-1448- A higher level

"..."

In the command center, everyone stared at the screen, watching the scene unfold—observing the remaining less than 20% of the Armored Beetles, and then looking up at the sky filled with smoke. There stood Chloe Sevegny, holding her smoking magic cannon staff, her entire aura gradually dimming. Each person present was rendered speechless.

"Is this the Nirvana?"

Cold sweat finally trickled down Rico Flamel's face.

"So strong....."

Lecty Eisenach trembled uncontrollably.

"Compressed Mana..."

Misora Whitale fixated on Chloe's figure, recalling the cannon blast that just pierced the sky and swept across the battlefield, her heart in turmoil.

Perhaps in Misora's life, she had never seen a Sky Wizard as powerful as Chloe?

At least, the strike she just witnessed had deeply shaken Misora's heart.

She couldn't help but recall Rozen's past evaluation of her.

"Can I... also become that strong?"

Only at this moment did Misora remember Rozen's words from before.

"To become the second Nirvana....?"

This wasn't an impossible feat.

After all, Misora possessed mana surpassing A-level. For a bombardier who directly converts mana into offensive and destructive power, this was the most crucial quality.

And if Misora could master Compressed Mana, then with her level of mana, using the refined Compressed Mana for bombardment, even if it couldn't surpass Chloe's, it wouldn't fall far behind, right?

Misora had that potential.

That's why Rozen had made such a remark about her.

Unfortunately, to refine Compressed Mana on one's own, extraordinary mana control was required.

In this regard, Misora had no talent at all.

But even if she couldn't refine Compressed Mana on her own, using the mana reactor on her magic cannon for assistance was still feasible, right?

Although the Compressed Mana reactors equipped on magic alchemy weapons were usually small refining furnaces, and in terms of precision, purity, concentration, and quantity, they might not match the Compressed Mana refined by Chloe herself, Misora had more mana than Chloe. If she succeeded, a cannon shot like the one she just witnessed wouldn't be out of reach.

Misora's heart surged with excitement as she glimpsed a new possibility.

However, there was one question Misora was eager to clarify.

"Sky Wizard Division Head..."

In the silent command center, Misora softly asked Freon Flamel.

"You mentioned earlier that Chloe's mana control is the second strongest, right?"

Indeed.

Even though Chloe's mana control was strong enough to refine Compressed Mana on her own, she was still only considered the second strongest.

If that's the case...

"Who is the strongest?"

When Misora voiced this question, she already knew the answer.

There was no need to ask. Didn't Rozen already mention it before?

"Even someone as strong as Chloe was taught by that man."

Freon provided an answer to Misora with this single sentence.

Just as Freon said, Chloe had been trained by Rozen.

If that's the case, was there really anyone else stronger in mana control than Chloe?

"So, that man can also refine Compressed Mana on his own?"

Rico asked.

Unfortunately, this time, Rico was wrong.

No, rather, her statement wasn't entirely accurate.

"Just refining Compressed Mana?" Freon responded without hesitation. "You're underestimating that man."

Her words left the members of E601 Squad stunned.

But it was the truth.

"That man's mana control is in a different dimension, so advanced that our current system can't accurately measure it. For him, refining Compressed Mana is effortless. After learning about Compressed Mana and its refining method, he reportedly succeeded within seconds."

Freon sighed as she spoke.

"Then, building on that, the man had an even more groundbreaking idea—to refine the successfully refined Compressed Mana a second time, compressing and compressing it further, attempting to elevate that power to a higher level."

This was an entirely different grade than Compressed Mana.

Like water, which exists in gaseous, liquid, and solid states, compressing gas could turn it into liquid water. Similarly, mana, when compressed, compressed, and compressed further, could ultimately ascend to a different level.

Compressed Mana was merely the result of compressing mana, but it hadn't reached the extreme. It could still go higher, but human technology and abilities haven't achieved it yet.

However, Rozen's terrifying mana control allowed him to achieve this.

"This is the new power developed by the Mage King. That power has even been incorporated into Mistgun's defense system as a new energy source. However, because of its limited quantity and overwhelming power, it was decided after consultation that it cannot be used under any circumstances unless personally authorized by him or unanimously agreed upon by the highest Ten-member Council."

Freon spoke with a complex tone.

"The reason he earned the title of Mage King is due to the development of this power. Moreover, only he has the means to create a reactor capable of refining such power through his incredible magical technology. As a result, even though this power is regarded as humanity's last resort, it can only be provided by him. As for refining this mana on one's own, he is the only one capable of doing so."

This was why Rozen could redefine textbook content, transforming their former magic into what it is now.

This was why people regarded him as the last hope—because his technology brought new possibilities to humanity.

Because of this, refining Compressed Mana was nothing for Rozen.

"His true power lies beyond this, in his ability to compress mana to the extreme with just his own body, even surpassing the limit, and transforming mana into a new grade of power."

To wield a power that every floating city regarded as the last resort, viewed as humanity's last hope, with only his own body—how strong was Rozen?

No one knew.

But Freon only knew one thing.

And that was...

"I heard that man still wasn't satisfied with this. The reason he transferred to the Alchemist Division was to develop an even higher level of power."

Freon spoke with an unprecedented seriousness.

"And that power, according to him, is the reason he came to this world."

Only by mastering that ultimate power could Rozen achieve his greatest goal in this world.

For this, he needed the support of the Alchemist Division and had to dedicate himself to research, even if it meant withdrawing from the front lines.

"Going even higher..."

Misora couldn't find words to describe her feelings.

Lecty and Rico were the same, lost in shock.

Everyone gazed at that towering figure.

All they felt was that this figure was so immense, so dazzling.