To understand what had just happened, we need to first make sure the abilities of Cendria Macador are laid out.
The moniker "Card Dealer" had a heavy meaning behind it. Cendria had with her an elaborate deck of cards, too many to number. Each of these cards possessed a special ability that only she as the Card Dealer could activate.
Four. Those were the only known cards at the moment, and the only ones to have been actively used by Cendria in battle.
The red card caused an explosion to erupt at the location the card was thrown.
The green card formed an impenetrable, transparent bubble around Cendria. This was her most used card when it came to defense.
The blue card, which was the one she just used, was the ultimate telekinesis. When it enters a certain range within an opponent, it allowed her to completely control their movement and anything inside it.
Much like Donna's Chamber, but much more powerful and mobile.
The yellow card is one she rarely uses, unless when facing an opponent capable of dealing damage from afar. Its one and only use was to take control of multiple enemy projectiles and send them back at her adversary.
Cendria would never use any more than these four cards in battle.
But seeing as how an enemy capable of causing catastrophes had just appeared, Cendria had no choice but to reveal one of her most dangerous cards.
"This was your plan? Bring me all the way to space?"
"That's right. If it means keeping you away from causing destruction upon the planet, I will even sacrifice myself to keep them safe."
The Earth-like planet hung below Cendria and Kano. Despite them already being outside the reaches of the planet's atmosphere, the two were able to breathe through methods inaccessible to weaker people.
This did not stop them from being completely immune to the cold, however. After a certain amount of time, even Cendria would find herself slowing down.
Using every bit of her power, Cendria would make sure to hold off Kano until the Association had dispatched enough Heroes to fend off the demons.
Even Cendria's power couldn't be compared to the combined force of four or even five S-rank heroes.
"I'll admit, the idea behind your plan was wonderful. Ingenious, even. Bringing me all the way out here to keep me from wreaking havoc… you've outsmarted me in that department." Kano shook his head.
"However… sending me here has already sealed your fate. Do you know why? Because even among the strongest of demons, I am one of the best in Spatial manipulation. Let's see how long you can handle being in enemy territory."
***
Dignitas followed his new mentor. Still confused as to how the situation evolved into the current one, he walked with a bit of uncertainty as to where they were going.
In front of him, Sayuri speed-walked through the halls of the Colosseum. Her red appearance perfectly blended in with the fires devouring the arena.
"I didn't ask you to be my disciple just so you could laze around! Come on, we're nearing a monster horde."
The word monster had a rather broad definition in this world. It was used to describe both demons and beasts. So one could imagine just how confused Dignitas was.
But still, he sped up his pace until he matched Sayuri's speed.
"There they are." She stopped him and peeked from behind a corner.
Dignitas wasn't sure as to why she even bothered to do that (S rankers had a keen sense of mana), but still followed her lead and stuck his body to the wall.
And there they were. Leaning forward, Dignitas was barely able to catch sight of three small Imps picking apart a vending machine.
They seemed curious about the technology and were breaking it down with their strength to inspect the insides.
"Now then. First lesson! What must we think of first when we encounter an enemy?" Sayuri raised a question.
"Uh… a way to defeat them?"
*smack*
"Ow… what the fuck was that fo–ow!" Dignitas clutched his head in pain. Sayuri had slapped him.
"Two slaps. One for getting the question wrong, and one for talking to me in a disrespectful way. Remember. You will only address me as Teacher, and nothing else! Is that clear?"
"Y-yes… Teacher."
"Great! Now for the answer to my question. Elegance!" As she said this, Sayuri raised her hand into fist and exclaimed.
"Pardon?"
"Elegance! The only thing you should think about when in a fight is how you should win it elegantly! A victory is not a victory if it isn't done with grace."
"I see…"
Dignitas was a bit stumped. Seriously, elegance? It was like she was telling him to dance while fighting. Dance-fighting.
"Then, if I may ask, Teacher. How will I win my battles elegantly?"
"Great question! That is, I have no idea."
Dignitas turned silent at this. But he wanted to believe that The Crimson Maiden wasn't an S rank for nothing, so he listened attentively.
"It goes like this. Everybody has their version of elegance. Personally, I believe a battle should be won with quick, yet beautiful movements. Your blade needs to be as elegant as the way you move!"
"That is why, this is my second assignment for you, my disciple. Find your "elegance." Once you do, I believe you will be many times stronger than you currently are."
Dignitas still didn't quite get it. But the general idea was there. If battles needed to be won with elegance, then so be it. He would literally dance in battle if he needed to.
"Uraak!" "Wraaak!" "Wrikkkk!"
"Oh, looks like our opponents have multiplied! This will prove to be a tough challenge, even for a C - rank. Now then, tell me, my disciple! How will you win this?"
***
The battle in space had just begun. Numerous cards, too many to count, flew past the pitch-black emptiness of space.
*boom* *boom*
And just as soon as they were sent out, they exploded into a fiery blaze. The size of said explosions could easily be compared to the most devastating of man-made bombs back on the planet.
Yet none of these cards seemed to cause any harm to Kano. Even as Cendria willed them to explode the moment they reached him, the cards simply flew past the demon.
The reason? They were in space. The place where the purest of spatial energy converged. In this place, only Space ruled supreme. Even the strongest known magics such as time held no power here.
"This is getting boring. Is this all the strongest hero has to show me?"
"Not at all. I'd be happy to show you more!"
Taking out a blue card, Cendria mustered all of her strength and threw it directly behind her.
Kano tilted his head. Was there something behind her that he didn't see? As far as he could tell, nothing was around them for the next three or four kilometers.
It was just pure, empty space.
Until Kano noticed the temperature suddenly getting hotter.
At first, it was just a slight itch. But after a few seconds, it began to feel like he was inside a microwave!
Kano turned his head and spotted a bright light rapidly approaching him.
"A star…"
*BOOM!*
An explosion unlike any other shook the very space. An explosion that couldn't even be compared to Cendria's spells erupted in the surrounding area.
It was so big, that the whole pitch-black darkness of space lit up for a few seconds.
Cendria had literally done the impossible.
Using the blue card, she pulled a nearby star and slammed it against Kano!
This was the true power of an S+ rank.
The peak of strength.