The writing seemed to be on the wall for Nikolai Tesla at the end of the last volume of Record of Ragnarok. As he and Beelzebub fought with everything they had within each other, the scars and wounds of both fighters were becoming more visible. However, there was no fatigue coming from either combatant. Quite the contrary: as Record of Ragnarok’s nineteenth volume demonstrates, there was true respect brimming from both fighters’ spirits.

Storywriter Shinya Umemura and scriptwriter Takumi Fukui clearly have a lot of love for Tesla, as he’s presented as history’s greatest scientist. Even his rivals — Edison, especially! — look at him as if he were a god amongst men. The way Tesla fought would make any person believe that he was a true sorcerer, and not just some average lab coat-wearing beaker-clinking scientist. Nay, here be a man who pushed to make the impossible possible, and turned dreams into reality!

It’s enough to make even Beelzebub take a step back and look at the man Tesla is. Yes, they’re fighting to the death, but Beelzebub clearly wishes to see just how many boundaries Tesla can push. Be it with his bare hands or his super suit, Tesla showcased the strength and magic that science is capable of. And as the fight reaches its end, both combatants find a feeling of satisfaction for how it all went down.

Yet even as Tesla disappears, he still speaks of hope. A hope for a better tomorrow, and a future where science can craft unlimited possibilities for the greater good. His final speech as his body evaporates is one that any scientist should carry in their hearts, as a world of nonstop inventing and experimentation will lead humanity towards a Golden Age. The final scene of this battle, with every scientist running towards the exit, shows that there’s still plenty of work to be done, even when the fate of the world is hanging in the balance.

But as one fight ends, the next one is already being prepared. Brunhilde and Buddha have a discussion about a certain ex-lover, and if they have anything to do with this battle for the fate of humanity. That ex, Siegfried, is being held deep in Helheim, where nary a soul is allowed to speak with him. However, given the kind of essence he’s projecting, it appears that he 1) knows a hell of a lot about what’s happening, and 2) he may play a key role in how Record of Ragnarok is going to end its tale in the long run.

This all leads to the ninth round of the battles: Apollo VS Leonidas! Two polar opposites, save for their love of relaxation. The god enjoys his baths with plenty of naked women to spare; the man just wants to smoke his cigars and read in peace. However, Leonidas appears to have a score to settle with Apollo, which makes the man with the 300-person army get off of his hammock and march straight into the arena.

Record of Ragnarok is a series that I need to stop thinking has reached its peak. The truth of the matter is, the top of the mountain that it’s making its readers climb has its peak covered in clouds, with no way of seeing what’s to come. Volume Nineteen continues to impress with its fights and storytelling, on top of the fact that it knows how to bring about an inspiring moment for readers to take to the heart. For the sake of Tesla and the rest of the fallen heroes of Record of Ragnarok, one hopes that fans will never lose hope for what the future holds.

Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.