It was unfortunate that Vail could not share this moment with them.He lay there, barely able to move—completely spent...
But that was fine...
Raym believed wholeheartedly in Daniel's strength...Daniel was no weaker than Vail, not in the slightest...
Still… what they were facing now was a legendary creature—a being that was supposed to be extinct...
The shock and awe of its arrival had been overwhelming at first,but Raym knew better than to let such emotions take hold...
Even the slightest admiration or hesitation before an enemy like thiscould open the door to death...
And besides—Leo had trained them well...
Nothing like this would stop him.Not while they were all standing here together.
The dragon roared again...
This time, its roar was excessive—so violent that everyone was forced to cover their ears...The sound itself was unbearable...
Then it lunged forward, its massive body charging straight toward Daniel...
Despite being the physically strongest among them,Daniel understood instantly—there was nothing he could truly do against such a creature.
He narrowly evaded the charge, worry flashing across his face.This was not something one could match…perhaps not something anyone could.
The dragon's eye snapped toward him.
Its tail struck...
Daniel barely registered what happened before his body was sent flying.
Raym felt the danger surge.He assumed his strange stance once more—
—but the dragon gave him no chance.
A torrent of overwhelming flames erupted toward Raym.He dodged—
only to be swallowed by a massive shadow.
The tail again...
Raym reacted instantly, moving at the speed of light, reappearing behind the dragon.He aimed for a focused strike—
—but the dragon was ready...
Its tail lashed out once more...Raym barely managed to block the blow, the impact nearly crushing him.
As he struggled to rise, jaws filled with fangs lunged toward him.
He escaped again—barely...
His breathing was ragged...
The dragon, enraged, raised its head and unleashed fire skyward...The heavens themselves ignited...
With wings spread wide, it soared upward,continuing to rain down twisted torrents of flame.
The sky turned completely crimson—as if history itself were ending...
An endless downpour of fire descended upon them.
Some sought cover.Others fled left and right.
No one escaped unscathed.
Severe burns covered their bodies.Raym's left arm was completely scorched—useless now...
But the dragon was not done...
It wrapped itself in flames and descended like a meteor,slamming into the ground with a thunderous explosion.
This time, survival seemed impossible.
From within the thick smoke and blackened dust that swallowed the city,a brilliant light emerged.
Raym stood there, leaning on his sword.Nearly everyone stood behind him—injured, but alive...
He tried to remain standing—but his balance failed him.
Someone caught him.
Lyra...
She held his burned arm tightly, asking if he was alright.
Their eyes met...
Both understood the situation—and both flushed in embarrassment.
"I'm fine," Raym said gently."Thank you, Lyra."
Her face reddened further..."Shut up, idiot," she snapped awkwardly."Don't be a burden. Stand up."
And he did...
Behind him, everyone stood ready once more.
Zack stared at him in admiration.From afar, Lonz nodded approvingly.
You don't need to worry anymore, old man,Lonz thought calmly.That boy is more reliable than you ever were.
The dragon attacked again.
Its arm swung with terrifying speed—so sudden that no one noticed until—
Daniel leapt forward and stopped it.
With his bare hands.
Silence fell.
Blood streamed down Daniel's face as he wiped it away, grinning wildly at the dragon.
"Hahaha! You're a real fraud," he shouted."Forcing me to throw away my weapon and fight barehanded???"
"You've made a grave mistake."
The dragon roared strangely.
The air around it vanished.
A flaming sweep of its tail followed.
Raym, Zack, Daniel, and Lyra charged together to stop it.
With screams and strained muscles,they barely managed to deflect the attack.
The dragon staggered.
For the first time—
its defense was open.
Raym leapt.
Memories flooded his mind—his training with Leo...
"Hey, bright boy… remember this.Never use your power recklessly...Light is one of the strongest elements—but also the most draining...If you must use it…strike once. End it in a single blow."
Raym's eyes burned with resolve...
"Sir Leo… I won't disappoint you!!!"
"Vail, Daniel, Lyra—everyone—I won't let anyone get hurt while I'm here!"
Light flooded his sword, illuminating the sky itself.Everyone shielded their eyes...
"Supreme Art—Revered Blade!!!"
Blinding radiance erupted.
Even Vail forced himself to stand.
Lonz froze, tears streaming silently down his face.He said nothing—only gripped his weapon once more.
When the light faded—
Raym stood tall...
Pride filled every gaze upon him.
Daniel ruffled his hair, laughing."You're strong, kid. You'll catch up to me soon—maybe even surpass me!"
What kind of training did this monster go through…? he thought.
After a brief silence—
the dragon rose again.
Its body bore no wounds...
But the scar on its chest had opened further.
Rage exploded from it.
It soared into the sky, fire gathering in its mouth—
but this time, the flames shaped themselves into a massive sword.
With blind fury, the dragon charged.
Everyone stared in helpless shock.
And from the rubble—
Vail stood once more.
Ready...
More than ever before...