That instantaneous teleportation magic of Ande’s was completely unexpected. No matter how powerful an attack I unleash, he’ll just dodge it at the last moment. This is totally broken!

“...For now, wouldn’t that Calamity corpse just be in the way?”

“...Yeah.”

That corpse is an obstruction to both of us. Though, if things got desperate, I had planned to use it as a shield. With that much mass, it could block most magic.

I reabsorb the Calamity’s corpse into my storage magic. Its immense weight has left the ground heavily dented, and any rocks or trees that were there have been completely flattened.

“...For you to store something with such mass, your magical capacity must be considerable. Well then, let’s start fresh!”

Damn it, I hadn’t expected that last attack to fail. That high-speed teleportation is unfair…

“...As thanks for showing me something interesting, I’ll let you have the first move. Go ahead and fire your magic.”

“................”

Shit, he looks way too composed now that he’s blocked my best shot. I don’t know what he’s planning, but if he’s giving me the opportunity to strike first, I have no choice but to take it.

“Lightning Caliber!”

A golden lightning sword appears above Ande. I prepare to charge in at the moment of impact, but—he doesn’t even attempt to dodge.

Crackle crackle crackle crackle!

The lightning sword hurtles down from above.

“Magic Eraser.”

“What!?”

The moment Ande chants, the lightning sword disappears. From the tip downward, it vanishes as though erased, stopping about five or six meters above him.

“...This is a new spell I only recently perfected. It took me years to complete. As you can see, it erases any magic cast within a certain range around me for a set duration.”

“Magic nullification…”

“...That’s right. Ironically, it’s the same power as that Calamity you defeated. My master studied Calamities, and I inherited his research, finally completing this spell! Now, experience its power firsthand.”

Whoosh

Ande suddenly vanishes! Is that teleportation magic!?

At the same time, my danger sense screams from behind me.

“!?”

“Fire Ignition!”

He reappears instantly behind me. Damn, I need to defend—!

“Shit! Water Wall!”

BOOOOM!

A massive explosion of flames erupts right in front of Ande.

“Gah!!”

The force sends me flying far backward. My chest plate is dented, and the impact to my torso leaves a metallic taste of blood in my mouth.

“Even barrier magic gets erased…?”

“...Do you now understand the terror of this magic?”

…I understand all too well. A spell that nullifies all enemy magic—not just for defense, but for offense as well. It forcibly cancels out defensive spells and barriers.

Within Ande’s range, only he can use magic. The only way to counter this would be to stay far away from him, but his teleportation magic instantly closes the distance.

This is beyond broken! His teleportation magic alone was already unfair, but now magic nullification on top of it!? This guy has already surpassed the Grand Mage!

“...Of all the opponents I’ve faced, you are the strongest after my master. Masayoshi, this has been the most exhilarating battle!”

And then… the one-sided slaughter began.

“Guh!?”

“...Why don’t you give up already?”

Ande carefully maintains a certain distance, keeping me within his magic nullification range. Because of that, I can’t even use healing magic, and my injuries keep piling up. He isn’t using overly strong attacks—he’s deliberately keeping me from being blown away.

Damn it, even just once—I need to get out of his nullification range, even just once!

“Like hell I will!”

My legs are heavy, my arms ache. Just breathing makes my chest throb, and I feel lightheaded from blood loss.

The toughest armor from the Grand Mage’s house is dented all over, and the black mask I’ve worn for so long has cracked in half.

But even so, surrendering is not an option! Sara’s life is at stake—I have no choice but to fight!

“...You must care for that royal woman a great deal. Very well, then—I’ll simply knock you unconscious and end this.”

Damn it, I won’t let this end like this! It’s all or nothing!

I thrust out my right arm. Wrapped around it is a golden bracelet.

“Go!”

“Nngh!?”

The Thunder God’s Bracelet—an artifact of the Edwards Kingdom. This bracelet stores magical energy, and the kingdom’s best mages had poured all their power into it. Now, I release it all at once, unleashing a massive golden lightning bolt at Ande.

Originally, this was the national treasure of the First Prince, but for this duel, it had been entrusted to Pazia. I had borrowed it and strapped it to my right arm.

“High Heal!”

As soon as I escape Ande’s nullification range, I cast healing magic. My wounds rapidly close.

Looks like my gamble paid off—his nullification spell doesn’t work on magic items!

“...I’m impressed. That must be a magical artifact. Indeed, my Magic Eraser has no effect on enchanted items, but for it to hold such immense power… However, that was likely its final shot, was it not? There’s no way something that strong can be used repeatedly.”

“................”

He’s right. That last attack completely drained the Thunder God’s Bracelet. I can’t use it again, and even that strike didn’t leave a scratch on Ande’s barrier. If I enter his nullification range again, I won’t be able to defend myself.

That means… this is my last chance!

“Storage Magic! Ultimate Magic—Aqua Valguinir!”