-1578- The fierce final battle

"Boom!"

A thunderous explosion echoed across the arena, and an intense, terrifying heat surged upward.

Crimson flames devoured the atmosphere, burning through everything and distorting the space.

"Sizzle...!"

The silver-white chains, formed into a spherical shape, seemed to be baked red-hot, emitting smoke, and eventually melting away.

The Injunction Shackles, which could seal even magic and were indestructible unless attacked by divine energy or specific abilities, were now being consumed by flames capable of burning through anything.

And Rozen, completely engulfed by the fire, had disappeared without a trace, even his presence vanishing.

"Rozen!"

"Rozen!"

"Senpai!"

"Rorelai!"

Kanata, Chloe, Yuri, and Mena all shouted in unison as they witnessed the scene, their movements coming to a halt.

"A perfect opportunity!"

Gregory, who had been struggling to hold his ground, immediately seized the moment and rapidly retreated, breaking free from Kanata's engagement.

Francis, Parson, and Gerrit did the same, quickly withdrawing and regrouping in one corner of the arena.

As the vice-captain, Gregory grimly eyed Yumiel, who was unleashing her fearsome flames. His expression hardened, then became resolute.

"Since the princess has already used her curse, we no longer need to hold back."

Gregory issued the order decisively.

Francis, Parson, and Gerrit, visibly shaken, all nodded in agreement.

In that moment, a violent force erupted from the four of them.

"Roar...!"

Gregory let out a terrifying roar, his voice resembling that of a wild beast.

With that, Gregory began to transform.

"—!"

His clothes instantly tore apart as his muscular body swelled.

"Crack, crack...!"

The sound of his muscles and bones grinding echoed as Gregory's body grew larger, his skin covered in fur, and sharp fangs protruded from his gaping mouth. In an instant, he had transformed into a werewolf covered in ash-gray fur.

"Curse — Beast Empowerment!"

Gregory unleashed his curse.

The other three also activated their powers.

"Curse — Weapon Creation!"

Francis discarded his magic spear, and phosphorescent light gathered in his hands, forming massive floating cannons, their barrels glowing with terrifying energy.

"Curse — Nightblade!"

Parsons drew a sword that emitted an extraordinary, razor-sharp glow, sharper and purer than any weapon in existence.

"Curse — Absolute Frost!"

Gerrit raised his hands, and an overwhelming chill filled the air, forming in his grasp.

At that moment, the Armored Beetles revealed their greatest trump cards.

"What is that...!?"

"Someone turned into a monster...!"

"The others seem to be using something dangerous too...!"

"What's going on here...!?"

The audience erupted in chaos as they witnessed the scene unfold.

The members of Team Vebel had displayed powers that shattered everyone's perception of Sky Wizards, leaving the crowd confused, bewildered, and fearful.

Kanata, Chloe, Yuri, and Mena wore grave expressions.

"Are these curses?"

Kanata raised his magic cannon sword.

"It does seem like an incredible power."

Chloe stared ahead intently.

"This is the true strength of the Armored Beetles..."

Yuri bit her lip, not daring to let her guard down.

"No matter what, bring it on!"

Mena gripped her magic battle axe, shouting defiantly at Gregory and the others.

"Attack!"

Without hesitation, Gregory gave the order.

All the Armored Beetles immediately charged toward Kanata, Chloe, Yuri, and Mena.

"Roar...!"

Gregory was the first to reach Kanata, roaring and abandoning his magic sword to slash at Kanata with his claws.

"So fast...!"

Kanata was momentarily stunned by Gregory's speed and ferocity but quickly recovered, stepping forward instead of retreating and slashing out with his magic cannon sword.

"Clang!"

The magic cannon sword clashed with Gregory's claws, sending sparks flying.

"Roar...!"

Gregory continued to roar, unleashing a flurry of claw strikes at Kanata.

Kanata could only dodge frantically, his body flickering like a phantom as he weaved through the attacks, but even so, his protective suit was torn, exposing his chest.

"His speed has increased, and his strength as well...!"

Kanata quickly assessed Gregory's power.

This was Gregory's curse, a beast transformation that enhanced his physical capabilities to the limit — Beast Empowerment.

"Boom, boom, boom, boom...!"

Francis raised his cannons, firing countless blasts of energy, the beams of light chasing after Chloe.

"Ugh...!"

Chloe wanted to retaliate, but each blast was just as powerful as hers, and unlike her, Francis could fire multiple shots at once. She was forced to dodge continuously, her body darting like a meteor to avoid the beams, leaving her no chance to counterattack.

This was Francis' curse, the ability to create various weapons according to the situation — Weapon Creation.

As for Kanata and Chloe, they were struggling, and the same could be said for Yuri and Mena.

"Clang, clang, clang, clang...!"

The sound of clashing weapons filled the air once again.

But this time, Yuri and Mena were being pushed back.

Parson and Gerrit charged toward them, Parson's Nightblade whipping around like a flexible chain, its form constantly shifting, while Gerrit's Absolute Frost manifested as countless ice blades, which he either swung or shot forward, attacking from all angles.

Parsons' curse was the ability to wield a blade that could change form at will — Nightblade.

Jerott's curse was the power to freeze anything — Absolute Frost.

Facing these two abilities, Yuri and Mena were quickly overwhelmed.

Not only that, but Parson's blade would sometimes enlarge, making his slashes unbearably heavy, and at other times shrink, slipping past Yuri and Mena's defenses to stab at their bodies. If not for their magic barriers, they would have been riddled with wounds by now.

As for Gerrit, his power was causing Yuri and Mena's weapons to freeze.

"Mena-senpai...!"

"Hang in there...!"

Yuri's voice, strained with effort, was met with Mena's encouraging shout.

And so, the Sky Wizards and Armored Beetles clashed in a fierce battle.

Both sides had unleashed their full strength.

From here, it would be a fight to the death.

That brutal combat even made people forget that the Wizard Field was still in effect, converting all physical injuries into mental ones.

Meanwhile, in the area covered by the intense flames, the captains of both teams were also engaged in combat.