The blood trickling down Charles's forehead instantly evaporated from the searing heat radiating off his body. The wound itself quickly closed under the influence of his dragon power.
But the signs of fatigue had already begun to show. His Dragonblood Mode was nearing its limit, with only about three minutes left.
Though he'd extended the form's duration to fifteen minutes through training, the intensity of this fight had pushed its limit far faster than usual.
So Charles's attacks grew even fiercer, more desperate. He fought like a man who had to finish things before time ran out—because he did.
After taking several of Charles's blows, Vetto finally retreated a few steps—but instead of frustration, he smiled.
Sensing Charles's growing urgency, he sneered. "Insect will always be insect. You've lasted this long—commendable. But now… it's time for despair.
No matter how hard you struggle, the outcome will not change."
Charles exhaled a breath of steam, tension rising in his expression. Compared to the elves resurrected by forbidden magic, the gap in mana was undeniable.
Given time, Charles knew he could close that gap with world magic's blessing. But right now, the difference couldn't be bridged by willpower alone. He was approaching his limit.
At least—that was how it should have been…
Suddenly, Charles's flames surged stronger again.
He smiled. "If there's one thing I've learned from being in the Black Bulls, it's this:
This is exactly when you break past your limits!
And you forgot something—I'm not alone!
Right, Asta?!"
Vetto's eyes widened—he'd sensed a new presence behind him.
"Of course! Sorry to keep you waiting, Charles!"
Asta's Demon-Dweller Sword sliced past Vetto's shoulder, spraying blood.
Like a beast, Vetto reacted instantly—Asta had aimed for a fatal blow, but Vetto had evaded just enough to minimize the damage.
Still, the wound bled freely—and didn't heal.
Everyone saw it.
That wound… wasn't closing.
In that moment, they all understood—Asta was the key to defeating Vetto.
Vetto looked at the gash on his body. He too realized it—Asta posed the greatest threat, followed by Charles.
"Beast Magic: ΣΞξ!"
Another cursed beam attack fired toward Asta, but he cleaved it cleanly in two with a swing of his sword.
Vetto had no time to follow up, because Charles had already launched his next assault.
"Flame Dragon's Blazing Blaze!"
A massive fireball engulfed Vetto, turning him into a pillar of flame.
But he burst free with a roar, shredding the inferno with a cursed claw.
His burn wounds healed rapidly—but the cut Asta made continued to bleed.
Asta didn't waste the moment and charged again.
Vetto scoffed. "You think the same move will work twice?"
This time, he dodged Asta's strike cleanly and slashed at him with his beast claw.
But Asta twisted midair, flipping sideways in an impossible motion—just narrowly avoiding the attack.
That wasn't magic. Asta didn't have any.
Vetto's eyes darted to the side—Vanessa was standing there, smiling, one hand raised.
Thread danced around her fingers.
"This whole battlefield is covered in my Thread Magic. I'll make sure Asta stays alive."
Asta, heavily injured, couldn't possibly last in a fight against Vetto. One hit would be fatal.
But with Vanessa manipulating his movements like a puppet on a string—Asta could go all out on offense while she handled defense.
"Enough with the tricks!" Vetto roared and charged like a wild beast.
Before he could reach Asta, a flaming fist struck him in the jaw.
"Your opponent is me. Focus!" Charles snarled.
Their fists blurred in an exchange that even sound couldn't keep up with.
Asta dashed in from the left and left another gash under Vetto's ribs before being yanked away by Vanessa's threads.
Charles followed up with a flying kick that sent Vetto stumbling.
"You worthless gnats… Daring to stand against me, together…" Vetto trembled in fury. "It's INFURIATING!"
His mana flared violently, like lava boiling beneath his skin.
Charles and Asta exchanged a look—and attacked together.
Charles raised a hand, blocking a descending beast claw.
Asta swept in and knocked Vetto back with a slash.
Charles followed, delivering a midair kick. Vetto parried it, but Asta was already coming from below.
His Demon-Dweller Sword stabbed into Vetto's torso—but it missed a vital point.
It was bait.
Vetto had let him land that hit—so he could kill Asta right then.
He raised a claw to end it—but Charles intercepted with a punch.
In that opening, Vanessa's thread pulled Asta safely out.
Charles also retreated—but by now, the dragon scales on his body were beginning to fade.
With a thud, Charles dropped to one knee. Dragonblood Mode had ended—and with it, came a wave of weakness.
Of the two who could challenge Vetto, one was now in a recovery state, and the other had lost his sword.
To Vetto, it was over.
Even with Asta's blade still stuck in his chest, he smiled cruelly.
"Insects… without your magic form… without that anti-magic sword… all your hope will now be reborn as the sweetest despair!"
"Despair?" Asta said, lifting his head, face unchanged.
"We're not done yet!"
Vetto's grin warped into a snarl.
"Why won't you despair?!"
With a roar, he lunged toward Asta. He would crush the boy who refused to break.
Vanessa's thread yanked Asta back—but Vetto was too fast.
He was gaining on him.
Just as Vetto was about to strike—a portal opened behind Asta.
He vanished into it—and Vetto's claws struck empty air.
A second portal opened near Vanessa. Asta tumbled out, bruised but alive.
Charles chuckled. "Took you long enough, Finral-senpai."
Finral appeared beside Asta, scowling. "I am your senpai! Show some respect, will you?
Anyway… now that I'm here, I won't let any of you die!"
"Mirror Magic: Multi-Reflect Ray!"
As they spoke, beams of light rained down from above—bombarding Vetto in a relentless barrage.
And just as Vetto retreated—a towering woolen figure rose behind him.
"Cotton Magic: Sleepy Sheep's…"
A massive sheep stood upright—and swung a massive fist.
"Punch!"
It smashed Vetto into the ground.
But it didn't stop.
"Second Punch… Third Punch… (Tragedy!)"
With a final blow, the sheep sent Vetto flying.
High above on a stone platform, three more figures appeared.
At the front, Gauche raised his voice: "Don't forget—we're here too!"
Asta grinned, fired up. "Did you see that?
This is the Black Bulls!
Together, we'll take you down!"
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