All the students, along with Finn, Isla, and Fanny, were stunned. Just as it seemed Leon was about to be impaled by the incoming crystal, everything froze.
The massive shard hovered mid-air, suspended by an unseen force. A purple aura enveloped the crystal, pulsating with raw energy.
Gasps filled the arena.
From within the ice that encased him, Leon stirred. The same deep purple glow began to radiate from within, slowly growing in intensity until—boom! The ice shattered outward, shards flying in every direction. Leon floated midair, eyes glowing faintly, his body radiating a thick purple aura.
"He did it!" Finn shouted, fist pumping. "Good job, Leon! I knew you could do it!"
Leon remained silent, floating in the air. A drop of purple blood trickled from his palm and splashed onto the cold ground below.
Fanny's eyes widened. "His aura... it's intense."
Isla narrowed her eyes. "Yeah. It might be because of the demonic blood. But I'm not sure..."
Without hesitation, Leon extended his hand. Rocks from the battlefield trembled and lifted, swirling into the air. Wrapped in that ominous purple glow, they shot toward the ice crocodile like bullets.
The beast let out a guttural roar and countered. Shards of ice exploded from its mouth, colliding with the rocks midair and obliterating them effortlessly.
Leon gritted his teeth.
The crocodile roared again, exhaling a thick stream of icy smoke aimed at Leon.
This time, Leon didn't stay still. His aura flared as he propelled himself upward using his telekinesis, dodging the icy breath just in time.
The crowd gasped again.
"Leon can fly now?!" Finn exclaimed.
Isla nodded, explaining quickly, "He's using his telekinesis on himself to stay in the air."
"That's so cool! I want to fly too!" Finn grinned.
Still midair, Leon didn't waste a second. He summoned more stones and flung them toward the crocodile. But again, the beast responded with precise ice crystals, shattering the projectiles with ease.
Leon's expression tightened.
How am I supposed to beat it? he thought. All I can do is lift things. I can't land a solid hit...
Suddenly, the crocodile launched a barrage of ice crystals at him—dozens, sharp and fast.
Leon threw out his hand. The air thickened as each crystal froze mid-flight, consumed by his aura. Then, with a surge of energy, they exploded into shimmering dust.
"Leon's power is helping him defend well," Fanny observed. "But he still hasn't landed a real hit."
"Is that all the demonic blood can do—just levitate things?" Finn asked.
Isla frowned. "Demonic blood isn't something humans are supposed to have. Even among demons, it's rare. Maybe only a handful of humans in a century awaken it. We really don't know the full extent of its power."
Finn glanced at Isla, impressed. "Why are you staring at me?" she asked, flustered. "Do I have something on my face?"
"No," he said, smiling. "You just know a lot."
She blinked. "Oh... thanks."
Back on the field, Leon landed. His feet hit the ground, but the crocodile struck back. It slammed its leg into the earth, sending jagged ice spikes erupting around Leon, boxing him in.
Then, the beast charged a massive crystal and hurled it toward him.
Leon extended his arms, the ground rumbling as his power surged. The massive crystal shattered, but in that moment, he realized—his leg had frozen again.
He tried to move, but he was stuck.
No time to break free...
With a desperate yell, he unleashed a powerful wave of purple energy from his body. The sheer pressure shook the battlefield, even reaching the students watching from afar.
"Whoa," Finn gasped. "That energy... it's huge!"
The wave decimated the incoming crystal and flung the crocodile backward, slamming it into a stone wall. Dust clouded the air.
Leon panted, a small grin breaking across his face. "Okay... I think I figured you out."
But the battle wasn't over.
The crocodile growled, rising from the rubble. Its body glowed with a deep blue aura now, more intense and frigid than ever.
Leon's eyes widened. The temperature plummeted.
Even the students outside the field began to shiver.
"This chill... it's unbearable," Finn said, teeth chattering. "Leon's right in the middle of it—how is he even standing?"
On the field, Leon trembled. His breath fogged instantly. He clutched his chest, his body numb.
My organs... they're freezing, he realized, struggling to stay upright. I can't move...
The crocodile saw its chance. It launched another frost attack, freezing Leon's legs again.
Leon gritted his teeth. I have to think... I have to—
This time, the beast launched a storm of ice crystals—more than before.
Leon's eyes widened. He couldn't dodge. His control over his power was slipping. His heartbeat felt slow. Heavy.
As the crystals neared, Isla shouted from the stands, "Leon—!!"
But it was too late.
One crystal pierced through his side.
His body jerked.
Blood splattered.
Finn, Isla, and Fanny's eyes went wide in horror.
The crystal jutted out from his torso, gleaming crimson in the cold light.
Isla's lips trembled. "Leon..."
Tears welled in her eyes.
But as Leon's body hit the ground—
—it vanished.
Nothing remained.
Finn, Fanny, and Isla stood frozen.
"Where... where did he go?" Fanny whispered.
The battlefield was silent. Cold. Empty.
And Leon was gone.