Zephyr, despite his own considerable talents, found himself taking an involuntary step back.
"It's only been some months and his Arts are advancing by this much?," he muttered, a bead of sweat forming on his brow. "To think he was holding back this much..."
But just as it seemed Neil's display of might would overwhelm all present, another sound cut through the chaos—the unmistakable ring of a blade being unsheathed.
'Chi!'
The crisp note sliced through the air, cleaving Neil's magical aura as if it were nothing more than mist before the morning sun.
In that instant, a new presence dominated the world around them. Gladius stood, his form unchanged, yet radiating an aura so potent that it made all hearts skip a beat. Some trembled in genuine fear, others in reluctant admiration, but none could deny the sheer intensity of his sword presence.
