High-Speed Regeneration.
It was an ability that some Hollows possessed. Most Arrancar gave it up in exchange for greater offensive power—but Ulquiorra kept it.
As long as the brain and internal organs weren't destroyed, any other part of his body could regenerate in an instant.
And as long as Kael Vane maintained Take Over on Ulquiorra, an injury of this level was no different from taking no damage at all.
"What?!"
"How is that possible?!"
"It healed!!"
Everyone who witnessed it went rigid with shock. The world of magic had countless spells and techniques, but they had never heard of anything that healed this fast—so fast it looked less like recovery and more like the injury had simply been erased.
"You… monster…"
Even Kamil was shaken.
Kael's speed, strength, offensive power, and magic were already terrifying. And now, on top of all that, he had regeneration that bordered on immortality. Kamil had never encountered something like this in his life.
"Your magic is Full Reflection, isn't it?"
Kael Vane's gaze locked onto Kamil. Two attacks—two clean reflections. He didn't need any more proof.
"Not bad, kid. You guessed my magic after only two attacks." Kamil's voice carried a smug certainty. "That's right. My magic is Full Reflection. No magic, no attack—nothing can touch me. But I can attack whenever I want."
"What?!" Elfman's eyes widened. "How can there be such an unfair magic?!"
Kamil laughed lightly, as if the question itself was naïve.
"Kid, now you understand the difference between us. You're strong. Your speed, strength, offensive power, and that unbelievable regeneration are all impressive." His tone sharpened. "But you can't do anything to me."
"And you're using Take Over, right?" Kamil continued, voice growing more satisfied with each word. "That power belongs to whatever you've taken over. When your Magic Power runs out and the transformation ends… that's when you die."
He threw his head back and laughed, loud and wild.
Kamil had no interest in killing an ordinary mage. But killing a genius like Kael Vane was different.
He loved killing geniuses.
It was the only way he could feel, without doubt, that he stood above everyone else.
At that moment, Elfman stepped forward and planted himself in front of Kael. "I won't let you!"
Kael put a hand on Elfman's shoulder—steady, firm.
"It's fine," Kael said calmly. "Don't worry so much. This guy is just full of hot air. Full Reflection sounds unbeatable, but that doesn't mean he's all-powerful."
"If he were really that strong," Kael added, eyes never leaving Kamil, "he wouldn't be standing there talking. He would have charged in and finished me already."
"And yes, Full Reflection is strong," Kael said, voice cool as ice, "but it doesn't reflect everything. Otherwise, you wouldn't be lurking in the shadows like a cornered dog."
Kamil's aura turned instantly colder.
"Hmph." His voice dropped. "Kid… you're calm."
"It's true," Kamil admitted, his pride still sharp even in confession. "My reflection has a limit. If an attack goes over that limit, I can't reflect it." His eyes narrowed behind the mask. "But do you really think you can break my limit? That last attack was your strongest, wasn't it?"
He took one slow step forward.
"My attacks can't hurt you… maybe. But how long can you last?"
"Three minutes," Kael Vane replied flatly.
"Ehhh?!"
Elfman's jaw nearly dropped. Why would you tell him that? That was information you buried, not served on a plate.
"Three minutes? Hahahaha!" Kamil's laughter returned, louder and uglier. "Kid, you'd better enjoy your last three minutes!"
He had expected Kael to last half an hour—maybe even longer.
But three minutes?
To Kamil, that wasn't a threat. That was a countdown to a guaranteed kill.
Elfman's expression hardened. He had to make a choice.
"Kael!" he said quickly, voice low and urgent. "In a minute, you run! Don't look back! I'll handle him!"
He was thinking of Beast Soul—forcing it, if he had to.
But the memory stabbed at him.
A year ago, he had forced that transformation before he was ready… and it had cost him Lisanna.
He couldn't bear the idea of losing another guildmate.
Just then, Kael Vane's voice came again—calm, even bored.
"Three minutes is more than enough."
Kamil's laughter cut off.
"What did you say?"
Kael didn't answer.
He raised his Zanpakutō and pointed it at Kamil, the tip steady as if it were already resting against a throat.
Then he began to chant the release command, each word measured and final:
"Enclose… Murciélago."
The air changed.
The sky dimmed as if a curtain had been pulled over the world, and a terrifying spiritual pressure poured out of Kael Vane—dense, heavy, and suffocating, like a deep ocean collapsing inward.
Elfman was shoved back by the sheer force, boots scraping against the ground as he fought to keep his footing.
Black droplets began to fall from above—slow at first, then in sheets.
Everyone instinctively looked up.
"Black rain?"
Kamil frowned. He considered reflecting it—then dismissed the thought. It didn't feel like an attack.
A droplet landed on his face.
It didn't feel wet.
His eyes sharpened. His voice turned tight.
"This isn't real rain… it's condensed magical energy, liquefied."
Then the black rain stopped as suddenly as it began.
And Kael Vane's appearance had changed completely.
His clothing had become a long, white robe. A white helmet with two horns crowned his head. His black hair had grown longer, and the tear-like markings on his face had deepened, darker and more pronounced.
Most striking of all—
A pair of massive black bat-like wings spread from his back, unfolding with slow, predatory authority.
This was Ulquiorra's First Resurrección form.
The pressure Kael radiated now was on an entirely different level—an oppressive dominance that made the air feel too thick to breathe.
Kamil's instincts screamed.
For a split second, the power in front of him reminded him of the monsters among the Ten Wizard Saints.
Kael Vane stared at him with cold eyes—eyes that looked at Kamil the way a blade looked at flesh.
"Don't waver," Kael said quietly. "Tighten your guard. Tense your nerves. Don't let go for even an instant."
Kamil's anger flared, sharp and defensive.
"Hah?!" he snapped. "What are you talking about, you brat?! You haven't even scratched me! And you say I'm wavering?"
His voice rose, trying to drown out the fear creeping into his bones.
"You have less than a minute left! You're the one who should be wavering! Just wait for that minute to end, and I'll torture you to death!"
Kael Vane didn't blink.
"One minute," he said flatly.
Then, without changing his tone at all—
"That's enough."