The entire arena went silent.
The emissary's voice trembled with disbelief. "Wait—what is going on?! This is… outstanding! For the first time, someone has broken Asta's ice spear—barehanded!"
Murmurs rippled through the audience.
"That's impossible…" one voice shouted.
"N-No one can touch Asta's magic without being frozen solid!" another cried.
Asta's expression hardened, his usual confidence faltering for the first time. He… broke it? Just like that?
He clenched his fist, feeling the faint sting of his own mana reacting. No… it's not possible. Anyone who even grazes that ice should freeze instantly. So why didn't he?
A strange feeling began to creep up his spine. His instincts screamed at him—warning him to back away.
He looked at Nolan again. The man hadn't moved an inch. He just stood there, calm, almost detached, his hand still faintly glowing from the energy that had shattered the attack. His expression was unreadable.
