“This is frustrating… so frustrating…”

Vaizer began recoiling from the terrible news he heard, not even focusing on his foes as he had been doing since the fight began.

‘Now’s my chance!’ Aloe’s thoughts snapped.

She didn’t know how long it would last, and if Asa could keep up with her speed, so she decided to go solo.

‘Pour as much Mana as I can… condense it… I only need one strike!’ Aloe prepared herself.

The heat emanating from her body melted the surrounding ice and golden flashes sprang forth from her crouched form.

Before long—

>BOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!<

Moving as the fastest thing in existence, light itself, Vida coated herself with the golden energy and traveled to Vaizer with such speed and pressure that everything around.her shattered.

The ice broke apart, melting in the process. The wind pressure pushed Asa back, causing a storm brewing in her wake.

As concerned as she was, she did not have the luxury of turning back or being distracted for even the slightest second.

Her mission took utmost priority.

>VWOOOOOOOSSSSSHHHH<

With the pressure she built from traveling with such sleed, as well as the highly concentrated Mana she had condensed on her palm, the brave young woman prepared for her strike.

“Hey…”

‘Huh?’ Vaizer’s voice danced in her ears, and her body suddenly trembled.𝑶𝔳𝗅xt.𝕔𝒐𝕞

Her unshakable, unwavering action, found pause.

“… I’ll be killing you now.”

Aloe realized that if she got any closer to the opponent, it would prove extremely deadly. No, it was perhaps too dangerous already.

She needed to step away… and fast!

‘Those eyes are filled with bloodlust. I can’t…’ Once again, Aloe’s defensive instinct kicked in, and she found herself retreating back to Asa’s position.

She lost her chance.

“Damnit…” The young lady whispered, glancing at an oblivious Asa.

For all he knew, she had only flickered for a moment. That was how fast she just went.

“You made the right choice. I would have killed you if you stepped closer. But, it doesn’t matter. All you’ve done is prolong your life for a few more seconds.” Vaizer declared.

Asa still didn’t understand what was happening, but his glare remained toward Vaizer.

“This news has greatly saddened me. I have something I need to do now, so I’ll be ending the both of you quickly. Hopefully the Arcana appears after that…”

Aloe knew their opponent meant no joke. They had to give it their all now.

“Mage Mode. Fusion Mode. Original Magic.” Aloe murmured, transforming instantly.

Asa infused his Mana around his body, granting himself heightened abilities. Unfortunately, he wasn’t in water, so his aquatic form couldn’t help much in this situation.

However, with his current state and the Null form he now manifested, he could at least put up a fight.

As for Aloe, she now took on the appearance of a goddess—similar to a blinding sculpture of golden brilliance. This, of course, was the consequence of using her Mage Mode and Fusion Mode.

A Special Grade Mana Core floated on her shoulder, and about a dozen more Mana Cores floated around her. The Special Grade Core served as some sort of sun, and the extra Mana Cores took on the similitude of stars.

This was a result of her Original Magic: Aurora Vidalis.

Darkness instantly enveloped the space around, and the brightness of her lights glimmered even brighter than ever.

“Follow my lead, Asa. You can use your senses to follow me and the enemy. Do what you can to keep up.”

“U-understood!” Asa whispered, though he knew Aloe couldn’t hear him in his current state.

He was surprised, though, with the way the environment had Instantly darkened.

Usually, it took a while before Aloe’s Special Grade Mana Core swallowed up the light in the vicinity.

However, this time it was instant!

‘Could it be due to the many Mana Cores that are shimmering around her like stars?’ He wondered.

Unfortunately, he didn’t have the time to think about Aloe’s mysterious growth. More pressing matters bothered him.

‘I have to keep up! I have to—!’

>WHOOOOOSSSSHHHH!!!<

As Asa was still trying to gather his resolve, Aloe sped right past him. He couldn’t even see or sense her the slightest until she was far gone.

Like an afterthought, he decided to give chase. Though Aloe was clearly stronger and faster than he was, Asa reckoned that there were still certain things he was useful for.

‘I… can help!’

*

*

*

>BOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!<

The brilliant sparks of blue and golden light caused by Aloe’s clash with Vaizer were sent across the area.

More of the surroundings collapsed, and the icy ground beneath them melted. Waves of pressure filled their vicinity as they exchanged more blows.

Aloe used her multiple Mana Cores to send beams of light in Vaizer’s direction as she created a study light saber to utilize.

“Tch!” Vaizer, coated in his energy that shrouded him like Dragon-like scales, deflected the blows.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t too slow—or rather, he wasn’t as fast as before.

>WHOOOOOMMMM!!!<

Aloe Vida’s blade came crashing down, breaking the scales of protection he donned.

“W-wha—?!”

Before he could say more, her Special Grade Mana Core appeared from behind and emitted the most dangerous gleam of light.

“Grand Ray Blitz!”

>BOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!<

The draconic beastfolk was baptized in a devastating explosion that evaporated the ice, water, and everything else around them.

Aloe darted back, readying herself for nother round. Surely, that wasn’t enough to stop her foe.

‘Thanks to my current state, we’re evenly matched in speed.’ Aloe analyzed within herself.

If she was being honest, she was a bit faster. Unfortunately, Vaizer’s senses were sharp, so his ability to react appropriately made them an equal match.

The problem was elsewhere, though.

‘He’s stronger. His durability too…’ Aloe Vida noticed the mist clearing, and tight at the center was an unscathed Vaizer.

He was completely, and off the charts unharmed.

His outfit was gone, though, except for a small portion of his undergarment.

He stepped out of the devastated vat of evaporating liquid, a deep glare manifesting on his face.

“Annoying fly. I’ll end this quickly.”