Sharp, compressed bullets of flame continuously shot at the running Nancy, and Gosen's accuracy became precise as the distance shortened.
He didn't know if it was due to the humidity in the air, wind speed, and surging Mana Zone that caused the bullets to deviate after flying a certain distance; he just felt that he hadn't aimed well before.
So, after seeing Nancy continuously block his flame bullets with an arm covered in thick earth armor, he aimed his sniper target at the magic crystal next to Zora.
He wanted to destroy her magic crystal before Nancy arrived. The distance between them wasn't far, and estimating speed and time, he could still fire about three shots.
He took a deep breath.
His finger pulled the trigger.
The bullet condensed from flame flew in an almost perfect fiery red arc.
But... this shot still missed, grazing the magic crystal next to Zora. Zora stood there calmly, seemingly not caring if the magic crystal would be shattered.
There was also a layer of Anti-Magic trap array he had carved on it, which could absorb the enemy's magic and then release it with increased power as gray magic.
'The enemy's accuracy is very poor, and so far, the Anti-Magic trap array hasn't even been activated. There's no need to worry too much right now.'
But just as he was thinking this, relaxing his guard, and letting the flame bullet fly past...
The air became humid, and extremely dense mana surged in the air. Zora turned to look and saw a silver-haired girl pointing a magic wand at him, with water surging on the magic wand!
"Not good!"
"Water Creation Magic, Roar of the Sea Dragon!"
The water flow formed from the surging mana, with overlapping scales, sharp claws, and long whiskers—it was clearly a water dragon. Instantly, the water dragon burst from the magic wand, opening its mouth and biting forward with an unstoppable fury.
Zora dodged to the side, behind the magic crystal. The roaring water dragon crashed into the magic crystal, and the gray magic array lit up.
The azure water dragon plunged into the rotating magic array, emerging after doubling in size, and turned to attack the silver-haired girl who had cast the magic.
Noelle, who had witnessed this peculiar magic in the first round, was not flustered. As if she had prepared thoroughly, she waved her magic wand forward.
"Water Creation Magic, Sea Dragon's Nest!"
Water flowed from the magic wand, spreading outwards. The flowing water formed a large, hemispherical water shield with many swirling vortices on its surface.
The roaring water dragon slammed hard into the Sea Dragon's Nest. Water splashed, and the water dragon and the Sea Dragon's Nest mutually dissipated. In the overflowing water, Noelle looked at Zora, who was fleeing with the magic crystal, and called out to her partner: "En Lingard!"
"I'm here!"
A giant gray-capped mushroom leaped out from behind a rock. Its wide white stalk had human-like eyes and a mouth. It placed Noelle on its shoulder and chased after Zora.
Now that the trap magic on the magic crystal had been dealt with, the remaining task was no longer so difficult.
Deal with this pile of magic crystals, then protect your own magic crystal until the end, and you will win!
Zora looked back at the figures chasing her. The magic crystal was not with her. 'It seems there's someone else hiding in the dark with the magic crystal. I need to force him to show himself.'
'Chasing a Mage of gray magic is not a wise move, you know.' Zora's lips slowly curled into a smile, her sharp teeth making the grin appear somewhat sinister.
Nancy looked at the direction the shots were fired at the magic crystal, placing her palm on the ground. Instantly, the ground rippled like a blanket, and the protruding small hills collapsed violently downwards.
"Not good!"
Gosen cried out, and his whole body fell with the collapsing earth.
Mimosa activated plant magic, and fine golden light fell into the brown earth. Vines broke through the ground, coiling around her and Gosen like snakes, and the two landed steadily.
When they came to their senses and looked around, Gosen and Mimosa suddenly froze. All around them, densely packed earth soldiers in armor surged towards them, a vast, dark mass.
"Earth Legion Magic, Evolving Earth Armor Army!"
The aerial battle continued fiercely.
Bai En, under the Transparent World, noticed Asta's abnormality. His body's heat began to rise, his blood flowed abnormally fast, and the Anti-Magic flowing from the demon-slayer sword accelerated even more!
Originally, he only had one black horn growing on his head, but now, a second black horn emerged like a newborn sprout.
The black and red patterns on his forehead and cheeks began to overflow outwards, and the new color was distinctly blue, a vivid blue like sprinkled gold, contrasting with the black and red Anti-Magic patterns.
"Is this a mark?"
"And it seems there's more... Demon Assimilation has progressed and been unleashed due to the appearance of the mark!"
The Anti-Magic overflowing from the demon-slayer sword exploded outwards like chains of lightning. The humming sound indicated immense power.
Bai En, who was originally preparing to swing Zan Yan, had to retract it to resist the overflowing Anti-Magic. "Clang," the Anti-Magic whipped Bai En away like a lash.
"Anti-Magic, which can erase all magic... itself possesses considerable power..."
Originally, you only fought in close combat, but now you're using magic attacks? What kind of joke is this? It's clearly cheating.
Before Bai En could even voice his complaint...
A pitch-black and enormous sword smashed down!
Bai En blocked with his sword, but the Anti-Magic blooming like lightning flowers on the sword instantly blasted him away.
Asta was stunned, looking at the huge blade in his hand with some bewilderment. Suddenly, he shouted: "Ah, what is this?"
"So big!"
"Is this my power too? So cool!"
Bai En looked at Asta swinging the greatsword, his mind a blank. The hand gripping Zan Yan was dripping blood from the chaotic, lightning-like Anti-Magic just now.
Xiao Tong and Yuno's battle had also reached a stalemate.
Relying on his control over the Mana Zone, Yuno used the Sky Elf's Silent Dance and Spirit Storm to dodge and attack.
Although Xiao Tong had Magic Conversion and Heavenly Canon with multiple kitchen tools, she hadn't gained a significant advantage in a short time.
If this continued... who knew when the entire battle would end.
Moreover, these two, who grew stronger the more they fought, simply couldn't be engaged in a prolonged battle.
The battle had to be resolved in an instant.
But because of Asta, that Anti-Magic guy, neither Space Slash nor stacking buffs in order based on the kitchen tools' characteristics was guaranteed to be effective.
He could only try that move.
"Come back, Xiao Tong."
Bai En, who was in sync with the Sky Elf, called out to Xiao Tong in his mind. Xiao Tong, hearing the call, stopped her entanglement with Yuno and flew towards Bai En like a shimmering white curve.
Yuno slowly ascended to the same height as Bai En and Asta, quietly watching the two...