Leona’s Power

We have yet to confirm the extent of what Leona is magically capable of, though Grim says “for as lazy as that guy is…he seemed insanely strong.”

Jack says that Leona’s “magical might” is “in a league of its own”, and Leona is the only person we’ve seen capable of defending against Riddle’s unique magic (Leona: “Power alone ain’t enough to make waves in this world”).

Jack is often commenting on Leona’s magical strength, saying that “Leona’s magic is way more powerful than any of ours” while he, Ruggie and Floyd battle the mine monster.

Idia explains that Leona likely received “top-notch magic instruction as a kid”, saying that Leona’s “casting speed’s off the charts, and his magic pool is huge. He also knows how to be efficient—he tailors his defense spells to match the potency of enemy attacks. He hardly wastes any magic at all. Which means he barely accumulates any excess blot.”

Ortho follows with, “Because he typically exhibits great mental fortitude…when he does experience intense emotions, it could cause a drastic spike in blot accumulation.”

Leona seems particularly adept at defensive magic, saying, “I aced my protective magic classes in my sleep”, which makes the two instances that Ruggie is able to apply his unique magic to Leona (in Book 2 and during Halloween) very interesting: as Ruggie does not seem to be stronger than Riddle it is possible that the times he successfully used “Laugh with Me” on Leona was only because Leona allowed it.

We get a rare chance to compare Leona’s strength to that of the other students directly in Book 6: both Vil and Riddle are unable to lift, aim and utilize their thunder spears simultaneously on their own, with Vil asking for help from Epel, the prefect and Rook, and Riddle asking for help from Azul.

Leona, however, both lifts and aim the spear alone, even using its magic without any help from Jamil (whom we see attacking the Titan independently with fire magic, away from the spear).

Jamil is surprised by Leona’s ability to sleep after the first titan fights, but we learn Riddle also took a nap at that same time.

Vil and Riddle again get help during their second titan fight but Leona again uses the thunder spear on his own.

Leona finally asks for and receives Jamil’s help with the spear in the fight against an over-blotted Idia.

During their trek through Tartarus Jamil observes,

“…I have to admit, I’m impressed. He doesn’t waste any magical energy when fighting or opening the cages…He’s got more than magical talent, too. He also has a vast breadth of knowledge and calm judgment…Leona’s magic really is incredible. It’s so potent and efficient.”

Leona subdues Skully alone during the climax of the NBC event, earning him praise even from Sebek, who observes,

“I wasn’t expecting such a glaring difference in capabilities…He may be a foolish human who defies the great Malleus, but I must grudgingly respect his skill in magic, if nothing else.”

In addition to being magically capable Leona also seems to be physically capable, with Vil, Kalim and Lilia all commenting on his impressive abilities during practice for the Cloudcalling tournament.

During the tournament itself Leona’s opposes observes that, despite being the best athlete of the palace guard, he is no match for Leona: “I’m totally outclassed! In strength, speed, and technique!”

It seems the Leona and Jack arm wrestled at Playfulland with Kalim saying “they were at a total impasse” (Leona: “Sorry, already forgot”), so Leona and Jack are possibly similarly adept in that area.