Master Makarov watched in awe as Gray unleashed his Double Chant technique. He turned to first-generation master Mavis.
"What's a Double Chant?"
Mavis explained kindly, "Casting two spells in unison. A mage ordinarily channels one incantation at a time—here, Gray prepared both simultaneously. It's difficult and requires great talent."
The crowd murmured, appreciating the power of two magics woven together.
Leon smiled across the ring. "You think you've changed in eight years? I haven't forgot our old training under Master Ulu."
Gray hesitated. "You mean back on Galuna Island?"
Leon's eyes gleamed. "Yes—and you never used your full strength. Today I will prove exactly how far I've come."
Gray's jaw clenched. "Stop making excuses—fight!"
"Ice Make—Ice Hammer!" Gray slammed a razor-edged hammer of ice toward Leon.
"Ice Make—Great Ape!" Leon answered by summoning a massive gorilla of frost.
The two titans of ice collided—and both constructs shattered in a blizzard of fragments.
"Ice Make—White Tiger!" Gray roared, sending a sleek, icy tiger pouncing.
Leon's lips curved. "Don't underestimate me."
"Ice Make—Cage!" A frosty prison snapped shut around Gray's tiger, pinning it in place.
"Ice Make—White Tiger!" Leon's second tiger leapt in—Gray dashed sideways as the two beasts clashed against the cage.
Gray summoned a giant block of solid ice to smash the prison. Free, he vaulted clear.
"Ice Make—Ice Cannon!" Gray conjured a cannon and fired a hail of crystalline spheres, blasting both tigers into shards.
He exhaled, relief and pride mingling. I'll need more for that next move…
Leon's smile deepened. "Then witness true mastery."
He pressed both hands to the ground.
"Ice Make—Giant's Foot!"
A massive frozen boot descended from the heavens. Gray rolled free, the impact carving a crater.
"Ice Make—Great Emperor's Fist!" Gray slammed his palms into the earth, a fountain of ice spears piercing upward and shattering the giant's limb.
Leon nodded, impressed. "You've grown, but not enough."
He raised both arms.
"Ice Make—Beast Tide!"
A torrent of icy creatures—tigers, eagles, apes, wolves, leopards—and even a colossal dragon—erupted across the arena in a frozen surge.
Gasps filled the stands as the familiar shapes of Ulu's legendary Ice Dragon took form in Leon's command.
Erza whispered to Su Yan, "He truly became a master of two-handed modeling."
Su Yan smiled. "Leon's goal was clear—surpass Ulu and himself. He's lived up to those eight years."
In the swirling storm of ice, two rivals stood at the summit of their power—proof that true mastery is forged by aspiration, not time alone.