Amid the swirling dust and gale-force winds dominating the training field, two figures watched the battle with quiet intensity.
"Wizard King, it seems Yuno has the upper hand here," said Vangeance, his tone laced with subtle pride.
The Wizard King chuckled lightly. "At this moment, it does appear that way."
Their gazes remained fixed on the duel unfolding before them. Yuno and Ethan Hayes, both wielding their respective grimoire-bound powers of the wind attribute and blessed with the rare four-leaf clover, were locked in an awe-inspiring clash. Despite Ethan's best efforts, the balance of power tipped slightly in Yuno's favor. But Ethan didn't feel disheartened—he knew why.
Unlike Yuno, whose sole focus was mastering the wind attribute, Ethan carried the weight of dual magic attributes: wind and fire. Splitting his attention between two elements inevitably slowed his mastery of either, but it also granted him unparalleled versatility and potential.
Suddenly, a blazing red glow erupted from Ethan's side, and a second grimoire, radiating intense heat, floated into view. Gasps rippled through the onlookers.
"It's... it's true! He has two grimoires!"
"My God, this is the first time I've ever seen someone using two grimoires at once..."
The assembled members of the Golden Dawn stood frozen in disbelief. Even though rumors of Ethan's dual grimoires had circulated, seeing it firsthand left them speechless. Historically, no one had ever successfully wielded two grimoires simultaneously.
Ethan's voice rang out with commanding intensity as both grimoires illuminated:
"Fire Creation Magic: Inferno Dragon's Surge!
Wind Creation Magic: Tempest Arrow!
Combination Magic: Dragon God's Roar!"
The dual grimoires shone with blinding brilliance, releasing a roaring inferno dragon entwined with razor-sharp wind blades. The sheer force of the magic caused the ground to tremble as the creation surged toward Yuno with deadly precision.
The spectacle left the Golden Dawn members awestruck.
"He's... he's reached the Sixth Domain!" one member stammered, his face pale with shock.
"Impossible! That's a power level reserved for Magic Knight Captains!" exclaimed another.
Ethan's mastery over his dual grimoires was nothing short of extraordinary. His ability to combine fire and wind into devastating attacks displayed control and ingenuity beyond his years.
Yuno, undeterred by the oncoming onslaught, drew upon his full magical potential. With a commanding gesture, he summoned his strongest defensive magic:
"Four-Leaf Clover Magic: Gale God's Shield!"
A luminous green barrier, marked with intricate runes, materialized before Yuno. He braced himself, channeling all his energy into maintaining the shield as Ethan's Dragon God's Roar approached.
Yet, just as the two titanic forces were about to collide, a calm yet authoritative voice echoed through the battlefield:
"Time Magic: Chronos Dissolution."
The Wizard King appeared between the combatants, his presence exuding an overwhelming sense of control. A massive sphere of golden time magic enveloped Ethan's attack, halting its advance. The sphere shimmered briefly, the intricate markings of a clock face rotating along its surface, before shattering Ethan's magic into harmless fragments.
The field grew eerily quiet as the Wizard King lowered his hand. What had once been a cataclysmic clash of elemental power was now no more than a faint breeze.
"That's enough sparring for today," the Wizard King said, smiling warmly as he turned to the young knights. His eyes sparkled with approval as he addressed Ethan and Yuno. "You've both demonstrated exceptional skill. I'm proud of you."
Despite the calmness of the Wizard King's actions, Ethan couldn't help but feel awed. His combination attack, one powerful enough to overwhelm most sixth-domain mages, had been dispelled effortlessly. It was a humbling reminder of the chasm that still separated him from the pinnacle of magical strength.
The members of the Golden Dawn murmured among themselves, clearly impressed. "Is this the potential of the four-leaf clover?" one asked. Another replied, "No, this is the potential of geniuses."
Vangeance stepped forward, motioning for the gathered knights to disperse. "Yuno, you'll remain under my guidance for the time being. Ethan, the Wizard King will speak with you privately."
The Wizard King placed a hand on Ethan's shoulder, guiding him away from the training grounds. "Originally, I intended to wait before giving you any significant responsibilities," he began. "But your performance today has made it clear you're ready. Starting tomorrow, you'll join missions alongside the other Magic Knights. With your current level of power, I'm confident you'll handle yourself well."
Ethan nodded, determination glinting in his eyes. While he appreciated the compliment, he knew he couldn't grow complacent. The path to true mastery lay not in comfort but in trial. The experience of real battles was what he needed to bridge the gap between power and practice.
As Ethan walked away with the Wizard King, he silently vowed to continue pushing his limits. Time was not his ally; it was his adversary. He had to grow stronger—strong enough to face the challenges that lay ahead, especially the looming threat of the Elves' reincarnation.