Chapter 39: The Turn 

"Hmph! You never fail to irritate me, you—ugh, I can't think of an insult. Just die! Ice Element: Perfect Manifestation: Winter Guards!" an array of giant armored ice sculptures appeared at various parts of the ice domain and surrounded Pifo.

"Futile! Space Element: True Release: Diffusion!" in that instance, waves of space blasted from Pifo to the Winter Guards one by one, separating each on the process.

"Tss, that wouldn't work, smarty." The previously separated Guards attached itself and proceeded to group up and attack him once more.

"Fire type adventurers, melt the domain!" commanded Pifo.

To help, Z used all his might to melt the ice, "Fire Element: Manifestation: Fire wisps!" Countless fire blobs started to collide with the domain slowly melting it in the process.

"You are too green to meddle in the adult business. Ice Element: True Release: Ice Spear!" A spear engraved in an intricate pattern descended onto Z.

Despite his good reaction time, Z failed to even blink before the spear hit him. Thankfully, just before collision a barrier made of gravity manifested around him and protected him from the spear.

"You! How do you have that?" the ice woman exclaimed in shock as she looked at the floating token that protected Z. It was the very token that his master from the valley gave him. He previously thought that it was only for the money, unbeknownst to him, it could also be used to save his life. After a while of not answering, the ice lady's patience ran out. "Kid! Answer me!" Ice started to form around the lady as she emits a very powerful aura that suffocates almost everyone around her.

"Who are you, kid?" asked Pifo. Wariness could be seen painted on his face.

Z is still in shock due to the progression of events, but he quickly answered as soon as he got back from spacing out. He knows that his life is on the line. "It was a token from my master."

"Space Element: True Release: Diffusion!" wave of space suddenly blasted to Z.

"Ice Element: Perfect Manifestation: Wall!" it was quickly intercepted by the skill of the ice lady leading to Z just being blast of by the force. "Hahaha, what a fun turn of events, seems like he is on our side."

'What?' Z could not help but ask. "What?" he asked aloud.

"Kid, it is a long story, but you saw how your own teacher tried to kill you when he learned of your identity. The uncrowned king is our hero and is the focal point of our group. Come with me and let us fight for what he was deprived of."

'I'm sorry, what!?' confusion is all that filled Z. He still remembered his master telling him that he needs to go to cynosure. 'What is going on? What do I do?'

"You don't need to make a decision, kid. I will make it easy for you and kill you instead! Space Element: Perfect Release: Beam!" space in front of Pifo's finger coalesced and blasted to Z very quickly.

Ice lady failed to react as she was caught off guard by the skill. The element of space is very hard to grasp, and she did not know that Pifo was already capable of perfect release.

Blood scattered around Z's body and the ground as he was hit by the shot. Shock was spelled in his face not because of the skill but because of the person in front of him. It was Lily. The spell pierced right through her heart as she diverted the skill. She used her body to shift the trajectory of the cast to instead hit Z's stomach.

"You still need to see the oceans...thank you.... with you is the... happiest I've ever been." she slowly said trying to face Z. Instead of sadness, a warm smile could be seen in her face as she closed her eyes and fell to the ground.

Silence filled the entire battlefield. The rebels due to the serious wound of Z and the academy forces due to the death of Lily.

"Rascal! Ice Element: Immersion: Ice Princess! Ice Element: Perfect Manifestation: Ice Land" she quickly separated Z from the fight who is still in daze. No words are coming out of his open mouth as tears drip from his face.

"LILY!!!" he shouted when the winter guards separated them. His resistance is futile as he was still being carried by a guard.

"Space Element: Perfect Release: Spatial Rend!" Another wave of space blasted to the shouting Z.

"Ice Element: Perfect Manifestation: Great wall!" Another explosion occurred as the two skills collided.

"You pushed me to do this. Space Element: Immersion: Space knight!" his body started to tear apart as it was occupied by space. He looked like a cyborg made of space instead of technology.

'He is actually killing himself!!?' Tania thought.

"Space Element: True Manifestation: Spear of Diffusion!" He cast as he descended to Z.

He was quickly intercepted by the ice lady but that did not stop him from throwing the spear to Z.

The spear quickly travelled and pierced through the winter guard and pierced Z. Blood dripped everywhere as he rolled over the ice field with the spear pierced through his heart.