Chapter 257 A body in harmony

Chapter 257 A body in harmony

"THAT... THAT BASTARD!" she shouted, clenching her fists as her mana surged once again, the winds around her becoming wild and untamable.

[Defeat Cassandra Vermillion]

The notification appeared before her, an absolute command, and Strax smiled—it was something he had expected.

'The strength I'll have to use here... Without using my transformation, and without assimilation... This will be complicated,' he thought as he analyzed the woman charging toward him.

Cassandra's energy intensified, like a hurricane forming with every step she took. The wind around her spun violently, her imposing presence making the air around Strax feel suffocating.

'Shit!' He was standing, gasping for breath, his hands burning from the effort of maintaining control over the newly acquired mana. The wind around him seemed to try to cut him, and he used all his mana to force it into his muscles to protect himself.

'Killing intent... stronger than Kryssia's...' The fight wouldn't be easy... he already knew that. But Cassandra wouldn't give him time to think.

Not now.

"So, you want to fight, Strax?" Cassandra said with a mocking smile. She was calm, but her eyes sparkled with an unmistakable intensity, as if she were watching prey in her territory. "Let's see if you're really strong enough."

Without warning, she lunged forward with the speed of a red lightning bolt.

Strax, not being foolish, tried to prepare himself.

But it was too late.

The first blow came with the force of a cutting wind, a gust that made him stagger back, almost losing his balance. His feet slid on the ground, but he managed to recover quickly.

"You haven't even learned the basics, Strax," Cassandra said, laughing, watching him struggle to maintain his stance. "You're afraid to move. You're holding back the power in your body, and that's only going to weaken you."

"You need to be faster, stronger!" Cassandra ordered. "Use the momentum! Your body can do more than you think! Be bolder!"

Strax tried to recover quickly, the pain still burning in his muscles. But he had no time to hesitate. He launched himself forward, his hand glowing with an intense light, calling upon both fire and ice to his palm. He felt the power pulsing inside him, and this time, he didn't try to control it. He simply let go, releasing an explosion of energy that formed a storm of fire and ice around him.

The wave of energy was so powerful that Cassandra was forced to defend herself, creating a wind shield to block the impact. Strax didn't relent, pushing forward with every ounce of strength he had, knowing this was the moment. If he didn't seize it, everything would end there.

He used his body as an extension of his magic, his energy flowing into every movement. He didn't stop to think, he just attacked and moved with instinct. Cassandra was surprised, but unwilling to yield. She counterattacked with astonishing speed, landing a kick that sent him spinning through the air. He hit the ground with a heavy thud, but unlike the previous times, this time he got up faster, more determined.

"This is getting interesting!" Cassandra shouted with excitement. "Now you're getting closer to what you could be!"

Strax didn't respond. He didn't have time for words. He was in a state of pure focus, just moving and attacking, feeling his energy pulse, his body moving with agility he never thought possible. He felt the power of his soul, his body, and his fire and ice merging into something greater. Something immense.

The fight raged on fiercely, with Cassandra never letting up on him, but now Strax felt like he was in control. Every blow she landed, he answered. Every move she made, he anticipated. He was using his body fluidly, like a true weapon, letting go of fear and allowing himself to become who he needed to be.

"Now you're starting to impress me..." Cassandra said, her voice still filled with mockery, but there was something more in her words. Respect. He could hear it. "But there's still much to learn. Keep this up, Strax, and maybe you'll become the warrior you think you can be."

Sweat dripped down Strax's forehead, his legs trembling, but his determination was unwavering. He knew he was being forged in this battle. Every strike, every wound, was part of the process. He wouldn't stop. Not now.

Because he knew that if he could overcome Cassandra, nothing could stop him.

And then, the final blow came.

The storm of wind turned into a hurricane, and Strax, for the first time, unleashed his full power. He fused the fire and ice of his mana, his soul, and his body. As he charged forward, Cassandra stood still, watching him with eyes that were a bit darker, but also a little brighter. She knew he had crossed the line.

The impact was immense. The energy released made the ground tremble. When the dust settled, Strax was standing, breathing heavily, but steady. Cassandra fell to her knees, but she smiled.

"You did it, even if you won't admit it," Cassandra said.

[You earned Cassandra Vermillion's respect]