Damn it, even an ultimate-level spell can't bypass the Ande's magic nullification!

But this is where my final trump card comes into play!

As the enormous water dragon disappears, the stun grenade I timed and threw earlier detonates.

BAAAAAAAAAAN!!

“GAAAAAAAAAH!!”

Even though I was behind the corpse of the calamity and had completely covered my ears, the shock still reaches me.

A stun grenade is a non-lethal suppression weapon that paralyzes all human senses for a few seconds with its blinding flash and ear-splitting explosion.

It lacks killing power, but the flash produced by the combustion of chemicals robs a person of their vision for a while. This isn't the kind of light that can be blocked by sunglasses or simply closing one’s eyes.

Furthermore, the blast’s sound not only damages hearing but also affects the semicircular canals. In some cases, it can rupture an opponent’s eardrums or even cause blindness. It is, without a doubt, a weapon.

As for why I have something like this, it’s because I took a few from the weapons stash when I took down that scammer gang the other day. Along with the stun grenades, I also stored Japanese swords, handguns, and grenades in my storage magic. Seriously, just what were those guys fighting…?

Regardless of where I got it, a crime is still a crime. But at this point, illegal trespassing and assaulting criminals are the least of my concerns.

And it's not like I just now thought of using the stun grenade in this situation. No—I knew beforehand that the successor of the Grand Mage could nullify magic.

This information was in the documents Boris and the others gave me just before this duel began. It came from someone who had fought the successor of the Grand Mage before.

According to them, there were multiple instances during battle where their magic suddenly became unusable. Earlier, Ande said that this magic was recently perfected. Most likely, through battles with powerful foes, they had been experimenting with a new spell called Magic Eraser.

As a contingency, in case magic became unusable, I planned to rely on weapons from my original world. I can’t thank Boris enough for bringing me this invaluable information.

I originally intended to use the stun grenade before getting cornered, but there was no prior intel on such an extreme high-speed teleportation spell. When combined with teleportation magic, which allowed Ande to cling within the nullification range, I couldn't even retrieve weapons from my storage magic—it was truly a close call.

For Ande, whose sight and hearing were enhanced, the stun grenade’s non-magical attack must have dealt considerable damage!

DAAAAAAN!!

“GAAAAH!”

CRACK! CRACK!

The grenades I timed and threw next explode, shattering Ande’s barrier. However, even their explosive force only manages to break the barrier.

“Storage magic, Physical Boost!”

I store the calamity back into my storage magic and cast an advanced physical enhancement spell on myself. At the same time, I retrieve a sturdy shield and sword from storage. With this, my remaining mana is almost gone.

Until now, neither Ande nor I had used physical enhancement magic on ourselves for a reason. Applying enhancement magic on an already powerful body makes it difficult to control speed, putting immense strain on the body. Even with enhanced perception skills, changing direction properly would be nearly impossible.

But.—Charging straight ahead is still an option.

“Guuuuuuh…!”

The stun grenade not only affects vision and hearing but also paralyzes all senses. In this state, using magic properly is impossible. Meaning, for these next few seconds—until their senses return—they won’t be able to escape with teleportation magic.

I raise the large shield with my left hand. Adding the inherited strength of the Grand Mage’s body to my magically enhanced physique, I concentrate all my power into my right foot and step forward.

At a speed even I can barely register, I enter Ande’s magic nullification range. The physical enhancement magic gets nullified, but my momentum remains. I charge straight into Ande at full speed.

“Gah—!”

CRACK!

I feel the last remnants of my shield’s barrier spell shatter as I slam into them, knocking them backward. For the first time in this battle, my attack has reached Ande’s body.

“RAAAAAAH!!”

With my momentum still carrying me forward, we crash through the plains and into the forest, toppling trees in our wake. The physical enhancement spell increased my speed by several times—but the impact doesn’t just increase linearly; it multiplies exponentially. The force of this blow is on a completely different level from my previous attacks.

An unpleasant sensation spreads through my left arm holding the shield. From the force of the collision, not only Ande’s body but possibly even my own left arm has been broken.

“Hah… hah…”

As my momentum finally comes to a halt, I pin Ande’s small frame beneath me, pressing down with my shield while pointing my sword at their throat.

“Oi, you still alive?”

There was no time to disable my suppression skill before impact, so I rammed them with my full strength. But they’re still alive… right?

“Gah… what… just happened…?”

They cough up blood—but they’re alive. Ah, right. Due to the stun grenade and grenades, their vision and hearing still haven’t recovered.

“…Heal.”

Using the last scraps of my mana, I cast a healing spell to stabilize Ande’s condition—while keeping my shield pressed against their body and my sword at their throat.

“I win! Admit your defeat!”

“………………”

Ande’s crimson eyes—those characteristic of a High Elf—stare at me. Given their personality, I wouldn’t put it past them to struggle, but if they make any move… I’ll have to drive this sword through their throat and end it. If possible, I’d rather not kill the disciple of the Grand Mage, my benefactor.

“…It seems I have lost.”