When Raze moved forward, he had done so ahead of the others, only slightly, but noticeably so. The rest of the group continued pressing their attack, doing well to keep pressure on the beast. The magical water-pressure attacks and thrashing tentacles weren't hitting the group thanks to their formation and teamwork.

Even though they had clearly heard Raze's words and his order, there was hesitation among them. They weren't entirely convinced that this was the right thing to do, not completely.

"Are you sure about this?" Panla asked, concern showing on her face. "I know Raze is strong, maybe even stronger than we understand, but is this really something he can handle alone?"

That was when Raze lifted his free hand, raising it high above his head. His focus was intense, and a dense magical energy began to form around his arm. Wind magic started swirling around him, small currents at first, spiraling up his body until it enveloped him completely.

The energy expanded further, and soon, an entire sphere of wind magic burst forth from his core. The sphere didn't stop, it grew in size, stretching outward until it passed where the others were positioned. When they were engulfed by the wind, it felt gentle, nothing more than a faint breeze. But that calm was deceptive.

Because when the beast's attacks, those massive sprays of water and countless tentacles, descended toward the group again, the wind changed.

It roared.

The fierce current pushed the attacks back and shredded the tentacles apart mid-air. It was a barrier, a shield, and a weapon all in one. The wind tore through everything that came into its range.

"This spell… I know it," Luka said, eyes wide with realization. "This is a Seven-Star spell. Does that mean this boy, this young boy, is a Seven-Star Mage? But in the entire history of Alterian, has there ever been someone so young who reached that level?!"

It wasn't the time for the group to be amazed, though. They quickly pulled back, repositioning themselves to avoid getting in Raze's way. They weren't too close to him or the beast, but also not so far that they were near the students again.

"So this entire time… I was competing against a Seven-Star Mage?" Piba said quietly, almost laughing to himself. "No wonder I never stood a chance, no matter what kind of contest it was. That man... he's a true genius. Just on another level."

"So what though?!" Yolden shouted, her voice still filled with worry and doubt. Her hands were clenched tightly at her sides. "Even if he is a Seven-Star Mage, a beast on this level, this dimension beast, I just don't think he'll be able to beat it alone!"

"You might be right about that," Safa replied calmly, but her eyes were focused and confident. "That's if Raze was only a Seven-Star Mage. I told you before, if we're ever in trouble, real trouble, and he's around, then we have nothing to worry about."

Just as she finished speaking, the wind spell began to fade.

The beast must have sensed it too, saw a moment of vulnerability, and acted fast. It opened its massive mouth and shot out a condensed water jet, powerful enough to pierce through solid stone, aimed straight at Raze.

But Raze didn't move.

He didn't flinch.

He didn't even raise a hand to block it.

The attack slammed into an invisible force just before reaching him. The water disintegrated, breaking apart as if it had hit a wall made of pure energy.

This was the power of his Blazer taking effect.

I guess since this beast is more of a magical type, Raze thought to himself, the barrier effect of the Blazer is stronger than usual. It's stopping its jet attacks completely. That's good… at least we have that.

Lightning crackled at his feet, small sparks jumping across the ground, building up.

"That Blazer's barrier is that strong? Strong enough to block something like that?" Redrick asked, stunned. "Just how highly enchanted is that thing? And how the hell did a student get his hands on something like it?"

Now, Raze had to deal with something more physical, the onslaught of tentacles.

The first one came down hard, but it completely missed. Raze had already shifted to the side. Then, with a powerful kick off the ground, he launched forward.

Tentacle after tentacle lashed out at him. But not a single one was able to even graze him.

He was moving too fast.

To the others, it was impossible to keep track of him. They would only catch a glimpse of his body in one spot, just a flicker, before he vanished and reappeared elsewhere. He was already making more progress against the beast than any of them had.

Raze closed the distance, step by step, getting closer until the creature's massive head came into full view. Lightning now danced across his blade, building with each step. Simultaneously, Qi surged through his entire body, amplifying everything.

With one final burst, he dashed forward, and his blade struck true, piercing straight through the beast's skull.

In the next instant, Raze was already on the ground on the other side.

The others watched in silence, eyes wide, as the beast's head detached from its body, floating eerily in the air. But it lasted only a moment.

Water gathered from the torso and surged back up, reattaching the head. The beast's form completely restored itself to how it was before the attack.

"I still don't understand," Panla muttered in disbelief. "How was Raze able to move that fast? Even the most advanced Lightning users in the world can only blink between locations. But that, what I saw, it was like he was truly moving at high speed… not teleporting. Actual movement."

Everything Raze had shown so far had been a combination of Lightning and Qi. The power behind his incredible speed, his attacks, and even his last strike had all come from merging those two forces.

He had been using both Qi and magic because he knew, deep down, that this was a beast he couldn't afford to hold back against. Still, even he was surprised at how powerful its regenerative abilities were.

"Even with everything he's done…" Luka said grimly, watching as the beast roared again, fully healed, "it looks like he'll still struggle to win this. Without a skill, power, or magic strong enough to finish it in one blow, this battle might become endless."

However, one person wasn't convinced that was the case.

Londo stood silent, eyes focused.

There's one type of magic, Londo thought, that could stop this. Dark Magic. The kind whose property is destruction itself. If he used it, it would slow down the beast's regeneration.

And if he cast it over the entire creature, it would finish it.

But his thoughts darkened.

No one has that level of Dark Magic. Not even in the Dark Guild.

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