Chapter 11
The sky was clear.
Too clear.
Roxy stood at a distance this time.
Farther than usual.
"…We'll try it again."
Her voice was steady—
But cautious.
"…Emperor-tier."
No hesitation now.
If Rudeus could already approach it—
Then the only way forward was to confirm it.
"…But this time," she added,
"…complete it."
Silence followed.
Rudeus nodded.
"…Okay."
He raised his hand.
No buildup.
No visible strain.
Just—
Mana.
But this time—
It didn't spread outward.
It compressed.
Densely.
Violently—
But under perfect control.
The air distorted immediately.
Pressure formed.
Not explosive—
But absolute.
Roxy felt it in her chest.
"…This is already beyond advanced…"
No—
Beyond King-tier.
Rudeus continued.
Refining.
Compressing further.
Until—
The mana became something else.
Not just energy—
But presence.
"…That's…"
Roxy's voice trembled.
"…Emperor-tier…"
And then—
It stabilized.
Completely.
No fluctuation.
No loss.
No instability.
"…Finished."
Rudeus lowered his hand slightly.
Still holding it.
As if it were nothing.
Roxy stared.
Because that was impossible.
Even Emperor-tier mages—
Struggled to maintain control.
But Rudeus—
Was holding it like a child holding water.
"…Release it upward."
Her voice was quiet now.
Careful.
Rudeus nodded.
He shifted the direction.
And released.
A beam of condensed force shot into the sky.
Silent—
Until it reached a certain height.
Then—
BOOM.
The clouds above parted instantly.
A massive circular gap formed—
Perfectly clean.
Perfectly controlled.
No destruction below.
No uncontrolled spread.
Just—
Pure, precise power.
Silence.
"…That was Emperor-tier."
Roxy whispered.
"…Perfect Emperor-tier…"
Rudeus looked at the sky.
"…I can make it stronger."
Roxy closed her eyes.
"…I don't doubt that."