The beam was prepped. I stated a Beacon of Nihil was written in the eye. That's all the preparation I needed. That's how his spell works. Power doesn't grow within it, the rune unleashes it all at once from a completely dormant state.

When you say the aerogel is enhanced beyond normal means, you don't mention the science behind its fortification. You give no basis on what could destroy it. Graphene Aerogel's unworldly limits could very well include doubling up the heat absorption to 12,000f, which even then wouldn't be enough.

Myron activated his laser half a second after the sheath struck his shield. Corban reacted instantly after hearing his sheath be deflected. The time-frame is visible in the IC. It's under a second, roughly half of one.