Light

|Gary|

"Embrace the pinnacle of power," Jezebeth proclaimed, his aura surging to unprecedented heights as ethereal flames engulfed his entire being. I delved into the depths of my essence, tapping into the boundless potential of my ice magic.

Drawing in a deep breath, a surge of energy coursed through my veins, igniting a remarkable transformation in my silver locks. They shimmered and transformed into a luminous cascade of pure white, while my piercing amethyst eyes blazed with an intensified sapphire blue. As I exhaled, an arctic tempest swept through the Academy, enveloping the surroundings in a frosty embrace, as if nature itself succumbed to my command.

In a collision of colossal forces, Jezebeth and I propelled towards each other with unyielding determination, our powers colliding in a cataclysmic symphony that resonated through the hallowed halls, shaking the very foundation of the Academy. The clash of titans reverberated with a deafening roar, signifying the ultimate test of strength and will.

However, I sensed that Jezebeth's true power far surpassed what he was currently displaying. It seemed he deliberately held back, perhaps underestimating me or concealing his true abilities for some unknown purpose.

What intrigued me even more was his physique, reminiscent of the Hades' Serpent I vanquished years ago, yet purer and superior. His mana possessed an inexplicable density and weight, rendering the battle more challenging than anticipated.

Although I unleashed the entirety of my power, I acknowledged the grim reality that I alone could not emerge victorious against him.

As I confronted the daunting reality of facing Jezebeth alone, I lamented the absence of any formidable allies by my side. Even the strongest among them, Varay, barely reached a B-rank power level. While my recent breakthrough to the high silver stage granted me a quasi A-rank strength, achieving the white stage would propel me to the true A-rank level.

Jezebeth's deliberate restraint hinted at his A-rank prowess. With no one even remotely close to his or my level, the burden of this battle rested solely upon my shoulders.

Suddenly, a mysterious voice whispered in my mind, capturing my attention amidst the chaos. Its ethereal and enchanting tone pulled me away from the intensity of the fight.

With a swift teleportation using spatium, narrowly evading Jezebeth's attack, I seized the momentary respite to catch my breath and gather my thoughts.

"Who are you?" I inquired, my curiosity piqued.

"I am the entity who bestowed upon you the power of aether," the voice responded with a touch of arrogance. "Now, as you stand on the precipice of danger, I shall impart upon you the knowledge to unlock your second power."

"It is premature for you to wield that power, as you have not yet reached the white stage," the voice continued, its tone resonating with caution. "However, the gravity of the situation necessitates that you unleash every card hidden up your sleeve to ensure your survival. To access this power, you must awaken all the dormant elements of mana within you, as well as the three interweaving branches of aether. Though I have loosened the seal, allowing you to access it without fulfilling the usual prerequisites."

With a resolute nod, I acknowledged the voice's guidance and swiftly acted upon her instructions. Igniting the depths of my being, I unleashed the dormant forces within me, activating the nine elemental strands of mana and intertwining them with the three branches of aether. Their harmonious fusion danced and intermingled with the radiant luminescence emanating from the core within my sternum.

As the raw power surged through my veins, a surge of newfound strength enveloped me, amplifying my presence on the battlefield. It was a moment of revelation, an unveiling of my latent potential, as the vast expanse of possibilities stretched out before me.

My being became enshrouded in a radiant cloak of luminous golden light, its ethereal tendrils gracefully embracing every contour of my form. Manifesting from this divine radiance, two majestic wings, reminiscent of celestial angels, unfurled from my back, their feathers glistening with an otherworldly brilliance. Atop my head, a resplendent crown materialised, adorned with intricate motifs that mirrored the sacred aura emanating from within me. Meanwhile, my once-white locks underwent a magnificent transformation, transcending their earthly hue and assuming a lustrous golden sheen.

Jezebeth's countenance betrayed his astonishment as he beheld this magnificent spectacle. His voice wavered with a hint of disbelief as he uttered, "Light magic? But such a profound and enigmatic mana art is unknown, unheard of in this realm."

The resonance of my newfound power reverberated through the air, casting a radiant aura of authority and might. With a sly grin, I couldn't resist taunting Jezebeth, reveling in the subtle flicker of shock that danced in his eyes. Gripping Dusk's Shadowfang firmly in my hands, I channeled the combined forces of my ice and light mana into the blade.

As the vibrant golden hues and brilliant ice-white colours intertwined and flowed onto the darkened surface of the sword, an exquisite fusion of power took shape. Dark tendrils of black flames and poisonous miasma materialised, encircling my adversary's form, casting an ominous shroud of death and decay.

Jezebeth's expression shifted from shock to elation, his desire for an intense battle igniting with newfound vigour. The anticipation crackled in the air as we charged towards each other, destined for a clash that would determine the outcome of our fates.

In this epic clash, the opposing forces of light and darkness, fire and ice, intertwined in a mesmerising dance of power. Jezebeth and I engaged in a relentless exchange of blows, each strike executed with precision and finesse. Our attacks collided with tremendous force, yet neither of us gained the upper hand.

His black flames licked at my icy defences, attempting to consume the brilliance of my light magic. In turn, my radiant beams pierced through the darkness, dispersing his toxic spikes and poisonous miasma. The battlefield was a spectacle of contrasting elements locked in a fierce struggle for dominance.

However, the strain of wielding the power of light prematurely began to take its toll on me. The warning echoes of the enigmatic being resonated in my mind, and I could feel my two cores and physical body faltering under the immense pressure. Sluggishness crept into my movements, and the cracks in my stamina became more apparent.

Despite my own weariness, I sensed that Jezebeth had yet to unleash his full potential. I knew deep down that there was more to his formidable arsenal, and that I had to find a way to endure and push beyond my limits if I were to overcome this formidable adversary.

In a stunning turn of events, a sudden onslaught of vibrant green mana erupted from Jezebeth's blind spot, propelling him through the air with great force. My eyes widened in astonishment at both the power of the attack and the unexpected arrival of its source.

"Lancelot, what are you doing here?" I questioned, my voice laced with a mix of surprise and concern.

"You can't face him alone, Gary," Lancelot asserted, determination radiating from his expression. "Allow me to fight by your side."

I shook my head, grateful for his support but skeptical of his chances against such a formidable opponent. "I appreciate your willingness, Lancelot, but you may not be strong enough to join this battle."

A determined glint flashed in Lancelot's eyes as he responded, "Am I really? Witness the depths of my strength."

To my astonishment, Lancelot underwent a breathtaking transformation. His entire form became engulfed in an awe-inspiring surge of vibrant green mana, surpassing anything I had witnessed before, even eclipsing the formidable power of Spirit Dive. In that moment, he resembled not merely a skilled mage, but a true sovereign of mana, as if he had merged his very essence with the boundless energy that flowed through the world. His presence radiated an aura of command and authority, evoking the awe-inspiring image of a being in complete harmony with the primal forces of magic itself.

His power shot straight from B- to A- rank.

"How long can you maintain this state?" I inquired, a somber note tinging my voice.

Lancelot's gaze never wavered as he replied, "One minute."

A wave of grim determination washed over me as I realized the significance of his answer. "That will be more than enough," I declared, turning my attention back to our formidable opponent.

Together, Lancelot and I prepared to face Jezebeth, a renewed sense of hope and unity coursing through our veins. We were ready to confront the challenge before us, standing side by side, even if only for a fleeting minute.

|Third POV|

The battlefield fell into a tense stillness as the three formidable beings positioned themselves at opposing sides. In that fleeting instant, the air crackled with anticipation before the clash erupted with explosive force. Gary instinctively took his place, standing as a stalwart shield in front of Lancelot, while the conjurer channeled the raw might of his magic into a spell of unrivaled power.

Jezebeth's heightened senses prickled with an undeniable sense of impending danger, urging him to swiftly close the distance and thwart Lancelot's casting. Yet, it was Gary who intercepted him, his resplendent sword of gold and white meeting Jezebeth's unrestrained onslaught with unyielding determination. The clash of their titanic forces created a momentary respite, just long enough for Lancelot to complete the incantation of his spell, drawing upon the very essence of mana.

[Mana Zone: Neverland]

In an extraordinary display of mastery over mana, Lancelot summoned a colossal dome that enveloped the entire battlefield. However, this was no ordinary domain-type spell. The dome pulsated with an otherworldly energy, transcending the boundaries of conventional magic. Every strand of ambient mana within its confines obediently bent to Lancelot's will, distorting and intensifying the very fabric of the battlefield.

Under the influence of this ethereal dominion, Jezebeth found himself ensnared by an unprecedented pressure that weighed heavily upon him. Each movement became a struggle as the overwhelming force of Lancelot's mana suffused the air, hindering his every action. Meanwhile, Gary's formidable abilities were magnified to extraordinary levels within the boundaries of Neverland, empowering him to face his adversary with an even greater prowess.

The countdown continued mercilessly, the ethereal seconds slipping away as Lancelot's mystical grasp over Neverland neared its culmination. Only forty five seconds remained, a fleeting window of opportunity that held the promise of decisive action.

Despite the adversarial nature of the ambient mana within Neverland, Jezebeth's Asuran lineage bestowed upon him a uniquely dense and viscous mana. This innate advantage allowed him to resist the oppressive influence of Lancelot's dominion, enabling him to exert formidable strength and repel Gary's relentless assaults.

Undeterred by this setback, Lancelot drew upon his inner resolve and, with a resolute breath, propelled himself forward to join Gary in their unified assault. Together, they formed an indomitable force, their coordinated strikes putting Jezebeth on the defensive as Gary gained the upper hand, steadily driving their adversary back.

As the seconds dwindled down with relentless precision, the countdown mercilessly reminded them of the fleeting nature of their opportunity.

Only forty seconds remained, a brief yet critical span of time in which they must seize the advantage and turn the tide in their favor.

Jezebeth's mind raced with disbelief as he found himself continually forced on the defensive by their unyielding assault. Lancelot's mystifying abilities seemingly drained his mana with each strike, leaving him vulnerable, while Gary's power matched his own, thwarting his attempts to gain the upper hand. The realisation sent a shiver down his spine, fueling a desperate resolve within him.

Without a second thought for the consequences, Jezebeth unleashed the full extent of his power, tapping into reserves he had reserved for dire circumstances. His unyielding determination pushed him beyond the confines of treaties and warnings, consumed by a singular desire to crush the two mages standing defiantly before him. He knew that to allow them to grow any stronger would be to invite their inevitable interference in his plans.

In a surge of unrestrained might, Jezebeth unleashed his maximum power, relinquishing all inhibitions in his pursuit of victory. He discarded caution and restraint, focusing solely on obliterating his opponents before they could mature into formidable threats capable of opposing him in the future.

With just thirty seconds remaining, Jezebeth unleashed a devastating blow, striking Lancelot squarely in the chest and hurling him backward. Lancelot's body faltered, unable to withstand the ferocity of the battle. However, Gary's mastery of light magic and vivum swiftly mended Lancelot's wounds, revitalizing him in an instant.

Undeterred, Jezebeth launched another assault, channeling his full power into a punch. Thick tendrils of black mana enveloped his fist as it surged toward Lancelot, tearing through the remnants of the mana zone. But Gary intervened, his command over light, ice, and aether intertwining in a breathtaking display.

Summoning the fourth movement of the Keiki Style: World Splitter, Gary's strike tore at the fabric of reality itself. The convergence of light, ice, and aether halted Jezebeth's attack in its tracks, locking him in a momentary stalemate.

As the seconds dwindled to twenty, the intensity of the battle reached its climax. The clash of powers and the resolve of the combatants hung palpably in the air.

The final moments ticked away as Lancelot and Gary seamlessly coordinated their movements, breaching the young Vritra's formidable defenses. Exhausted and on the brink of defeat, Jezebeth found himself pushed to his limit.

With a swift strike, Lancelot sent Jezebeth hurtling through the air. As Jezebeth regained his footing, Gary surged forward, aiming to deliver a decisive blow. In a desperate maneuver, Jezebeth evaded the frontal assault, retreating backward. Yet, before he could fully evade, Lancelot, displaying unparalleled speed, materialized behind him, wielding his halberd with lethal precision.

Simultaneously, Gary unleashed the devastating fourth movement of the Keiki Style: World Splitter, seeking to deliver a final, crushing blow from the front. Victory seemed assured for Lancelot and Gary, as defeat loomed over Jezebeth.

But in a breathtaking display of resilience, Jezebeth defied the odds. With an astoundingly precise timing, he halted both attacks with impeccable precision, shattering the mana zone that had enveloped them.

"1 second too late," Jezebeth declared, a mix of confidence and defiance in his voice. His tenacity had defied their expectations, seizing control of the battle's momentum in a single, calculated manoeuver.