"Dragon Blood Mode?" Patri stared at Drake, his expression uncertain.
The elves were a race favored by magic, but he sensed a more noble, more ferocious power in Drake.
Dragon Blood Mode was Drake's new magic, his strongest technique. After awakening his Dragon Force, Drake wasn't satisfied; it needed time to mature. He considered how to strengthen himself further.
Three conditions were needed for new magic to appear in a Grimoire: the mage's own growth (magic power and control), learning the relevant magical principles, and a strong wish.
The third condition was met; the first could be met through training and mastering Magic Skin. Only the second was a problem.
But magical principles rely on imagination. Drake, a time traveler, could reference other worlds.
He searched his memories for fire-based abilities. He remembered a world of fire users with diverse abilities—the world of Fire Force!
That world used scientific theories to explain unscientific things. Flame emission and explosions were normal; high-temperature plasma beams were plausible. But time stop achieved by changing one's density to enter another universe was absurd.
Drake didn't intend to develop such an ability. He referenced another character's ability.
In that world, most fire users weren't powerful but skilled in fine control, leading to diverse abilities. The top fighters were special fire brigade captains; Drake referenced the Captain of the First Fire Brigade.
That character could circulate heat within his body, becoming a flame embodiment, with incredible strength, speed, and defense. Plasma beams couldn't cut his skin; he shattered attacks with a stomp.
It was difficult for Drake. How could he circulate such heat without harming his body? How could he use destructive flames to enhance his body without causing damage?
He was injured many times during experimentation. Only after mastering Magic Skin did he succeed. It was different from the original ability.
Even with his Grimoire, Drake couldn't circulate immense heat within his body, so he used Dragon Force instead.
Thus, Dragon Force, Magic Skin, and heat circulation principles, combined by the Grimoire, created Dragon Blood Mode.
Unfortunately, Drake's current physical condition couldn't sustain Dragon Blood Mode for long; the Dragon Force couldn't supply the magic indefinitely. The limit was seven minutes.
Patri, regaining his composure, noticed this. "So, this magic burdens you. How long can you maintain it?"
Drake said firmly, "Until I defeat you."
Drake, his fist engulfed in flames, approached Patri.
Patri, having calmed down, wouldn't fight directly; he'd wait for Drake to exhaust himself.
"Light Magic: Bright Judgement Whip!"
The whip sliced through everything; even Dragon Blood Mode Drake couldn't fully withstand it.
Drake countered with his awakened Dragon Force, unleashing true Dragon Slayer magic.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
Patri's whip shattered under the intense flames. Drake, moving through the flames and shattered light, continued his attack.
"Don't get cocky!"
Patri, enraged by his repeated defeats and his inherent hatred of humanity, attacked.
"Light Magic: Heavenly Splitting Flash!"
Drake dodged the beam, but it was a multi-hit attack. The second beam struck Drake, sending him flying.
Drake, tumbling through the air, used his flames to stabilize himself. The Dragon Force circulating within his body healed his injuries.
"Troublesome magic," Patri muttered.
Drake scoffed; Patri was in no position to comment. His light magic combined power and speed with effortless self-healing. Compared to the burdensome Dragon Blood Mode, it had a significant advantage.
"Four minutes left!" Drake thought, unwilling to waste time.
Patri's attacks continued. Drake dodged; consecutive hits would increase the burden and shorten Dragon Blood Mode's duration.
The beams struck the rock face, like exploding bombs. The cave ceiling was gone; the walls were riddled with holes; the mountain was nearly collapsing.
Drake understood Patri's intention and wouldn't let him succeed.
"Fire Dragon…"
Drake's face puffed out; a large magic circle formed before him, depicting a dragon's head.
"Roar!"
A small flame appeared in Drake's mouth, erupting into a massive fire pillar, illuminating the night sky.
Patri's pupils constricted; the immense magic power before the attack revealed its danger.
Heavenly Splitting Flash, while multi-hit, lacked power; it was a weaker version of another spell. To counter Drake's attack, Patri used his trump card.
"Light Magic: Light Shaft of Divine Punishment."
This beam wasn't as bright but had a dark aura; even Patri felt overshadowed. This wasn't a decrease in power but a result of concentrating so much light that it absorbed external light.
The light and fire pillars collided, not exploding or wavering but locked in a stalemate.
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! This is bad!" Yami's cigarette fell; his face was serious.
Asta, who had just learned to sense ki, sweated profusely. He sensed the terrifying energy from the clashing magic.
A small black dot appeared between the pillars; it grew, revealing itself as an energy black hole, consuming both attacks. The space, unable to withstand it, began to tear.
Drake's magic circle dissipated; he knelt, his skin lightening, temperature dropping, and scales fading. Dragon Blood Mode had reached its limit.
But Drake wasn't worried; he wasn't alone.
"Alright!"
A tattered cloak fluttered; a strong man stood before Drake, completely shielding him.
"Substitution time! Good job. I'll take over," Yami said, his blade raised.
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