Cid - I Am Atomic

This is the first time in this battle that Shadow intensifies his magic. Until now, he’s barely used it. It is so exceptionally precise that it’s impossible to perceive.

But what is this?

This surge of magic shows itself in the form of blue-violet rays of light. There are hundreds of ultrathin strands. These create a dazzling pattern as they wrap themselves around Shadow like veins.

“It’s beautiful…” Alexia is mesmerized by this sight.

She isn’t admiring the beauty of the lights, though, but the precision of his magic.

“What is this…?” Zenon is once again shocked.

No one has ever created such beauty through magic.

“I’ll show you true almighty power…and carve it into your mind forever.”

Magic gathers in the ebony blade and etches out a pattern, starting to form a large spiral. Shadow continues focusing his power.

It seems as if that spiral will swallow everything whole.

A frightening power is absorbed into the black weapon.

“This is me at my peak.” Shadow readies his blade in the lunging position.

This stance is only to strike down an enemy.

“S-sto…”

Is the ground trembling? Or the air? Or Zenon himself?

No, it’s everything.

Everything is rippling.

Alexia notices that she’s shaking, too. It isn’t out of fear, though, but joy.

That’s the final destination.

That…swordplay is the strongest.

“Watch closely…”

Draped in light, the ebony blade pulls back…

“Hidden Technique: I AM ATOMIC.”

…and releases.

All sound is lost.

A torrent of light shoots past Alexia and engulfs Zenon’s body. It penetrates everything, consuming the walls and the earth, blasting upward into the night sky.

Then it explodes.

As patterns of light are etched into the night sky, the entire capital assumes a blue-violet hue.

From impossibly far away, the delayed blast ripples across the city, sweeping away the rain clouds, shaking the ground and the private residences, before passing.

All that’s left is a full moon and the beautiful night sky full of stars.

Zenon has been vaporized. He doesn’t even leave behind a single speck of dust.

The large hole blasts though the wall all the way aboveground.

***

Volume 1, Chapter 3