Location: Artificial Field
Enzo lands a sudden, powerful uppercut on Michael's jaw. The impact leaves Michael completely immobilized for a few seconds.
Enzo (with a cold smirk): The real loser… is you.
Enzo lifts Ellie off the ground and pulls back his body, preparing to deliver the finishing blow.
Michael struggles with all his might; his muscles refuse to obey. It's already too late.
Enzo begins his strike…
-and then, a sound reverberates, shaking the entire field.
- - - : All participants! The test is canceled! I repeat! CANCELED!
The moment Enzo hears the voice, he halts his strike, takes a deep breath, and turns to Michael.
Enzo: Let's call this one a draw.
Michael slowly starts moving. He lifts his head, looks at Enzo, and extends his hand.
Michael: Next time, I'll win, Enzo.
Enzo grins and shakes the offered hand.
Enzo: Until then… let's get stronger.
Michael (smiling): Agreed.
Enzo scans the surroundings. Some trees have fallen, the mountain peak behind them is almost gone. Turning slightly, he sees two people lying unconscious on the ground.
Enzo: 78 meters ahead, two unconscious. Let's take them and leave.
Michael looks in the same direction, impressed by how clearly Enzo can gauge the distance.
Michael (thinking): Enzo… you'll be terrifyingly strong in the future.
He exhales, then smiles.
Michael: The faster we carry them, the sooner we rest.
Enzo: Whoever reaches the exit first while carrying these two… wins.
With that, Enzo moves first. Michael blinks in surprise.
Michael: Cheater! What do you mean "start early"? I'm supposed to win!
Michael uses a weak flight technique and follows him.
If we turn back to where Liberty is…
Amidst the chaos, the only person still standing is Rose. The surroundings are destroyed, the ground shattered, and the air still trembles with energy.
Rose's mind focuses on a single thought:
Rose (thinking): Liberty… what kind of technique could cause this level of destruction?
Just then, a sharp gust of wind is heard from behind, immediately followed by the sound of something hitting the ground.
Rose flinches and turns around.
Rose: Are you… going to kill me too, Liberty!?
Liberty grins, approaching slowly. When the distance between them shrinks to four meters, Liberty stops and meets Rose's gaze.
Liberty: I don't enjoy killing hiding humans. It's a waste of time.
Rose tenses, ready to flee.
Rose: Then… what do you want?
Liberty stares at her with an expressionless face.
Liberty: People like you don't need to know.
As Liberty raises her hand to unleash her technique, chains suddenly wrap around her right arm. She lifts her head, noticing where the chains came from.
- - - : Perfect timing, Vals!
Vals: We need to seal her now, Rick!
Michael (from afar): I've got this!
Liberty smirks lightly.
Liberty: Hmph… looks like my time's up.
As Vals touches the ground, she begins drawing circles around Liberty. The chains completely envelop her. Energy surges along the chains, crackling and causing the surroundings to flicker with light.
Vals (shouting): Rick, now!
Liberty smiles calmly: Even a thousand years ago, there was someone with the Sealing Technique… but they never had as bright a potential as you.
Rick stops immediately, pulls a microphone from his pocket, clears his throat, and shouts loudly:
Rick: DON'T MOVE!?
In an instant, Liberty's body becomes heavy and immobile. Rick begins expending extraordinary amounts of energy; normally as strong as a rock, his energy now barely covers the small area around the microphone.
Rick (gasping): Now… Vals!
Vals (focusing energy): Understood! Super Technique, Perfect Sealing!
The chains surrounding Liberty begin to glow with energy.
Liberty continues laughing:
Liberty: Hahaha! Looks like I'm going to have fun in this era!
As the chains merge with the energy, crackling sounds echo. Sparks, snapping noises, and hissing fill the scene with drama.
Vals (concentrating): Maximum Output!
A massive amount of energy flows into the chains. This is the moment the Super Technique: Perfect Sealing is completed. Waves of energy spread along the chains, locking Liberty completely in place.
Vals: Devil's Prison… Complete.
Rick (gasping, exhausted but satisfied): Excellent work, Vals.
As Vals and Rick celebrate, Rose watches the scene. To become a professional Guardian, one must reach such a level of power. She feels as if she's staring at a massive stone overwhelmed yet inspired.
Rose (thinking): One day… I'll climb to this level.