The newly opened space in the underground was still unstable when the two moved again almost at the same time, without any real pause between attacks. The distance created by the previous clash disappeared quickly, as if neither of them was willing to allow the other any chance to recover. Mana pressure surged again uncontrollably, and the environment could no longer keep up with the level of the battle.
"Gale Impulse."
Reiligh acted first, using wind propulsion to descend at high speed while concentrating compressed blades around his body. Unlike before, there was no dispersion. Everything was focused on piercing and cutting directly, with no waste. Leon advanced into it without changing expression, raising his spear in a direct motion to intercept the attack.
The wind blades struck his body as he pushed through the magic with brute force, opening deeper cuts than before, tearing flesh in exposed areas. The impact forced his body back for a moment, but he didn't retreat completely. The spear broke through Reiligh's defense, burning part of his left side and forcing an immediate reaction.
"Damn."
Reiligh pulled back using wind, but the damage was already done. The burned flesh began regenerating almost immediately through wind magic, closing the wound at a visible speed. The process wasn't perfect, leaving marks and clear signs of damage, but it was enough to keep him fighting without losing mobility.
[This won't work—you're the one taking more damage.]
'I know… but I'm still thinking of a way to end this quickly… though I don't think I can.'
Leon observed Reiligh's magic briefly before adjusting his stance again. Without trying to avoid damage, he increased the fire intensity around his body, causing the open wounds to begin cauterizing. The pain was evident in the tension of his muscles, but he showed no reaction beyond that. His skin burned where the flames touched the cuts, leaving dark marks across his body.
'I'll have to go into pure combat for now.'
Reiligh began expanding the range of his attacks, creating more violent wind currents capable of striking a wider area. The air became unstable, cutting through everything in its path, including what remained of the underground structure. At the same time, he kept his body in constant motion, avoiding becoming a fixed target.
"Multiple Fire Spears."
Leon increased the fire intensity even further, creating spears in succession as he advanced through the attacks. One spear struck Reiligh, forcing him backward, but several others appeared from different directions. Some blades hit directly, others were deflected, and the constant exchange of magic caused both of them to accumulate visible damage.
'There are too many blades—it's impossible to dodge… he really is rank ten—'
Suddenly, a wind blade cut across Leon's face, slicing part of the side of his head and tearing off a portion of his ear. Blood flowed immediately, but he didn't stop. In response, he advanced even faster, completely ignoring his injuries while preparing another spell.
"Lion King Piercing Spear."
The spear shot forward in a straight line, surprising his opponent with its speed, striking Reiligh's arm as he tried to dodge. The impact completely destroyed the structure of the limb, tearing it from his body before any defense could be raised.
"Aaahhh!"
For a brief moment, Reiligh's movements stopped as he saw his arm fall to the ground—but not for long. Regeneration began immediately, but this time it wasn't fast enough to restore the lost limb. The wound partially closed, preventing excessive blood loss, but the arm didn't return. Even so, he remained standing, staring at Leon.
"Without a doubt… you're the most troublesome of the five."
His expression changed slightly—not from fear, but from exhaustion. He had never thought being a spy in this kingdom would be this troublesome. Even so, that wasn't a reason to give up. The wind around him grew more aggressive, more unstable, as if it were about to spiral out of control. The loss of his arm didn't stop him—it only changed how he attacked. Now everything was focused on amplifying raw power.
"At the very least… I'll do everything I can to kill you."
"Good mindset. Honestly, it makes me like you more… but unfortunately, you're an enemy spy."
"Thanks for the compliment, but shouldn't you be preparing to receive my—"
A burst of fire exploded from Leon's entire body as he took a stance different from the original Leon. Something new—something inherited from Titanza, Enrico's mother. His body already showed multiple burns, deep cuts, and clear signs of exhaustion. Blood still flowed from wounds that even the fire hadn't fully sealed.
"Get ready. I'm advancing, Reiligh."
"So am I, Lord Leon."
As Leon surged forward with a force that shattered everything around him, disintegrating the ground itself, Reiligh created a compression zone around him, trying to crush him with air pressure before he could close the distance. Leon's body was forced into the ground for a moment, cracking the structure beneath him even further. But his eyes turned red, shifting into the pupils of a lion.
'He's…'
Leon moved within the compression itself, breaking through Reiligh's control as he advanced in a straight line. The spear reformed—more unstable than before, as if pushed beyond its safe limit. Reiligh noticed and concentrated everything he had left into a single point. The wind around him spun irregularly, creating dangerous distortions that affected both the environment and himself. Small cuts began appearing across his body—his own magic reaching its limit.
'I'll have to do it too.'
A green mark appeared on his forehead, while fangs formed in Leon's mouth as he advanced—both activating something only mages of that world possessed. Fire and wind collided at a central point, releasing an explosion of energy that completely destroyed what remained of the underground. That section ceased to exist, leaving behind an open, irregular space filled with debris and dust.
The explosion pushed both of them back slightly. Leon planted his spear into the ground to maintain balance, his body clearly showing signs of exhaustion. Reiligh remained in the air for a few seconds before descending, his breathing heavier and his regeneration far slower than before—and yet, both of them seemed to be growing stronger.
"Activate title."
Both of them smiled, knowing the end was approaching and that they would have to use what they had been saving. The titles they had earned through great effort. Their bodies began to take on unique characteristics as they completed what they had started moments ago.
"Lion of the Battlefield."
"Rank Ten Wind Spirit Mage."