Final Battle (6)
Mana spread out. It rippled outward, absorbing the natural mana around it and dominating the space.
Information from the domain I had expanded flooded into my senses, wrapping my entire body in a faint sense of omnipotence.
-Grrrrr….
Then came the drake's threatening growl. My mana, filling the sky and earth without a single gap, clearly grated on it. The beast spewed out its own mana roughly, trying to shatter the deployed magic.
But it was futile.
"That ain't gonna work."
A term for original magic developed by mages of 7th circle or higher.
In some worlds, it's called a domain or signature magic—or like me, unique magic. This isn't your run-of-the-mill spell.
It's magic woven from experience, enlightenment, imagery, desires, and everything gained while learning and mastering the art. In simple terms, it's the culmination of a mage's life.
That's what unique magic is.
That's why the magical framework within it is fundamentally different from ordinary spells. It embodies the entirety of the mage.
Depending on the mage's proficiency and realm, it can wield power akin to a god's authority.
Not to mention, even if my physical realm was low, my unique magic wasn't something that could be dispelled so easily.
-…….
After that, the drake didn't charge. It observed me warily, keeping its distance from my magic.
Drakes are sub-species of dragons. Their intelligence surpasses humans'. In that brief moment, it had grasped that I wasn't some weak human it could underestimate.
Paht!
I moved first. I kicked off the ground and closed in on its torso.
The vigilant drake raised its sturdy scales in a defensive stance. I swung my arm wide, channeling sword aura into it.
Kagak!!
Scales and sword clashed, sparks flying everywhere. Even swinging Karsa with considerable force—a blade that could cleave a swordmaster's sword aura—only left scratches.
'As expected from a sub-species. Tough as hell.'
I'd anticipated it. I'd hunted countless dragons and their kin.
Any creature with even a drop of dragon blood had fundamentally superior base stats.
The recoil sent me flying back. A few steps of distance opened up. I immediately kicked off again, closing the gap.
Now in close range. I wrapped Karsa in sword aura once more. This time, I morphed it into a blunt, hammer-like form.
Kang!
A metallic clang echoed. The sharp sound pierced my ears painfully. But I didn't stop, hammering the scales relentlessly.
Through the vibrations, I gleaned info on the scales' hardness and the flesh beneath.
I'd gotten all the data I needed. In that instant, I shifted my stance and regulated my mana.
Tak!
Then I leaped onto its foreleg, climbing up.
As I stuck close, the drake altered its combat posture. It twisted its body in a half-turn, thrashing violently.
"Damn, just like a lizard…!"
Same nasty temper!
Staying attached wasn't hard. I could just use mana adhesion. But that wasn't the point.
I blasted mana from my feet for a massive leap, soaring higher than the drake.
Something registered behind me. The drake's tail.
It broke the sound barrier, whipping straight at me.
My judgment was swift. The moment I sensed it, I loaded my sword and body with the weight of a thousand tons.
The sudden mass yanked me downward. Yet the tail was faster, closing in on my back in a blink.
The instant the tail struck. I deployed a shield on my back. Over it, I layered the principles of indestructibility, followed by shock absorption and conversion magic.
Kwang!!
A massive boom, like a giant object colliding. Thanks to my preparations, the pain was less than expected. Just a slight ache in my back.
My body plummeted. Ahead, the drake's massive form loomed.
It couldn't hide that huge bulk. I positioned the sword tip downward.
Simultaneously, I converted the absorbed shock into mana, forming sword aura.
Karsa swelled enormously, wrapped in blazing sword aura. The drake's eyes changed at the sight of the brightly glowing blade—it sensed the danger.
And it had no time to dodge before the strike landed.
Instinctively, it reinforced the impact zone. Its red scales turned pitch black.
At the same time, the drake opened its maw. Mana concentrated in its mouth. The exclusive weapon of dragons and kin: dragon breath.
A colossal mana beam shot toward me. Immense heat closed in instantly.
'Nice timing.'
I grinned at the breath. There was still fighting ahead. I needed to conserve strength for it.
And here it was, handing it to me on a platter. How thoughtful.
I drew forth a certain power from my soul. The ring reacted to the soul's movement.
The Power of the Dragon Slayer envelops you.
Dragon Slayer. The power and feat from slaying over ten thousand dragons.
Sword and body alike were dyed in dragon-slaying energy. Savoring the familiar power after so long, I fixed my gaze ahead.
The breath was nearly upon me. I swung the sword lightly.
Kwagagak!!!
The beam split in two with a roar. The dragon-slaying energy, absolute against dragons, cleaved it effortlessly.
But it didn't end there. I spread the energy wide.
The dispersed aura absorbed the drake's mana, returning it to me.
Something I couldn't do at first. But after slaying a thousand dragons, I could claim the mana of unbound dragons as my own.
My dantian replenished. I couldn't absorb all its vast mana; it rippled around me.
The drake's darkened scales betrayed its alarm. Its expression after the breath vanished was quite the sight.
Now, just pierce those scales.
I withdrew the dragon-slaying energy and reset my stance. Gravity pulled my body down.
The drake flailed to evade the sword tip. I unleashed my unique magic to its maximum.
Domain Declaration
Domain Declaration isn't an attack spell. Nor a buff to enhance the body.
It's auxiliary magic for longer, more efficient fights. All my unique magic, including this, follows that principle.
Time Regression, which rewinds the body to a set point, and others—all developed with combat in mind.
The distance closed rapidly. Just out of reach, precariously so.
I ignored it, thrusting the sword with full power. In that moment, as I infused will, the sword vanished.
Karsa, cloaked in sword aura, split into six blades emerging from beneath the drake.
It hadn't expected swords there; panic filled its eyes.
Too late to muster mana for defense.
Puk!
Six sword auras pierced it. Having gauged scales and flesh, I targeted vitals perfectly without issue.
Kuung. The drake crashed to the ground. It didn't move. Instant death.
Blood flowed from twelve holes. I recovered my power.
Karsa returned to normal, excess mana absorbed into me.
Domain Declaration lets me freely teleport power within the established domain. Anything infused with my mana can be moved anywhere, anytime inside.
That's what I just used.
With more finesse, I could blend martial arts mid-cast, or vice versa.
'Still barely managing it, though.'
My low realm meant borrowing the ring's power. Higher physical realm would improve control and application.
I surveyed the battlefield. It was chaotic in spots. Some higher beasts milled about in confusion.
"Killing the leader really threw them off, huh."
This one was a regional king, after all.
The field gradually calmed. Then Elena rushed over.
Her face and armor were blood-soaked from her own hunts.
"No injuries… good."
"What, you hoping I got hurt?"
"…That's not what I meant. Anyway, glad you're unscathed."
I nudged the corpse with my foot. "Situation during the fight?"
"Very smooth. Probably thanks to the monster you took down."
"Figured."
Leaders or commanders were crucial on any battlefield—even for monsters. Maybe more so.
But that wasn't my main curiosity.
"More importantly, Evan's side?"
"One moment…."
Elena touched her ear, querying her side. Her expression brightened with the report.
"Evan, he… Evan…!"
Forgetting the war, she shouted. I hurriedly covered my ears.
"Got it, calm down."
"Ahem…."
She cleared her throat and turned away, but couldn't hide her flushed cheeks.
With Evan done, my order was simple.
"Elena. Retreat. Prep defenses back home."
"Understood."
She bowed briefly, then rallied the troops.
They looked ragged. Elves especially, but even the beastkin warriors were exhausted.
I shouted to them all. "We're heading back."
Thus, we returned to the walls.
Back at the walls, the battlefield was a mess from the recent clashes. Hundreds of monster species piled together—chaos was inevitable.
Monsters rarely leave their territories; they're home. But Monster Season's boss drove them out, forcing rival species to band together. Fights were bound to erupt.
Without a leader, Monster Season was nothing.
"It's finally winding down…."
Elena murmured, gazing beyond the walls. A mix of lingering tension and relief.
Others on the walls mirrored her. Some collapsed in exhaustion watching the infighting monsters.
A week of high alert had drained them. Maintaining vigilance away from normal life is no small feat.
"Yeah, almost over."
Cleanup remained, but to outsiders, Monster Season was done.
Expedition forces would return soon, tidying up.
Unfortunately, I couldn't join the rest just yet.
'Still, a short daze won't hurt.'
Main Episode: Monster Season
So a little deviation should be fine.
"So… what now?"
"What?"
I eyed Elena's cryptic question.
"No need to stay. You're basically a saint now, even if reserve. Why not transfer to Justia's academy?"
Did the World Tree put her up to this? Babbling nonsense.
"I'll handle my path. Butt out. And saint? Still reserve, no matter what."
I'd only borrowed the term out of necessity. No plans to drop "reserve." Even if those damn gods forced it, I'd refuse.
"Still…."
"What else?"
A bit annoyed, but considering her efforts, I listened.
"Thinking of Saintess Estella…."
Then—
"Ah! Senpai, you done?"
Cloi's voice from behind. She'd sidled up beside me.
"Seems like important talk, but this is priority. Borrowing senpai~."
"W-Wait…."
True to form, my-way-or-highway Cloi ignored everyone. Before Elena finished, she hooked her arm in mine.
"Senpai~ Let's do great!"
Then Cloi teleported. Vision flickered.