Chapter 86: Spirit Dive

"The injuries of Team B's Asta were too great for him to continue. As a result, Team B will not play in the final. It would serve all four teams playing to treat the two upcoming matches as semifinals." Julius declared. "The next match will take place shortly - Team I versus Team L! Both teams make their way to the battlefield."

"You heard the guy!" Myla exclaimed, slapping Rill on the back. "Get ready to paint something real good!"

"You can't force inspiration, my old grimoireless friend!" Rill laughed. "But no worries, my brain is already brimming with ideas! Especially after Russell's spell!"

Russell, who looked very unimpressed, pointed a finger to himself lazily. "Wha? Me?"

"Yes! You will be my next masterpiece!" Rill declared, the captain bounding over to the older man like an excited dog. "Pleaaaase, Russell!"

"Captain Rill," Erin said, pulling him by the ear, "please stop harassing him. We need to talk strategy."

"Who cares about strategy when you have me on the team! Just let that brat do his own thing and we'll be fine!" Myla exclaimed, going to slap Erin on the back, however, she sidestepped.

The unwilling target of her good-natured yet painful gesture? None other than Rill Boismortier himself, and it sent him skidding on his face across the spectator box and into the portal.

"O-oh dear," Erin muttered, her face turning pale.

"Nah, he'll be fine," Russell said dismissively, waving a hand. "He's tougher than you think. Come on, let's not waste any more time."

"What he said! I'm just itching to whip some younglings into shape!" Myla declared, running into the portal like a little kid.

She may be double my age, but she's spiritually half, Russell thought, walking casually into the portal. Erin, who was feeling guiltier and guiltier by the minute, followed him.

…

Team L were already on the battlefield, having one last strategy talk before the match began.

"En, do you mind being on defense again?" Kian asked.

"That's not a problem," the sickly mage said, his magic glowing in his hands as he worked on conjuring a Muscle March mushroom.

"This time, I'd like a more balanced approach to this match," Kian declared, cracking his knuckles. "Two on attack, two on defense. Very simple."

Captain Kian, Valros smirked teasingly, his voice echoing inside his head as he sat cross legged on Kian's shoulder. The force mage said nothing, but his smile grew slightly larger.

"Miss Silva, I know you attacked last match," Kian said, turning to Noelle, "but I need you to defend this time. I have complete faith you guys will be fine."

Noelle nodded. "Right!"

"And Yuno," Kian said. "You're far stronger than me, so I'd like you to engage Rill, wherever he is. I'll focus on destroying the crystal."

"Hey! You can't tell Yuno what to do, shrimp!" Bell yelled, tugging at Kian's ear.

"Bell, it's fine," Yuno said, raising a hand to stop her. "He knows what he's talking about. I'll take Rill on for you."

"Great!" Kian replied, slapping him on the back. "Hey, I've just realised - we have the same coloured hair and eyes! Cool!"

Yuno didn't reply, but Bell was a bit more irritated. "Don't touch Yuno!" she said, starting her assault on Kian's ear again.

This time, however, the force magic user was not so lenient. With a flick of his hand, he intensified the forces of gravity acting on Bell, making her drop to the ground and not be able to get up.

"H-hey! What's this? Let me go!" Bell yelled, struggling to fly off.

"I'll let you go since the next match is about to start, but please leave me alone," Kian replied, flicking his hand and running away, releasing Bell from her gravitational restraints.

…

"Team I vs Team L! Begin!" the capital mage said, bringing his hand down.

Kian wasted no time. "Valros, keep an eye on everyone," he muttered, his grin sharp as he darted forward, his force magic propelling him like a bullet across the terrain.

Sitting cross-legged on his shoulder, Valros smirked. Always so serious, my guy, he teased mentally. But sure, I'll play lookout.

Ahead of Kian, Myla's voice rang out like a battle cry. "Come on, kiddos! Show me what you've got!" She barreled toward him, her fists glowing with raw mana, leaving trails of power in her wake.

Kian grinned as his magic flared, intensifying the forces around Myla to slow her charge. "You're eager," he said, sliding to a stop and planting his feet. "But let's see how you handle this!" With a flick of his wrist, he created a crushing wave of gravity aimed directly at her.

Myla skidded, then slammed her fists into the ground, cracking the earth to anchor herself. "Cute trick, kid!" she bellowed, her strength barely wavering as she began to push against the invisible force. "But you'll have to do better than that!"

Valros chuckled as he leaned back lazily on Kian's shoulder. She's a tough one. You having fun yet, boss?

"More than you know," Kian replied, his voice calm but his eyes alight with focus.

Meanwhile, Russell moved with precision, bypassing the skirmishes and heading straight for Team I's crystal. His Dust Magic swirled around him, cloaking him in a veil of golden particles. His eyes scanned the field, landing on En and Noelle, who had taken their defensive positions.

Noelle's water magic shimmered like a shield around the crystal, her focus unwavering. En, standing beside her, conjured a massive, glowing mushroom in one hand and held a cluster of spores in the other. "Think you're sneaky?" En called out, his voice soft but steady. "We saw you coming a mile away."

Russell sighed, adjusting his boots. "Of course you did. You're not making this easy, huh?"

"You didn't expect us to, did you?" Noelle shot back, her mana surging as she prepared a torrent of water to intercept him.

Russell smirked faintly. "Not really. But I'll still break through." He snapped his fingers, and a cloud of golden dust shot forward, mixing with Noelle's water shield. The particles began to shimmer ominously, disrupting her magic.

Back at Team I's crystal, Rill was practically vibrating with excitement. "This is it! The perfect opportunity to paint a battle masterpiece!" His brush glowed as he swiped it through the air, conjuring vibrant shapes that hovered protectively around the crystal.

Erin, standing beside him, looked less enthused. "Captain, focus. We're on defense."

"Defense is boring," Rill whined, spinning his brush dramatically. "But fine, fine, I'll-"

Before he could finish, a powerful gust of wind ripped through the air, scattering some of his conjured defenses. Yuno appeared, his grimoire glowing as he floated toward them. His gold eyes locked onto Rill with calm intensity. "Let's go, Rill."

Rill's face lit up like a child seeing a new toy. "Oh, yes! Let's!" He leapt forward, leaving Erin behind to guard the crystal as his magic surged in a kaleidoscope of colors. "Prepare to be amazed!"

Yuno didn't flinch, his wind magic swirling around him like a storm. "Don't underestimate me."

Erin groaned, muttering under her breath as she reinforced the crystal's defenses. "Great. He's distracted already."

Kian and Myla's clash continued to intensify, the ground beneath them cracking and trembling with each blow. Myla's raw strength met Kian's precise manipulations of force, the two evenly matched in sheer willpower.

"You're tough, old-timer," Kian admitted, his grin widening as he dodged a mana-infused punch that left a crater where he'd been standing.

"And you're quick, brat," Myla shot back, laughing as she charged again. "But let's see how long you can keep up!"

Valros, still perched on Kian's shoulder, chimed in. Think she's gonna run out of steam first, or are you?

"Neither," Kian said, his voice steady. "I've got a plan."

He stretched his hands. "Force Magic: Slipping Void!"

The spell, at first, seemed to have no effect. Kian, however, knew better. He got into a fighting stance, his now fully charged metal hand vibrating.

"Come at me, old timer!" he yelled, his eyes blazing with conviction. Myla smirked, a predatory smile reminiscent of her pupil Mereoleona.

Myla's smirk widened as she charged at Kian, her raw strength causing the ground beneath her to fracture with each step. The instant her foot touched the area affected by Slipping Void, her momentum faltered. Her footing became unstable, her boots skidding as if the earth itself had turned to ice.

"Clever!" Myla barked, catching herself by digging her fingers into the ground to stop her slide. "But you're not the only one who can adapt."

Kian chuckled, his metal hand still vibrating with mana. "It's not about how strong you are. It's about how you use the battlefield."

Myla lunged forward, her movements slightly more calculated now, but the lack of full friction threw off her usual precision. Kian sidestepped her swing, his hands glowing as he redirected her momentum. Her punch smashed into the ground, sending a shockwave that cracked the surrounding area—but Kian was already moving, his grin never faltering.

"You're trying to slow me down, huh? Smart!" Myla said, spinning to face him. She crouched low, muscles coiled, ready to pounce. "But I've fought on worse terrain than this."

Kian smirked, his confidence unwavering. "Then you'll appreciate the effort I'm putting into this." He thrust his hand downward. "Force Magic: Traction Snare!"

Within the same zone as Slipping Void, Kian layered a counterspell that subtly increased friction in narrow, localized patches. Myla, mid-charge, found herself abruptly stopped as one foot caught on an area of high traction while the other slid forward. The sudden imbalance almost toppled her.

"Crafty brat," she hissed, regaining her footing.

"You're calling me crafty?" Kian asked, his grin widening. "You're the one tearing up the terrain like it owes you money!"

Valros, still perched on Kian's shoulder, chirped in. She's gonna figure it out, you know. Better wrap this up.

"I know, I know," Kian muttered. His metal hand pulsed with energy as he waited for the right moment.

"I'd hoped I wouldn't have to test myself today, because that string bean promised me a fight after I got back," Myla said, smirking, "but you leave me no choice. It's been fun, brat!"

Myla's fighting stance changed, and she picked up her staff from where she had planted it into the ground. In an instant, she vanished and reappeared behind Kian, hitting his head with the staff. Kian quickly used Air Resistance to reduce the impact of the blow, but that did nothing as it still sent him flying.

He staggered to his feet, but Myla- no, the predator was already upon him, baring her teeth in the thrill of battle, a crazed grin on her face. She brought her staff down towards Kian.

Shit, if that hits me I'm done, Kian thought. "Celestial Force Magic: Celestial Resolve!"

Myla's staff hit the barrier, rebounding off of it with the shock, and Kian stood back up acrobatically as her midriff was exposed.

"Force Magic: Normal Contact Force!"

The blow connected beautifully, the resounding impact echoing throughout the battlefield as everyone turned their heads. Myla dug her heels into the ground, using every ounce of strength she had to not be knocked away. But Kian drove the punch in further, and eventually the old lady was sent sprawling into a tree, a dust cloud kicking up from the impact.

Up on the spectator box, Lars and Cade watched with grim expressions.

"That's not gonna knock her out, is it?" Lars said with such finality it could barely be considered a question.

"Of course not," Cade sighed. "The old hag is much stronger than that."

Sure enough, Myla got back up, dusting off her trousers like that hadn't even hurt her - because it hadn't.

This woman was a freak. A physical freak of nature. Some would say that it was God's divine help ever since she lost her grimoire, some would say it was the result of years of training - both wouldn't be entirely wrong. Most of all, it all boiled down to one thing.

She was incredibly gifted in the physical department.

And as Kian squared off with her, two emotions flooded - no, submerged his mind. Overwhelming awe, and overwhelming fear.

…

"Wind Magic: Towering Tornado!" Yuno yelled, sending the spell at Rill. The paint magic user, however, had other ideas.

"Paint Magic: God's Game!" he yelled, using fast brushstrokes to meticulously craft a painting of the Greek God Zeus. The wind magic spell swirled around it, and then, with terrifying speed, was hurled back at Yuno, the commoner managing to dodge it by the skin of his teeth.

"My dear Erin!" Rill yelled, conjuring two identical swirls of fire and ice that rushed at Yuno on both sides. "Go and support Russell! I want to paint a true masterpiece, and I don't want you getting in the way!"

The wind magic user spun acrobatically, using another Towering Tornado to block the two spells and send them spiralling into nothing.

Erin, who was at this point very annoyed at Rill due to a culmination of things, yelled back at him. "Rude much!? And you're SURE you won't accidentally overdo it!?"

"Of course I am!" Rill replied cheerfully. "When have I ever overdone it?"

Erin sighed, rubbing her eyes in frustration. Without another word, she activated Free Cloud and flew off towards Team I's crystal.

"Wind Magic: Swift White Bow!" Yuno said, conjuring a bow made out of wind, the three arrows nocked to it vibrating dangerously. "Bell!"

"Of course!" the wind spirit smirked. With an almighty blow, she sent the two arrows hurtling towards Rill, but his God's Game spell once again blocked it, and sent the arrows hurtling back on different trajectories, converging on one point - Yuno.

This time, he was forced to dodge, landing gracefully as all three of the arrows veered off into the horizon.

"I was expecting more from you, since you're Asta's friend, but no matter," Rill sighed dramatically. "Guess I couldn't make a masterpiece after all."

Yuno's eyes narrowed. Every spell he launched was parried effortlessly, the captain's vibrant Paint Magic responding with an almost playful ease. Rill's brush danced through the air, conjuring shapes and figures with blinding speed, each one imbued with terrifying power and precision.

"Wind Magic: Gale Thrust!" Yuno shouted, sending a concentrated burst of wind magic aimed directly at Rill's chest.

Rill spun his brush casually, as if choreographing a dance. "Paint Magic: Master Shield!" A translucent painting of a massive, shimmering shield appeared before him, absorbing the spell with a flourish of light. "Come now, Yuno, you can do better! I need inspiration, and this just isn't it!"

Bell buzzed around Yuno's shoulder, fuming. "He's mocking you, Yuno! You're gonna let him get away with that?"

Yuno didn't reply, his gold eyes sharp as ever. He darted to the side, his Wind Magic propelling him faster than the eye could follow. "Wind Magic: Crescent Kamitachi!" He slashed his arm through the air, sending a curved, razor-sharp blast of wind hurtling toward the captain.

"Ah, yes!" Rill exclaimed with glee. "Now we're getting somewhere!" His brush flicked left, then right, painting an enormous serpent wreathed in flames. "Paint Magic: Infernal Coil!" The serpent sprang to life, coiling its fiery body around the incoming blades and disintegrating them with a hiss.

The battlefield glowed with a chaotic brilliance, Rill's magic painting an ever-shifting masterpiece of fire, ice, and thunder as he parried Yuno's relentless assault. Each spell Yuno cast was matched and countered with a creation more intricate and dazzling than the last.

Bell flitted in front of Yuno, frustration etched into her tiny face. "Yuno, this guy isn't normal! We're wasting time—and mana! We have to finish this now!"

Yuno exhaled slowly, his gaze locked on Rill, who was now sketching another creation in midair, humming a cheerful tune. "You're right," he said finally, his voice steady. "We can't hold back anymore."

Bell's eyes widened. "You mean—?"

"Yes," Yuno confirmed, his grimoire glowing with an intense light. "Spirit Dive."

Bell's expression shifted from shock to excitement, her form becoming brighter, almost blinding. "Well, it's about time!" she declared, merging with Yuno in a radiant burst of energy. The wind around them howled as Yuno's mana surged, transforming him. He was wearing a green crown now, and spectral wings of wind magic unfurled from his back. His entire presence became sharper, more imposing—a fusion of human and spirit.

Rill paused mid-brushstroke, tilting his head in curiosity. "Oh, what's this?" he mused, his smile widening. "That's more like it."

Yuno raised his hand, the air around him distorting with raw power. "Wind Spirit Magic: Sylph's Breath!" A colossal blast of wind began to form, its edges shimmering with green light. The sheer pressure of the magic forced even Rill to take a step back, his eyes widening slightly.

For the first time, Rill's playful demeanor shifted into something more focused. He dipped his brush into his grimoire, pulling out a swirling mix of colors. "Now this might be worth my time," he murmured, his voice tinged with excitement. "Maybe... just maybe, I'll be able to make a masterpiece after all."

…

Myla cracked her knuckles as she approached Kian, her every step radiating unshakable confidence. Her grin was equal parts excitement and menace. "Not bad, brat. You've lasted longer than most," she said, her tone carrying a hint of grudging respect. "But you've got a problem—your fancy shield might look tough, but it's only as good as the foundation holding it up."

Kian's eyes narrowed, sweat dripping down his temple. "What are you talking about?"

Myla tilted her head, twirling her staff casually. "You've over-reinforced the surface, but the internal mana flow? It's wobbly. All flash, no depth." Her grin widened. "A rookie mistake, but hey, I'll give you a free lesson: never build a fortress on shaky ground."

Before Kian could process her words, Myla lunged, her staff striking with pinpoint accuracy. The blow resonated like a thunderclap, and Kian's Celestial Resolve shimmered violently, cracks spiderwebbing through the golden barrier.

"Force Magic: Air Resistance!" Kian yelled, redirecting the force to lessen the impact. But Myla's assault was relentless. She moved like a predator, each strike more precise than the last. With one final, devastating swing, her staff shattered Celestial Resolve into a cascade of brilliant shards.

The barrier's destruction left Kian wide open. Myla capitalized instantly, her mana-infused punch slamming into his chest like a wrecking ball. The impact sent him sprawling, his body tumbling across the cracked earth before coming to a stop.

"You're quick," Myla said, planting her staff into the ground and leaning on it like it was a walking stick. "But speed doesn't mean squat without stamina to back it up. You've got a flashy bag of tricks, but you don't have the foundation to carry you through a fight like this."

Kian groaned, clutching his side as he struggled to push himself to his knees. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest. He looked up at Myla, who stood over him like a victorious titan. "I thought you'd give me a better workout," she said, shaking her head. "Guess I overestimated you."

Her words cut deep, each one driving into Kian's heart like a dagger. Not good enough. Not there yet.

The fight seemed over. Myla turned, already preparing to leave, her assessment of Kian complete. But deep within him, a flicker of defiance stirred.

Hey, idiot, Valros's voice echoed in his mind, sharp and filled with exasperation. You're seriously gonna let her walk away after that? Giving up now? Really?

"Valros... I'm out of options," Kian muttered internally, his voice tinged with despair.

Out of options? My guy, you haven't even started! Did you forget who you're partnered with? Valros's tone softened, becoming almost encouraging. You're stronger than this. You've got me. You've got grit. So get up. Fight back. Win.

Something shifted within Kian. His despair gave way to anger, not at Myla, but at himself for even thinking of giving up. "You're right," he whispered, his voice growing stronger. "We're not done."

Silver light erupted from his body, radiant and overwhelming. His grimoire flared, pages turning as if possessed by an unseen wind. "Celestial Convergence!" Kian roared, his voice ringing out like a battle cry.

Valros's form shimmered beside him before dissolving into pure energy, merging seamlessly with Kian's body. The transformation was immediate and breathtaking. Kian's metal hand became inscribed with celestial runes that glowed with divine power, his eyes blazed like twin suns, and silver wings unfurled from his back. His entire presence radiated an unearthly, commanding aura.

From the spectator box, Lars's jaw hung open. "No way... Is that what I think it is?"

"Celestial Convergence," Cade confirmed, his tone a mix of awe and disbelief. "He reached it this fast?"

Leaning against the railing, Iskra smirked, her sharp eyes gleaming with approval. "Fastest I've ever seen," she said, her voice tinged with admiration.

On the battlefield, Myla's eyes widened slightly, but instead of intimidation, her expression morphed into one of pure delight. "Well, look at you!" she exclaimed, slamming her staff into the ground with giddy enthusiasm. "Didn't think you had it in you, brat! This... this is what I live for!"

Kian's grin mirrored hers, though his was tinged with determination. "Thanks for the push, old-timer. Guess I've still got some tricks left."

"Oh, I like you," Myla said, her voice booming with laughter. "This is gonna be fun!"

Kian flexed his wings, the air around him vibrating with celestial energy. He clenched his glowing fist, his entire body humming with newfound strength. "Let's finish this," he said, his voice calm but laced with undeniable power.

The clash between Kian and Myla roared like a storm, each strike resonating with power that seemed to ripple through the battlefield itself. Despite Kian's heightened state in Celestial Convergence, Myla was undeterred. Her movements were like an unrelenting tide - fluid yet forceful, calculating yet explosive. For every strike Kian delivered, Myla met him with unyielding resilience.

"You've got power, brat," Myla said, dodging a force-fueled strike that split the ground behind her. Her voice was steady, but there was a spark of admiration in her eyes. "But power won't be enough to keep up with me!"

Kian's grin widened, his wings flaring with celestial light as he surged forward again. "Agreed, but sometimes you just need a little grit!" he yelled, his metal hand swinging in a radiant arc.

Myla blocked with her staff, the impact reverberating through the air. With a swift motion, she planted the staff into the ground, and wooden barriers erupted around her, encasing her in a sturdy defense. The layers of wood twisted like living things, forming a nearly impenetrable wall.

Kian hovered for a moment, light radiating from his form. "A wall, huh?" he muttered, tilting his head. "You think that's gonna stop me?"

He launched himself forward, a comet of light crashing directly into the barrier. The wood splintered and cracked under the force of his charge, shards flying in every direction as Kian forced his way through. He burst out the other side, silver energy trailing behind him like the tail of a shooting star.

Myla barely had time to react as Kian landed in front of her, his grin undimmed. "Told you - grit."

For the first time, Myla faltered, her expression caught between frustration and admiration. "You've got guts, I'll give you that."

Kian's grimoire flared, pages flipping rapidly as a new spell materialized in his mind. He raised his hands, a point of swirling darkness forming between them. The sphere grew denser with each passing second, compressing mass into an impossibly small point. Layers of mana wrapped around it like armor, pulsating with raw energy. The air around Kian warped, the sheer weight of the spell distorting the battlefield.

"Force Magic: Blunt Black Hole!" Kian roared, hurling the sphere directly at Myla.

The impact was catastrophic. Myla crossed her arms, bracing herself as the sphere slammed into her. It carried her across the battlefield, carving a deep trench into the earth. With a final, grand gesture, Kian detonated the spell. The explosion sent a shockwave rippling outward, a blinding light illuminating the battlefield.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the battlefield, the duel between Rill and Yuno had escalated into a spectacle of light and fury. Rill's inspiration reached its peak, and his attacks became a dazzling whirlwind of artistic brilliance.

Painted knights, their armor glinting with surreal hues, charged toward Yuno, swords gleaming. Spiraling dragons of shimmering blue and gold roared from the heavens, their scales rippling with radiant energy. Entire landscapes erupted around them—forests, oceans, even towering castles—each conjured with breathtaking detail.

Yuno met every assault head-on, spells slicing through constructs with precision and grace. His wind magic surged around him, a storm of emerald energy that refused to be overwhelmed.

Rill, caught in the throes of his artistic fervor, laughed with pure exhilaration. "You're incredible, Yuno! You're keeping up with me!"

Yuno, his expression calm and focused, didn't respond. He unleashed a torrent of wind blades, carving through a charging knight and scattering a painted dragon into splashes of vibrant color.

But in his enthusiasm, Rill lost sight of his crystal. As he conjured a final masterpiece—a towering titan that seemed to scrape the heavens—a stray shard of energy ricocheted toward his crystal.

The crack was deafening, and the crystal shattered into a thousand glittering fragments.

Rill froze mid-spell, his eyes wide as realization dawned. His masterpiece dissolved into the air, leaving only silence in its wake.

From the other side of the battlefield, Russell and Erin, who had just subdued the chaotic Muscle March mushroom, turned toward him, murder engraved deep in their eyes.

Erin's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I knew this would happen."

Russell sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Rill, are you a Magic Knight Captain or a little child?"

Rill, at first oblivious to their reprimands, stared at the battlefield in shock. Then the tears started to flow. "But... it was beautiful!" he wailed, collapsing to his knees. "It was my masterpiece!"

Walter, Rill's ever-faithful butler, appeared beside him, his expression calm and comforting. "Master Rill," he said gently, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Every artist faces setbacks. Use this frustration to fuel your next masterpiece."

Sniffling, Rill nodded, wiping his tears. "You're right, Walter. I'll make something even better!"

…

When the dust settled, Myla emerged from the rubble, battered but grinning. "That," she said, shaking debris from her hair, "was one hell of a punch. You've got the makings of a great warrior, Kian. Not because of your power, but because you've got the strength to keep moving, no matter what."

Kian staggered forward, his chest heaving as the silver light around him began to fade, and Valros's form started to appear next to him. He managed a nod, the grin still lingering on his face. "That's what it takes, right?"

…

As the dust settled over both battles, Kian and Yuno approached one another in the center of the battlefield. Kian extended a fist, his grin returning.

Yuno met the gesture without hesitation, bumping his fist against Kian's.

As Lars watched on, he turned towards his team, who were also watching with attentive eye, their celestials all hovering beside them. "I can't believe he unlocked celestial convergence before you two," he said, pointing to Cara and Cade. Zoe adjusted her hat and smiled smugly. Cade muttered something unheard darkly, while Cara scowled at Lars.

"Anyways," the mind mage said, "we have a job to do. A sister to defeat. Now here's the plan one last time…"

A/N: Uploads are gonna be a bit slower from now on because I want to put a bit more care into each chapter. My bad for any inconvenience this causes...

anyways I'm returning with a double chapter tmrw