Location : Unknown Island
Energy waves spread across the surroundings. Trees and plants trembled as if a violent storm was blowing, yet in reality, two individuals were releasing overwhelming auras. It felt as though both were waiting for the perfect moment.
Suddenly, a tree began to crack. The sound of splintering echoed yet it had already been broken. As it started falling and the impact sound rang out…
The two figures vanished.
Not because they disappeared but because they moved at unimaginable speed.
Zach and Lucifer accelerated beyond perception. While moving at extreme velocity, Zach began gathering snow-colored energy into his hand. They were moving so fast that the scenery behind them looked like it was rushing past in blurred streaks.
Once Zach completely condensed the energy into his palm, he extended his hand toward Lucifer.
Zach: Ice Control Technique, Glaciation.
Lucifer let out a disgusting laugh.
A massive iceberg erupted slightly ahead of Zach's hand. Lucifer had already evaded the attack, but everything behind them became surrounded by ice. A gigantic mountain stood in the distance, and nearly one-third of it was instantly frozen. The already lifeless blackened vegetation became buried beneath layers of ice.
Lucifer: Hahaha! You'll need something faster than that!
Zach began gathering energy again, not into his hand this time. Energy spread outward from him, rotating in a circular motion as if preparing an area-wide attack.
Zach: Maximum Power, Frozen Star.
The circular energy spinning around Zach expanded violently, as if about to explode. Instead, it suddenly descended toward the ground's surface.
Lucifer had already landed, but the moment the energy touched the earth-
A sudden wave of absolute cold erupted.
Within 0.7 seconds, everything in a 100-kilometer radius froze completely. The ground itself turned into solid ice.
Realizing the danger, Lucifer leaped away, but his left leg shattered instantly from the freezing effect. Ice fragments began spreading across it. Before the freezing could advance further, Lucifer casually tore off the frozen limb with his bare hand.
For a moment, it looked like he had lost a leg-
Then a brand-new one regenerated instantly.
Instead of anger, Lucifer laughed.
Lucifer: Hahaha! Your Maximum Power is impressive! I can't even imagine how strong your Super Technique will be!
Maximum Power pushes a technique to the highest destructive output possible. It ranked as the third strongest category beneath Super Technique and Ultimate Technique.
But there was something Lucifer didn't know…
Zach possessed neither a Super Technique nor an Ultimate Technique.
He simply hadn't learned them yet.
His master, Roland, had only recently taught him Maximum Power. If someone this powerful existed without those higher techniques… then the strength he might reach at his peak remained a complete mystery.
Zach (Thinking): Damn it… I used my strongest move, and he escaped easily.
Zach understood who he was facing a Great Demon with the potential to become the Demon King of this era.
Yet determination filled his eyes.
He began pouring immense energy into his fist. A full-power energy punch was his best option.
Lucifer: Come on. Use your Super Technique.
Lucifer moved again at overwhelming speed, already standing atop the mountain. He gathered energy into his hand; the atmosphere itself reacted, releasing violent winds and energy waves as if reality was bending around him.
Lucifer pulled his fist back.
Lucifer: Reality Manipulation and Control Technique, Reality Fracture.
He punched the air.
There should have been no sound.
Yet the noise of shattering glass echoed across the sky.
Reality itself cracked.
Fractures spread toward Zach's position like broken glass expanding through space. Zach barely dodged at the last moment, but the attack continued forward, tearing apart an area 184 kilometers long and 92 kilometers wide.
Even the air appeared shattered.
When the fractures reached the ocean, the water itself began breaking and twisting unnaturally.
Then-
A burst of energy detonated.
The world shook as if a nuclear explosion had occurred. Zach struggled just to remain standing; even the slightest loss of balance would have launched him off the island.
Zach (Thinking): That level of power… comparable to Merlin.
And if someone this dangerous exists… where is Arthur?
As the explosion faded, Zach returned to his stance and witnessed a breathtaking yet horrifying scene.
Lucifer: Impressive. You avoided my attack.
Lucifer: For a moment, I thought I killed you.
An area 232 kilometers long and 155 kilometers wide had been erased. Regions outside the main destruction zone were cracked or twisted into impossible shapes. Parts of the ocean looked as if the water itself had fractured.
And this…
Wasn't even Lucifer's Maximum Power.
Lucifer: I wonder how much fun I can have.
Zach (Thinking): I'll stall him for as long as I can.
Red particles began appearing around Zach's energy-covered fist.
Lucifer started gathering energy again, seemingly preparing another Reality Fracture.
Acting on instinct, Zach lunged forward instantly.
Lucifer noticed and prepared to strike-
Lucifer: Reality Manipulation and Control Technique, Reality-
His fist stopped moving.
He looked down in surprise.
Lucifer: When did this happen?
The fist he had charged with energy wasn't fully frozen but it was frozen just enough to restrict movement.
Lucifer shattered the ice with his other hand.
But Zach was already inches away, ready to strike.
Lucifer: Wow… that's a nasty strategy.
Zach: AAAAAAAAA!
Zach's energy-loaded fist began glowing intensely. It looked as if his hand was covered in crimson ice.
Just before the punch landed...
Lucifer: No way! Flame Energy?!
Zach's punch connected.
Lucifer's head became encased in red ice a strange fusion of fire and freezing energy. The moment the crimson ice shattered, a terrifying cold spread outward.
Lucifer was launched backward at nearly 200 km/h, crashing into the ground and creating a massive cloud of smoke. The impact thundered across the battlefield.
For the first time, Zach had awakened Flame Energy.
But his Flame Energy was completely different from others.
Zach (Thinking): So this is Flame Energy…
If I land another hit, I'll shout its name... Frozen Flash.
Flame Energy manifestations were extremely rare. Even rarer was when their appearance changed.
Some Technique users wield powers opposite to flame or similar to it. Because of that, Flame Energy can transform into a completely new form unique to its user.
The same applied to Zach.
His technique opposed flame itself so his Flame Energy evolved into something new:
Crimson Ice.
Moments like these allowed users to name their power freely, because their Flame Energy was an entirely unique existence.