No one could have known this, except it and its creator, but if not for the power of Spellcraft, Gawain wouldn’t have been able to move so freely.

That was how dangerous Aloe Vida’s Original Magic was.

Even with its speed, Gawain was unable to catch up to the woman.

The only thing it could do was surround her with enough threats, so she could be still for a moment.

‘You’re too cautious.’ Gawain had been assessing his opponent since the start of their fight, and this was his conclusion.

If only Aloe Vida was more proactive and brutal in her assault, he would have been far more pressured.

“You lack enough violence.”

With those words, he increased the level of projectiles he sent, and also their numbers.

“Tch!” Aloe Vida clicked her tongue as she was overwhelmed by the sheer numbers that seemed to push her to her limits.

Her barrier’s integrity plummeted, and Gawain sharply moved to deal the finishing blow.

“Damnit!” Aloe managed to dodge his strike, even while being incapacitated in midair, but she could not have predicted what came next.

>BOOOOOOOOMMMM!!!<

A sharp blast was launched from behind her, enveloping the young lady in bright golden light—the same kind she had sent to Gawain not too long ago.

“Gahhhhhh!!!” She screamed in both surprise and pain, plummeting to the ground after suffering her loss.

Gawain heaved an imaginary sigh as he stared at her defeated body.

‘I had to wear out her defenses and then use Spellcraft to catch her off guard. This lady is strong…’

Her problem was simply the lack of enough combat experience.

Not only was she sloppy and overly cautious in battle, but her Original Magic was also far from complete.

There was a lot to work on.

Gawain imagined how much potential she would have if she had the same sort of battle intelligence as its master.

“That would be frightening…” Gawain laughed, now looking in the direction of his remaining foes.

“Ah, I guess you guys were still around.” The Automaton’s voice warbled with every statement it made.

“It makes no difference. Come at me at once.” Now flexing its hand and gesturing them to move closer, Gawain seemed to be provoking the remaining targets.

pan,da-n0v el Unfortunately for them… it worked perfectly!

*************

“Haaa… haa…”

All of them were down for the count.

Only the Automaton stood victorious, and not even damaged in the slightest.

As it watched everyone grovel on the floor, the being decided that it had completed its task and was about to return to its master.

But…

“We’re not done!”

… A voice stopped him.

“Oh? I guess you’re up now.” Gawain glanced in the direction of the rising challenger.

“I guess it’s about time you woke, considering you charged in first… Edward.”

The auburn-haired buff was currently frowning.

Someone was in his arms—her black and white hair trailing as the wind blew.

“You… hurt her, didn’t you?” Edward glared.

Energy seemed to burst from within him as he didn’t let go of the unconscious Half-Elf.

“Not really. She fainted due to shock. I didn’t even touch her.”

“O-oh… I see.”

Things just got awkward, since Edward was about to fight on behalf of the girl and justice. But, now that it had come to this…

“T-that doesn’t matter. You caused her distress. Besides… not to make an excuse, but I wasn’t in full form them. Let’s fight with no holds barred.”

Edward donned a wild smile and released his energy, finally.

“I’ll be needing you for this, Perci!”

~Understood~ Edward’s Dullahan Familiar responded.

>BOOOOOOOOOMMMM<

The sudden outburst of energy caused the air to undulate and several pieces of debris to fly.

Purple flashes mixed in with white light, and the contradicting energy swirled around Edward’s body.

>FWUUUUUSSSHHHH<

Instantly, the boy was shrouded in dark armor—similar to the Automaton’s look, and his frame was exuding power.

His white hair partially leaked out of the helmet he wore, and both light and dark energy radiated around him.

“Fusion Mode, Martial State” Edward mumbled.

He had combined two immensely powerful forms, and now his power had reached a precipice.

“So… you want us to fight with no limiters, uh?” Gawain murmured, looking at the foe he was going up against.

“Very well”

>BOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM<

Space seemed to break as Gawain also let out the fierce energy that was within it.

Pure shire power surged from its armored body.

A white blade appeared on its hand, and several white orbs danced around it.

The climbing energy it had dominated the atmosphere, and it stared at Edward with resolve.

“Martial State. Plus Mage Mode. And then, Fusion Mode.”

“Uh?!!”

“I have access to all three forms… so I suppose we have revealed our cards now,” Gawain spoke, brandishing the blade it wielded as it approached Edward.

The Martial Artist was stunned that the Automaton he was fighting had attained Martial State despite being so proficient in Magic.

Mage Mode and Martial State at once… how was that even possible?

Plus, since it could use Fusion Mode, that meant it had a Familiar as well.

Edward couldn’t believe the absurdity of the situation, but he calmed himself.

No matter who his opponent was, it wasn’t like he would lose his nerve.

Besides…

“Isn’t this what you wanted? An opponent to stimulate you!” The boy smiled underneath his armor.

Also brandishing his purplish-white blade, Edward readied himself for the action to come.

~There’s something you should know, Edward.~ His familiar chimed in.

“What is it, Perci?”

~…~ For a moment, there was silence in Edward’s inner realm, but it only lasted for a brief moment.

Afterward, the deep voice of his Familiar returned.

~If you fight that guy… you’ll lose.~

Edward’s smile did not cease despite hearing that. No, he smiled even wider.

“It doesn’t matter. I want to fight him!”

Unlike the time with the Demon General here he achieved such an easy victory, this was a fight where he had to exert himself to the max.

Even if victory wasn’t in sight he would push himself to the limits and evolve further.

That was how Martial Artists grew!

“HAAAAAAAAA!!!” With a surge of power exploding within and without, Edward roared and dashed in Gawain’s direction.

‘I’ll fight to keep getting stronger. Until…!!!’