"Wind Cutter!"
"GURU?"
I launched 10 shots of the basic Wind magic spell, Wind Cutter, which I had used to defeat the wyvern yesterday. However, the blades of wind were deflected by the dragon's scales and didn’t seem to cause any damage. As expected, it's tougher than a wyvern.
"GYAOOOOO!"
The dragon retaliated, apparently recognizing me as an enemy after my attack. The beastkin adventurers I saved earlier were now hiding with their party behind a rocky outcrop.
The dragon dived toward me from the sky. Using my Evasion skill, I narrowly avoided its talons, but the intense wind pressure caused me to stumble slightly.
Seriously, isn't this hit-and-run tactic from the air a bit unfair? If someone couldn't use magic, their only option would be a desperate counterattack against that dive. And if this thing could fire multiple breath attacks, it would essentially be invincible. Luckily, I have the spells of a grand mage at my disposal!
"Thunderstorm!"
Above the dragon, dark thunderclouds formed. This was Thunderstorm, a mid-tier Lightning magic spell that unleashes bolts of lightning over a wide area. With a target this large, there’s no way the lightning would miss.
Crack! Crack!
"GYAAAAAAA!"
Oh, looks like that did some damage! Multiple lightning bolts struck the dragon, eliciting a roar of pain.
"Whoa, what kind of magic is that!?" "That's Thunderstorm, a mid-tier spell… but its power far exceeds even my high-tier magic!"
The beastkin adventurers were astonished. Well, this is the magic of the strongest grand mage in the land, after all.
"GUUUUU…"
However, the dragon endured over ten bolts of lightning. Its scales were scorched in places, but it still had enough strength to remain airborne. This is the first time a creature has withstood a grand mage's mid-tier magic. This dragon is clearly on a higher level than the monsters of the Forest of Ruin.
The dragon flapped its massive wings violently. What’s it planning now?
"GRUOOOOOO!"
Whoa! That was close!
The dragon unleashed a powerful wind blade, much sharper than the Wind Cutter I had used earlier. Without my Barrier Magic, I would’ve been sliced clean in half!
I had underestimated the dragon, thinking a single mid-tier spell would be enough. Clearly, I was wrong.
"Thunderstorm! Windstorm! Icicle Storm!"
I cast three mid-tier storm spells—lightning, wind, and ice—all at once!
"No way! Casting three spells of that magnitude simultaneously!?" "GYAAAAAA!"
Even with that massive frame, the dragon couldn’t dodge such widespread attacks.
The triple assault finally forced the dragon to descend. It landed heavily on the ground, clearly weakened but still defiant. Almost there.
The dragon inhaled deeply—it’s preparing another breath attack!
"GYAAAAAAA!"
This time, the dragon's breath wasn’t nearly as powerful, likely due to the damage it had sustained. My barriers remained intact, and the beastkin adventurers behind me managed to block the attack with their large shields.
Their shields must be of exceptional quality or specialized against fire. As expected of those who dare challenge a dragon.
"Huh?!"
In the brief moment I turned to check on the adventurers, the dragon disappeared!
No, wait. Looking carefully, I spotted it far higher in the sky than before. The dragon's trying to escape! Well, that’s fair. If I were in danger, I’d retreat too. But I can’t let it get away!
"Holy Chain!"
"GUUUUU!"
Chains of light materialized out of nowhere, wrapping around the dragon and binding it in midair.
This high-tier restraint magic, Holy Chain, is the advanced version of the lower-tier Bind spell.
Thud!
The dragon crashed to the ground, its wings rendered useless. Even after falling from such a height, its tough scales seemed to have absorbed most of the impact. However, it was now completely immobilized by the glowing chains.
I drew a sword forged by the grand mage, enhancing it with Hardening Magic and boosting my physical strength with Body Enhancement Magic.
"Sorry about this…"
Slash!
Thud!
The dragon's massive head fell to the ground.
Even though it was a dangerous creature that threatened people, taking its life with my own hands still left a heavy feeling in my chest. Then again, it's not like I hesitated to kill the wyverns earlier. Apologizing now would just be hypocritical.
Still, this was undeniably the strongest opponent I’ve faced so far. To endure so much of the grand mage's magic… impressive.
"That was incredible!" "I can't believe you defeated that dragon on your own!"
Right. The beastkin adventurers saw everything. Just like yesterday’s adventurers, I’ll need to offer them a share of the rewards to keep quiet about this. Besides, dismantling a dragon of this size alone is something I’d rather avoid.