Heji's entire group protecting him was growing weak. Some had already collapsed on the ground unconscious, while others were trembling in their knees and hands. Their noses were bleeding, and they were coughing.
Because of this, the barrier was also weakening. The cracks were growing larger, and Heji could do nothing but tightly hold the unconscious Emrys while staring at the increasing number of cracks that were now clashing together.
But before the barrier could be completely destroyed in its final seconds, the whirlwind suddenly stopped and disappeared along with the lightning.
The sky cleared, and the broken fragments carried by the whirlwind fell scattered around them.
Before the barrier vanished on its own, everyone still conscious was left panting heavily.
When they all looked toward Tyron's group, they saw that everyone there had collapsed unconscious on the ground—except for Magnus, who remained standing.
Heji and his companions exhaled sharply. Meanwhile, the remaining members of the other Guilds, including Eris, Sai, and Loan, could no longer move, knowing that at this point none of them could stop Magnus.
Heji stood up, and just as he was about to approach their Guild Leader while carrying Emrys on his shoulder, he suddenly received a punch to the temple that sent him flying.
Prince Warren grabbed Emrys's body, leaving the boy in his hold. Everyone from the Black Dragons who remained conscious was shocked—just as Warren released a surge of powerful water that smacked all of them away and sent them flying.
Prince Warren flashed a mocking grin at Magnus while Emrys rested on his shoulder. "Sorry, but can you let me pass? Magnus Silver."
"You have no right to claim that victory, Prince Warren. Defeat me first, then I'll let you through." Magnus unleashed a blazing energy as he glared sharply at the prince.
"Suit yourself," the prince replied, the grin on his lips not fading at all.
Magnus knew exactly why Warren was this confident to face him head-on.
Because not far away—standing atop a building—was Rein. Aside from Magnus and the two other Guild Leaders, everyone truly believed Rein had surrendered in this competition because he had not been active for the past several hours.
But in truth, this was the exact moment he had been waiting for—the time when everyone except him would be exhausted. It was a huge gamble, but he estimated there was a forty percent chance it would succeed in the end.
At Warren's signal—the one only Rein knew—he prepared to attack Magnus.
His breathing deepened, and his body slowly heated up. The temperature was so intense that steam rose from him, and his feet began sinking slightly into the concrete beneath him.
But before Rein could move, he didn't realize that Warren had already fallen. His eyes were fixed on Magnus, and he clearly saw how the Guild Leader's eyes widened as he looked up.
Rein thought Magnus was frightened of him—he was wrong.
Magnus wasn't looking at him, but at Emrys—now standing behind Rein.
It was already too late when Rein turned around to see the being behind him—just as the boy's palm struck the back of Flamio's neck.
Rein collapsed instantly into Emrys's arms, completely unconscious—leaving everyone who saw it horrified.
All the students below, especially Magnus, were now staring up at Emrys. The boy's eyes were glowing blood-red, and his hair had turned completely white. His arms were outstretched to the sides, palms open, as he gazed at the sky that was beginning to brighten with the sunrise.
Emrys looked…happy. With the sudden change in his eyes and hair, they could no longer see him as a runt or a mere teenager.
"A god…"
Desmond and the others turned to Hanzuo when the old man commented, his expression deadly serious. They knew him as someone playful and relaxed no matter the situation.
But right now, he seemed like a completely different person.
The truth behind Emrys's transformation was this: while unconscious after being captured by Xin, he managed to enter his Magic Palace and continued cultivating there. He admitted that Xin was stronger than him at that moment. He knew he couldn't escape the threads, so he chose to sharpen his abilities instead.
His true level was strong, but his body wasn't yet used to releasing its full potential, especially since his rank had risen too suddenly. It wasn't normal, and sometimes it made using his power unstable.
Sometimes he could control it; other times he failed. But now, he decided to focus entirely on cultivation until his hair turned white and his eyes permanently red.
It happened…
Because his level rose once again.
He was now a 5th Grade Dragon.