For several long seconds, nothing could be seen.
Thick clouds of dust, smoke, and residual elemental energy covered the entire battlefield in front of the main stronghold.
The ground was cracked and scorched.
Large chunks of stone had been blasted away. The ancient walls of the stronghold itself had visible cracks running along their surface from the force of the combined assault.
On the battlefield, the remaining students from Gloria and Dragon Slaying Academy stood frozen, breathing heavily as they stared into the thick smoke.
Their faces were pale, and their hands trembled around their weapons.
They had poured every last drop of power they had left into that final attack. If Gray had still been standing after that… then nothing they did would matter.
In the viewing hall, the crowd was completely silent.
Thousands of people held their breath as they stared at the projection screens. The camera feeds showed only swirling smoke and the faint glow of residual mana.
