"He-he-he! Let the action begin!!"
A huge smirk appeared on Rajin's face as he raised his hand high into the darkening sky.
RUMBLE!!!
The black clouds swirled above, thickening ominously. The air buzzed with an unnatural pressure. Purple lightning arced violently through the sky like serpents of destruction. Wind howled as a massive dust storm kicked up from the sudden shifts in atmospheric pressure caused by the accelerating storm. The very environment responded to Rajin's will.
People across the arena were beginning to panic.
The pressure was unbearable. Many were forced to their knees, clutching their heads. It wasn't just magic—it was a primal force, ancient and wild, pressing down on their souls.
BOOM!!
Suddenly, a bolt of searing purple lightning struck Rajin directly from the storm clouds above.
A blinding explosion erupted on impact. The ground split open around him, shockwaves bursting outward like waves on water. The arena trembled. Stone cracked. Dust shot into the air.
"Everyone! Back up from him!!"
Carol's voice rang like a warning siren. Her eyes widened with alarm, and her body instinctively leapt backward. She'd never raised her voice like that before.
The others stared at her, confused and frightened. Why was the princess so shaken?
"Her Highness! What is happening?! Why did Rajin get struck by his own lightning!?"
Miyuki rushed beside her, stunned. His face was pale.
Carol narrowed her eyes and gritted her teeth, a rare crack in her composed demeanor.
She responded with a quiet, serious voice.
"He… is Manifesting himself."
Miyuki blinked. "Manifesting...? What does that even mean!?"
Carol glanced at him and took a deep breath, then began explaining—her voice low but heavy with meaning.
"In this world, every living being is born connected to the natural flow of mana. Nature serves as a regulator—it limits how much power one can exert at any given time. Even the most powerful mages must respect the balance."
She gestured toward Rajin, where the lightning continued to crackle fiercely.
"But there are rare individuals… whose control and mastery over their inner power becomes so precise, so absolute… that they can break that bond."
Miyuki's eyes widened.
"Break the bond...? With nature?!"
Carol nodded slowly.
"Yes. That's called Manifestation. It's an unnatural state where the body forcibly pulls magic directly from the environment, beyond what nature allows. It's like opening a dam to flood a river. If done successfully, it grants power that rivals the mythical Asuras—beings who defied even the gods."
Miyuki stared in awe. "That sounds like something only legends could do..."
Carol's eyes stayed fixed on the purple storm.
"Exactly. Most mages spend a lifetime chasing that state and still fail. To manifest at Rajin's age means he's already surpassed what most elite warriors accomplish in decades. His magical and physical abilities will both be enhanced… far beyond ordinary comprehension."
She hesitated.
"But... this comes at a cost."
Miyuki tensed. "A cost?"
Carol's tone grew heavier.
"Yes. The manifested state can only last for ten minutes. That's the body's limit. But more terrifying is the risk—if Rajin loses even a fraction of control while in this state… if his mind falters… the energy will collapse inwards, surging into his brain like a flood under pressure."
She closed her eyes briefly.
"It would be like pouring molten lava into glass. His brain would shatter into pieces instantly."
Miyuki swallowed hard, feeling the weight of her words.
"...An instant death…"
Around them, the crowd was silent, unsure whether to fear Rajin or mourn him.
Even the instructors and elite division members were frozen. They had heard of Manifestation… but never witnessed it.
Shigeru and Shinju were staring in disbelief.
("T-this kid... he's able to manifest himself... at this age...?")
As the smoke began to clear, everyone held their breath.
Psssh!!!
The purple lightning abruptly vanished.
Rajin emerged from the center of the crater—unscathed. Not even his uniform had a scratch. The earth beneath his feet was pulverized, reduced to scorched black sand. Steam rose from the cracks.
His hair had turned a brilliant, electric purple. His eyes glowed with a cold, eerie light—no longer human, but something transcendent.
Carol stared in shock.
("H-he completed the Manifestation... flawlessly...!")
Rajin took a calm step forward, his smirk widening.
"Well, well… who should I begin with? The minions? Or the princess herself?"
He turned his glowing eyes toward Carol.
"After all, I've only got ten minutes... don't I, Your Highness?"
Carol met his gaze, her fists tightening. She was sweating. The weight of his power was suffocating, and he hadn't even made a move yet.
"Rajin... I don't know why you're risking your whole life for this battle—but don't think we can't defeat you, even in this state!"
She stood tall, her voice steady, her will unwavering.
Pff!
Rajin chuckled darkly.
"I-I think Her Highness misunderstood. Aha-ha-ha… I never once thought you couldn't defeat me in my Manifested state..."
Carol blinked, confused. What was he saying?
He leaned forward slightly, grin turning sinister.
"Don't get the wrong idea. You all could never defeat me... not even in my normal state."
His words echoed like thunder in the silent arena.
Carol's expression twisted in fury.
"If you're that confident, then why don't you—"
AHHHH!!!
A scream cut through her words.
Everyone turned in shock—just in time to see a student from the First Division sent flying through the air, blood spraying from his battered body. He crashed into the ground far outside the battlefield, unconscious—possibly worse.
The crowd gasped.
Carol's eyes widened. She hadn't even seen Rajin move.
("W-when did he…!?")