Celia.”
“…I’ve wanted to fight you with everything I’ve got for a while now.”
*Shk-!*
Celia readied her sword.
*Fwoooosh-!*
*Cra-cra-cra-crack-!*
*Sizzzzzzle-!*
Ice and fire clashed, and a thick cloud of steam enveloped the battlefield.
*Bzzzzzzzt-!*
“Aaaaaaaargh!”
“Hey! Duran, if you attack now, you’ll hit your own teammates!”
“Not my problem. Dodge on your own.”
Duran spoke coldly and unleashed his lightning Aura.
*Flash! Kra-ka-ka-ka-koom! Bzzzzzzzzzzzt-!*
“Hiiiek!”
“Everyone, fall back!”
Golden sparks danced wildly across the water in the surrounding area.
“I almost became a piece of electric-fried barbecue.”
A male student, who had barely escaped Duran’s attack range, stood on the water using Aura Step, breaking out in a cold sweat.
“You’re telling me. I thought he wouldn’t attack with his allies around, but as expected, Duran is merciless, isn’t he?”
“Gah? Ch-Chen Xia!”
“So there you are.”
The male knight student yelped in fright upon seeing Chen Xia, who was squatting on the water and muttering as if she couldn’t believe it.
Duran’s sword qi flew toward Chen Xia.
The male knight student tried to dodge in terror, but Chen Xia tripped him first.
“Oof.”
“Wh-what are you doing!”
“Using you as a shield.”
“You cruel woman!”
The male student screamed.
Chen Xia casually swung her arm.
Like a light ball, the male student was thrown into Duran’s lightning attack.
*Bzzzzzt-!*
At that moment-
Duran’s sword qi moved like a snake, changing its trajectory to avoid the male student and fly toward Chen Xia.
Just as Chen Xia easily dodged the attack.
*Grab-!*
Duran, who had closed the distance in an instant, seized Chen Xia by the neck.
“You’ve run well until now.”
Duran’s golden eyes flashed.
“But this is the end.”
*Krrrrrumble! Kra-ka-ka-ka-ka-koom!*
“Ugh-guh-guh-guh-guhk?!”
Chen Xia screamed as she was electrocuted.
*Bzzzt-! Sizzzzzle-!*
Chen Xia’s body went limp.
Her head lolled to the side.
Her life-indicating bracelet blinked red, as if she had fainted.
“M-merciless.”
“Whoa… that looks painful.”
As murmurs of shock spread, Duran scoffed.
“Who do you all think this girl is? Chen Xia is strong. If I let my guard down, I’ll be the one to fall.”
“Gotcha.”
“…!”
*Snatch-!*
“And you know what, Duran?”
Chen Xia smiled, a sharp expression unlike her usual one.
“Shadows build up a resistance to their weakness attribute. I was subjected to something like electric torture from a young age, so I have a strong resistance to lightning Aura.”
*Sploosh! Splash-!*
Contrary to her small frame and cute, gentle face, Chen Xia’s fighting style was tough and utterly desperate.
A literal mud fight where she disregarded her own injuries just to take down her opponent.
She had let Duran catch her just so she could drag him into the ‘water,’ the battlefield where she had the advantage.
‘Tch!’
Duran gritted his teeth, gripped his sword, and tried to summon his Aura.
*Fwoosh! Boom-!*
But Chen Xia’s fist slammed into his solar plexus first.
*Kra-ka-ka-ka-koom! Thud-!*
Duran was sent crashing straight to the bottom of the water.
Holding his breath, Duran glared at Chen Xia, who blocked his path.
*Wooooong-!*
Chen Xia used her water Aura.
*Squeeze-!*
An immense water pressure crushed Duran.
This was underwater.
It was literally Chen Xia’s home turf, a place where she commanded water Aura.
*Stagger-!*
Duran’s knees buckled.
The green light on his life-indicating bracelet instantly turned orange.
‘Right.’
Duran’s eyes flashed.
‘I will defeat you… and then go fight Leo Flove.’
*Bzzzzzzzt-!*
Sparks flew from Duran’s body.
***
-Haaah!
Arti let out a cry as Leo gripped the reins.
“What is it?”
-To think that I, who have been contracted to the Rodren Imperial Family for generations, am obeying my Master’s orders in front of so many people…
“I doubt anyone will recognize you as the Pegasus of Rodren.”
Even now, Arti was wreathed in pure white lightning.
It was a Pegasus in full battle mode.
The lightning obscured its detailed features, so the only one who might recognize Arti was probably Sasha, who knew of their contract.
-That’s what makes it so good. Ehehehehe!
Leo yanked irritably on the reins of Arti, who was shivering and letting out a perverted laugh.
-Mmm~! I don’t like it when you’re rough~
Arti murmured in a coquettish voice.
Ignoring Arti, Leo charged toward the four people with a blank expression.
*Fwoosh-!*
Woreden and Chelsea moved to block his path.
*Bzzzzzzzzzt-!*
As Leo raised his hand, Pegasus’s lightning gathered at his fingertips.
His eyes flashing, Leo shot the lightning toward Chelsea.
*Flash-! Kra-ka-ka-koom!*
Woreden stepped in front of Chelsea.
Chelsea activated her mana and shouted.
“Wind Break!”
*Kra-ka-ka-ka-ka-koom-!*
Wind Break, one of Chelsea’s signature spells, was cast.
In addition, Chelsea began to chant at an incredible speed.
In response, Wind Break began to multiply at a tremendous rate, soon creating hundreds of Wind Breaks.
Leo tracked the trajectory of the wind with his eyes and pulled on Arti’s reins.
*Swoosh! Swoosh-swoosh-swoosh!*
Chelsea gritted her teeth as she watched Leo charge forward, dodging every single one of the densely packed wind barriers as if they were a net.
*Fwoosh-!*
Just then, a Wind Wyvern blocked Leo’s path.
“It’s an honor! To be able to engage in an aerial battle with a Pegasus!”
Eliza shouted sharply and swung her whip.
*Whoosh-! Thwip-!*
Leo caught the whip.
“Hrk!”
Eliza gritted her teeth, seeing Leo so easily catch the whip that was imbued with the power of a Phantasmal Beast, not just a simple whip.
-I wanted to get hit by the whip!
Ignoring Arti’s lament, Leo pulled with all his strength.
“Kyaa?!”
“Always so haughty, but you can let out a cute scream too, huh?”
“Are you making fun of me right now!”
Sparks flew from the eyes of a blushing Eliza.
Letting go of the whip, Eliza had the Wind Wyvern ram straight into Leo.
*Kwang! Bzzzzzzzt!*
-My, how rough. Just my type.
Arti laughed in amusement and snorted.
Leo smirked and used Arti to charge at Eliza.
*Kra-ka-ka-ka-koooom-!*
Eliza was thrown from the Wind Wyvern and plummeted toward the ground.
Chelsea quickly flew to Eliza and caught her in a princess carry.
“Why do I have to be the one to carry you like this!”
“Ugh! I don’t like being in this humiliating position held by someone as tiny as you, either!”
“Who are you calling tiny! I’ll drop you!”
Leo raised his hand as he watched the two bicker loudly.
“You two get along well.”
*Bzzzzzzzt-!*
Just as Leo raised his hand to shoot Pegasus’s lightning at the two.
*Fwoooooooosh! Kwaaaaaaaaah!*
A fierce wind raged around Leo.
‘…Abad?’
Leo’s eyes twitched.
The spell Abad had cast was Wind Prison.
A spell that trapped its target within a prison.
It was a powerful spell that literally cut off the inside from the outside.
*Rumble-rumble-rumble-rumble-!*
Leo raised his head.
A giant mass of rock was beginning to form in the air.
‘The Great Earth Spirit.’
It was none other than Woreden, who had been hit by Leo’s attack earlier.
He was summoning Titaum from outside the Wind Prison.
*Kwaaaaaaaaaah-!*
Leo looked down.
Eliza, having summoned her Delphinus in the water, was looking up at him.
Finally, Leo’s gaze turned to Karl.
“You anticipated this far.”
Leo’s lips curled up as he looked at Chelsea.
Chelsea, standing before Leo, gripped her staff tightly, her face tense.
“You plan to summon the Great Earth Spirit to create a rock pile of maximum weight and crush me with it?”
“…That’s right, Leo.”
“And to prevent me from escaping the moment the Wind Prison is released, Eliza will use the water to hold me in place, I presume.”
Leo glanced at Abad.
“The problem is, while Wind Prison has a powerful binding force, the caster must remain inside the prison. The caster can’t do anything else while casting the spell. And they can’t receive support from the outside. But…”
Leo grinned.
“You’re going to block me all by yourself?”
“…Yes.”
Leo nodded as he looked at Chelsea, who was answering while breaking out in a cold sweat.
“You know it’s impossible, right?”
“The person I admire…”
Chelsea looked straight at Leo.
“Is someone who achieves the impossible.”
*Fwoooooosh-!*
Chelsea’s wind began to blow.
“Just admiring isn’t enough.”
“…”
“Now, I want to walk the same path. So…”
Chelsea smiled.
“I’ll surpass my limits and achieve the impossible.”