Severed Universe

is an Ignition Ability used by Shō Kusakabe.

Overview
By cooling the area around his body, Shō is able to reduce the heat of the universe's natural expansion and slow it down. As a result, he is able to slow down time around himself. If he slows time to a third its normal speed; things around Sho will appear as if they are moving three times slower while his opponents will perceive it as Shō moving three times faster. As a result Shō's normal movements appear untraceably fast to his opponents and they appear to move in slow motion from Shō's perspective. While Severed Universe is active, Shō's normal movements appear unacceptably fast to his opponents and time stands still from Shō's perspective. Allowing him to travel a short distance and strike in under a second.

Despite its great power, Severed Universe has a several limitations. As a Fourth Generation ability, it requires a connection to the Evangelist in order to function. If the Evangelist breaks this connection, Severed Universe cannot be triggered. Secondly, time is slowed but not actually frozen. Therefore attacks and objects moving fast enough in standard time can match Shō's movements in the slowed time. As seen with Arthur Boyle managing survive a fatal blow through his quick reflects while it was still active. Thirdly, objects moving at a rate rivalling light speed are instantly able to bypass Severed Universe, as time at any speed cannot effect them or their movement. If a light speed attack launches before or during Severed Universe's use; its instant effect will happen regardless of how much time has been slowed. Finally, Severed Universe requires chilling the surrounding air so such a low temperature that Shō's body begins to freeze almost immediately. This forces Shō to avoid using it for extended periods of time and he must be deactivated in order to thaw out the ice forming on his body. This ice almost instantly becomes steam upon contact with the now warm air, which can serve as a clue to understanding the machinations of his ability.