However, Ais, who was witnessing Akira in this posture for the very first time, reacted completely differently from the others.

Her golden eyes widened in astonishment, lips slightly parted as a breath escaped her lungs, and her adorable little face was etched with pure disbelief. She was utterly stunned by the overwhelming spectacle before her.

Akira, his expression grave, extended his right hand and slowly raised it.

In that moment, the atmosphere around him seemed to freeze. The air solidified under the crushing weight of the magic radiating from his body—a torrent of magical power that surged outward with an unstoppable force.

Under the sheer pressure of that power, a massive rectangular block of ice began to rapidly form in the air. The block resembled an iceberg, exuding a chilling aura that sent shivers through the surroundings.

Then, as though sculpted by an invisible craftsman, the front of the ice block began to shift and sharpen, slowly morphing into the pointed tip of a colossal spear.

Suddenly, Akira stepped forward.

The ground beneath him groaned under the pressure and cracked apart, splitting into deep fissures as if the earth itself could not withstand his force.

In the next instant, the enormous ice spear launched forward like a thunderbolt, slicing through the air and crashing down into the still surface of the lake.

With a deafening splash, the spear pierced the water like a divine lance descending from the heavens, shattering the tranquility of the lake and causing towering sprays to erupt from the impact.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The water erupted with a cascade of crashing sounds—ten violent, echoing detonations.

The once-calm lake was now churning wildly. Waves surged and collided, the entire surface roiling like a boiling cauldron.

And then it came—a roar.

"ROOOAAAR!!!"

The furious roar rose from the depths of the lake, echoing across the expanse with pure, primal rage and majestic power. It was enough to make one's heart tremble.

Alise's voice cut through the tension like a whip. "Akira has successfully awakened Amphisbaena! Everyone, follow the plan and prepare for battle!"

Ryuu, Ryana, and Celty began chanting their respective magic incantations, their voices weaving spells to be unleashed upon the Floor Master the moment it appeared.

At the rear, Maryuu focused on healing, while Noin, Iska, and Asta took up formation in front of the magic users, shielding them like an unyielding wall.

The rest of the party stood ready, their roles clear: launch a concentrated assault once Amphisbaena was forced ashore.

Beneath the turbulent surface, Amphisbaena seethed.

Akira's earlier strike had torn through the monster's durable scales, plunging into its massive body like a jagged blade. Though the blow had narrowly missed its vital organs, the searing pain had ignited a firestorm of fury within.

Its two grotesque heads snapped up, and four baleful, glowing dragon eyes locked onto Akira. Those cold, murderous eyes radiated hatred and bloodlust.

With a thunderous slap, Amphisbaena churned the water and surged toward the lake's edge, determined to crush the human who dared provoke it.

At that same moment, the lake exploded upward in a towering pillar of water.

"Amphisbaena is coming! Mages, ready yourselves!"

Alise shouted, her gaze locked on the monstrous silhouette rising from the lake.

Without hesitation, Akira focused. He channeled the icy magic within his body, conjuring frigid frost that lashed outward in jagged waves.

The frost spread rapidly across the surface, crawling up Amphisbaena's submerged torso and encasing it in thick, unyielding ice. The monster's movements slowed, its strength hampered.

Akira knew his job here was done. He quickly leapt backward, putting distance between himself and the target to avoid interfering with his allies' attacks.

Seeing that Amphisbaena was successfully restrained, Alise raised her arm and shouted, "Fire!"

Luminous Wind!

A volley of massive light orbs, each trailing emerald gales, surged into the sky like meteors.

Behind Ryuu, a radiant magic circle gleamed with pure elven magic. As she finished her chant, she, Ryana, and Celty launched their spells in unison.

The first to strike was Ryuu's Luminous Wind.

With blinding speed, it struck Amphisbaena's dual heads before it could react.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Explosions erupted. Dragon scales shattered, blood geysered from the wounds, and Amphisbaena's once-armored heads now bore exposed flesh, raw and vulnerable.

Flames and lightning followed, scorching the beast with merciless precision.

The battlefield erupted in firestorms, crackling bolts, and thunderous detonations. It was a sight to behold—beautiful and devastating all at once.

Under the onslaught, Amphisbaena let out a bone-chilling scream, its massive jaws raised high as it howled in agony.

"ROOOOOAAAR!!!"

The sound threatened to rupture eardrums.

Alise didn't hesitate. "Akira, now!"

But even before her words reached him, Akira had already moved.

In the blink of an eye, he vanished like a ghost.

In the next instant, he stood atop the lake—no, the battlefield.

Akira lowered both hands to the water's surface. Tremendous magical pressure erupted from his body, flooding the surroundings.

And then, as if the world answered his call, his power surged forth and turned the very water beneath him to solid ice.

The transformation was swift and stunning.

The massive lake solidified in seconds. Wisps of frost curled in the air, and the freezing wave reached down into the lake's depths.

Even the parts of Amphisbaena still submerged beneath the water could not escape. The floor master's lower body was trapped in the growing glacier.

With its movements hindered, the creature was slowly but surely lifted out of the lake, its entire form forced into the open.

By the time Akira stepped back, a vast field of ice had formed, providing his comrades with firm ground on which to battle.

The stage was set. Now it was up to them to finish what he had begun.