Right when the chaos began, everything fell apart.
Even though they were scared—terrified to their very core—those who could still fight stepped forward without hesitation. Fear gripped their hearts, but instinct and pride pushed them ahead.
They charged.
Some with swords raised.
Others with magic forming in trembling hands.
All of them knowing one thing—
If they didn't fight now, they would die anyway.
"ATTACK!!"
The shout echoed, and for a brief moment, it felt like they still had a chance.
They rushed Kaiser from all directions.
Blades clashed against its scales.
Magic exploded across its body.
Fire, wind, earth—everything they had.
But—
It didn't work.
Not even close.
Kaiser didn't even flinch.
Its body absorbed the attacks like they were nothing more than dust brushing against stone.
Then—
It moved.
A single swipe of its claw.
BOOM!!
The force alone sent multiple cadets flying across the battlefield. Some crashed into walls, others rolled across the ground, their weapons slipping from their hands.
Another step.
Another strike.
Each movement was simple.
Effortless.
But devastating.
One by one—
They fell.
The battlefield that once held hope now became a place of despair.
From the back, voices whispered.
"…We can't win…"
"…This is impossible…"
"…It's over…"
Lior stood there, breathing heavily.
His body already pushed beyond its limit from the fight with the Shadow Walker.
If only he could have gotten a place to heal
His legs barely held him up.
And yet—
His eyes remained fixed on Kaiser.
Many had already fallen.
And among those still conscious—
They all knew.
Lior had a low rank
A C-rank.
The lowest rank of cadets In the institute
Yet—
He was still standing.
And somehow—
That alone gave them strength.
"…He's still standing…"
"If he hasn't given up…"
"Then we can't either…"
Before Lior could move again—
Three figures stepped forward.
Kai.
Silk.
Maria.
The only B-ranks still standing.
Their presence alone shifted the atmosphere slightly.
They walked past Lior.
Calm.
Resolved.
Kai spoke first.
"You've done enough."
Silk followed.
"You were a good leader."
Maria smiled faintly.
"So don't worry about the rest."
Lior looked at them.
For a moment—
He didn't say anything.
Then quietly—
"…Don't die."
Kai smirked.
"No promises."
And just like that—
They moved.
The three of them rushed forward with a level of coordination that showed their experience.
They didn't attack recklessly.
They planned.
They moved with purpose.
"Distract it from the left!"
"Keep its focus moving!"
"Don't give it time to counter!"
Their voices rang out as they executed their strategy perfectly.
Silk used swift movements, drawing Kaiser's attention with speed and precision.
Kai followed up with powerful strikes, aiming to break its defenses.
Maria supported from behind, launching precise magic attacks that forced Kaiser to react.
For the first time—
Kaiser moved more actively.
Turning.
Blocking.
Adjusting.
It was working.
"Now!!"
The opening appeared.
Just for a second.
And they took it.
All three gathered their remaining energy.
Everything they had left.
Every last bit.
"THIS IS IT!!"
Their combined attack shot forward—
A concentrated blast of power aimed directly at Kaiser's head.
The impact—
Was massive.
A blinding explosion filled the chamber.
The ground cracked violently.
Dust and smoke rose high into the air.
For a moment—
No one could see anything.
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Tense.
"…Did they do it…?" someone whispered.
Slowly—
The smoke began to clear.
Shapes became visible.
The outline of Kaiser appeared again.
But—
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
The air changed.
The pressure doubled.
Then—
A sound.
Crack.
Another.
Crack.
Kaiser's body began to shift.
Its scales glowed faintly.
Its form expanded.
Dark energy surged around it.
"…No way…"
"…It's… evolving…?"
The transformation continued.
Its size increased.
Its aura intensified.
Its presence—
Became overwhelming.
What stood there now—
Was no longer the same dragon.
It had evolved.
Into something far more powerful.
The realization hit instantly.
The attack—
Had not defeated it.
It had pushed it further.
Stronger.
Deadlier.
Kai, Silk, and Maria stood frozen.
Their bodies drained.
Their energy gone.
"…You've got to be kidding…" Kai muttered.
Kaiser moved.
Faster than before.
Stronger than before.
A single strike—
And they couldn't react.
BOOM!!
Kai was sent flying.
Silk followed.
Maria's barrier shattered instantly as she was thrown back.
They hit the ground hard.
Not getting up.
Not moving.
Silence.
Again.
This time heavier.
Darker.
Hopeless.
They had used everything.
Everything they had—
For one attack.
And it wasn't enough.
Now—
They had nothing left.
And Kaiser—
Was stronger than ever.
Lior clenched his fist.
His breathing uneven.
His body screaming in pain.
But his eyes—
Didn't waver.
"…So that's how it is…"
He stepped forward.
Slowly.
Each step heavy.
Each movement painful.
But steady.
Because now—
There was no one left to step in.
No one left to protect them.
No one left—
Except him.
He was exhausted
But it was a battle—
He had to fight.
Kaiser's eyes locked onto him again.
This time—
With greater interest.
As if recognizing him.
As if waiting.
Lior exhaled slowly.
"…One more time."
And with that—
He took his final step forward.
The battlefield fell silent.
As the leader among them—
Prepared to face the strongest.
Alone.