The enormous bolt of lightning descended from the heavens.
For a brief moment, the entire battlefield was illuminated by an overwhelming blue-white radiance. The ruined streets, the shattered buildings, the Phantom Knights, and the exhausted Kayosha were all swallowed beneath the blinding brilliance.
Kayosha could barely move.
Her knees trembled beneath her as she struggled to remain conscious after maintaining her Water Dragon defensive spell against Sandā's relentless assault.
She looked upward.
The gigantic bolt was already too close.
There was no time to escape.
No time to cast another defensive spell.
No time to even think.
Kayosha's eyes widened.
I'm going to...
Then—
"FIRE DRAGON: HELLFIRE BREATH!!!!"
A tremendous roar suddenly erupted from behind her.
The next instant, an enormous torrent of crimson flames surged across the battlefield.
The fire was so intense that the surrounding air seemed to distort from the heat. The flames rapidly expanded as they traveled upward, colliding directly with the descending lightning.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!
Fire and lightning collided in midair.
The resulting explosion shook the entire district.
A violent shockwave expanded outward, forcing the Phantom Knights to brace themselves against the ground. Several broken windows throughout the surrounding buildings shattered simultaneously, while pieces of debris were sent flying through the streets.
Kayosha instinctively raised her arms to protect her face.
"What?!"
The gigantic lightning bolt was completely intercepted.
The fire continued burning against it, gradually pushing the lightning backward until both elemental forces exploded into a spectacular burst of fire and electricity.
Smoke filled the sky.
Kasai stood several meters away.
Flames continued pouring from his mouth for several seconds before he finally stopped.
He wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.
His eyes were locked onto Sandā.
"Well, well, well..."
Sandā's expression slowly changed.
Then a familiar smirk appeared on his face.
"If it isn't Flame Boy."
Kasai's fists clenched.
The flames surrounding his body grew brighter.
"You've done it now, Sandā."
His voice was no longer playful.
There was genuine anger behind it.
"You've harmed one of my friends."
Kayosha slowly looked toward Kasai.
"Kasai..."
He didn't look back.
His attention remained completely focused on the Lightning Dragon Elementalist standing across the ruined battlefield.
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 smile became wider.
"But I'd rather save my strength for a powerful Elementalist..."
His eyes narrowed.
"...not some weakling."
The flames around Kasai suddenly erupted.
"Weakling?!"
His voice echoed throughout the district.
"You've got some nerve!"
Kasai slammed his foot into the ground.
"I'll show you who's a weakling!"
His body became surrounded by blazing flames.
The temperature around him immediately began rising.
"FIRE DRAGON HELLFIRE BREATH!!!!"
Kasai opened his mouth.
A gigantic torrent of flames erupted forward.
Unlike the previous attack, this blast was considerably more concentrated. Rather than spreading across a wide area, the flames formed a massive beam of fire that tore through the air directly toward Sandā.
The surrounding pavement began melting beneath the heat.
Sandā didn't move.
He simply watched the incoming attack.
Then—
"Earth Dragon Imperial Defender."
A calm voice suddenly echoed from behind him.
The earth beneath the battlefield violently shook.
BOOOOM!!
Several enormous pillars of stone erupted from the ground.
Those pillars rapidly transformed into gigantic armored knights made entirely from earth.
Each knight carried a massive shield.
They immediately positioned themselves in front of Sandā.
Kasai's eyes widened.
"What?!"
The gigantic fire blast slammed into the earthen soldiers.
KABOOOOOOM!!
Fire engulfed the entire formation.
For several seconds, the battlefield disappeared beneath an ocean of flames.
Kasai gritted his teeth.
"Someone blocked it?"
The flames gradually dispersed.
The Earth Dragon knights remained standing.
Although their armor had been heavily damaged, they had successfully defended against Kasai's attack.
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's expression immediately changed.
He recognized the newcomer.
"...Ishi Borudā."
Another figure approached from behind.
He possessed a completely different appearance, but Kasai recognized him as well.
"And..."
Kasai's eyes widened.
"Gēti Shindō."
The two newcomers stood beside Sandā.
Melody breathed a small sigh of relief.
"You're finally here."
Gēti slowly walked toward her.
"Sorry we're late, Melody."
He glanced toward the ruined battlefield.
"We were busy with something."
Melody looked around.
"You certainly took your time."
Gēti gave a small shrug.
"We're here now."
Ishi, meanwhile, looked toward Kasai and Kayosha.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"I see you've made quite the enemies while we were gone."
Kasai's fists remained clenched.
"Don't think you're getting away with protecting him."
Ishi didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he glanced around the battlefield.
His gaze eventually settled on the numerous Phantom Knights surrounding them.
He raised an eyebrow.
"Also..."
"Why are you surrounded by Phantom Knights?"
Melody looked toward the undead warriors.
"They suddenly appeared out of nowhere."
The Phantom Knights remained completely silent.
Their hollow eyes continued glowing with eerie green light.
Gēti looked at them for a moment.
Then he turned toward Melody.
"I suppose that's another problem we need to deal with."
Melody shook her head.
"No."
She pointed toward Kasai and Kayosha.
"Ishi, if you don't mind..."
"Would you leave them be?"
Ishi looked at her.
Then he smiled faintly.
"I don't mind at all."
Kasai's expression hardened.
"What?"
Ishi stepped backward.
Then, with a single movement, he jumped onto the roof of a nearby building.
Gēti followed him.
Both Elementalists landed on the rooftop 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 immediately began trembling.
"Not again!"
Several enormous cracks spread across the pavement.
Then—
BOOOOOOM!!
A group of gigantic knights erupted from beneath the ground.
Unlike the defensive knights from earlier, these warriors were equipped for battle.
Their armor was covered in jagged stone.
Their swords were enormous.
Their bodies radiated a dense Earth Dragon aura.
They immediately charged toward Kasai.
"Get out of my way!"
Kasai 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 blasts of Sky Dragon energy tore through the battlefield.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Each blast struck one of the Imperial Soldiers.
The earthen warriors couldn't withstand the overwhelming barrage.
Their bodies shattered.
Stone fragments scattered across the battlefield before dissolving into dust.
Ishi's eyes widened.
"What the?"
Kasai looked behind himself.
A figure descended from above.
Her long hair fluttered gently as she landed beside him.
Sora straightened herself and smiled.
"Sorry I'm late."
Kasai stared at her for a moment.
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, but she's alive."
Kasai glanced toward Sora.
"Did you manage to tell them?"
Sora nodded.
"Yes."
Her expression became slightly more relieved.
"Shizen and Shadow are on their way."
She paused.
"They're looking for Ryūsei and Yuki first."
Kasai looked toward the distant battlefield.
"So they're coming."
He smiled.
"Good."
His flames began burning more intensely.
"Then we just need to hold these guys off until they get here."
Sora raised her hands.
A faint blue aura began gathering around her body.
"I'll stay beside you."
Kasai glanced at her.
"Stay behind me if things get dangerous."
Sora smiled.
"You said the same thing earlier."
"And I'm saying it again."
Kasai turned his attention toward Sandā.
Across the battlefield, Sandā had been watching everything unfold.
His expression remained surprisingly relaxed.
He had watched Kasai arrive.
He had watched Sora destroy Ishi's Imperial Soldiers.
He had watched Kayosha survive.
And yet...
He didn't appear worried.
Instead, Sandā slowly began laughing.
"Hahaha..."
Kasai narrowed his eyes.
"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 around his body.
Sora stepped beside him.
Ishi and Gēti stood on the rooftop.
Melody remained nearby, protecting Flick while keeping a careful eye on the Phantom Knights.
Kayosha slowly forced herself back onto her feet.
And surrounding all of them...
The Phantom Knights raised their weapons.
The battlefield fell silent for a brief moment.
The storm above them continued to roar.
Lightning flashed across the darkened sky.
Kasai stared directly at Sandā.
Sandā stared back.
Neither of them moved.
Then the lightning struck.
KRAAAAAAAAAAAK!!!!
The entire battlefield erupted into motion.
Kasai charged forward.
Sora followed.
Sandā smiled.
And the true battle began.
The battlefield had 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 pieces of stone covered the ground, several buildings had already been damaged by the earlier clashes, and the remnants of Sandā's lightning continued to crackle through the air.
Above them, dark clouds gathered unnaturally over the replica Kingdom.
Thunder rumbled in the distance.
The atmosphere had become heavy.
Every Elementalist caught within the battlefield could feel it.
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 had not disappeared.
If anything, it had only grown stronger.
Sandā stood several meters away.
Electricity continuously danced across his body.
The two Elementalists stared at one another.
Neither was willing to back down.
Kasai slowly raised his hand.
"Fire Dragon..."
A brilliant crimson aura began gathering around his arm.
The flames condensed.
They twisted together, forming the shape of a blade.
"INFERNO BLADE!!"
WHOOSH!!
A magnificent sword made entirely from Flame Dragon energy appeared in Kasai's hand.
The blade burned with an intense crimson-orange radiance.
Every movement Kasai made caused flames to trail behind the weapon.
Sandā smiled.
"So you're finally serious."
He raised his own hand.
"Lightning Dragon..."
The surrounding atmosphere suddenly became charged.
Electricity gathered around his arm.
"THUNDERSTRUCK BLADE!!!!"
KRAK!!
A sword made entirely from Lightning Dragon energy materialized within Sandā's hand.
Blue-white lightning continuously traveled along the length of the blade.
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, okay?"
Sora smiled.
"Sure."
She raised one hand.
A brilliant blue aura gathered around her palm.
"Sky Dragon..."
The energy condensed.
Then it transformed into the shape of a firearm.
"SKYBLITZ BLASTER!!!!"
SHIIIIING!!
A magnificent weapon made entirely from Sky Dragon energy appeared in Sora's hand.
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 immediately 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.
A wave of fire and lightning erupted from the point of impact.
Kasai pushed forward.
Sandā pushed back.
Neither gave an inch.
The two 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.
Sandā immediately attempted a counterattack.
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 suddenly exploded.
BOOOOM!!
Stone erupted from beneath the street.
Several enormous knights made entirely from earth emerged from the ground.
Their armor was thick and their weapons 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.
However—
"Sky Dragon: Skyblitz Barrage!!!!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
A barrage of Sky Dragon energy descended from behind Kasai.
The projectiles struck the Stone Knights one after another.
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 immediately turned back toward Sandā.
The battle resumed.
Kasai accelerated.
His body became surrounded by flames.
Sandā attempted to intercept him.
Kasai swung his Inferno Blade.
Sandā blocked.
The impact forced Sandā backward.
Kasai followed.
Another slash.
Another block.
Then another.
Sandā's feet slid across the pavement.
Kasai continued pressing forward.
His flames grew more intense.
"Eat this, Sandā!"
Kasai raised his sword above his head.
"FIRE DRAGON..."
The Inferno Blade began absorbing the flames surrounding his body.
The crimson energy became denser.
The sword began glowing brighter.
"HELLBLITZ EXTERMINATE!!!!"
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!
A tremendous amount of Fire Dragon energy erupted from Kasai's Inferno Blade.
The explosion consumed the entire area.
Buildings were swallowed by flames.
Windows shattered.
Stone walls collapsed.
The shockwave expanded outward, tearing through the streets of the replica kingdom.
Several nearby structures completely collapsed beneath the tremendous force.
The battlefield disappeared 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 exploded across the replica kingdom, several spectators stood from their seats in shock.
Professor Volt stared at the screen.
"What's going on down there?!"
Professor Hex calmly adjusted his glasses.
"It seems like the Chīma of Kasai and Sora has made a little feud against the Chīma of Sandā and Melody."
Professor Volt stared at him.
"A little feud?!"
He pointed toward the screen.
"That entire district just exploded!"
Professor Hex shrugged.
"Elementalists."
Professor Volt sighed.
"Seriously, what's going on with your class?"
Professor Hex smiled.
"That's what makes them interesting."
At the Battlefield
The smoke slowly began to disappear.
Ash floated through the air.
Several burning fragments of wood and stone fell from the sky.
Kasai stood in the middle of the destruction.
He looked around.
His expression slowly changed.
The excitement disappeared from his face.
Instead, he looked confused.
Sora approached him.
"You kind of overdid it again..."
Kasai turned toward her.
"What do you mean?"
Sora pointed toward the surrounding area.
"Take a look around."
Kasai slowly turned his head.
His eyes widened.
Almost every building around them had been destroyed.
Some had been completely reduced to rubble.
Others were still burning.
The pavement had been torn apart.
The entire battlefield looked like it had been struck by a natural disaster.
Kasai's mouth opened slightly.
"...Oh."
A holographic display suddenly 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 pissed after all."
Kasai suddenly remembered something.
His expression immediately became serious.
"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 the barrier that Melody cast."
Kasai breathed a sigh of relief.
"And Kayosha?"
"I managed to rescue her before the explosion reached her."
Kasai relaxed slightly.
"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 in front of her.
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.
His Lightning Dragon energy 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 on Kasai and Sora.
"Gēti."
Gēti suddenly raised his hand.
"Enough."
Everyone looked toward him.
"Ishi. Sandā. Melody."
Gēti looked toward the approaching battle.
"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 then."
He pointed toward Sora.
"Fight..."
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."
The battlefield became strangely quiet.
Even Sandā's expression changed.
The Lightning Dragon energy surrounding his body became more intense.
Then he smiled.
"So..."
He looked directly at 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 shouted.
"SORA!"
The lightning struck.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!
Dust and debris erupted into the air.
Kasai immediately moved forward.
"Sora!"
But then—
Nothing.
The lightning had disappeared.
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.
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 lowered his hand.
"A female Elementalist..."
His eyes narrowed.
"...said to possess a barrier blessed by the Sky Dragon itself."
Melody stared at Sora from behind the barrier.
Her expression had become unusually serious.
"The Sky Musketeer..."
She slowly whispered the title as though remembering a 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 began, he wasn't smiling.
The identity of his partner had finally been revealed.
And judging from Sandā's expression...
The battle had only just begun.