The enormous bolt of lightning descended from the heavens.
For one terrifying instant, the entire battlefield was swallowed by blue-white light.
The ruined streets of the replica Kingdom of Ryūgū vanished beneath the radiance. Broken buildings, scattered rubble, burning debris, and the countless Phantom Knights were reduced to silhouettes beneath the overwhelming brilliance.
At the center of it all stood Kayosha.
She could barely move.
Her breathing was ragged.
Her legs trembled beneath her, and every muscle in her body screamed in protest.
She had already pushed herself far beyond her limits.
The Water Dragon defensive spell she had maintained against Sandā's relentless assault had consumed nearly all of her remaining energy. Her arms felt numb, her vision blurred intermittently, and even keeping herself standing had become an exhausting struggle.
Yet she refused to fall.
Not yet.
Kayosha slowly raised her head.
The gigantic lightning bolt was almost upon her.
Her pupils contracted.
There was no time.
No time to escape.
No time to summon another spell.
No time to even think.
I'm going to...
Her body froze.
I'm going to die.
Then—
"FIRE DRAGON: HELLFIRE BREATH!!!!"
A tremendous roar erupted from behind her.
Kayosha's eyes widened.
The next instant, an enormous torrent of crimson flames tore across the battlefield.
The flames were so intense that the air itself distorted from the heat.
The massive firestorm surged upward and collided directly with the descending lightning.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!
Fire and lightning exploded against one another in midair.
The resulting shockwave shook the entire district.
Broken windows shattered simultaneously throughout the surrounding buildings. Pieces of stone and wood were thrown into the streets, while several Phantom Knights were forced to brace themselves against the ground.
Kayosha instinctively raised both arms to shield her face.
"What?!"
The lightning bolt had been intercepted.
The enormous stream of fire continued burning against it, forcing the lightning backward.
For several seconds, the two elemental forces struggled against one another.
Then—
BOOOOOOM!!!
They exploded.
A colossal burst of fire and electricity illuminated the sky.
Smoke rapidly filled the battlefield.
Kayosha stared through the smoke.
A familiar figure stood several meters behind her.
Kasai.
Flames poured from his mouth for several more seconds before he finally stopped.
He exhaled heavily.
Then he wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.
His eyes never left Sandā.
"Well, well, well..."
Sandā's expression slowly changed.
Then a familiar smirk appeared across his face.
"If it isn't Flame Boy."
Kasai's fists clenched.
The flames surrounding his body suddenly became brighter.
"You've done it now, Sandā."
His voice was different.
There was no playful arrogance in it.
No joking.
No excitement.
There was genuine anger.
"You've harmed one of my friends."
Kayosha slowly looked toward him.
"Kasai..."
Kasai didn't turn around.
He didn't need to.
He had already seen her condition.
He had seen how exhausted she was.
He had seen the attack that nearly killed her.
And something inside him had snapped.
Kasai took a step forward.
"Let's settle this once and for all."
Sandā stared at him for several seconds.
Then he laughed.
"Hahaha..."
He casually placed one hand against his waist.
"I would."
His grin widened.
"But I'd rather save my strength for a powerful Elementalist..."
His eyes narrowed.
"...not some weakling."
The flames surrounding Kasai suddenly erupted.
"Weakling?!"
His voice echoed throughout the ruined district.
"You've got some nerve!"
Kasai slammed his foot into the ground.
The pavement cracked beneath him.
"I'll show you who's a weakling!"
His entire body became engulfed in flames.
The temperature around him immediately began rising.
"FIRE DRAGON: HELLFIRE BREATH!!!!"
Kasai opened his mouth.
A gigantic torrent of crimson fire erupted forward.
Unlike his previous attack, this one was much more concentrated.
Rather than spreading across the battlefield, the flames compressed into a massive beam that tore directly through the air toward Sandā.
The pavement beneath Kasai's feet began to melt from the heat.
Sandā didn't move.
He simply watched the incoming attack.
Then—
"Earth Dragon: Imperial Defender."
A calm voice echoed from behind him.
The ground violently shook.
BOOOOM!!
Several enormous pillars of stone erupted from beneath the battlefield.
The pillars rapidly expanded, transforming into gigantic armored knights made entirely from earth.
Each one carried a massive shield.
The knights immediately positioned themselves between Sandā and the incoming fire.
Kasai's eyes widened.
"What?!"
The gigantic fire blast slammed into the formation.
KABOOOOOOM!!
Fire engulfed the entire street.
For several seconds, the battlefield disappeared beneath an ocean of flames.
Kasai gritted his teeth.
"Someone blocked it?"
The flames gradually began to dissipate.
The Earth Dragon knights remained standing.
Their armor had been heavily damaged.
Several cracks ran across their bodies.
Chunks of stone had been melted away.
But they had accomplished their purpose.
They had protected Sandā.
Kasai's expression hardened.
Then a figure landed behind Sandā.
His brown hair moved gently in the hot wind.
His brown eyes calmly surveyed the battlefield.
"I'm sorry I'm late, Sandā."
Kasai immediately recognized him.
His eyes narrowed.
"...Ishi Borudā."
Another figure approached from behind.
His appearance was entirely different, but Kasai recognized him as well.
"And..."
Kasai's eyes widened.
"Gēti Shindō."
The two newcomers stood beside Sandā.
Melody released a quiet sigh of relief.
"You're finally here."
Gēti walked toward her.
"Sorry we're late, Melody."
He glanced around the ruined battlefield.
"We were busy with something."
Melody looked around.
"You certainly took your time."
Gēti shrugged.
"We're here now."
Ishi, meanwhile, looked toward Kasai and Kayosha.
His eyes narrowed.
"I see you've made quite a few enemies while we were gone."
Kasai's fists remained clenched.
"Don't think you're getting away with protecting him."
Ishi didn't answer.
Instead, he slowly looked around the battlefield.
His gaze eventually settled on the countless Phantom Knights surrounding them.
He raised an eyebrow.
"Also..."
He pointed toward the undead warriors.
"Why are you surrounded by Phantom Knights?"
Melody looked toward the undead army.
"They appeared suddenly."
The Phantom Knights remained motionless.
Their hollow eyes glowed with eerie green light.
Gēti studied them for several seconds.
Then he looked toward Melody.
"I suppose that's another problem we'll have to deal with."
Melody shook her head.
"No."
She pointed toward Kasai and Kayosha.
"Ishi, if you don't mind..."
Her voice became firmer.
"Would you leave them alone?"
Ishi looked at her.
Then he smiled faintly.
"I don't mind at all."
Kasai's expression changed.
"What?"
Ishi stepped backward.
Then, with a single movement, he leaped onto the roof of a nearby building.
Gēti followed.
The two Elementalists landed several meters above the battlefield.
Kasai looked upward.
"You've got to be kidding me."
Ishi slowly raised one hand.
"Earth Dragon: Imperial Invader."
The ground beneath Kasai began trembling.
Kasai's eyes widened.
"Not again!"
Several enormous cracks spread across the pavement.
Then—
BOOOOOOM!!
A group of gigantic stone knights erupted from beneath the ground.
Unlike the defensive warriors from before, these were built for combat.
Their armor was covered with jagged stone.
Their massive swords were already drawn.
Dense Earth Dragon energy radiated from their bodies.
They immediately charged toward Kasai.
Kasai clenched his fists.
"Get out of my way!"
He prepared to unleash another spell.
But before he could—
"SKY DRAGON: SKYBLITZ BARRAGE!!!!"
A tremendous barrage of blue-white energy suddenly descended from above.
Dozens of compressed Sky Dragon blasts tore across the battlefield.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
One projectile struck an Imperial Soldier.
Then another.
Then another.
The stone warriors couldn't withstand the barrage.
Their bodies shattered one after another.
Stone fragments scattered across the battlefield before dissolving into dust.
Ishi's eyes widened.
"What the—?"
Kasai turned around.
A figure descended from the sky.
Her long hair fluttered gently in the wind as she landed beside him.
She straightened herself.
Then smiled.
"Sorry I'm late."
Kasai stared at her.
For a moment, he simply stood there.
Then he smiled.
"It's alright."
Sora turned toward the battlefield.
Her expression immediately became serious.
She looked toward Kayosha.
"Is she okay?"
"She's exhausted."
Kasai glanced toward Kayosha.
"But she's alive."
Sora visibly relaxed.
Then she looked toward Kasai.
"Did you manage to tell them?"
Kasai nodded.
"Yeah."
Sora smiled slightly.
"Good."
She paused.
"Shizen and Shadow are already on their way."
Kasai's expression became relieved.
"Are they?"
"Yes."
Sora nodded.
"They're searching for Ryūsei and Yuki first."
Kasai looked toward the distant battlefield.
"So they're coming."
A determined smile appeared on his face.
"Good."
His flames began burning more intensely.
"Then we just have to hold these guys off until they get here."
Sora raised one hand.
A faint blue aura began gathering around her.
"I'll stay beside you."
Kasai glanced toward her.
"Stay behind me if things get dangerous."
Sora smiled.
"You said that earlier."
"And I'm saying it again."
Kasai turned his attention toward Sandā.
"You never listen."
Sora's smile widened slightly.
"Neither do you."
For a brief moment, the chaos surrounding them seemed to disappear.
Then Sandā began laughing.
"Hahaha..."
Kasai's eyes narrowed.
"What's so funny?"
Sandā raised his hand.
Electricity danced between his fingers.
"I guess you could entertain me..."
His eyes gleamed with anticipation.
"...until the real show gets here."
Kasai's flames erupted.
Sora stepped beside him.
Ishi and Gēti stood on the rooftop.
Melody remained nearby, protecting Flick while carefully watching the Phantom Knights.
Kayosha slowly forced herself back onto her feet.
Around all of them, the Phantom Knights raised their weapons.
The battlefield became strangely quiet.
The storm above continued to roar.
Lightning flashed across the darkened sky.
Kasai stared at Sandā.
Sandā stared back.
Neither moved.
Then—
Lightning struck.
KRAAAAAAAAAAAK!!!!
The entire battlefield erupted into motion.
Kasai charged.
Sora followed.
Sandā smiled.
And the true battle began.
The battlefield descended into complete chaos.
The streets that had once resembled a peaceful district of the Kingdom of Ryūgū had been transformed into a war zone.
Broken stone covered the ground.
Several buildings had already been destroyed.
Lightning continued to crackle through the air.
Above them, unnatural storm clouds gathered over the replica kingdom.
Thunder rumbled continuously in the distance.
Every Elementalist caught within the battlefield could feel the oppressive atmosphere.
The Grand Shōtotsu had only just begun.
Yet several Chīmas were already fighting as though their lives depended on it.
Kasai stood at the center of the ruined street.
His fists were clenched.
His eyes remained locked onto Sandā.
The anger that had been building inside him since he witnessed Kayosha being attacked hadn't disappeared.
It had only grown stronger.
Sandā stood several meters away.
Electricity danced continuously across his body.
The two Elementalists stared at one another.
Neither was willing to retreat.
Kasai slowly raised his hand.
"Fire Dragon..."
A brilliant crimson aura gathered around his arm.
The flames condensed.
They twisted together.
Then they began forming the shape of a blade.
"INFERNO BLADE!!"
WHOOSH!!
A magnificent sword made entirely from Fire Dragon energy appeared in Kasai's hand.
The blade burned with intense crimson-orange light.
Every movement Kasai made caused flames to trail behind it.
Sandā smiled.
"So you're finally serious."
He raised his own hand.
"Lightning Dragon..."
The atmosphere suddenly became charged.
Electricity gathered around his arm.
"THUNDERSTRUCK BLADE!!!!"
KRAK!!
A sword composed entirely of Lightning Dragon energy materialized in his hand.
Blue-white lightning traveled continuously along its length.
Kasai tightened his grip around his Inferno Blade.
"Sora."
Sora immediately looked toward him.
"I'll take the front."
Kasai pointed his sword toward Sandā.
"Back me up."
Sora smiled.
"Sure."
She raised one hand.
A brilliant blue aura gathered around her palm.
"Sky Dragon..."
The energy condensed.
Then transformed.
SHIIIIING!!
A magnificent magical firearm appeared in Sora's hand.
"SKYBLITZ BLASTER!!!!"
The weapon resembled a magical gun, its barrel surrounded by swirling blue-white energy.
Sora raised it toward the battlefield.
Kasai smiled.
"Let's do this."
He charged.
His footsteps shattered the damaged pavement beneath him.
Sandā's eyes narrowed.
Kasai swung his Inferno Blade.
The flaming sword tore through the air.
Sandā raised his Thunderstruck Blade.
CLANG!!!!
The two weapons collided.
Fire and lightning exploded from the point of impact.
Kasai pushed forward.
Sandā pushed back.
Neither gave an inch.
The blades moved rapidly.
Slash.
Block.
Counter.
Parry.
The sound of their weapons clashing echoed throughout the battlefield.
Kasai swung horizontally.
Sandā ducked beneath the blade.
He immediately counterattacked.
Kasai twisted his body and blocked.
The Lightning Blade scraped against the Inferno Blade.
Sparks erupted.
Kasai gritted his teeth.
"You're not getting away this time!"
Sandā smirked.
"You're still too slow."
Before Kasai could respond—
"Earth Dragon: Imperial Invader."
A voice came from behind.
Kasai's eyes widened.
"What?!"
The ground exploded.
BOOOOM!!
Stone erupted beneath the street.
Several enormous knights emerged from the earth.
Their armor was thick.
Their swords were already raised.
Kasai found himself surrounded.
Ishi stood on the roof of a nearby building.
"You're not getting anywhere near Sandā."
Kasai clicked his tongue.
"Get out of my way!"
The stone knights charged.
Kasai prepared to fight.
Then—
"Sky Dragon: Skyblitz Barrage!!!!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
A barrage of Sky Dragon energy descended from behind him.
One by one, the projectiles struck the Imperial Soldiers.
Their bodies shattered instantly.
Stone fragments scattered across the street.
Ishi's eyes widened.
"What the?!"
Sora lowered her Skyblitz Blaster.
"Kasai."
She smiled.
"Keep going."
Kasai grinned.
"Thanks, Sora!"
He turned back toward Sandā.
The battle resumed.
Kasai accelerated.
Flames surrounded his body.
Sandā attempted to intercept him.
Kasai swung his Inferno Blade.
Sandā blocked.
The impact forced him backward.
Kasai followed.
Another slash.
Another block.
Then another.
Sandā's feet slid across the pavement.
Kasai continued pressing forward.
His flames grew hotter.
"Eat this, Sandā!"
Kasai raised his sword above his head.
The Inferno Blade began absorbing the flames surrounding his body.
The crimson energy condensed.
The sword began glowing brighter.
"FIRE DRAGON: HELLBLITZ EXTERMINATE!!!!"
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!
A tremendous amount of Fire Dragon energy erupted from Kasai's blade.
The explosion consumed the surrounding area.
Buildings were swallowed by flames.
Windows shattered.
Stone walls collapsed.
The shockwave tore through the streets.
Several nearby structures completely collapsed beneath the tremendous force.
The battlefield vanished beneath a massive cloud of smoke and fire.
For several seconds, nobody could see what had happened.
At the Spectators' Area
The spectators erupted into chaos.
Everyone had been watching the battle through the enormous holographic screens surrounding the arena.
When Kasai's attack engulfed the replica kingdom, several spectators stood from their seats in shock.
Professor Volt stared at the screen.
"What is going on down there?!"
Professor Hex calmly adjusted his glasses.
"It appears that the Chīma of Kasai and Sora has developed a small disagreement with the Chīma of Sandā and Melody."
Professor Volt slowly turned toward him.
"A small disagreement?!"
He pointed toward the screen.
"That entire district just exploded!"
Professor Hex shrugged.
"Elementalists."
Volt sighed.
"Seriously, what's wrong with your class?"
Professor Hex smiled.
"That's what makes them interesting."
At the Battlefield
The smoke slowly began to disappear.
Ash drifted through the air.
Burning fragments of wood and stone fell from the sky.
Kasai stood in the center of the destruction.
His chest rose and fell.
He looked around.
His expression slowly changed.
The excitement disappeared.
Confusion replaced it.
Sora approached.
"You kind of overdid it again."
Kasai turned toward her.
"What do you mean?"
Sora pointed around them.
"Look."
Kasai slowly turned his head.
His eyes widened.
Almost every building around them had been destroyed.
Some had been reduced entirely to rubble.
Others were still burning.
The pavement had been ripped apart.
The entire district looked as though a natural disaster had passed through it.
Kasai's mouth fell slightly open.
"...Oh."
A holographic display appeared above him.
CHĪMA: KASAI & SORA
POINTS ACQUIRED: 360
Kasai stared at the number.
"Three hundred and sixty?"
Sora nodded.
"The Phantom Knights."
Kasai looked toward the remains of the D-Rank Demons.
He scratched the back of his head.
"...Sorry."
Sora smiled.
"It's alright."
She placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You were angry."
Kasai suddenly remembered something.
His expression changed.
"What about Flick and Kayosha?!"
He looked around frantically.
"Were they hurt?!"
Sora quickly shook her head.
"Don't worry."
She pointed toward Melody's barrier.
"Flick is still inside Melody's barrier."
Kasai breathed a sigh of relief.
"And Kayosha?"
"I managed to get her out of the blast's range."
Kasai's shoulders relaxed.
"Thank goodness."
From inside the barrier, Melody glared at him.
"Damn Fire Boy."
Kasai looked toward her.
"Hey!"
"That was a little too intense!"
Kasai scratched his head.
"Well..."
Before he could finish—
"LIGHTNING DRAGON: THUNDERSTORM BLAST!!!!"
KRAAAAAAAAAK!!
A tremendous blast of Lightning Dragon energy suddenly tore through the smoke.
Kasai's eyes widened.
"Kasai!"
Sora immediately stepped forward.
"Sky Dragon—!"
She raised her Skyblitz Blaster.
A blue barrier formed before them.
The Lightning Dragon blast collided with it.
BOOOOOOM!!!!
The barrier trembled violently.
Sora's feet slid backward.
But she held her ground.
The lightning eventually dispersed.
Kasai stared at her.
"Sora!"
"I'm fine."
Sora lowered her weapon.
Across the battlefield, Sandā stood among the ruins.
Lightning continued crackling around his body.
He slowly raised his sword.
"Ishi."
Ishi looked toward him.
"Sandā?"
"Melody."
Melody looked toward him.
Sandā's eyes remained fixed upon Kasai and Sora.
"Gēti."
Gēti suddenly raised his hand.
"Enough."
Everyone looked toward him.
"Ishi. Sandā. Melody."
Gēti's gaze shifted toward the battlefield.
"Let's retreat for now."
Ishi immediately frowned.
"What do you mean, retreat?"
He jumped down from the rooftop.
"Have you lost your mind, Gēti?!"
Gēti remained calm.
"Things are about to get serious."
Ishi stared at him.
"We can handle them."
Gēti sighed.
"Fine."
He pointed toward Sora.
"Fight if you want."
His expression became serious.
"...If you want to fight the Sky Musketeer."
Ishi froze.
"The..."
His eyes slowly widened.
"You mean that girl is—"
Gēti nodded.
"Yup."
Sora's expression changed.
Kasai looked at her.
"Sora?"
Gēti continued.
"She's the Sky Musketeer."
Silence.
The battlefield became strangely quiet.
Even the Phantom Knights seemed to pause.
Sandā's expression changed.
The Lightning Dragon energy surrounding his body intensified.
Then—
He smiled.
"So..."
He looked directly toward Sora.
"That's who you are."
Sora tightened her grip around her Skyblitz Blaster.
Sandā raised his hand toward the sky.
"LIGHTNING DRAGON: THUNDERSTORM STRIKE!!!!"
KRAAAAAAAAAAAAK!!!!
The clouds above them suddenly exploded with lightning.
A gigantic bolt descended from the heavens.
It moved toward Sora at tremendous speed.
Kasai's eyes widened.
"SORA!"
Sora looked upward.
Her eyes reflected the enormous bolt.
There was no time to run.
No time to dodge.
The lightning struck.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!
Dust and debris erupted into the air.
Kasai immediately moved forward.
"Sora!"
But then—
Nothing.
The smoke began to clear.
Kasai stopped.
His eyes widened.
Sora was still standing.
Not a single wound could be seen on her body.
Not even a strand of her hair had been disturbed.
A faint blue barrier surrounded her.
Kasai stared.
Sora slowly lowered her hand.
The barrier remained.
Sandā's eyes widened.
"I see..."
His smirk slowly returned.
"So this is why they call you the Sky Musketeer."
Sora remained silent.
The mysterious blue barrier continued surrounding her.
Sandā studied it.
"A female Elementalist..."
His eyes narrowed.
"...said to possess a barrier blessed by the Sky Dragon itself."
Melody stared at Sora from behind her barrier.
Her expression had become unusually serious.
"The Sky Musketeer..."
She whispered the title as though recalling an old legend.
"The person who inherited..."
Her eyes widened.
"...the Sky Dragon Blessing."
Sora tightened her grip around her weapon.
The blue aura surrounding her intensified.
Kasai stood beside her.
For the first time since the battle had begun, he wasn't smiling.
He looked at Sora.
The girl he had been fighting beside.
The girl who had just saved him.
The girl whose strength he had never truly understood.
And now he was beginning to realize that there was far more to her than she had ever told him.
Sora slowly looked toward Kasai.
Their eyes met.
Neither spoke.
But Kasai's expression softened.
Whatever secret she had been carrying...
Whatever burden came with the name Sky Musketeer...
He would find out eventually.
For now, he simply stepped closer and stood beside her.
Sora's eyes widened slightly.
Kasai smiled.
"Guess we're in this together."
Sora stared at him.
Then she smiled.
"Yeah."
Across the battlefield, Sandā watched the two of them.
His grin widened.
"So that's the Sky Musketeer..."
Lightning crackled around his body.
"Interesting."
The storm above them grew darker.
Thunder shook the heavens.
And somewhere beyond the battlefield, another presence was approaching.
The Grand Shōtotsu had only just begun.
But the battle unfolding within the replica Kingdom of Ryūgū was already becoming something far greater than a simple competition.
For Kasai, it was the moment he first saw the truth behind Sora's strength.
For Sora, it was the moment the secret she had spent years protecting finally began to surface.
And neither of them yet understood that this revelation would eventually force Kasai to confront the most dangerous question of all—
whether loving Sora was worth challenging the entire Kūki clan.
The storm continued to gather overhead.
And the Sky Musketeer stood beneath it.