Ranna's eyes widened as her battle-honed instincts screamed danger. Every instinct in her body screamed at her to flee. It was the kind of raw, overwhelming power that could snuff out life in an instant—something her body knew all too well. In that split second, despite the knowledge that this was just training, her mind was flooded with the certainty of death. She had faced countless battles, but this... this was different.

While she was immortal in this realm, she was far from invincible. The sheer power radiating from Leo's fist sent chills down her spine. She attempted to dodge, but her body seemed frozen, overwhelmed by the impending force.

Just as his punch was about to connect, Leo noticed Ranna's hesitation and stopped himself mere inches from her. The sheer pressure from his halted punch created a powerful gust of wind that blasted Ranna off her feet and pinned her to the ground. The force dispersed the cloud-like surface around them, revealing the stark white ground in a large, clear area.

Ranna struggled to push herself up, the wind still swirling around her from the aftershock of Leo's almost-attack. She looked up at him, her eyes a mix of awe and relief. "That... was impressive, Leo," she managed to say, her voice slightly shaky.

Leo extended a hand to help her up, a concerned look on his face. "Sorry, Ranna. I didn't mean to push it that far," he said sincerely.

Ranna grasped his hand and stood, dusting herself off. "No need to apologize. You've proven your strength, Leo. More than I expected." She smiled a hint of pride in her eyes.

Ranna was happy to confirm Leo's strength. This was just his raw power, without any weapons or active buffs, she thought to herself. She composed herself and adjusted her clothing before asking Leo to show her his aura.

Ranna’s eyes narrowed as she stepped back, watching Leo carefully. "Show me your aura," she commanded, her voice firm. Leo hesitated, confused, but as Ranna’s own energy flared, he began to understand.

Leo watched in awe as something began to form around Ranna. So that's what she means, he thought, remembering a childhood dream of becoming a powerful warrior with a golden aura.

As a child, he was captivated by a legendary hero from an animated series. He would often stand in front of the mirror, striking dramatic poses, and shout as if he were unleashing an incredible power, his eyes squeezed shut with determination, imagining the world transforming around him.

Feeling a bit silly, he decided to try it in front of Ranna. He struck a pose and began to shout, but nothing happened. Ranna burst into laughter, her laughter echoing in the vast white expanse until tears streamed down her face. She exhaled and apologized, wiping her teary eyes.

"You need to concentrate and feel the flow of energy in your body," she advised.

Leo, flustered and scratching his head, slowly closed his eyes. He inhaled deeply, trying to sense something within himself. Ranna noticed his focus and continued to guide him.

"Picture it getting bigger," she instructed.

Leo followed her instructions, closing his eyes and focusing on the energy he could feel simmering beneath the surface. It was as if a reservoir of power had always been there, waiting for him to tap into it. As the energy began to form, he couldn’t help but think back to how far he had come—from a confused newcomer in this world, struggling to survive, to now, standing on the brink of something extraordinary.

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The clouds below him started to swirl and disperse, driven by the force he was beginning to unleash. Leo’s heart pounded in his chest, not just from the thrill of the moment, but from the realization of what this meant. This power—his power—was real, tangible, and it was growing stronger by the second. The doubts he once had, the fears that had plagued him, all seemed to fade away, replaced by a surge of confidence and determination.

As the wind whipped around him and the energy reached its peak, Leo opened his eyes, fully embracing the power that was now coursing through him. He felt unstoppable, as if the very world around him had shifted to accommodate this newfound strength.

In a blink of an eye, Leo's aura expanded enormously. The ground that was covered by clouds now showed the stark white surface beneath. Leo felt amazing, looking at his hands as he continued to exude his aura.

Ranna was utterly speechless. The aura radiating from Leo was unlike anything she had ever encountered—dense, suffocating, and brimming with unimaginable power. It felt as if the very air around her had thickened, pressing down on her chest and making it difficult to breathe. Her instincts screamed at her to retreat, but her body was frozen in place, overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of Leo's strength.

As she struggled to maintain her composure, she couldn’t help but feel a mix of awe and fear. This was the same aura she had sensed before, but now, standing in its direct presence, it was far more potent and overwhelming.

So it was really him...

The weight of it bore down on her, sapping her strength with each passing second. She tried to steady herself, but her legs trembled uncontrollably, buckling under the pressure.

A small, almost wistful smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she realized just how far Leo had come. He wasn’t the same boy she had known—he was something far greater, far more powerful. But with that realization came a wave of dizziness, her vision blurring as her body began to give out. The last thing she saw before darkness overtook her was Leo rushing towards her, concern etched into his features. Her eyes fluttered closed, her consciousness slipping away as the oppressive aura finally became too much to bear.

Leo reacted instinctively, catching Ranna just as her body began to slump. The intensity of his aura vanished as quickly as it had flared, leaving an eerie stillness in its wake. The once turbulent clouds began to drift back into place, their movements slow and deliberate, as if the very world around them was trying to regain its balance.

Cradling her in his arms, Leo felt a profound weight settle in his chest. The power he had unleashed was awe-inspiring, but it was also terrifying.

He glanced down at Ranna, her face peaceful in unconsciousness, and a pang of guilt struck him. He hadn't meant to overwhelm her, but the sheer magnitude of his aura had been too much for her to bear. The thought that he could so easily harm those he cared about gnawed at him, casting a shadow over the elation he had felt moments before.

"I have to control this," Leo murmured to himself, the resolve hardening in his chest. This power was a gift, but it was also a responsibility. He needed to master it, not just for his own sake, but for the sake of everyone around him. The stakes were too high for carelessness. He tightened his grip on Ranna, silently vowing to learn, to grow, and to ensure that his strength would never again put those he loved at risk.

"Ranna, are you okay?" Leo's voice was filled with concern as he held her close, feeling the steady rise and fall of her breath. The surreal white expanse around them was quiet now, the swirling clouds that had once mirrored their battle slowly returning to a calm state.

He looked around, taking in the vast, strange realm they were in. His eyes caught sight of the floating timer above, its numbers ticking down steadily. Remembering Ranna's earlier words, Leo knew that when the timer reached zero, they would simply be returned to her office. There was no imminent danger, just the need to wait it out.

The numbers continued to diminish, and Leo let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. The tension from the battle had left him on edge, but now, with Ranna safe in his arms and the timer serving as a calm reminder of their return, he felt the intensity begin to ebb away.

As the final seconds ticked down, Leo adjusted his grip on Ranna, preparing for the shift back to reality. The surreal atmosphere around them seemed almost peaceful now, the earlier chaos a distant memory. He glanced down at Ranna, relieved that she was okay, and allowed himself a small, calm smile as the last seconds of the timer counted down.