The nine captains watched Drake, their interest piqued.
Except for the first test, where Drake’s performance was... less than stellar, he excelled in all other aspects.
The captains would likely all vote for him; no one wanted to miss out on such a talented individual.
Drake’s actions heightened anticipation.
He stepped forward. "For a sparring match, strong opponents are needed to showcase true ability. Only those of comparable strength are true rivals!"
He released his magic power. Behind him, a fiery dragon formed, roaring, creating a wave of intense heat.
The air grew hot; the candidates shielded their faces, retreating several steps before they could breathe normally.
Even the captains were impressed. Drake’s magic power rivaled that of senior mages in their squads; unimaginable for a fifteen-year-old who had just received a Grimoire.
"Can someone who can’t even stand before me be my opponent? Are you joking?"
Drake’s expressionless face conveyed his disdain.
The candidates were exceptional young people from various regions, considered geniuses. Many were nobles; they couldn’t tolerate being mocked by a commoner from a remote village.
They tried to withstand Drake’s magic but had to retreat, let alone stand before him.
Drake’s show of power stemmed from his frustration.
He couldn’t stand the world’s classism. In Hage Village and the capital, he’d heard "impossible" too many times.
It wasn’t right! Magic should be beautiful and free! Drake’s pent-up feelings erupted.
Only one person stepped forward—Yuno, green magic swirling around him. He slowly walked to face Drake.
A smile touched Drake’s lips. "I knew it! You’re not just that, Yuno!"
Yuno’s eyes held determination. "You haven’t sparred with me in three years! Let’s settle the score!"
Before Drake could respond, a voice interrupted.
"Wait, don’t forget me!"
Drake turned; Asta’s Grimoire was open; the Demon-slayer Sword was drawn.
Veins bulged on his forehead, but his face was beaming. He stepped forward, matching Yuno’s distance, pointing the Demon-slayer Sword at Drake.
Drake laughed, spreading his hands. "You two are the best! Show me your determination to become Wizard King!"
Yuno and Asta exchanged glances. Their unspoken understanding was unmatched.
They knew Drake had always been stronger. They couldn’t defeat him alone.
Only together could they face Drake at his full strength.
Without hesitation, they attacked simultaneously.
The referee was about to intervene, but Yami said, "Don’t spoil the fun, you idiot! This is interesting!"
The referee looked at Vangeance, who nodded. "It’s fine; this shows their true strength!"
"Wind Creation Magic: Swift White Hawk!"
A giant wind hawk swooped at Drake, more ferocious than a real hawk.
The captains nodded. Yuno’s skill in creating such a refined wind magic was impressive.
"Fire Dragon’s Crushing Fang!"
Drake didn’t dodge, charging toward the eagle. His flaming hands tore it apart.
As Drake finished, Asta appeared before him, slashing with the Demon-slayer Sword.
"When did he get there?"
The candidates hadn’t noticed Asta’s movement; only the captains saw his speed.
"Fast! Did he use acceleration magic?"
"No, pure physical strength!"
Yami took a drag of his cigarette, his gaze serious. He hadn’t expected Asta’s speed.
Asta’s speed and timing were perfect. Drake, having just countered Yuno’s magic, could only counter directly.
"Fire Dragon’s Hook Claw!"
Flames enveloped his legs; Drake spun, kicking Asta.
They separated. Drake backflipped, absorbing the force. Asta retreated several steps.
This was Drake’s first time fighting Asta with the five-leaf clover Grimoire. Anti-magic was unreasonable.
Drake’s magic power was easily dispelled; he’d clashed with Asta’s blade physically.
If not for his Dragon Slayer constitution, he would have been severely injured!
Yuno wouldn’t miss this opportunity.
"Wind Magic: Wind Blades Shower !"
Immense magic power transformed into swirling winds, forming blades that shot at Drake.
Drake’s arms blazed with fire.
"Fire Dragon’s Wing Beat!"
The flames erupted, forming giant wings that deflected the blades.
Asta’s anti-magic was troublesome.
Even with his incomplete anti-magic, Asta couldn’t counter many spells.
"Combining the flames of my left and right hands... Fire Dragon’s Blazing Inferno!"
Drake hurled a giant fireball at Asta.
The Demon-slayer Sword could only cut magic, but even if Asta cut the fireball, the separated flames would still hit him.
Asta realized this but had no time to strategize.
His rigorous training gave him incredible reflexes; he reacted instantly.
He used the sword’s back to deflect the flames. To everyone’s surprise, he redirected the flames back at Drake.
Drake ducked, and his target was the still-recovering Asta. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs novelꞁire.net
"I’m scared! I didn’t know it could be used like that!" Asta’s expression showed his shock.
Yuno unleashed his strongest magic—a tornado that aimed to blow Drake away.
Drake didn’t budge; he used his magic power to resist the wind.
His flames flickered, threatening to extinguish.
"Clever... Yuno," Drake realized Yuno had used wind magic to deplete the air around Drake, suppressing his flames.
"Asta, snap out of it!" Yuno called, startling Asta.
"Shut up, I’m getting serious!" Asta slashed through the tornado, aiming at Drake.
But his arm stopped; a hand gripped his sword blade.
Drake, avoiding the blade, grabbed the sword’s back. Asta couldn’t break free.
"Asta, your training is insufficient! Fire Dragon’s Iron Fist!"
Drake’s fist slammed into Asta’s sword, sending him flying.
Asta crashed to the ground, shattering the stone floor.
"Useless idiot. My rival? If this is..." Yuno said coldly.
His Grimoire opened; he held a wind-formed longbow and arrow.
Asta planted his sword, rising. Black markings appeared on him.
"I’ll become Wizard King!" Asta and Yuno shouted.
Drake laughed. "I’m fired up! Let’s finish this!"
Drake’s face puffed up; a magic circle with a dragon emblem appeared.
"Fire Dragon’s... Roar!"
Yuno released his arrow, colliding with Drake’s fire pillar.
Asta leaped, slashing at Drake.
Drake increased his magic power; the magic circle expanded, the fire pillar growing larger.
It overwhelmed Yuno’s arrow and was about to engulf Asta.
"Whoa, that magic... is bad," Yami stood, hand on his sword hilt.
Vangeance intervened.
Thick tree roots emerged, wrapping around the three, separating them. Their magic was stopped, preventing further damage.
"That’s enough!" Vangeance declared. "We’ve seen your strength!"
The three were released, looking at each other. Drake smiled. "It’s a draw. Next time!"
Asta clenched his fist. "I’ll get stronger! Just you wait, Drake!"
Yuno’s eyes conveyed the same message.
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