The warm-up phase concluded, and both combatants had a clear understanding of each other's capabilities. In other words, the real fight was
The warm-up phase concluded, and both combatants had a clear understanding of each other's capabilities. In other words, the real fight was about to begin.
Drake looked at Gildarts, his expression turning serious.
Gildarts's Crush magic was terrifying; it could directly break atomic bonds.
Except for defenses like dragon scales that weaken or nullify magic, Gildarts's magic could crush anything tangible.
The scene in the original story where he pulverized an entire mountain with a single punch was a testament to his terrifying power.
Most frighteningly, Crush had no telltale signs—no magical aura or formation.
Drake wondered if this was inherent to Crush or if Gildarts had completely integrated the magic into his movements.
Either way, Gildarts's strength was undeniable.
Gildarts, no longer underestimating Drake because of his age, launched the first attack.
No fancy name; just a simple straight punch. But Drake treated it as a life-or-death situation, dodging instantly.
A grid-like light flashed where Gildarts's punch landed; everything in that area shattered into tiny cubes.
Drake watched the near-levelled valley, his pupils constricting.
"[Dragon Force!]"
Drake didn't hesitate, activating Dragon Force. Boiling dragon power surged through him, and dragon scales covered his body.
Regardless of the dragon's element, dragon scales resist magic, weakening most magical attacks.
This is why dragons are so powerful against human mages; human magic can't pierce their scales.
Only Dragon Slayers can use dragon power to pierce dragon scales.
Drake's only defense against Crush was dragon scales. He didn't want to be pulverized like Natsu!
"[Fire Dragon's Hook Claw!]"
Drake flipped in mid-air, kicking Gildarts's arm.
A ring of fire spread; Gildarts's feet sank, creating a huge crater.
Drake gritted his teeth; Gildarts was far tougher than expected.
Crush's overwhelming destructive power wasn't limited to offense. The best defense is a good offense, and Gildarts proved it.
Drake's Fire Dragon's Hook Claw had little effect. His flames were shattered on contact; only his physical strength landed a blow.
Crushing an opponent's magic is the ultimate defense!
But Drake confirmed that Dragon Force scales could defend against Crush.
Gildarts noticed this, revealing an excited expression.
As a martial arts mage, Gildarts had long awaited a worthy opponent.
His magic meant few mages could even touch him. Now, he finally had someone to fight against.
Gildarts swatted Drake away, then punched him.
Another Crush punch, but this time Drake didn't dodge; he countered with a punch of his own.
"[Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!]"
Their fists collided; flames and grid-like white light spread across the valley.
Within a second, trees, grass, distant mountains, and rocks all turned into tiny cubes, then ash in the flames.
The shockwave alone levelled the valley; this was why they fought far from town.
Drake retreated, taking a large step back.
"[Fire Dragon's Roar!]"
Drake unleashed an unprecedentedly massive fire pillar; even a giant would be consumed.
Gildarts's response to this colossal fire pillar was to deliver another punch.
To Drake's astonishment, the flames were shattered into pieces and dissipated in mid-air.
Roar is the strongest attack for most dragons; Fire Dragon's Roar is second only to Drake's Dragon Slayer Secret Arts.
Drake had used Roar many times against strong opponents; they dodged or clashed, but Gildarts's response was unprecedented.
Drake had no time to dwell on this, as Gildarts, having effortlessly shattered Drake's Fire Dragon's Roar, charged forward.
Gildarts's fist slammed down, impacting Drake's crossed arms with tremendous force. The ground behind Drake erupted, instantly transforming into countless small cubes.
With this single blow, Gildarts had carved a fan-shaped cliff into the landscape behind Drake, underscoring the sheer magnitude of the force he had unleashed.
"Is that all you've got? If this is your best, I can't even begin to describe the gulf between your strength and the Black Dragon's!"
Drake countered by seizing Gildarts's wrist and flinging him away with considerable force.
"Happy!"
Drake summoned Happy. "Since Mr. Gildarts has challenged me to unleash my full potential, I shall do just that."
Happy gracefully dove towards Drake, merging with him and initiating the Spirit Takeover.
Drake's extended dragon scale scarf trailed behind him, showering sparks as he rapidly closed the distance to Gildarts, who had just regained his footing. With a swift and powerful punch, Drake sent Gildarts reeling backward.
"Now that's more like it!"
Gildarts roared with laughter, planting his foot firmly on the ground. The earth itself heaved, and countless fragments of pulverized rock were propelled upward, striking Drake and sending him soaring into the air.
"Then, try this on for size! Morning Peacock!"
Suspended in mid-air, Drake unleashed a barrage of countless fireballs, raining down upon Gildarts from all directions.
Gildarts swung his fist, and to Drake's astonishment, all the fireballs came to an abrupt halt before disintegrating into nothingness.
While Drake hadn't initially expected this technique to yield significant results, he hadn't anticipated that it would be countered so effortlessly.
Drake landed back on the ground, exhaling a plume of white breath.
"[Four Symbols Fist Secret Art—Kirin Technique!]"
Having declared his intention to fight seriously, Drake would no longer hold back, activating the Kirin Technique.
Gildarts instinctively shifted his body, narrowly evading Drake's powerful punch.
With the Kirin Technique activated, Drake's movements were so swift and precise that even Gildarts, relying on his instincts, could barely react in time to evade the attack.
The force of Drake's punch, imbued with the fierce intensity of flames, caused the ground behind Gildarts to erupt and heave. Were it not for the evidence before their eyes, no one would have believed that this area had once been a tranquil valley.
Drake's fist transformed into a razor-sharp blade, slicing downwards at a diagonal angle. The flaming hand, resembling a laser blade in its precision and cutting power, was capable of cleaving through any and all defenses.
Gildarts, however, would not allow Drake to succeed. He raised his hand, seizing Drake's wrist and pulverizing the flames that had been encircling it.
And when Drake's other fist came hurtling towards him, it too was intercepted by Gildarts's prosthetic arm.
Crack! Crack!
The sudden sound of cracking caused Drake to frown, his gaze shifting to Gildarts's prosthetic arm.
Regardless of who had crafted this prosthetic limb, the fact that it allowed Gildarts to move with such remarkable freedom was a testament to its superior craftsmanship.
However, even the most advanced technology possesses limitations. The intense physical impact of the battle, compounded by the sheer magnitude of Gildarts's own magical power, placed an immense strain upon the prosthetic.
As the two mages engaged in a fierce struggle of strength and will, the prosthetic arm finally reached its breaking point.
Drake released his grip on Gildarts's wrist and retreated, stating, "It seems that this battle cannot continue."
Gildarts, too, displayed a look of regret. While he had eagerly anticipated a prolonged and exhilarating battle, his current physical condition rendered it impossible to continue.
Not only were his internal injuries still far from fully healed, but the fragility and lack of flexibility of his prosthetic limb presented a significant and potentially fatal weakness.
However, neither Drake nor Gildarts was willing to bring their clash to an abrupt end.
"Then, let's conclude this with one final, decisive move!" they both declared simultaneously.
Drake spread his arms wide, while Gildarts assumed a fighting stance, his fist clenched tightly.
"[Dragon Slayer Secret Art—Crimson Lotus Blazing Blade!]"
"[Crush Evil Manifest Righteousness—One Day!]"
Both mages unleashed their ultimate magical techniques, and the two devastating attacks collided with earth-shattering force.
…
Much later, a traveler passing through the area consulted his map with a puzzled expression. The map clearly indicated that this location was a valley, yet before him lay a vast expanse of tranquil lake.
Unaware of the events that had transpired, the traveler remained oblivious to the fact that two immensely powerful mages had engaged in a battle of unprecedented intensity at this very spot, their final attack having been so devastating that it had actually pierced the earth itself, causing an underground spring to erupt and form the lake before him.
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