Blood trickled down Drake's forehead, instantly vaporized by his intense body heat; the wound quickly healed thanks to the Dragon Force.
Drake felt weakness; the Dragon Force was fading. Dragon Blood Mode would last about three minutes more. Although training had extended its duration to fifteen minutes, the intensity of this battle was far greater.
Drake's attacks became even more ferocious, desperate to defeat Vetto before Dragon Blood Mode ended.
After taking several punches, Vetto retreated, laughing. Sensing Drake's urgency, he sneered, "An ant is an ant. You've lasted this long; I'll give you that. But it's time for you to despair. No matter how you struggle, the outcome won't change."
Drake exhaled, his face serious. The difference in magic power between him and the curse-strengthened elf was significant. With more time and World Magic enhancement, Drake's magic power would eventually catch up. But the current gap was insurmountable; he was nearing his limit.
Just as he was about to succumb, the waning flames reignited.
Drake laughed. "In the Black Bulls, I learned the most important thing… this is the perfect time to push my limits! And you forgot something; I'm never alone! Asta!"
Vetto's eyes widened; he sensed an approaching presence.
"I've been waiting, Drake!"
Asta's Demon-slayer Sword sliced across Vetto's shoulder, drawing blood. Vetto, incredibly agile, dodged a more vital strike.
Blood flowed, but the wound didn't heal. Everyone realized Asta was their hope.
Vetto, sensing Asta's threat, attacked.
"Beast Magic: ΣΞξ!"
Vetto targeted Asta; Asta severed the beam with his sword, but Vetto was distracted by Drake's attack.
"Fire Dragon's Blazing Inferno!"
A searing fireball struck Vetto, burning him, but the magic claw tore through the flames. Vetto emerged, his burns healing, but Asta's cut continued bleeding.
Asta attacked relentlessly. Vetto sneered; the same tactic wouldn't work twice. Anti-magic would sever ranged attacks; Vetto expected close combat. Asta's approach was reckless.
Vetto dodged Asta's blade and attacked with his magic claw. But Asta, incredibly, flew sideways, avoiding the claw. No magic could cause such movement; Vetto knew Asta lacked magic power.
Vetto's gaze fell on Vanessa. "Is that woman behind this?"
Vanessa smiled, showing her magic threads.
"This space is filled with my magic threads; I'll support Asta!"
The injured Asta, besides his anti-magic sword, couldn't fight Vetto. One hit would kill him. But with Vanessa, Asta could attack freely; her magic handled evasion.
"Clever tricks!"
Vetto's speed increased; he pounced on Asta.
Before he reached Asta, a flaming fist struck him.
"I'm your opponent! Don't be distracted!"
Vetto and Drake exchanged blows rapidly. Asta attacked from Vetto's left, injuring him before Vanessa pulled him away from Vetto's counterattack.
Drake kicked Vetto back.
"Insects, you dare resist me! This… angers me!" Vetto's magic power surged.
Drake and Asta exchanged glances, attacking together. Drake blocked Vetto's claw; Asta slashed him away. Drake followed with a kick. Asta struck again.
The Demon-slayer Sword pierced Vetto, but not fatally; Vetto wanted this opportunity.
As Vetto prepared to attack Asta, Drake blocked his claw. Vanessa pulled Asta away. Drake retreated; the dragon scales from Dragon Blood Mode faded.
He knelt; Dragon Blood Mode ended; he entered a weakened state. Two fighters, one without Dragon Blood Mode, one without his sword, were effectively incapacitated.
Despite the sword wound, Vetto was excited.
"Ants! Without that magic, without the anti-magic sword, all your hope will become despair! Despair!"
"Despair?" Asta said, his expression unchanged.
"It's not over!"
Vetto's face contorted.
"Why aren't you despairing?!"
Roaring, Vetto pursued Asta. Threads pulled Asta back, but Vetto's speed surpassed them.
As Vetto was about to catch Asta, a spatial portal appeared behind Asta. It closed after Asta entered, leaving Vetto empty-handed.
A portal opened beside Vanessa; Asta tumbled out, bruised but alive.
Drake smiled. "Finral-senpai, you're late!"
Finral appeared beside Asta. "I'm your senior; show some respect. But with me here, no one will die!"
"Mirror Magic: Reflect Ray!"
Beams rained down on Vetto. A giant creature appeared behind Vetto.
"Cotton Magic: Sleeping Sheep Strike!"
A giant, bipedal sheep punched Vetto into the ground, continuing its assault.
"One hit… two hits… three hits (tragedy)!"
The sheep sent Vetto flying. Three figures appeared on a high platform; Gauche shouted, "And us!"
Asta exclaimed, "See! This is the Black Bulls! We'll defeat you together!"
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