Ultear's talent was something that even Makarov found humbling.
Makarov knew exactly how difficult it was to learn the Arc of Time—to exaggerate slightly, it was a skill that only one in ten thousand could master.
And even that one person would usually only barely manage to learn the basics.
To manipulate the time of crystal balls and other objects as effortlessly as Ultear did was exceptionally rare. D
espite this immense focus, Ultear still found time to learn Ice Make Magic under Ur's guidance.
"Both competitors have received high praise—COOL!!!" Jason shouted into the mic. "The two competitors don't seem to have anything to say, so let the match begin!"
The cameras and microphones had been focused on them for quite some time, yet neither of them spoke a word to the other.
"It's appeared—this form! This form of Raizel's is called Imperialdramon: Paladin Mode!"
Jason had specifically interviewed Raizel earlier and learned the names of all his forms for this exact moment.
"This is the first time Raizel has used this form in a match! COOL!"
"Raizel takes the initiative to attack!"
Raizel raised his right forearm and fired a massive energy beam from the positron laser cannon mounted on his arm.
"What a powerful beam!"
"Ultear is moving too! A Magic Crystal Ball has emerged from the device on her right arm!"
"The energy beam has vanished!!!"
Makarov explained over the loudspeakers, "This is the Lost Magic: Arc of Time. It can alter the time of objects or energy, causing them to dissipate into the future or revert to the past. Energy-based magic is ineffective against her unless there's a significant disparity in power, but the gap between these two isn't that wide."
"Perhaps it would require something on the level of Etherion???" Jason suggested.
'Ahem, ahem, watch your words, watch your words...' The town Mayor frantically signaled Makarov with his eyes, sweating profusely.
"Oh, oh, sorry, sorry..." Makarov scratched his head awkwardly.
It had just dawned on Makarov that it was best not to mention Etherion lately—wasn't that directly mocking the Council after the recent disaster?
Even though there were already rumors that the current Council members were about to be reelected, it was a sensitive topic.
While they were speaking, Raizel had already closed in and engaged Ultear in close combat.
Raizel was well aware that energy-based attacks were ineffective against Ultear; he had only used the beam to force her hand and let her demonstrate her abilities to the crowd.
Watching the two fight, Ur remarked, "Close combat is one of Ultear's weaker areas. Her main focus has been on Magic Power. Additionally, formal matches like this are quite disadvantageous for Ultear."
Jason took the cue and asked, "Oh? How so?"
Ur continued, "In regular combat outside of a match arena, wind, animals, and even plants can carry many seeds. With the Arc of Time accelerating them, she can grow trees instantly to attack or defend, producing unexpected effects."
"But the match arena is all stone slabs, and there are barriers blocking external elements. The field is barren, so the Arc of Time can only restrict energy-based attacks or alter the arena itself. However, changing the arena terrain would also affect her footing, putting Ultear at a significant disadvantage."
The town Mayor nodded in understanding. "So that's why. No wonder Ultear seems to be relying on Ice Make Magic consistently."
"Ice Make: Ice Blade!"
Ultear formed hand seals, her arms freezing from the forearms down as her palms extended into long, sharp blades of ice.
"These ice blades are quite unique! COOL!"
"This is her own style of Ice Make."
Unlike Ur, who primarily created plants, or Gray, who focused on weapons, Ultear's Ice Make had no fixed form—she dabbled in animals, plants, and weapons alike, adapting to the situation.
"Glorious Claws!"
Raizel's claws emitted a dazzling white light and began to extend.
The two engaged in a fierce duel of dual claws versus dual blades.
"COOL!!! An intense close-quarters battle!"
Ultear raised her right arm to block one of Raizel's claw strikes while sweeping her left blade horizontally toward his abdomen.
Slash!
"Direct hit!!!"
Raizel was forced back by the slash.
"I underestimated you. You've trained well in martial arts!" Raizel commended.
"Ice Make: Ice Prison!"
"Future Flash!"
Without responding verbally, Ultear reverted her arms to normal as Raizel retreated, simultaneously employing both Ice Make and the Arc of Time.
Raizel's figure was instantly enclosed by a massive, flower-shaped ice prison, while dozens of Magic Crystal balls materialized above and around him.
"So many Magic Crystals!!! COOL!!!"
"This technique summons crystal orbs from various points in time and compresses them collectively to attack the opponent," Makarov explained.
"Its a direct hit!!!"
BOOM, BOOM, BOOM—
The Magic Crystals continuously exploded upon entering the prison, stirring up clouds of dust and debris.
"Please be patient, everyone!"
As the dust slowly cleared, the ice prison had already crumbled and melted away, revealing a golden energy shield.
Inside the shield, Raizel had long since switched forms.
He was kneeling on one knee with his arms crossed over his chest, maintaining the defensive stance.
Standing up and dispelling the shield, Raizel revealed a gleaming golden armor that shone brilliantly under the sunlight.
Jason quickly explained, "This form is called Magnamon, possessing super high defense! It seems Raizel is completely unharmed!"
No reference materials were needed—Jason was Raizel's superfan and knew all his details by heart.
Ultear had held nothing back earlier, but she wasn't surprised that Raizel emerged unscathed.
In fact, she would have been shocked if he had been injured by that alone.
"Take Over: LordKnightmon."
"Raizel has switched forms again! This form boasts super high offensive capabilities!"
While Magnamon had ample defense, its lack of speed made it an easy target for Ultear's time manipulation.
Raizel stomped his right foot heavily and closed in once more with blinding speed.
"Ultear refuses to back down, summoning Ice Blades again! The two resume their close-quarters combat!"
"Spinning kick! Elbow strike! Raizel shows no mercy, attacking like raging tides! COOL!!!"
"Ultear is on the defensive, barely managing to parry."
"NANI!!! Were the yellow ribbons on Raizel's body not just decorations???"
Suddenly, the ribbons extending from Raizel's armor lashed out.
Ultear's hands were bound tightly by LordKnightmon's yellow ribbon-blades.
"Spiral Masquerade!"
Pressing the impact cone on his right arm against Ultear's abdomen, Raizel unleashed a point-blank shockwave that sent her flying across the arena.
"A direct hit! Ultear cant defend against that!"
Clutching her stomach, Ultear slowly rose from the rubble.
Fortunately, she had used the Arc of Time to dissipate some of the energy at the last moment, but the timing was too tight to neutralize it entirely.
Taking that hit had left her badly shaken.
"Contestant Ultear is standing up! COOL!!!"
Ultear endured the pain, her left palm facing upward while her right fist rested against it, continuously gathering Magic Power.
Ice magical power swirled around her, her hair fluttering in the wind as the temperature throughout the arena steadily dropped.
"What an immense Magic Power!!! COOL!"
"ICE MAKE: ROSE GARDEN!"