Emery understood very well his 347 battle power that was overwhelming to others would not be able to match Zach's strength and speed in his full Dragon transformation, even with the variety of buff spells he cast upon himself.
The young dragon was simply too terrifying.
Everyone watching the duel didn't seem surprised to see Emery being suppressed after Zach unleashed his true strength. They knew this was the difference between a high-tier bloodline, like the Dragon bloodline, and a middle-tier bloodline, i.e. the Wolf bloodline.
Fortunately, Emery had predicted something like this would happen.
He had decided that, if he could not beat his opponent in the strength or speed department, he would try to one-up him in magic.
He was confident in this plan, as the [Twilight Transformation] provided great enhancement in spell power and magic resistance. Coupled with his dual core, magic could be the key that would make the difference in their battle.
That was why Emery had spent the last three days struggling hard to learn new spells.
[Dark Void]
After the clones his [Shadow Mist] created were mercilessly destroyed by Zach, taking advantage of the moment he was distracted, Emery managed to enter the void successfully.
His speed that was enhanced by the [Slipstream] spell, in addition to unpredictable mobility with the use of [Blink], now coupled with [Dark Void] that would shroud his existence within the void and make him harder to detect, allowed Emery to mount a retaliation.
Those three spells worked seamlessly together under Emery's hands, forcing the young dragon to retreat, as his attacks would always hit empty air, while his body continued to receive wounds instead.
Spllatt! Splatt!
However, the young dragon, who was a veteran fighter himself, quickly adapted to the precarious situation. Realizing a slash of his sword had a meager chance of actually hitting Emery, Zach opted for using magic, casting one of his spells: [Burning Field].
The spell quickly turned the area around him into a blazing ground filled with scorching hot flames. The solution worked really well, as the flames managed to restrict Emery's movements.
As soon as Emery cast [Blink] to get out of Zach's [Burning Field] range, he lost all the momentum he had accumulated. In a fierce fight like theirs, losing momentum could mean a major turnaround.
Grabbing the opportunity presented before him, Zach's feet stomped the ground and his figure disappeared from view. His broadsword had been swung high in the sky. The moment he appeared in front of Emery, the young dragon swept his hand downwards.
The huge sword descended like a reaper, aiming straight at Emery's head. Seeing this, Emery quickly tightened his grip and swung his sword in a precise trajectory to block the attack.
Clank! Boom!
The two swords clashed against each other, but due to the power Zach channeled into his sword, the ground beneath Emery's feet caved in making him end up kneeling on the ground. "Argh!" A groan escaped his lips, as he tried to withstand the mountain-like momentum.
Another swing quickly came from the right, but Emery had yet to recover his numb hand. Fortunately, the [Twilight Transformation] enhanced his spell prowess, allowing him to cast his instant spell even faster.
[Blink]
Just as the sword was inches from landing on Emery's body, his figure disappeared. Thus, once again, Zach's strike hit only empty air. Frustrated to see the same thing happen again and again, the young dragon shouted loudly.
"Are you going to keep running!?"
Emery who had reappeared a few meters away coughed and replied, "No. Of course not!"
The reason Emery cast [Blink] was not only to dodge the fatal attack, but also to gain distance. In fact, before his feet touched the ground, he had already started casting one of the Tier 5 spells he had recently learned.
[Ash Blast]
Elemental energy began to concentrate around Emery's body. He waved his hand, controlling the elemental energy to his will and gathering it to the extent he was currently able to control it. Once completed, he sent the blast without the slightest hint of hesitation.
The concentrated darkness and earth elemental energy flew through the air towards Zach, destroying everything in its path.
Zach didn't seem deterred by the terrifying sight. With his monstrous physique, he lifted his sword and swung it violently. Under everyone's shocked eyes, Emery's spell was cut in half by his attack, but as a result of the spell's explosion, his body was pushed back a few steps.
The young dragon roared as he recovered his balance and, without further ado, he dashed after Emery again. Unfortunately for him, Emery's list of mobility spells made it very hard, if not impossible, for Zach to follow if the former made up his mind to just dodge.
If that wasn't infuriating enough, once he was distracted, Emery would immediately take the opportunity and send another of his new spells.
[Seed Bomb]
Numerous spheres of greenish energy the size of apples materialized floating in the air and were swiftly placed in the trajectory of the charge of the raging young dragon. Facing this, the only answer Zach gave was to raise his sword once again.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Ear-deafening sounds successively sounded in the air, as explosions continued to occur in the area the young dragon passed through. If one had to compare, the [Seed Bomb] spell was like a barrage of mini-sized [Dark Matter] spells.
However, thanks to Emery's [Twilight Transformation] increasing the power of his spell, the mini-sized energy spheres had at least the same destructive power as a normal [Dark Matter].
Emery could see Zach vomiting blood after his body received several explosions at close range. Cracks began to appear all over the red armor covering his body, showing that Emery's attack was effective.
'Just a few more!' thought Emery, when he saw Zach's current state.
Not wanting to let go of the momentum he regained, Emery continued to cast his Tier 5 spells and assaulted the dragon with attacks from distance. The new spells had become Emery's new attack tactic - a relentless bombardment of range attacks.
[Jade Root], [Seed Bomb] and [Ash Blast] - these three spells were cast by Emery in turns to make sure Zach wouldn't be able to do anything. The first allowed him to stall and stop his opponent's advance, while the other two alternate with each other to wear down the man.
Most importantly, Emery cast all these from a distance, keeping him safe, while continuing to injure the young dragon.
All of this of course made Zach extremely irritated. He felt as if he was being toyed with like nothing. Because of that, he stopped trying to reach Emery. He stood where he was, no longer chasing and just blocking and dodging the attacks Emery threw.
Noticing this sight, strangely made Emery anxious. He stopped his relentless attacks and carefully observed his opponent. He had a feeling Zach's action didn't mean his surrender. The young dragon still had something hidden up his sleeve.
Even when the barrage of spells didn't rain down on him anymore, Zach still didn't move and thus further solidified the ominous premonition Emery had. The audience could also feel the tension rising in the atmosphere.
A few moments of silence later, Zach lifted his face and looked Emery in the eye before saying, "You shall now see the full extent of my bloodline. Congratulations, for successfully forcing me to this point."
[Draconic Flame]
BOOM!
Smoldering heat swept through the surrounding area at a rapid rate. Zach's entire body was engulfed by blazing crimson flames and an illusory figure of a dragon roaring amidst the flames manifested behind him. EVEN a pair of wings sprouted like a blossoming flower.
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Written by Avans, Published exclusively by W.e.b.n.o.v.e.l,