Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons-Chapter 921 - Taming the Crystal Hearts - 5

The transformation Selphira experienced while fusion completed wasn’t simply integration of beast characteristics with human form.

Genbu wasn’t an ordinary creature even among those of high Gold rank. It was the manifestation of a concept that transcended simple power.

A guardian beast... A protector.

The symbol of absolute defense, the creature itself became the living embodiment of an ideal.

And when the power of such a being fused with a tamer of Selphira’s experience, the result was a transformation carrying an air that couldn’t be described as simply "powerful".

It entered the category of those presences inspiring instinctive reverence even in those who didn’t completely understand what they were witnessing.

Light began emanating from Selphira’s body as Genbu’s characteristics fully integrated.

Not harsh glare but radiance that seemed to come from within rather than reflecting from the surface. Like she’d swallowed a star and it now burned in her chest.

And the ice she’d been manifesting began transforming in response to that light.

Ordinary crystalline structures elevated toward something closer to physical manifestation of the concept of absolute protection than any mundane frozen material.

The ice changed. What had been simple frozen water became something approaching the essence of cold itself.

Crystals formed around her limbs like armor. Plates that reflected light in ways creating patterns of infinite depth. Defensive layers that seemed to exist slightly outside normal space.

Not simply a defense but also a declaration. Statement that whoever wore this form had reached power levels separating extraordinary from legendary.

And more critical: her senses sharpened dramatically.

Perception expanded to a point where she could detect details that had been invisible moments before. Not just seeing more clearly but perceiving on levels that normal human consciousness couldn’t access.

She felt the flow of mana in the air around her. Tasted the signatures of every tamer in range. Sensed the pulse of energy in the soil beneath her feet.

And with that enhanced senses her fusion provided, Selphira realized something transforming blind fury into determination that was more dangerous because it had a specific direction.

Victor was alive.

Barely. By a margin almost imperceptible even with sharpened perception. But alive by a miracle defying logic of how much damage the human body could absorb before vital functions collapsed irreversibly.

Only a whisper remained in him. Mana signature reduced to a flicker that could extinguish with next gust of wind or next heartbeat that failed to come.

But still fighting... Still holding on despite everything that had been done to him.

Victor lived.

Barely, desperately... But lived.

It was enough. Enough to communicate there was still an opportunity to save him if they acted fast.

And that changed everything. Because death couldn’t be saved, but live meant possibility. Meant there was still something to fight for beyond simple revenge.

Meant she had to reach him. Had to get him away from Orion.

She had to heal him now.

Orion stood there holding Victor’s broken body. Smiling. Like he’d already won. Like the trap was complete and she’d fallen into it exactly as planned.

And maybe she had. Maybe this was exactly what he wanted. For her to commit everything in emotional response rather than tactical calculation.

But she didn’t care anymore. Not about strategy. Not about anything except reaching that naughty boy and making Orion pay for what he’d done.

The ice around her intensified. The temperature dropped further.

Time to end this.

One way or another.

Fortunately, contrary to the fear that had motivated her previous caution, Orion didn’t retreat when seeing her fusion activate.

He remained in position with an expression difficult to read at distance but that didn’t communicate panic or preparation for immediate withdrawal. It was confidence suggesting he had reasons not to fear a confrontation even when facing Selphira operating in her most amplified state.

Confidence that made her want to tear him apart even more... Because it meant he thought he could win. Thought he’d accounted for everything. Thought Victor’s suffering and Sirius’s memory were just tools he could exploit without consequence.

But she only wanted to heal Victor first.

Getting him away from Orion. Stopping whatever process was making those crystals grow from his flesh. Stabilizing his foundation before it crumbled completely into the void that would leave nothing to save.

And if Orion interposed himself in that objective, if he tried using Victor as shield or any other manipulation delaying the treatment desperately needed...

Then Orion was going to regret being born.

Not death. Too quick and merciful.

He was going to suffer considerably more than what he already deserved for the crimes committed.

The ice around her intensified.

Temperature falling to levels making enemy soldiers retreat instinctively even those not directly in effect range. Some started shivering uncontrollably. Others felt skin burning from a cold so intense that moisture in their breath froze before leaving their mouths.

It was a manifestation of fury, a liberation of emotions that discipline had suppressed but now exploded in elemental power display communicating exactly how dangerous Selphira was when personal motivation surpassed prudent considerations.

This wasn’t a soldier fighting for duty. This was a grandmother fighting for family.

In her right hand materialized an ice spear with a long blade at the tip.

Not a simple projectile like those she’d launched during the mutant battle or army approach. This was a considerably more elaborate construction. A weapon that had been reinforced with mana at levels converting its apparently fragile structure into something outstanding in durability.

The spear had perfect balance between weight and length achievable only with something precisely custom made like this. Shaft thick enough to not break under stress but thin enough to not slow its wielder. Blade sharp enough to pierce Platinum-rank defenses and broad enough to deliver devastating wounds.

Selphira was using this spear with hands trained during years in close-range combat art. Experience coming from the wise knowledge that even tamers with elemental techniques at distance needed competence in close approach when situations collapsed toward physical confrontation.

It was a weapon she’d employed in previous wars. A tool feeling like a natural extension of her will to the point where the line between thought and action blurred.

The spear remembered. Carried imprint of those battles in its crystalline structure. Responded to her intent almost like a trained beast rather than an inanimate object.

And it seemed to want Orion’s blood.