Even if it was an illusion form, something like gravity changes and distorts the object itself.
If someone were completely crushed into a sheet of paper, not even another two hundred years of development in League regeneration technology could restore them.
"Yaksha Princess..."
Ever since being attacked by her, Ouma had shifted his gaze away from Stella, ignoring her completely.
He did indeed want to fight the owner of the world's strongest magic. But he wasn't so confident as to ignore the world's third-ranked A-Rank Mage-Knight.
The moment he diverted his attention, he might be severely wounded.
He had now deactivated his Tenryuu Kacchuu. Against opponents of the same or lower rank, he could achieve a more effective suppression.
But if the opponent's rank was far above his own, he couldn't afford to be careless.
"So scary~" Amane said with a playful grin, his words completely at odds with his expression.
After Noah was taken, Sara had reverted to her listless state, showing no reaction even in the face of Nene's killing intent.
One person.
Just one person had completely intimidated the three madmen who had been rampaging wantonly through Hagun Academy!
...
Stella threw herself down in front of the boy. Her heart trembled when she saw his physical injuries.
"Noah!"
She shook the boy's body, calling his name over and over.
Noah forced his heavy eyelids open and saw the girl, who looked like she was about to cry from anxiety.
He wanted to raise his hand to touch her face, but he couldn't.
"Don't... don't shake me."
"Ah!" Stella jumped, pulling her hands back as if electrocuted. "Sorry, does it hurt?"
"No, it doesn't hurt."
Noah glanced at the girl's chest and said seriously, "I meant your chest. Stop shaking it. It's making my eyes swim."
"..."
Stella froze for a few seconds, then nearly slapped him.
"Idiot!"
"Ugh, I'm just telling the truth. In my current physical state, it's not good for me to get engorged."
This wasn't a dirty joke.
If he weren't using his Spell-Weaver to keep his blood circulating normally, he would have turned into a human fountain by now.
Symptoms of physical shock appear with a blood loss of 800-1200ml. If he lost consciousness, given his injuries, he probably wouldn't last long.
The physical effects of the adrenaline were also about to wear off. He was afraid he would faint instantly when the pain returned.
"Didn't you say you liked them big!"
A little over two years ago, she had been flat.
Knowing this guy liked them big, she had put in a lot of effort!
She discovered that just eating more would make them grow, so even though six bowls of rice were enough to fill her up, she made a point of eating seven.
This was something Noah didn't know.
Truth Seeker was unable to trace the complex emotions of a young woman.
"Did Nene-sensei come back with you?" Hearing the sounds of battle, Noah asked.
Stella grunted in affirmation.
Noah coughed twice, then instructed, "Remind Sensei that there's still an enemy in the shadows who hasn't shown themselves. They're a group of heinous villains that the Japanese government brought in from the Rebellion. There might even be an Apostle among them."
"An Apostle? You don't mean... one of the Twelve Apostles?"
"It's just a guess, but it's better to be safe than sorry."
"I'll take you somewhere safe first!"
"No, go help Nene-sensei. The enemy's ability is a bit troublesome. Listen to me carefully."
...
Nene's Noble Art—Black Blade: Yatagarasu.
A black blade manifested from the crimson iron fan. The supergravity, heavy enough to crush light itself, tore through the air as it assailed Ouma and the other two.
Sara conjured a shield of protection.
But this time, the shield failed to protect those behind it. It was torn apart by the supergravity.
Under this force, Sara and Amane nearly fell, hastily steadying themselves.
Ouma saw his chance and acted decisively.
However, a large, golden-red sword suddenly appeared in the path of his swing, steadily catching his physical slash.
"Crimson Princess!"
Ouma increased the physical force in his hands.
In her entire life, Stella had only ever felt such immense physical pressure when clashing blades with Noah.
Such incredible physical strength!
Flames erupted from the greatsword. Feeling the scorching heat, Ouma's brow furrowed. He took the initiative to ease his grip and gracefully retreated.
Seeing him intend to evade, Stella directly swung her sword.
"Dragon's Mighty Jaw!"
A massive dragon's head made of fire leaped up as if from a pool of magma, pouncing on its target from above.
The three-thousand-degree flame dragon would swallow her opponent, but because it was an illusion form, he wouldn't actually die.
As Stella thought this, she sensed Ouma's physical presence within the flames, and her expression gradually turned to one of horror.
"How is that possible... he's unharmed?"
Her Noble Art had caused no physical damage whatsoever?
Even Nene had to warp and deflect the physical gravity of space to bend her flames, but this man had done nothing, simply taking the hit!
Ouma looked at his slightly burned body with a hint of disdain in his eyes.
"How weak."
His gaze sharpened as he raised his odachi and swung it forcefully.
A physical vacuum blade was instantly unleashed. The flames, as if encountering an irresistible foe, were instantly split apart.
"Stella!"
Nene disengaged and rushed over, swinging her iron fan, Crimson Phoenix. The black blade collided with the vacuum blade, and they canceled each other out.
Seeing this, Stella was stunned.
'You've got to be kidding me.'
'He was actually able to nullify a physical attack from the world's third-ranked Blazer?'
She had been schooled so thoroughly these past few days that she was on the verge of questioning her existence, few people understood better than her just how monstrous Nene's raw power truly was.
Ouma was a few years older than her, but he was still a student knight.
They were both students, yet his physical strength had already reached a level she couldn't hope to touch?
Was she... really that weak?
From the day she was born, no one had ever called her "weak."
Possessing the world's greatest magic capacity, she was a natural-born powerhouse.
But lately, she had been losing constantly.
Losing to Raikiri— Losing to Nene— Losing to the enemy before her.
She didn't doubt her own potential.
After learning her magic power was the strongest in the world, she had been relieved. Because she didn't need to worry that her potential was less than others'.
As long as she trained hard, she would sooner or later join the ranks of the world's strongest. She was born into this world bearing such a great destiny!
'Am I going to lose again?'
Failing again and again... how could she so readily accept this happening?
How could something like this be allowed?
...
Nene, who had just saved Stella, felt a jolt.
"Get back!" she suddenly shouted.
But Stella didn't move.
"Sensei, Noah said the enemy's ability is..."
"...You fool! Haven't you noticed yet!"
Cold sweat dripped down Nene's forehead as she roared again.
"Eh?"
"Noticed what?"
Stella tried to take a physical step back, but that tiny movement caused her to lose her balance on the spot, and she slid straight to the ground.
'Huh? Did I... did I fall?'
The girl stared blankly at her legs.
She could feel the physical strength in her muscles, and she wasn't trembling. As for why she fell, she had no idea what was going on.
'I have to stand up.'
Yet she felt as if the physical ground didn't exist.
"What is this?"
Nene frowned. "We've already been hit. Don't move recklessly."
Hearing her words, Stella was stunned.
'We've been hit? When?'
No, the question should be, since when? The fact that she fell, that she couldn't stand up and move normally—there was no doubt this bizarre physical phenomenon was anything but natural.
A Blazer's Noble Art. That was the only explanation.
The sound of heavy footsteps approached as tall man completely shrouded in a wide cloak walked out.
He held a ridiculously large greatsword, and from the sway of his cloak, it was clear his left arm was missing.
Noah forced his body to stay upright and got a clear look at the newcomer.
He recognized the attire—the vestments that only Apostles in the Rebellion were allowed to wear.
In other words, the newcomer was one of the Rebellion's Apostles!
Nene furrowed her brow, as she clearly knew about the man's identity.
"You... you're one of the Rebellion's Twelve Apostles, the One-Armed Sword Saint!" she questioned, a trace of anger in her voice.
She seemed annoyed that a mere terrorist would dare to appear so openly.
Seeing the newcomer, Ouma and Sara's expressions remained unchanged.
Amane's face, however, shifted slightly.
"Master Wallenstein..."
'Tsk. Did I drag this out for too long? Now he's come to handle it himself. I'm going to get a scolding for this.'
Hearing Nene's question, Wallenstein grinned. "To think that even the great Yaksha Princess has heard of me. Should I be proud?"
"I see. So you're the backing behind these little brats. You saved me the trouble by coming out on your own."
A terrifying aura suddenly emanated from Nene!
Under this pressure, Stella felt as if she had been plunged into a frozen hell.
'So.. it was all just an act... during my training, she hadn't used her full strength at all!'
This.... is the real Yaksha Princess!